Any analog deck shipping advice / horror stories???

[morte sicura]

Hi everyone,

I'm shopping for a 1/2" 8-track tape machine and I will probably wind up with one of the following: Tascam 38 or 48 or tsr-8, Teac/Tascam 80, or Otari MX 50 or MX 5050. Well, that's almost all that's out there so I guess the 38 or the 80 are the most likely acquisitions since they're fairly common, are 3-head models, and usually fall within my budget of $500. But I'm hoping for the Otari or a 48 if the price is right.

Now on to the meat of this post: SHIPPING!!! I'd like any suggestions about how to ship and not to ship. I just priced ups ground for a 48 at $41 and change, but I am not sure if I can trust ups. The Otari is even bigger and heaver than a 48, and a 38 is lighter but not really any smaller!

I would be willing to spend up to $100 on packing and shipping (above my $500 machine budget) to ensure a safe delivery, but that will not really leave any room if I need to pay someone to re-align the machine (which I hope to learn to do myself anyway).

I hope for anyone who reads this and who has shipped an analog deck to kindly post their experience (both good and bad) and advice on this topic. I've just heard so many horror stories about smashed amps and Rhodes pianos, etc., not to be a bit nervous!

Also - does anyone know of a shop or individual in the Atlanta area that frequently deals in analog gear? I'm in Athens GA so a trip to Atlanta would only take a half-day and would obviously eliminate any concerns with shipping. I realize I can also check the classifieds, but here's hoping there's someone with an analog reputation over there.

Finally, as a newbie to buying recording gear, how sure can I be that a deck is in good shape, especially if I cannot see it beforehand? I know that's a tough one to answer............

Regards,
Andrew >>|

 

[longsoughtfor]

Morte - I'm in Boston and when I bought my MS-16 (ebay) it was in Columbus Ohio. I opted not to have it shipped but rather did a road trip to get it.

Two fortunate things happened: 1. The seller was awsome enough to drive it up to Pittsburg for me and 2. my son was more then willing to go and split the driving with me.

We left Boston at 11:00 Friday night and were back home with the deck safe and sound by 9:00 Saturday night.

So, if what you get is within reasonable driving distance, take a drive!

Cheers
Kevin.

P.S. I often wonder what anyone driving by thought about the two minivans parked at that truck stop moving all that equipment from one to the other

 

[blues-hacker]

shipping a T-38

I recently aquired both a T-38 deck, and a Tascam M-320B console off e-bay, both units were shipped UPS ground, and both arrived safely. In one case it was pure luck, in the other case, no surprise.

The M-320B board is pretty large and heavy - the seller wrapped it in large bubble bubble wrap, put down a layer of peanuts, set the wrapped board in the box, and then level filled the box with peanuts. Short of being run over, that baby was safe.

The tascam M-38 deck was set in a box, basically loose, the box was lined with those 1" thick styrofoam boards. It arrived safe, and works, but apparently did take a bit of a bump, as one of the reel tables was out of adjustment. That by itself is not a big thing - the reel tables (hubs) are sleeved onto the motor shafts, and held in place by just two set screws - classic old engineering, seen lots of pulleys set-screwed onto shafts come loose with time anyways.

Suggested packing - if the seller doesn't have the original box - have him use an oversized, double wall box, wrap the unit in the large bubble bubble wrap, two layers all around, and then float it in peanuts in the box. And get the manual.

and ps - you can't beat the sound of these things !!!!!!

b-h

 

[The Green Hornet]

Yo Hacker/Blues/Jammin' ETC:

Just insure your product for double the amount of its value with UPS -- it will get there unharmed.

Green Hornet