Japanese gear website

[vernplum]

http://www.ikebe-gakki.com/index.php

Just found the same model for a Gibson I bought recently for about $1000 cheaper. Oh well.

 

[gsonique]

wicked !!

 

[XJAPAN]

I thought the Gibson is quite overpriced here in Singapore?

I mean like SL can reduce their price so much during sales.

 

[badbad2000]

Hi, Anyone buy from ikebe-gakki before? the gibson there really cheap compare to singapore?

 

[fade2b14ck]

A lot of things to consider when shipping from overseas. Tax, insurance, shipping cost. More importantly, the quality and lost/damaged instruments during shipping. Not forgetting no warrenty/return policy.

Note that the thread you dug up was started in 06. Recent years Sweelee has revised their pricing policies and prices are much more reasonable now. You should compare prices from there first.

Also consider shipping from the US. Gibson is an American brand, and many major retailers such as Guitar Center, Sweetwater, Musician's Friend give very nice discounts, up to 20% at any day, especially at this time of the year when they are clearing their 2014 stock for new models. If the American retailer cannot ship to Singapore then simply use Vpost/borderlinx/comgateway. But you'll need to remember to factor in local Tax, which is 7% of value+shipping+insurance (if above 400 sgd). So far I have shipped 2-3 guitar, even after tax and shipping, still cheaper than local retailers.

However, as i mentioned, Gibson is a brand that does have its hits and misses when it comes to quality. I myself (along with many others at another forum), would not buy a Gibson without trying and examining it.

 

[badbad2000]

I read Many said Gibson quality not very consistent.
Japan Gibson standard is 1k lower than swee Lee.

What brand have better QC now?

 

[fade2b14ck]

Correct me if I am wrong, but there is no such thing as a Japanese made Gibson. Like I said, Gibson is an American brand and their guitars are made in America.

The person who started this thread was referring to an American made Gibson, that is sold in Japan. He was comparing the prices of the guitar sold in Japan vs that sold at Sweelee IN THE YEAR 2006.

Like I said (again sigh), in recent years Sweelee has brought down their prices alot to more reasonable levels. you should compare the prices overseas vs those at Sweelee.

 

[skipper53]

A little bit of homework on both dealers' websites. Apple to apple, in December 2014. Comparing prices for a Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus, Honey Burst (cos' it's my favourite color).

1) www.ikebe-gakki.com
Product link: http://www.ikebe-gakki.com/ec/pro/disp/1/356910
Price: 259,000 YEN = 3096.76 SGD (inclusive of local tax, NO shipping)

2) http://www.sweelee.com.sg
Product link: http://www.sweelee.com.sg/gibson-les-paul-standard-plus-electric-guitar-honeyburst.html
Price: 3999.00 SGD (inclusive of local tax and shipping)

Conclusions
I did the research for you, you can draw your own conclusion =)

*Note: Prices converted using Google Currency converting tool

 

[fade2b14ck]

A little bit of homework on both dealers' websites. Apple to apple, in December 2014. Comparing prices for a Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus, Honey Burst (cos' it's my favourite color).

1) www.ikebe-gakki.com
Product link: http://www.ikebe-gakki.com/ec/pro/disp/1/356910
Price: 259,000 YEN = 3096.76 SGD (inclusive of local tax, NO shipping.)

2) http://www.sweelee.com.sg
Product link: http://www.sweelee.com.sg/gibson-les-paul-standard-plus-electric-guitar-honeyburst.html
Price: 3999.00 SGD (inclusive of local tax and shipping)

Conclusions
I did the research for you, you can draw your own conclusion =)

*Note: Prices converted using Google Currency converting tool

Just going abit further to compare prices to what you can possibly get if you buy from the US.

3)www.guitarcenter.com
Product Link: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson-2014-Les-Paul-Standard-Plus-Electric-Guitar-109876078-i3483077.gc
Price: 3,299SGD (assumed a 20% discount, inclusive 7% local tax, no shipping. I used the credit card exchange rate of 1.31 because that is what you would pay if you purchase using a credit card, not the google exchange rate.)

Surprised to see that one would pay more in the US though. Might be because of the recent sharp depreciation of the Japanese Yen, things are more affordable there now.

 

[badbad2000]

Correct me if I am wrong, but there is no such thing as a Japanese made Gibson. Like I said, Gibson is an American brand and their guitars are made in America.

The person who started this thread was referring to an American made Gibson, that is sold in Japan. He was comparing the prices of the guitar sold in Japan vs that sold at Sweelee IN THE YEAR 2006.

Like I said (again sigh), in recent years Sweelee has brought down their prices alot to more reasonable levels. you should compare the prices overseas vs those at Sweelee.

I meant japan sell the Gibson les paul Standard (model name), not saying it is made from Japan.

- - - Updated - - -

A little bit of homework on both dealers' websites. Apple to apple, in December 2014. Comparing prices for a Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus, Honey Burst (cos' it's my favourite color).

1) www.ikebe-gakki.com
Product link: http://www.ikebe-gakki.com/ec/pro/disp/1/356910
Price: 259,000 YEN = 3096.76 SGD (inclusive of local tax, NO shipping)

2) http://www.sweelee.com.sg
Product link: http://www.sweelee.com.sg/gibson-les-paul-standard-plus-electric-guitar-honeyburst.html
Price: 3999.00 SGD (inclusive of local tax and shipping)

Conclusions
I did the research for you, you can draw your own conclusion =)

*Note: Prices converted using Google Currency converting tool

This is what I have calculated. If I buy in Japan, can I hand carry back in Flight or must check in? Or need pay for special fee to handle.

 

[peter01]

The Google currency conversion isn't very accurate since bank/money changers do take quite a cut. Most if not all Swee Lee guitars should be pegged to US online prices. There are actually a few models that are cheaper in Swee Lee compared to US prices. Think ES-390, Collector's Choice Mike Slub model... Hope this helps.

 

[zesn]

I meant japan sell the Gibson les paul Standard (model name), not saying it is made from Japan.

- - - Updated - - -



This is what I have calculated. If I buy in Japan, can I hand carry back in Flight or must check in? Or need pay for special fee to handle.

Depends on your flight... most of them won't let you hand carry.

My friend got by with a Fender in the super slim Fender Gig Bag while my Mono Bag has to be checked in. The Gibson Les Paul inside survived though but the chances of it being damage is pretty high so it's still generally recommended to hand carry onboard.

If you're planning to check it in anyway, just make sure you do the usual ritual, loosen strings, put ample padding like clothes or bubble wrap in the gig bag.