New bloke here !

Stoner-Riff · 2009-07-15T00:56:21+00:00

Hi there . . . never knew there is an SA Guitar Forum. I am a long time member on various international foums, but no one ever told me about this here local one ! Well, not much to say, except "Hi", and needless to say, i am still checking everything out. Got me self some guitars, pedals and a few amps. Most of my gear come from the US, as i am NOT willing to pay SA daylight robbery prices, even after the so called "cash discounts". I work in the US for up to 7-8 months at a time, so i have a 'slightly' bigger option when it comes to ermmmmm, EVERYTHING ! Cheers

Stoner-Riff

Alan Ratcliffe wrote Good post Bob. That pretty much sums the situation up accurately.

The one advantage you do get buying from the US is that the retailers often have huge discounts on certain items - competition is stiff and it shows. We get the same kind of thing on occasion, when the canny buyer can pick up decent deals - "Birthday sales" and the like, but they are fewer and further between. Even if you do find things cheaper in the US, much electrical/electronic gear is 110V, costs a fortune to ship and you pay VAT on this end - on the shipping costs too.

Of course, it helps when you are flying to and from there anyway and you can avoid the shipping charges, as in Stoner's case. ?

Very true this !
I bought a Laney 50W headall-valve in mint condition a month ago, for $325.00 (that is LESS than R3000.00, for a fantastic head.)
I do not know of anyone who will sell their all-valve 50W amp head in SA for R2800.00-R3000.00.

I wanted to (still do) get an Orange Thunderverb head, and after i saw what the Jo'burg stores ask, i am deff gonna buy in the US.
I also made a friend in Texas who is an amp builder (Celtic Amps), and he will convert my amps (via a selectable toggle) so that i can flip between 110V/220V.
And guitars is also really expensive over here, compared to what, say a High-School teacher makes.

Entry level GIBSON SG + hardshell case, in the US = $900.00 - same guitar in SA much, much more !

Bob-Dubery

Stoner Riff wrote
OK feel kinda show-off, but here are some of it :

I wish you'd keep those guitars out of the way. I'm trying to see what's on your book shelf.

aubs1

Bob Dubery wrote I wish you'd keep those guitars out of the way. I'm trying to see what's on your book shelf.

Yeah, me too...1st thing that caught my eye was The Beatles, rather than the guitars...!!!! ?

About the diffs in pricing for gear, I agree 100% with Bob, depends on what, where, and when you're buying........The wife and I recently needed to fill up our Mac Pros with Memory (32GB each!!) ....and found that shipping it in from the UK including courier costs was about 50% of what the guys were asking for here, but that I would say, is one of the few things that was worth doing!

Stoner, let us know when's your next trip, I'm compiling my shopping list!!! ?

Stoner Riff wrote ...............OK feel kinda show-off, but here are some of it :

Don't worry mate, this is where we all show-off our toys!!!!! From the "Lah-di-dah" to the absolute crap!!! ? ?

BTW. I like that SG!!!

TomCat wrote @ Aubs1......Maybe Stoner will change his name to "Joe" and come visit you.......HaHaHa....... ? ?

Hey Tom, can't upset "Joe number 1"........remember, I still need to get that Taylor T5C ? Hahahahaha!

TomCat

Stoner Riff wrote

How are those TV Jones PUP's. We have an AFS75T and have been GASsing for a PUP upgrade.

Bob-Dubery

aubs1 wrote
Bob Dubery wrote I wish you'd keep those guitars out of the way. I'm trying to see what's on your book shelf.
Yeah, me too...1st thing that caught my eye was The Beatles, rather than the guitars...!!!! ?

Oh. For me it as 1000 Nudes.

aubs1

Bob Dubery wrote Oh. For me it as 1000 Nudes.

Oh Bob, you really crack me up!!!! hahahahaha.....remember I am a photographer too, and "1000 Nudes" are standard in every photographers library! Probably why I missed it, seen it 1000 times!!! It's a photographers "Must have"!!! ?

