Thinking of getting GRETSCH from Japan

[Apot_red]

Hi All,

I had visited Japan (Osaka) a few times and had noticed they had quite a number of good guitars in their shops...Umeda, Shinshaibashi and such...

However, is it cheaper to get for example: Tenneese Rose or even the Nashville from there or just get it in Singapore.

I am concerned about the taxation and transportation issue that I will face.

Swee Lee is selling the T.Rose for about SGD3,888.00

Is it advisable to get from Japan?

Please kindly advise..

Cheers!

Philip

 

[tropiccana]

bring guitar from oversea into singapore will be tax?? is that true??
by the way..u only bring one piece of guitar alone with u. if courier then different story already...am i rite??

please advise.

 

[Apot_red]

Hi tropiccana,

I am intending of bringing 1 piece only.....its my dream...yet to fulfill....

about your question, That was what I think so too.

However, the actual fact is that if the guitar is worth less then SGD300.00

My wife did brought back a Gu Zheng all the way from Shang Hai.
She was stopped and questioned by the Singapore authorities for the Value of the Gu Zheng.

Luckily it was only SGD250.00

Even though should taxation occure, I would suppose its 7%???

I am more concern about the Total Value of the Guitar.
If bringing in that Gretsch could save about SGD800.00 to SGD1000.00, then why not? (minus the GST of 7%)

Plus ! you get the accomplishment of handcarrying a GRETSCH Home!!!


HAHAHA!!

Cheers!

 

[reez_rock]

But if it's Gretsch will it be cheaper??since gretsch is not made in Japan so the Japanese shop will also imported it from US.....I believe if you buy a Japanese guitar it will be cheaper but American?

For the tax and all....I think you dun have to worry...I hand carried my Ibanez when I bought it in Jakarta...They didn't tax me on that....

 

[Apot_red]

Gretsches are made in Japan nowadays... after Fender took over the company in 2002....

I regretted not taking down the prices during my last trips..

they are as common to find as 7 - 11 store in SIngapore.

Most of them are Vintages including Gibsons and Fenders...
Which I believed most of these vintages are from USA since the aftermath of the 2nd World War. Most american soilders who were posted in Japan in the mid 60's and where all the Rock and Roll fever is burning world wide...

Newer batches of Gretsches are manufactured in Japan which I believe alongside Fender factories...

Professional collections like Chet Atkins, and Brian Setzer Models are Made in Japan...(I believe) ... Tennessee Rose, Nashville, Anniversary models etc....
In general, those without Dynasonic Pick Ups are Made in Japan... (I Believe)

Only Models with U.S. Custom Collection are made in U.S.

I am only comparing prices between SIngapore and Japan.

Thanks reez-rock for pointing out the Tax issue...
at least one point less to fret over..

Cheers man!

Philip

 

[Noein]

If you order through the internet, let's say through kurosawa, there will only be a surplus of 130 dollars for 10kg or less shipping fees for EMS, which will arrive in Singapore after 2 days of receiving payment, which is really efficient. But if you intend to go there for a holiday or something and get that guitar in the mean time, you can try getting it there. I'd avoid Swee Lee due to their overpriced products, they're only good during sales, but most stuff gets hooked up. If you would give me the exact model number of the guitars I can help you check the prices on Kurosawa.

 

[Apot_red]

If you order through the internet, let's say through kurosawa, there will only be a surplus of 130 dollars for 10kg or less shipping fees for EMS, which will arrive in Singapore after 2 days of receiving payment, which is really efficient. But if you intend to go there for a holiday or something and get that guitar in the mean time, you can try getting it there. I'd avoid Swee Lee due to their overpriced products, they're only good during sales, but most stuff gets hooked up. If you would give me the exact model number of the guitars I can help you check the prices on Kurosawa.

Hi Noein,

Thanks for the offer man.
I am indeed going for a holiday this time...
Its assuring to hear about the shipment fee for a guitar.

I am looking at Nashville 6120 ( Tenessee Rose / Country Gentleman) or the Power Jet (Duo Jet)...
series..

Maybe you can pm me the link to Kurosawa website to take a look?

Cheers!

Philip

 

[erickok]

Hi Apot_red and Noein,

Im glad i saw this post, i myself is also hunting for a GRETSCH.
Especially the G6120SSL Brian Setzer model or the 1959LTV Chet Atkins Hollow Body.

Care to share the info with me?

Regards
Eric

 

[tropiccana]

ouch...which mean if i bring a guitar from malaysia...will be tax also??? coz i live in sabah...of couse will take airplane reach changi airport...haha....

please advise..anyone experience thsi b4?

 

[hub4thailand]

its true japan is cheaper i already got afew from there. quite easy to bring in also

 

[Apot_red]

its true japan is cheaper i already got afew from there. quite easy to bring in also

Hub4thailand! you the man!!!

Cheers!

Philip

 

[shioks76]

Tax!! what tax? Just make sure your case dosen't look too new.
Place several old looking stickers on the guitar case!!

If you're questioned say you're performing or just say its a gift from a relative.

Brought back gibson sg from the USA b4. wasn't even stopped at the airport.

 

[junkiemanxl]

Not too sure about the tax issue.
I bought a epi les paul custom from korea and brought it back to singapore. could not hand carry it because of the size and had to check it in with the rest of the cargo. (properly packed of course) .I did not get taxed and stuff from the customs. Everything was good.

Overseas buying is so much cheaper. Depending on brand and country.

 

[Apot_red]

Not too sure about the tax issue.
I bought a epi les paul custom from korea and brought it back to singapore. could not hand carry it because of the size and had to check it in with the rest of the cargo. (properly packed of course) .I did not get taxed and stuff from the customs. Everything was good.

Overseas buying is so much cheaper. Depending on brand and country.

Dear Junkiemanxl,

guess you are right too...however, what are the areas to look out for when packing a guitar for checking in?

Could you enlighten us ?

Cheers!

Philip

 

[Noein]

Hi Noein,

Thanks for the offer man.
I am indeed going for a holiday this time...
Its assuring to hear about the shipment fee for a guitar.

I am looking at Nashville 6120 ( Tenessee Rose / Country Gentleman) or the Power Jet (Duo Jet)...
series..

Maybe you can pm me the link to Kurosawa website to take a look?

Cheers!

Philip

They have a 2nd hand Nashville for sale for 2k SGD in mint condition. Their 1st hand model has just been sold and there's currently no stock, you can check more on them at KurosawaGakki.com

 

[junkiemanxl]

Dear Junkiemanxl,

guess you are right too...however, what are the areas to look out for when packing a guitar for checking in?

Could you enlighten us ?

Cheers!

Philip

I packed my les paul at the airport after knowing that i couldnt hand carry the guitar onboard. They actually told me that the only way to hand carry my guitar in was to buy a seat for it!! hahaha. They brought me to this section in the airport where they would pack items into boxes for you. Most of the equipment they use are electronic packing machines. They super bubble wrapped my LP which was in a padded softcase and then used hard card board to make a custom fit sized box to fit the guitar in. then followed by straps to all ends to secure it. All very very well done and very secure. Cost me $20 USD to have them pack it. Oh yeah, and one more important thing. remember to declare the item as fragile so as they would take better care of it. They will check it in with the rest of the items that are fragile.

Overall $$$ saved ....
Epiphone Les paul Custom in SG = $1444.00
Epiphone Les paul Custom in Korea = $400.00 + Packaging $35.00

You do the math.

Big Big Difference if you ask me......

:mrgreen:

 

[Apot_red]

OMG!!!! thats savings man!!! I bet you took the savings and changed to SD pups!! or even EMG!! or even Dimarzios!!! ARHHHHH....

Good for you man!

Cheers!

Philip

 

[erickok]

They have a 2nd hand Nashville for sale for 2k SGD in mint condition. Their 1st hand model has just been sold and there's currently no stock, you can check more on them at KurosawaGakki.com

Hi,
So its safe to order new guitars from this site? I saw a few nice axe here.. very tempting.

/eric

 

[erickok]

I packed my les paul at the airport after knowing that i couldnt hand carry the guitar onboard. They actually told me that the only way to hand carry my guitar in was to buy a seat for it!! hahaha. They brought me to this section in the airport where they would pack items into boxes for you. Most of the equipment they use are electronic packing machines. They super bubble wrapped my LP which was in a padded softcase and then used hard card board to make a custom fit sized box to fit the guitar in. then followed by straps to all ends to secure it. All very very well done and very secure. Cost me $20 USD to have them pack it. Oh yeah, and one more important thing. remember to declare the item as fragile so as they would take better care of it. They will check it in with the rest of the items that are fragile.

Overall $$$ saved ....
Epiphone Les paul Custom in SG = $1444.00
Epiphone Les paul Custom in Korea = $400.00 + Packaging $35.00

You do the math.

Big Big Difference if you ask me......

:mrgreen:

Thats alot, the last time i was in Seoul.. i cant see any guitars shops.. sigh..

 

[hub4thailand]

its true like jem 7 in japan new one is only about 2.6k
like gretsch the price is good, you might as well order from the shops thats wat usually my friends do.