Brands in France vs. SA

Manumanu

I'm curious to check out if there are some brands that we haven't in France (surely).

AlanRatcliffe

Manumanu wrote: I'm curious to check out if there are some brands that we haven't in France (surely).

I doubt it - you're closer to most of the manufacturers and main distributors (plus you have Patrice Vigier ?).

Manumanu

There's a lack of brands -american ones specifically- here. It's very hard to find Charvel guitars, Kramer, Peavey, even ESP ; Marshall pedals are mostly unfindable, there's no Big Muff in any stores, and we only begin to get some Blackstar and Orange amps... I couldn't check out in big stores on Pigalle (paris), but it's not very diffused.

AlanRatcliffe

I've split this topic off and moved to the gear section as it was a bit OT for the pedal sale thread.

Looks like you don't have it as good as I would have thought. But still... the UK is only a Chunnel away and you have easy access to sites like Thomann (who stock just about everything available in Europe).

Interesting though - I know you have Fender, so I would have thought that Charvel would be easy to find too. Although, they don't seem to be as popular any more anyway.

Manumanu

Okay, good idea to split ; it was clearly off-topic.

We have a lot of Fender/Squier and Gibson/Epiphone, and mostly Ibanez. Jackson is also easily findable. Sometimes, some Bc Rich and ESP. Once only, i saw a Rickenbacker, and twice some peavey guitars. But even french brands like WSL, Vigier or LÂG are mostly available on command only.

I suppose it's for price reasons ; mostly, we prefer buy on internet, Thomann but also importing from USA, 'cause it's often cheaper, including shipping, than ones in french stores. And sometimes, the sellers are not competent and/or not let us try the gear, so..

Sebber

Good point from the original poster: I've been gassing for one of those Charvel So-Cal Style 2 superstrats: does anyone know where I might find one in or around Joburg?

AlanRatcliffe

We have a lot of Fender/Squier and Gibson/Epiphone, and mostly Ibanez. Jackson is also easily findable. Sometimes, some Bc Rich and ESP. Once only, i saw a Rickenbacker, and twice some peavey guitars.

That all sounds very familiar - down to the complaints about stores too. I think you guys also see a lot of Cort too, don't you? Which the UK doesn't...

Styles

I'm sure i saw a Charvel So=Cal at TOMS Sandton. Give em a call.

Manumanu

Ah yeah i forgot about Cort ! We have some, but mostly low cost models. I don't think I ever saw a 400€+ model, so it's often advise for begginers.

guidothepimmp

Sebber,

Jean village music in centurion have a charvel so cal and a charvel wildcard 6 in stock, they come with skb cases and both are priced retail at 12clips, pm me if you need their number

Sebber

Thanks Styles and Guido, will check 'em out.