Page 1 of 4

The eagle has landed!!

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 6:53 pm
by gibsonlp
And this is a REALLY big eagle.
When I first saw the boxes after the shipping company dropped them off I didn't know if I should laugh or cry...

The cosmetic condition of the cabinets and the amp is incredible! seriously, my 2 younger (much younger) amps are probably not in as good condition.
The packing was top notch, it looks like the external cardboard suffered some bruises but nothing that managed to penetrate the internal cardboard (it was almost completely double boxed with the front grill having 3 layers of cardboard and of course - it was completely wrapped in bubble wrap (and it still had the original covers as an added protection).

Kareene helped me out and we reassembled the dollies (the wheels were taken off so they won't break during transport) and we managed to put everything in place, took us about 2 hours... this thing is HEAVY and REALLY HUGE, I had absolutely no idea how big it is, the pics don't really show it...

Tomorrow morning a friend is coming over to modify it to run on 220 (should be pretty simple) and to set the bias. I can't wait to hear it!!!

Sorry for the lousy pics, they were all taken with my iphone.

Re: The eagle has landed!!

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 6:58 pm
by cjj
Wow, those are big (assuming you're not actually only 4 ft tall :lol: ).

Congrats! Glad they arrived OK. :D

Re: The eagle has landed!!

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 7:02 pm
by libratune
Congrats, Gil! Looks like a mighty poweful rig you have there.

Glad to hear it survived the trip intact.

Re: The eagle has landed!!

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 7:04 pm
by gibsonlp
Thanks ;)
I am not 4ft tall (or short...) and yes, they ARE big :)

The yellow tape is from the customs opening it to make sure I didn't smuggle a whole household inside the cabinets (they did X-ray it so I really wondered why they had to do a physical inspection as well...)

Well, at least they packed it back pretty well.

Re: The eagle has landed!!

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 7:20 pm
by kiramdear
Dude, I'm so jealous. Love that Ampeg tone. Go knock out some windows with it. 8)

Re: The eagle has landed!!

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 7:24 pm
by BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS
ain't they perdy ??? now...ronbo is a gonna teach you something. yes it all looks like a monster and all and yes others have done what i'm gonna suggest you don't do. do not put the head on the speaker cabs unless you put some 2" thick stiff roadcase foam between them. the bias and tube balance pots most likely are loose internally and will change value from the vibration as you play. believe me, you don't want the bias to change as you're pumping heavy wattage. also vibration will cause microphonics or kill tubes and internal parts like the 450/600 volt electolytic leads that canbreak off ,(i've done it) which with cause power supply problems...and you don't want a 650 volt /10 amp arc weld in your amp and blow power resistors ! these resistors have caused scorch marks or small fires when the fiberglass circuit board catches from the heat.

i check my bias before every show or when it's moved without the guitar cord plugged in.

good luck and congrats ! you have your dream ! now everybody who has a rick...pull out that cap and put your bass thru a real svt ! you'll not soon forget it !

i also suggest you not modify the amp, but get a fuse protected step down transformer to bring the line from 220 down to 110/120 volts.

Re: The eagle has landed!!

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 7:25 pm
by winston
Phew! I am glad that it made it over there intact. The guys at customs will probably ask for a free concert after the nice repacking job the did for you......... :D

Congrats Gil. Man that is a big rig.

Re: The eagle has landed!!

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 7:33 pm
by antipodean
Nice practice amp Gil!

Re: The eagle has landed!!

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 8:37 pm
by BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS
hey, gil... i thought all houses in israel looked like the flintstones' house and were a great source of rocks to throw during civil unrest ! :lol: your house belongs on a ranch in texas !

Re: The eagle has landed!!

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 9:04 pm
by rickenbrother
Glad the shipment arrived just fine. Now you're really ready to rock!

Re: The eagle has landed!!

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 9:09 pm
by johnallg
Great news they made it intact! They look almost new. :shock: I have a feeling that you will be missing work tomorrow.

Oh, and glue down or to the wall anything you don't want broken. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Re: The eagle has landed!!

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 9:21 pm
by tmossman
Very nice, Gil. I would have felt so guilty coming up with an excuse to keep them at my place for a week or two for "testing". :lol: :wink:

I am glad it all worked out well for you.

Re: The eagle has landed!!

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 9:30 pm
by cjj
rickenbrother wrote:Glad the shipment arrived just fine. Now you're really ready to rock!
Yeah, ROCK OUT LIKE MOTORHEAD!!!
:lol:

Re: The eagle has landed!!

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 9:38 pm
by jps
Great, Gil! :D

Now the Iranians will live in fear of Israel! 8)

Re: The eagle has landed!!

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 10:39 pm
by j_gary
Great photos Gil, she looks in wonderful condition. Well done sir!