Stoner-Riff

Bob Dubery wrote
Stoner Riff wrote
OK feel kinda show-off, but here are some of it :

I wish you'd keep those guitars out of the way. I'm trying to see what's on your book shelf.

HAhahaha . . . the advantage of working in the US.

I am NEVER more than 15min car ride from a *HUGE book store, like 'Books-A-Million', or 'Barnes & Nobble'.
There there is always amazon.com too.
I can easily spent every weeks pay check on books, music gear and my sport (road cycling).

* Exclusive Books looks like a street side Hot Dog stall, compared to the Randgurg Mall, i.e. Barnes & Nobble.

Stoner-Riff

TomCat wrote
Stoner Riff wrote

How are those TV Jones PUP's. We have an AFS75T and have been GASsing for a PUP upgrade.

Best upgrade i could have ever made for this guitar !

As the YANKS say, it is a keeper - the guitar it is - and more "up-grades" to come.
Next is a GraphTech nut, and saddle saver bridge.

Getting back to the PU's.
Imho, it is worth every single sent. And compared to the asking price of current Duncans it was a hell of a bargain too, at $100.00 USD (each) at the time. The stock units was not that bad. Infact, they were OK for jazzy stuff, but i bought the guitar for hot rodded bluesy stuff. Think early White Stripes. Seeing that these units are the S/C'ers of the range they are purrrrfect for the warmer hollow body Artcore. The bridge is NOT icey or Tele style trebly, and the neck is warm but had plenty of punch. this guitar really cuts through with both of my Fender amps.
It aslo sounds great on my cousin's old 5150 2x12 combo, and my brother's lil AC15.

I also have a set of SD-design (not Seymour Duncans) units that is waiting for a guitar.
problem is, i do not have a guitar yet, for the set.

http://www.sdpickups.com/products.shtml

Hope this helps !

TomCat

.............I've just hit a 10.0 on my GAS-o-Meter.........Those PUP's are YUMMY.......

Carmen

Hello, welcome. Yeah, the US does have everything they want and need...they're a powerful country...
SA is one of the last to get things...and sometimes...we have to import things that nobody else wants...and can't get here...frustrating...

kayDUB

Love the pic of the cat with the bassman... great stuff!

and I thought i was a pedal-phile! ?

Stoner-Riff

Carmen wrote Hello, welcome. Yeah, the US does have everything they want and need...they're a powerful country...
SA is one of the last to get things...and sometimes...we have to import things that nobody else wants...and can't get here...frustrating...

Thanx for the welcome Carmen

. . . yes, i hear you - they sometimes have everything they need, as OK prices too !
One thing i DO NOT want of theirs, is their modern cars.
Up to late 70's is OK, but their new stuff, ermmmm, NO THANKS !!!

That made me think - some time ago really !

With the power of internet, everyone can see what is on the UD market, and if there is a hype about something, everyone wants it - not so ?
So why doe "we" have to import stuff that no one wants, but the US is going Ga-Ga about it ?
What do they (as guitarists) know, that we do not ?

Stoner-Riff

kayDUB wrote Love the pic of the cat with the bassman... great stuff!

and I thought i was a pedal-phile! ?

Thanx Mate !

I allready have a list of 32 pedals that i want. (...it will never end)
Not that i have the funds for all of 'em, but i will come back with probably 10 or so - i hope !
I am a bit of a pedal-whore, but mostly of the FUZZ type.
I love all things fuzz.

DonovanB

a photographer? I meet hundreds who don't work in the USA. I know some who don't work at all.

you must be
a) freaking good
b) someone famous we dont know
c) working for someone big*

* That excludes Michael Moore. He's just fat...

Carmen

You know, my dad once came up with a good saying for America:
'When America sneezes, the rest of the world gets a cold'.
Not true? ?

Stoner-Riff

Carmen wrote You know, my dad once came up with a good saying for America:
'When America sneezes, the rest of the world gets a cold'.
Not true? ?

Hahahaha, i heard that one bore . . . and the Yank would love to believe that !

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