Importing amps?

[ChunkyMunky]

Just saw my dream amp head out in the US for a dream price. However, I'm a little bit unsure if I'd need to watch out for transition for voltages and all sorts. Any advice?

[url="http://s173.photobucket.com/user/mrmatt_photo/media/SWR/Bass%20350/DCP_6198.jpg.html"][/url]

[EssentialTension]

Some amps are switchable for voltage but some require a transformer.

When you look at the dream price don't forget to add shipping and then add another 25-30% for customs duty plus VAT plus handling charge.

[ChunkyMunky]

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1445582791' post='2892481']
Some amps are switchable for voltage but some require a transformer.

When you look at the dream price don't forget to add shipping and then add another 25-30% for customs duty plus VAT plus handling charge.
[/quote]

£450 still isn't bad! Then again, I have no idea about the transformer cost.

[chris_b]

There's an SM-400S on Ebay in Brighton, for £300.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SWR-SM-400S-Bass-Amp-Head-case-/221903380064?hash=item33aa78de60:g:pcoAAOSwgQ9V01HZ

[Chienmortbb]

you would need a tansfomer costing minimum of £50.

[JapanAxe]

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1445603053' post='2892742']
There's an SM-400S on Ebay in Brighton, for £300.

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SWR-SM-400S-Bass-Amp-Head-case-/221903380064?hash=item33aa78de60:g:pcoAAOSwgQ9V01HZ"]http://www.ebay.co.u...coAAOSwgQ9V01HZ[/url]
[/quote]

That's my nightmare amp:

Aural enhancer - no!!!
Graphic - no!!!!
Semi-parametric - no!!!!!
Bi-amped - no!!!!!!
Stereo - no!!!!!!!

Each to their own of course...

[alexclaber]

I've always felt the SWR 350 and 750 were rather disappointing - surprisingly lacking in oomph.

[andydye]

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1445603838' post='2892758']
That's my nightmare amp:

Aural enhancer - no!!!
Graphic - no!!!!
Semi-parametric - no!!!!!
Bi-amped - no!!!!!!
Stereo - no!!!!!!!

Each to their own of course...
[/quote]

[quote name='alexclaber' timestamp='1445609437' post='2892823']
I've always felt the SWR 350 and 750 were rather disappointing - surprisingly lacking in oomph.
[/quote]

Not my dream amp either but hey, one mans' dream is another mans' nightmare innit

[BassBunny]

Also watch out for warranty terms. Some are worldwide, some just the country of purchase.

[ChunkyMunky]

Personally, I've never been a fan of the MarkBass stuff. What works for some, I guess!

[andydye]

Importing amps is a potential minefield!

For all the reasons stated above, if it's cheap enough to make it worthwhile after import duty and vat have also been paid and once you've got a transformer for it that you'll also have to lug everywhere as well as your new 'amp baby'...dude it better be cheap!

[alexclaber]

[quote name='ChunkyMunky' timestamp='1445610437' post='2892834']
Personally, I've never been a fan of the MarkBass stuff. What works for some, I guess!
[/quote]

It wasn't an observation regarding SWR amps, it was the Bass 350 and 750 specifically vs other SWR heads. If you haven't gigged it, bear in mind it's quite a lot less powerful in practice than an SM400 despite the similar power rating. I gigged an SWR Grand Prix for years, it was a great sounding preamp.

[ChunkyMunky]

[quote name='alexclaber' timestamp='1445612573' post='2892856']
It wasn't an observation regarding SWR amps, it was the Bass 350 and 750 specifically vs other SWR heads. If you haven't gigged it, bear in mind it's quite a lot less powerful in practice than an SM400 despite the similar power rating. I gigged an SWR Grand Prix for years, it was a great sounding preamp.
[/quote]

Considering the quality of your cabs, that's a hell of an endorsement.