Whether you’re moving across the country for a new job or you’re just moving to another city for a change of scenery, packing an amplifier is a big task. With so many things to take care of, it’s easy to forget about the simple but important task on how to pack a guitar amp for shipping. Especially if it’s a small, light-weight model, it’s not easy to find a space to store it. The good news is you don’t have to find a new home for your amplifier when you move. There are plenty of options to keep it safe, secure, and sound.
As you’re about to find out, it’s not as difficult as you think to protect your amp from shipping damage. And you don’t have to be the hero of the house by building an entire wooden case or carrying it in a heavy metal guitar case. Whether you’re moving across the country or just moving to another city, there are plenty of ways to protect your beloved amplifier without breaking the bank.
Related Article: How to pack a guitar for shipping without a case
What is the best way to pack an amplifier?
Packing a guitar amplifier for shipping can be a difficult task. You have to consider the size of your amplifier, how much time you have, and if it includes any fragile components like tubes or speakers. If you do not want to go through all the trouble of building a new case, it’s best to use a durable but small box. This will give your amp some necessary cushioning and protection against shock and vibration damage.
The most important thing to remember when packing an amplifier is that you want as much padding as possible. Your best option is to get two boxes: one for the amp itself and another larger one for padding around it. Then place styrofoam peanuts between the two boxes and on top of the amp to further protect it from any bumps or falls during shipping. The last thing you need is for your amp to arrive damaged; if so, you’ll have no choice but return it back home where it belongs!
How much should you pack an amp?
The first step in packing an amp is determining how much you can get it to weigh. A good starting point would be to measure the weight of the amp and compare that with the weight limit of the cardboard box you will be using to ship. If the total weight exceeds what’s allowed, then you’ll need to either get a larger box or consider breaking your amp down into smaller pieces.
Before you decide which option is best for your situation, make sure to read through these guidelines for packing an amp so that you know what needs to be done before starting.
Which packing materials should you use?
The first thing you should decide when packing an amplifier is which materials you should use to protect it. Here are some common options:
A padded bag: These are lightweight and compact, meaning they can be carried without a lot of hassle. You can usually find these at any big box store, or you can order them online. The downside? These bags don’t offer much protection from shock or bumps.
An old suitcase: For the DIYer, this is a great option for packing guitar amplifiers. An old suitcase will provide a little more protection than a padded bag, and it’s fairly easy to find one at second-hand stores or antique shops. Plus, if you want to keep your amp looking good while traveling, this is a good way to do so (as long as the case doesn’t get too dirty).
A hardcase: If you want the ultimate protection for your amplifier, investing in a hardcase is worth it. They’re more expensive than other options but they’ll keep your amp safe from most bumps and scratches during shipping. Hardcases come in all shapes and sizes, so there’s bound to be one that will fit your needs.
How can you safely protect your amplifier from shipping damage?
It’s not difficult to protect your guitar amplifier from shipping damage. There are a few different ways to do it, and we’ll cover the most popular methods in this article.
-The first method for packing your amp is to place it in a bag or box with padding on all sides as to provide ample protection against bumps and scrapes.
-A second method is to place the amp in a larger case that has space for extra airbags, packing material, and more padding.
-Another affordable amp packing method is using bubble wrap or foam peanuts. This can be placed inside of a cardboard box which provides some protection while ensuring that your items don’t move around too much during transport.
-The final method is to use a soft case like a gig bag that’s specially designed for transporting smaller amplifiers. These cases have plenty of padding and offer easy transportation as they are lightweight, collapsible, and easy to carry.
Wrapping an amp for shipping
The first step in packing your guitar amplifier for shipping is to wrap it. Be sure to place a sheet of thick, rigid cardboard over the amp and then use a large, flat box that’s big enough to hold it with some extra room. If you have a lot of experience with this process, you may want to save the time and effort by buying a ready-made hard case for your guitar amplifier. But if not, you can always create one from scratch.
When you’re shopping for an amp case or creating your own, be sure to look for items that are sturdy enough to provide proper protection without adding too much weight or bulk. You want something that will keep your amp secure while not adding too much weight during shipping.
If you decide to go the DIY route, there are plenty of materials available at home stores that could work in this situation: • Corrugated cardboard • Plywood • Masonite panels • Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) panels • Solid wood boards
You can even cut down plywood sheets into smaller pieces and glue them together before assembling them into cases of different sizes. And if you need more information on how to build an amp case at home, this video might help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xRg6UW8KWA
Final words
Protecting your amplifier when shipping can be easy if you put in a little time and effort. You don’t have to spend a ton of money on fancy packaging. All it takes is a little creativity, some packing material, and some care to make sure your amp arrives safely at its destination.
How to pack a guitar amp for shipping FAQS
Pack your amplifier in the original box if possible. If you no longer have the original packaging, use some old newspaper and lots of bubble wrap to protect it. Place the amplifier on its side so that it’s not sitting on its face or exposed connections while you’re packing it up. Tuck the cord in with the amp and secure it with a twist tie. If you don’t want to ship your guitar amplifier entirely, there are also options to break it down and send just the head alone or just pieces of your amplifier separately.
Yes! You may need to upgrade to a different shipping service for international orders, but yes, you can still get your amp from Point A to Point B without any problems.
It all depends on your budget and how much you want to spend. Wooden cases are not cheap and they keep your amplifier safe from the elements. If you don’t have a lot of money to put towards one, there are plenty of other options out there that will do the trick.
One option is to use a cardboard box with bubble wrap around the amplifier. You could also opt for using an empty backpack with a towel in the bottom. This is an easy way to protect your guitar amp while moving without spending too much money on materials.
Conclusion
The best way to pack an amplifier is to place it into a box with its top facing up, and then fill the box with packing peanuts or bubble wrap.
You should pack an amp loosely enough to avoid damaging the amp from shifting during transit but tight enough so that it doesn’t move around in the box.
The best materials to use are bubble wrap or packing peanuts, as they are both strong and cost effective. You can also use newspaper or plastic grocery bags, but they are not as long lasting.
To protect your amp from shipping damage, use a blanket, towel, or packing paper to pad the box. You could also purchase a guitar amp bag that will protect your amplifier during transit.
To wrap an amp for shipping, start with one or two sheets of newspaper and then wrap it in a blanket or towel before placing it into the box.
