Shipping a 2600 to CMS
 
 

I realize it's a little scary to pack your 2600 up for shipping. When I was younger , I was positively neurotic about transporting my 2600. Over the years I have learned through experience, that they are in reality, very tough instruments. Compared to other synthesizers, ARP 2600's have a great track record as far as shipping is concerned. The plywood cabinet offers a great deal of protection. If you pack it properly, there is very little chance of damage. They were designed for road use and hold up quite well to shock and vibration.

Some customers use a packing and shipping service center to avoid the task of collecting materials and packing up a 2600. This method offers less hassle but is more expensive. UPS stores are not recommended for shipping a 2600 because they do not accept high value items. We have also had some instances of UPS stores using inadequate packing and flimsy boxes to pack a 2600.

We recommend that you pack the 2600 yourself if possible. It can save you money and we have found that the owners take more care when packing a 2600.

If you choose to pack it yourself , here are some tips to assist you:

 

2600P / 2601 Console: Wrap a layer of large bubble wrap around the closed tolex cabinet. Then place it in a sturdy cardboard box with 2 inches minimum of styrofoam peanuts on all sides. If you don't have the console lid, you must double box the console.

Ideal carton size for a 2600 console is 36" x 23" x 14". This exact size is hard to find. You can go slightly smaller on the 36" and 23" figures but the 14" is a minimum.

U-Haul sells a sturdy double wall 34 x 20 x 24 "Shorty Wardrobe Box" which can usually be obtained locally.

It's best to find a box locally, but if you can't, Uline.com sells an extra heavy duty carton that measures 36" x 22" x 22" (you can cut the 22" down) that works very well. Unfortunately, they are only sold in bundles of 5. If you don't have a local Uline distributor, there will be freight charges as well. Uline #S-4682.

Typical weight for a 2600P/2601 console packed up is approx 42 Lbs.

3604P / 3620 Keyboard: The same goes with the keyboard if you choose to send it. 1 layer of large bubble wrap and fill the box with peanuts. Pack the keyboard in a separate box.

U-Haul sells a 12 x 12 x 41 "lamp box" which can be obtained locally. They also sell a larger "Sport Utility" box that measures 15 x 15 x 49.

Typical weight for a 3604P/3620 keyboard is approx 26 Lbs.

This method of packing has had a perfect track record for over 25 years.

Anvil type cases are not recommended for shipping. Also UPS requires you to wrap these cases in cardboard.

Do not send the AC power cord.

Please take note of any missing slider caps, broken slider shafts and any major scratches or dings. Include a sheet with your name and contact information. You will be notified by email or phone when it arrives at CMS.

Insurance: Insure the console for a minimum of $6000.00. If your console is in very good condition you may want to insure it for up to $8000. The keyboards are usually insured for $1000.00 to $2000.00.

Carriers: UPS is the only carrier we can recommend at this time. No 2600 was ever damaged or lost in their dealings with CMS for over 30 years.

UPS stores are not recommended for shipping a 2600. They are not equipped to accept high value items and they are not authorized to sign the high value receipt from UPS. They also charge quite a bit to ship something of this size.

The best way to ship with UPS is to sign up for a UPS account number. UPS currently offers discounts when shipping using a UPS account. Getting a UPS account number will speed up the return shipping process quite a bit when your unit is finished and ready to ship. Another advantage to this method is that on the return trip, UPS requires the driver to sign a receipt of pickup. This is not the case if the owner sets up return shipping and sends us the shipping labels. UPS account numbers can only be used to ship something to your address, so there is no security risk.

FEDEX INSURANCE - Fedex double billed us recently on a shipment to Europe. We do not recommend shipping with Fedex. Also their insurance policy appears to be inadequate and somewhat deceptive. They will not insure antique musical instruments for more than $1000.00 even if you pay for the extra insurance! They may have changed this policy, so check directly with them.

Checkout procedure: 2 to 4 days later you will receive an itemized report on your 2600 from CMS. You can pick and choose what repairs and/or upgrades you would like for your 2600. No work will be performed or charged to you without your pre-approval. Estimates for 2600's are totally free. We will also re-test all of your suspect sub-modules using our specially built 4000 series sub-module test rig.

Final Checkout procedure: All instruments are fully calibrated in the CMS lab using ARP factory methods and documentation including original blueprints from Alan R. Pearlman himself. All functions are fully tested in an actual studio environment for several days prior to packing and shipping. You are responsible for return shipping & insurance.

2600's coming into CMS from the dumpster may incur cleaning charges. You will be charged a 35.00 cleaning fee if your 2600 front panel is very dirty, hair balls and mold are inside etc. Some customers prefer us cleaning up their 2600 since we have special methods for preserving the silkscreen etc.