Importing Guitars

[ped]

Sssssshhh! They will find you!

[Champion Badger]

Ordered a JB62-85FL (fretless) from Ishibashi last Thursday. I was told there may be a delay because the banks are on holiday for a week (some sort of national holiday for banks?). Either way, ordering from Japan seems a better option than some of the UK dealers.

I tried contacting three UK dealers for quotes and availability and wasn't very happy with the results. One guy does not seem to reply to emails at all (not a great way to attract new customers) and the other chap said Fender Japan do not make fretless models (?). Plus why pay more, when it's cheaper to buy direct!

[mr_russ]

Ishibashi have been excellent- my jb75 is excellent- better in build quality than the usa jazz I had a few years ago

the tuners aren't as smooth as the american ones but they do the job

Edited August 13, 2007 by mr_russ

[ped]

I am really and truly sorry to say it will be a cold day in hell before I buy a new stock instrument from the UK. I would like nothing more than to support our UK shops, but who can afford to?!

[Champion Badger]

My Jazz Fretless arrived today. It was sent out from Japan on Sunday, arrived in the UK on Monday - then took until today to arrive at the local Parcel "farce" depot.

Ishibashi were excellent, but as usual - once it arrived in the UK, it was delayed. Plus I had to pay £86 customs charges.

The bass is excellent and sounds great - I would highly recommend the Japanese option - far superior to the US/Mexican Fenders I have played.

[Dood]

[quote name='ped' post='44821' date='Aug 13 2007, 02:30 PM']I am really and truly sorry to say it will be a cold day in hell before I buy a new stock instrument from the UK. I would like nothing more than to support our UK shops, but who can afford to?![/quote]

that'll be a +1 from me....

[quote name='Champion Badger' post='49426' date='Aug 23 2007, 11:45 AM']My Jazz Fretless arrived today. It was sent out from Japan on Sunday, arrived in the UK on Monday - then took until today to arrive at the local Parcel "farce" depot.

Ishibashi were excellent, but as usual - once it arrived in the UK, it was delayed. Plus I had to pay £86 customs charges.

The bass is excellent and sounds great - I would highly recommend the Japanese option - far superior to the US/Mexican Fenders I have played.[/quote]

oh and I believe that's another +1 ;o) Lets see some pics! ;o)

[cetera]

[quote name='dood' post='39741' date='Jul 31 2007, 09:31 PM']Thought I'd take this opportunity to share my imported Jap 70's Fender P. This is a non -export model.

How she arrived, looking very Phil Lynott

And how she looks now, all John Deacon.


Love her to bits![/quote]

Sorry Dood...

I can't find this bass with this colour option on Ishibashi for the price you paid. Can you point me to the right link?

Thanks!

[Happy Jack]

Ahem ... getting back on topic, there's an SGC Nanyo 325 on eBay at the moment:

150159915841

[steve]

[quote name='cetera' post='43776' date='Aug 10 2007, 02:28 PM']Er...... a *[i]bloke down the road[/i]* just received a wonderful bass from a friendly seller in Japan and *[i]apparently[/i]* it got through with NO duty/VAT/Handling charges whatsoever!!!

No idea how..... but *[i]supposedly[/i]* it makes up for the few times he's had to pay it recently.... [/quote]

I 'know a bloke' who got an aerodyne last year and he *[i]apparently[/i]* didn't pay any extra, it just came straight to his door. He's sold that now and later bought an MM bongo from ikebe and was definately stung by customs that time round. Every international purchase after that was picked up by customs and charged.

I think you may get away with it once, but after that you're on their radar. Still good deals though

[cetera]

[quote name='steve' post='60804' date='Sep 15 2007, 12:19 PM']I 'know a bloke' who got an aerodyne last year and he *[i]apparently[/i]* didn't pay any extra, it just came straight to his door. He's sold that now and later bought an MM bongo from ikebe and was definately stung by customs that time round. Every international purchase after that was picked up by customs and charged.

