Advice needed re importing Mark V head to Australia

[salty frog]

Hi All,

1st post & already asking for help. Long time wannabe guitarist - had to wait a long time to get a decent guitar & have been waiting even longer to get a decent amp.

Have my heart set on a Mark V but realistically, if I have to pay the prices that are charged here in Australia, ($5995 for the head alone), I'm going to have my first hip replacement before I get my amp.

I can't see the Aussie dollar getting much stronger than it is at present, so I am looking at whether importing from the US could bring the price down enough that I won't have to sell any children or organs to afford it.

If anyone has already done this & has any advice about importing amps, it would be greatly appreciated. About the only advantage I may have is that the lady of the house has some relatives in the US. They are very busy & I don't know that they are the most reliable or organised of people, but they are in the right location.

I know that this is going to be a one off if I can manage to afford it, so want to try & make sure I do all I can to avoid complications or the heartache of paying money I can't afford for a damaged amp. I am pretty nervous about the whole process but the difference in price seems to be significant.

The sort of information I am hoping is:
Cost of postage
How to insure for the full value of the amp
What import duties or other costs I would be liable for
How to have the amp packed so that it is not damaged
Best companies to use to ship the amp
Best quality step down transformers
Potential warranty issues if I have any problems
Any other tips or advice that people have for the unitiated

Thanks in advance for whatever advice you have.

 

[Cron]

You wont have any warranty. Postage is roughly $500 using USPS express. Duties you can calculate online, just do a google search for the Aus customs website. Pm me if you need more details. Also, i might be selling my mark V, im in Sydney.

 

[Triple Cheeseburger]

dont do it.

there are a few in australia, one on melband for like $3000. you will not have any sort of warranty, and have to lug around an extra transformer.

a word of advice NEVER pay full retail for a high ticket guitar item. if you pay cash you have lee way.

 

[J.J]

I wouldn't do an import, just not worth the hastle. The RRP may be $5995, but the price is not set here in Oz and dealers are able to do deals...

I don't want to mention the exact price I was offered, but I will say that you should be able to get a MKV for less than 4K here. The dollar has improved since I was buying too.

You will need to lean on the shop, but I've found if they know you have the cash and are buying they generally prefer to take your cash than let you walk out with it :lol:

If you really need bargain basement, look for one that someone has already imported. I saw one on Ebay for $2500 I think a little while back.

 

[salty frog]

Thanks all for the replies. May still have to save my pennies for awhile yet anyway.

Was seriously looking at perhaps spending a little more than I should if the only way I was going to be able afford one was to take avantage of the strong Aussie dollar at the moment.

Would most likely have been a credit card or personal loan job. Still considering my options as I have wanted a decent guitar & amp since I was about 17, (turning 40 this year :lol: ). If I see something for the right price, might still have to bite the bullet & raise the cash somehow.

I think I can cope with having to use a stepdown transformer, especially if someone else has already done all of the hard work seeing as I really haven't spent the time I would like on learning to play guitar properly, (partly because I either had no amp) so I may still be confined to the bedroom for awhile yet. If I get my Mark V around 40, watch out for me when I am 70 though! :lol: :wink:

 

[salty frog]

Cool, only just realised that your user gets rated as an amp - thought the Mark I, II, III, etc were what you guys were playing until I saw that I was apparently playing a "bottle rocket". :lol:

Thanks again for the advice gents.

 

[Triple Cheeseburger]

i made that mistake, took out a personal loan bought a 100 watt recto half stack and couldnt really play that well. things in australia dont hold value like they should thats for sure and i lost out when i decided it wasnt for me.. second hand is the way to go in my opinion, you can pick up a great deal especially now mesas carry the 5 year transferrable warranties.

 

[salty frog]

Thanks Triple, 2nd hand sounds fine to me too.

 

[J.J]

Forgive me if I'm on the wrong track here. I can't fault you for wanting the best gear, but if your learning and possibly not in a band The MKV could be more than you need. Have you considered the mini MK ?

The Express amps in my opinion would have to be the next most versatile in the Mesa line up. RRP for the 5:25 is little more than half the MKV and the 5:50 is not much more. I paid $2300 for my 5:25 and that was when the dollar was less then 80c US.

 

[salty frog]

Hi J.J,

Thanks for the advice. I thought about other options, but have been waiting so long that I really want to get my dream amp.

Got no problem with 2nd hand but I do want something where I am not looking for that bit extra, even if it's only for my own enjoyment. Whatever I get may have to last me quite a while & I am really into the Dream Theater/Metallica sound.

I might try some other Mesas like you suggested but I already had a quick go on a Mark V in a shop, so it may have ruined me for some the other models.

 

[J.J]

Does sound like you need a Mark V 8)

I just noticed one on Ebay. It was apparently purchased in march so it would be nearly new. That guy has $3500 on it, but I don't think it will sell. $3K would be closer to it value in my book.

Anyway, hope your able to get your amp in the not to distant future.

 

[salty frog]

Thanks again J.J. It does feel like I NEED a Mark V, (even if really I don't) :wink: