Musicman20 Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 Hi Has anyone done this before? A friend is interested in ordering a new amp and as they are so small and light nowadays, he wants to take advantage of the fact they are 50% cheaper (some of them) over in the US. I've told him to use the Duty Caculator, comes out much cheaper than the UK price. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 Two things to bear in mind when trying to compare costs in this manner. First off he may also need to pay out for a transformer (unless the amp has a 240V setting) and secondly there probably won't be any warranty as it will be seen as a grey import. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4-string-thing Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 [quote name='icastle' timestamp='1325450603' post='1483314'] Two things to bear in mind when trying to compare costs in this manner. First off he may also need to pay out for a transformer (unless the amp has a 240V setting) and secondly there probably won't be any warranty as it will be seen as a grey import. [/quote] Buying a transformer sort of defeats the object, as it will be bigger and weigh more than the amp itself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-soar Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 Most micro heads have switchable voltage. Which one is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted January 1, 2012 Author Share Posted January 1, 2012 It will be a switchable voltage type. More than likely a Genz (when the new Shuttle comes out) or an Aguilar TH500. All of them are tiny, and light, and work here with a flick of a switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machinehead Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 [quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1325453465' post='1483358'] It will be a switchable voltage type. More than likely a Genz (when the new Shuttle comes out) or an Aguilar TH500. All of them are tiny, and light, and work here with a flick of a switch. [/quote] Do they also handle the different frequency of the UK supply compared to the US supply? Many pieces of industrial equipment are rated at 50/60Hz and are therefore suitable, but it's worth checking. I've worked in the US quite a few times for extended periods and it never seems worth importing when you take all the issues into account. Especially if something goes wrong. Frank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 I haven't, and probably never will because if it goes wrong, it's black market and you're on your own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted January 1, 2012 Author Share Posted January 1, 2012 [quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1325454385' post='1483372'] I haven't, and probably never will because if it goes wrong, it's black market and you're on your own. [/quote] Yeah, I've warned him about this. No doubt its just easier to get it from the UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 (edited) I've done it three times, each time without a problem. The first amp was multi-voltage. The second two required the moving of an internal jumper, which in turn required opening the casing, which naturally invalidated any guarantee anyway. Obviously, much depends on what the vendor chooses to put on the packaging by way of description and declared value. Edited January 1, 2012 by Happy Jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 [quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1325456168' post='1483396'] Yeah, I've warned him about this. No doubt its just easier to get it from the UK. [/quote] I tell a lie... I did buy an Acoustic Image Focus from Bob Gollihur a few years back, after first checking I'd be supported in the event of any problems. I save hundreds over the UK price (this is when the exchange rate was favourable, though) and, when it did go wrong, Acoustic Image were as good as their word. In those circumstances, I'd buy again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prime_BASS Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 [quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1325456168' post='1483396'] Yeah, I've warned him about this. No doubt its just easier to get it from the UK. [/quote] True, although fender GBI will still fix it (at a cost) but the chances of something breaking are slim unless you are careless and or stupid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 [quote name='Prime_BASS' timestamp='1325456587' post='1483400'] True, although fender GBI will still fix it (at a cost) but the chances of something breaking are slim unless you are careless and or stupid. [/quote] ...or unlucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobpalt Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 I imported a new Peavey Cirrus bass from the States a few years ago, at a huge cost saving, and when it arrived, it had splits in the laquer and wood below. It was obviously factory fresh and sealed up, so I contacted Peavey over there to ask them what I could do. They said to send it to Peavey UK, who then arranged for a new one to be sent to me in replacement. I have nothing but good things to say about Peavey, who have also been unbelievably helpful with another couple of problems I have had over the years,and bent over backwards to do their best for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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