Zinky Superfly blog - Part 69: It Was Bound To Happen

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On the evening of 9 February, the delivery was made - a day earlier than expected but I wasn't able to unpack it until a day later anyway. So the following evening I set up my camera to record the moment for posterity and opened it up.

One of the first things I noticed was that the reverb pan that I'd sent out was missing. Oh well, I had another one (see as far back as part 12).

With the packaging removed and taking a closer look, the next thing I could see was that the chassis was damaged. Oh great.

Bruce's observations about the inadequate metalwork had been proved true. Unlike when I shipped it out - see part 25) - there was no text on the outside to suggest which way up it should be transported, so it had obviously been violently jolted whilst "upside down" with the weight of the massive transformers impacting onto the flimsy chassis and bending it at one end. Quite a way.

After I'd calmed down a bit I emailed Bruce. If, as it appeared, the actual circuit board was not cracked (although it was plenty flexed), would it be feasible to power it up? See part 70 for his reply.

From: David Jackson
Subject: Superfly is damaged
Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 22:34:08 +0000
To: Zinky Electronics

Thank you for finding the time to ship the chassis. I received it yesterday evening (9 Feb) and my first opportunity to unpack it was a couple of hours ago.

You advised at an early stage of our correspondence that the chassis metalwork was not very stiff and the weight of the transformers was sufficient to cause damage should the amp be dropped on its upper face.

This is what must have happened in transit. Although the outer packaging showed no signs of impact, the chassis is deformed at one end. The fixing bolt at the displaced corner is quite bent. Please see the attached pictures.

The circuit board is also bent but does not appear to have cracked. So for today, just one question: do you think it is safe to power up and try?

David