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Post by sidecarsazerac on Feb 5, 2016 9:45:25 GMT -7
I picked up a 90's Carmen Ghia a while back and until now I've always had a sedan to transport it without any real issue. I recently purchased a single cab pickup truck and the only feasible way I can carry my amp is in the bed under a tonneau cover. My question is does anyone have any experience or advice on storing, securing and properly transporting it across the U.S. as far as 1500 miles and back safely? It's just a two piece band, but we'll have the drums/amp/our belonging under the tonneau and if need be I'll keep my guitar in the cab. I just can't fit the amp in with two of us already sitting there for that long of a ride. I've looked into different road cases/getting one custom made. I just want to make sure I'm exploring all of my options before deciding on what I think is best compared to other experiences. Here are some shameless pictures of my amp.    |
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Feb 5, 2016 10:33:38 GMT -7
All I can say is "Good Luck! and hope you don't have any mishaps along the way, BTW, in order to post a pic it has to be on one of the photo sharing sites like photo bucket. There's a thread here somewhere on how to do it - just not sure where it's at on the board.
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Post by purpletele on Feb 5, 2016 11:09:31 GMT -7
Spare tubes and a soldering kit.
Also,Jumper cables, starter fluid spray, 20 cases of coors, two sheets of acid and a suitcase full of vegtables
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Post by John on Feb 5, 2016 11:18:30 GMT -7
Jumper cables, starter fluid spray, 20 cases of coors, two sheets of acid and a suitcase full of vegtables Wasn't that a line from a Waylon Jennings tune in the 70's? ----------------------------- If your really going to travel across the country with a Ghia in the truck bed: 1) Take the tubes out! Put them in something cushy/padded.2) Make sure you have a spare set of tubes! Is this driving straight through? Or stopping for gigs along the way? |
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Post by wubberdubber on Feb 5, 2016 11:21:49 GMT -7
Roll it up in a blanket, it'll be fine.
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Post by purpletele on Feb 5, 2016 11:28:53 GMT -7
Jumper cables, starter fluid spray, 20 cases of coors, two sheets of acid and a suitcase full of vegtables Wasn't that a line from a Waylon Jennings tune in the 70's? ----------------------------- If your really going to travel across the country with a Ghia in the truck bed: 1) Take the tubes out! Put them in something cushy/padded.2) Make sure you have a spare set of tubes! Is this driving straight through? Or stopping for gigs along the way? John, It was a spontaneous hybrid from Hunter S. Thompson from Fear & Loathing as well as some roots from the Blues brothers. They probably got the idea from the Waylon Jennings tune. |
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Post by nmz on Feb 5, 2016 11:57:28 GMT -7
Just pull the tubes. It's a Z it'll be fine;)
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Post by sidecarsazerac on Feb 5, 2016 11:57:41 GMT -7
Wasn't that a line from a Waylon Jennings tune in the 70's? ----------------------------- If your really going to travel across the country with a Ghia in the truck bed: 1) Take the tubes out! Put them in something cushy/padded.2) Make sure you have a spare set of tubes! Is this driving straight through? Or stopping for gigs along the way? John, It was a spontaneous hybrid from Hunter S. Thompson from Fear & Loathing as well as some roots from the Blues brothers. They probably got the idea from the Waylon Jennings tune. There'll be gigs along the way. Nothing will ever be straight through. The longest day will be 550 miles, some much shorter. I may be over thinking all of this, but I would much rather do that than have something happen that I didn't consider.. |
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Post by simpleton on Feb 5, 2016 12:52:34 GMT -7
Well my dad put all his gear in the back of trucks for years and years....all though I don't know that he did cross country they way. A nice road case with padding would make me feel comfortable with the amp....having a rubber mat or Linex in the truck bed to help stop sliding would be important. The guitars and drums being affected by the outside temp seems something you will deal with every day. Taking the tubes out every night seems impractical to me, just have back ups. Rock and Roll.
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Post by Lefty on Feb 5, 2016 12:54:43 GMT -7
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Post by purpletele on Feb 5, 2016 13:28:51 GMT -7
The more I think about the logistics, weather, storage room and possible theft issues it seems that you should consider a road trip shell for the truck and figure a way to secure it so you can eat dinner or other pit stops and not be paranoid about the equipment.
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Post by southmusic70 on Feb 5, 2016 14:06:30 GMT -7
Gator makes a reasonably priced ATA case that fits a CG head perfectly.
I think Sweetwater has them.
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Post by Maddog on Feb 5, 2016 15:43:51 GMT -7
I've driven pickups for 40 years. I've carried amps in the beds forever. Here's what I've learned.
1) Keep the amp at the front of the bed, padded but against the cab edge.
2) Keep it on a thick pad
3) if it's a combo, keep it face down. I had the magnet break off a speaker that was face up.
4) secure it / surround it directly on all sides with heavy stuff
5) park yer truck where you can always see it at restaurants etc.
6) pray.......
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Post by lowbudget on Feb 5, 2016 16:42:39 GMT -7
I've driven pickups for 40 years. I've carried amps in the beds forever. Here's what I've learned. 1) Keep the amp at the front of the bed, padded but against the cab edge. 2) Keep it on a thick pad 3) if it's a combo, keep it face down. I had the magnet break off a speaker that was face up. 4) secure it / surround it directly on all sides with heavy stuff 5) park yer truck where you can always see it at restaurants etc. 6) pray....... Good advice from Lee as usual, and I'll add one thing: if it's just a bed or tonneau cover as you say, it will leak to some extent, somewhere, sometime, more or less. I've had a jillion of them, and never had one that didn't. Even my most recent cover that I paid a grand for. And even if it doesn't hit your amp directly it will still generate moisture and humidity back there, which is no bueno for your amp. I'd put the entire amp into a tight plastic or Rubbermaid-type tub with a secure lid first, then take the steps Lee mentions. |
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Post by Lefty on Feb 6, 2016 6:48:26 GMT -7
#5 and #6.
I had a couple guitars and a bass stolen from the back of my truck many years ago, they just popped the locks on my hard cover. Devastating.
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Post by pcns on Feb 6, 2016 6:54:19 GMT -7
The amps ship all the country from Dr Z's shop with the tubes in them, I am sure you will be gentler with it the UPS driver. Pad it to protect against getting jostled and keep it dry. Make sure you have spare tubes and fuses but you should have those anyway.
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Post by limenine on Feb 6, 2016 11:20:06 GMT -7
The only thing to add to what everyone else mentioned is to secure your load. Stuff gets broken much more from sliding around and bouncing. Even if things seem to be wedged in tight, using tied downs to secure cases is invaluable.
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