crez5150

Guys I work for one of the worlds largest Microphone and pro audio manufacturers.... I'm just back from a sales meet where we discussed the issues with the Euro and issues with Thomann..... Main issues that affect our industry is here The fact we are currently F****d with the euro..... I work for a German company.... our cost prices to the UK have just risen by 3%.... we have had to introduce a price increase on certain product lines by 5%.... and on top of all of this we have lost 9% on the euro from last quarter.... So you can see that we are up against it, we are paying more for certain products that are available in Europe for less. If you also add into the equation of Shipping from europe.... it's a tough call. Now fortunately we are No 1 or 2 in the market place here and have an exceptionally good management and sales team... So with forward thinking we will protect our turnover. I have worked in this industry for 18 years now and every company I have worked for have all suffered the same problem with Thomann.... Now I'm not trying to spin a negative about Thomann.... I think they are extremely good at what they do... Majority of the time the problem lies with the manufacturers..... I'll give you an example... one of our main competitors, their German distribution has 70% of their business go through Thomann.... That's not something they can just walk away from... I'm sure the company I work for are in a similar situation.... but not to the same extent. I would love to get your views on how you think this situation could be resolved so that we could be more competitive here in the UK Cheers

It's like Darth Vadars set-up....... very kool!!

Again..... why would you need a back up..... ??? I take two basses on stage.... my main bass is a 5 stringer and the other bass is a 4 string. I generally use the 4 string on songs that are Slap heavy.

Kool... How did the import duty and vat work out for you.... as much as you expected?

Ok... Cheers for the heads upon the import duty thang...... Just ordered a 5 string fretted and a 5 string frettless Jazz... both in Lake Placid Blue.... Will let you know when I take delivery. Cheers

You must go see them..... it's the law!

[quote name='thedontcarebear' post='130196' date='Jan 29 2008, 06:18 PM']This isn't a bass amp (guitar amp, booo), what should I set it to? 240v in UK isn't it? I have options of 220/230 or 240! Danke.[/quote] yeah 240v

[quote name='OldGit' post='130092' date='Jan 29 2008, 04:03 PM']In general a 110 dollar bass from Rondo will end up costing you about £140 all in, once you've paid the bill for the duty (which comes along a few days later than the bass.)[/quote] so a safe bet is roughly twice the GBP cost of the bass??

Ok no probs..... so anyone know what the Customs/duty/etc works out at?

[quote name='LukeFRC' post='130007' date='Jan 29 2008, 01:52 PM']hmm i went there once, to look for cab that their website said they had. Despite me able to see a pile of stuff made by the same manufacturer i was ignored and when i asked taken to something else and just left there. They had no interest in selling me anything and were rude. Mike at the Bass merchant/iceni zoot however responded to speculative emails chatted to me for ages, was friendly, offered me a tour of the zoot bass workshop if i ever came down and was generrally ace- even after he had got my money. And sold me a great amp at a silly price. One is still in business one isn't.[/quote] +1000 for Mike

[quote name='Huw' post='130020' date='Jan 29 2008, 02:21 PM']I've had a thing for Warwicks for some time now. I'm not sure that it's been an inflated sense of quality from their price tags or endorsees, but I've always considered them pretty much top of the heap in regards to non-boutique basses. Despite this, I've only ever gotten my hands on one twice. The first time I was very disappointed. It was a s/h Streamer with one pickup and it felt horrible and sounded dead to me. Then last October or so, I had a feel of a corvette. [url="http://a114.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/17/l_0d2afaa496f2c499303719c7136324b9.jpg"]This one[/url], as it goes (I'm sure Wilf won't mind his picture shown off like that.) Now I don't know which model that is exactly, but it felt very nice. So now I've got my eyes out for a Corvette, myself. I'm very interested in getting a $$ as I'm not a fan of the single jazz p/ups. I'm sure it's just psychological, but I've got it into my head that they wouldn't sound as big and responsive as the bucks. Does anyone have any recordings out there of these Warwicks, so I can get some comparison? My sticking point is the number of strings I go for. When I sold my 5 string Yamaha a couple of years ago, I told myself, I'd never need more than 4 strings. Now I feel like maybe I'm missing out on something. Or maybe it'd be better to get a 5 string as, if I didn't use the low B it wouldn't really get in the way, but if I got the 4 string and wanted to use the 5th string in the future, I'd have wasted my money just buying 4. gah, I dunno. What do you think about that? Lastly, does anyone have any good links to sites/stores with competitive prices on Warwicks? I was bidding on a $$ on ebay last night, but got pipped at the end.[/quote] Don't buy one without trying it first..... the necks vary too much

[quote name='synaesthesia' post='129956' date='Jan 29 2008, 12:53 PM']I for one would like to see an internet only business offer prices where you know you are not paying for the overheads they no longer have for keeping a shop. Five quid less than Soundcontrol or any other other shop retailer with rented premises and staff to pay does not really cut it.....[/quote] Give it 5 years.....

[quote name='Hamster' post='129843' date='Jan 29 2008, 10:31 AM']Black or LPB? Hamster [url="http://www.rondomusic.com/sjb6241.html"]http://www.rondomusic.com/sjb6241.html[/url][/quote] Actually would go for a fretted and fretless 5...... both LPB

If they do a 5 string Jazz I'd be up for one too

Be careful as a lot of wireless systems do not support Dynamic mics..... if you need info on Sennheiser systems let me know as I am an employee. cheers Jay

Doesn't surprise me as thats the way the industry has had to go...... don't forget Iceni (the Bass Merchant)

Being an avid Mac user for recording.... you could do worse than to pick yourself up one of the new iMacs..... the 20" version is a steal and the performance is great. I guess it depends on how you want your recording set-up. do you have an area where you will be using the Mac? Example - I have a project studio which I run a Mac Pro.... indoors for editing I have an iMac.... I run MOTU Digital Performer on both.

[quote name='kdphysio' post='129372' date='Jan 28 2008, 04:06 PM']can't decide which of these to buy (does anyone have any experience of either of these basses)??? Squier modified vintage jazz, or rockbass fortress 4. i'm into rock, blues etc, but don't know the flexibilty of the rockbass. any input welcome (before i decide which i'm going to buy!). thanks, karl[/quote] I'd definitely go with the Squire mate...... Tried a few of the Rockbasses and not impressed with the quality of them J

Oh and part of the management team for my band used to be in 5ive.....

[quote name='Johngh' post='129057' date='Jan 28 2008, 07:07 AM']The Bass in my Avatar is a Shuker 6 string headless. When Jon made it for me it was fitted with a clamp system to retain the strings at the head end of the neck. I didn't like it, its way to fiddly when changing strings, and I thought it may wear over time so I asked him to make me a double ball end string retainer, which the bass now has fitted. The Status has both fitted as standard, I love double ball end strings they take about a minute each to change.[/quote] +1 for that..... I couldn't go back to headed basses ever!!!

I had a Jaydee once..... sold it..... miss it now...... can't wait to see your finished bass!!

I do get to meet all manner of famous stars through work..... One of the nicest was Kylie.....