I think you may get away with it once, but after that you're on their radar. Still good deals though[/quote]

Ah, but *[i]this bloke[/i]* had paid charges BEFORE this one.... and since.... seems *[i]he[/i]* just got lucky that time....

[Bloodaxe]

'ning,

I'm contemplating plugging the "last" gap in my Aria collection via a nice chap over in the US. Tell me if I've got this right...

All in (inc shipping) = $600

[i][b]Declared[/b][/i] value = $400

Based on an exchange rate of $2=£1 & working on the declared value I get:

Cost: £200.00
Duty (@4%) = £8.00
VAT on total (@17.5%) = £36.40
Total = £244.40

+ whatever charge Parcelfarce or whoever see fit to levy.

... or should I be working on the actual cost, which gives me a final figure of £366.60.

Pete.

[cetera]

Parcelforce charge is about £13.50.

Duty/VAT is charged on the declared value+shipping.

[steve]

[quote name='cetera' post='60845' date='Sep 15 2007, 02:00 PM']Ah, but *[i]this bloke[/i]* had paid charges BEFORE this one.... and since.... seems *[i]he[/i]* just got lucky that time.... [/quote]

Well, then the *[i]bloke you know[/i]* seems to be luckier than the *[i]bloke I know[/i]*. I bet if I mentioned this to the *[i]bloke I know[/i]*, he might even be inclined to try to get away with another CIJ jazz, if only he could sell some of his stuff in the for sale forums, erm alledgedly

[cetera]

[quote name='steve' post='63008' date='Sep 20 2007, 10:55 AM']Well, then the *[i]bloke you know[/i]* seems to be luckier than the *[i]bloke I know[/i]*. I bet if I mentioned this to the *[i]bloke I know[/i]*, he might even be inclined to try to get away with another CIJ jazz, if only he could sell some of his stuff in the for sale forums, erm alledgedly[/quote]

Indeed...!

[john_the_bass]

Has anybody seen or used this? [url="http://www.myus.com"]http://www.myus.com[/url]
Seems like a way to control your shipments or buy stuff from the US from people who won't ship to the UK

[Sharkfinger]

[quote name='john_the_bass' post='65435' date='Sep 25 2007, 05:02 PM']Has anybody seen or used this? [url="http://www.myus.com"]http://www.myus.com[/url]
Seems like a way to control your shipments or buy stuff from the US from people who won't ship to the UK[/quote]

Well, my ex-colleague and good friend has run a similar service for many years but more geared toward businesses: [url="http://nyoffice.com/"]http://nyoffice.com/[/url]. Not sure if this is any help but at least it tells you the idea's been around for a while.

[Marky L]

Dood.

Yeah, can you post maybe a direct link to the area on Ishibashi site where you found that Precision.. ohh damn but I love it!!

I'm not finding it the most helpful site to navigate!

Cheers
M

[Dood]

[quote name='Marky L' post='69392' date='Oct 4 2007, 10:46 AM']Dood.

Yeah, can you post maybe a direct link to the area on Ishibashi site where you found that Precision.. ohh damn but I love it!!

I'm not finding it the most helpful site to navigate!

Cheers
M[/quote]


Sorry guys, I hadnt checked this thread for ages. The correct model number for this bass is:- PB70US TL BK - You'd have to contact Ishi' directly about it's availability. Mine was actually available from the catalogue when I asked. Looking back on it.. I suspect that Fender Japan may even have put a special order together for me, as those who have asked about them since are expecting that they may not be making them (for said catalogue).

I won't dwell on it, but you are unlikely to get one through the UK importers, unless they cobble one together out of spare bits.. something offered to me by one outlet. lol..

[Marky L]

[quote name='dood' post='79820' date='Oct 26 2007, 04:11 PM']Sorry guys, I hadnt checked this thread for ages. The correct model number for this bass is:- PB70US TL BK - You'd have to contact Ishi' directly about it's availability. Mine was actually available from the catalogue when I asked. Looking back on it.. I suspect that Fender Japan may even have put a special order together for me, as those who have asked about them since are expecting that they may not be making them (for said catalogue).

I won't dwell on it, but you are unlikely to get one through the UK importers, unless they cobble one together out of spare bits.. something offered to me by one outlet. lol..[/quote]

Alas, they don't carry that model now. The email I got from them today linked meto this part of the site with the latest kit.

[url="http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/webshop/guitar/fender-j/index.htm"]http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/webshop/guitar/fender-j/index.htm[/url]

If any one can highlight what the differences are between the lower cost and the more expensive P basses listed on here I'd be obliged. I was won over by the pic's Dood posted and I want the same!! Black on black with a rosewood board.. mmmmmmmmmmmm (but want it .. er cheap of course!!)

M.

[Dood]

[quote name='Marky L' post='80170' date='Oct 27 2007, 03:56 PM']Alas, they don't carry that model now. The email I got from them today linked meto this part of the site with the latest kit.

[url="http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/webshop/guitar/fender-j/index.htm"]http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/webshop/guitar/fender-j/index.htm[/url]

If any one can highlight what the differences are between the lower cost and the more expensive P basses listed on here I'd be obliged. I was won over by the pic's Dood posted and I want the same!! Black on black with a rosewood board.. mmmmmmmmmmmm (but want it .. er cheap of course!!)

M.[/quote]

AFAIK The P bass models that don't have US in the model name feature 'non US ' pickups, cheaper tuning keys and I *think* are a different body wood. I am also pretty sure that the 'US' named ones are the Japanese 'non-export' models where as the cheaper versions are 'export' models I haven't had a chance to A/B the two, but reviews of the 'non-export' models suggest there is a reason why Fender USA don't want them competing with their USA basses (MIA) i.e, not coming into Europe - They are cheaper and actually very good indeed.

I read an article ages ago about how Fender USA started to build reissue basses, then asked Japan to see what they could come up with in comparison.I can't quote directly, but Japan made the better bass and saved money.

[Dood]

Whilst on the subject of importing...

If a person were to buy a secondhand item, such as a musical instrument of reasonably high value from Europe, in a private sale. I would assume that customs will want VAT paying on it if it is coming into the UK?

Never bought anything other than new (from a shop) from outside the country, so am interested to find out what the situation is.

[setekh]

[quote name='dood' post='94092' date='Nov 25 2007, 12:15 PM']Whilst on the subject of importing...

If a person were to buy a secondhand item, such as a musical instrument of reasonably high value from Europe, in a private sale. I would assume that customs will want VAT paying on it if it is coming into the UK?

Never bought anything other than new (from a shop) from outside the country, so am interested to find out what the situation is.[/quote]
if you're buying a new item from an EU country, the store adds VAT according to your country's rate. If you're buying anything in a private sale (ie, a second-hand item), VAT has already been charged (when bought new), so you dont pay anything other than what you've agreed with the seller

[Dood]

[quote name='setekh' post='94111' date='Nov 25 2007, 01:20 PM']if you're buying a new item from an EU country, the store adds VAT according to your country's rate. If you're buying anything in a private sale (ie, a second-hand item), VAT has already been charged (when bought new), so you dont pay anything other than what you've agreed with the seller [/quote]


I hoped that would be the case ;o) Cheers!

[BassBunny]

[quote name='john_the_bass' post='65435' date='Sep 25 2007, 04:02 PM']Has anybody seen or used this? [url="http://www.myus.com"]http://www.myus.com[/url]
Seems like a way to control your shipments or buy stuff from the US from people who won't ship to the UK[/quote]
Nice one John and here is another solution from the Money Saving Guru. You get your own US address.
[url="http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/best-buy-usa#web"]http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/best-buy-usa#web[/url]

[joegarcia]

A certain someone I know imported a vintage bass from the US recently which cost about $1900 and the seller declared the value at $400. As a result the certain someone only had to pay £50 rather than the £250 it would have been otherwise. He had a very happy christmas.