Buying a guitar from Japan, anyone here done it?

[SpiralArchitect]

Hello

I'm trying to buy a guitar from Japan, I'm trying to figure out the best way possible at the moment, and want to know if anyone here has had this experience.
I am intersted to know what paperwork they and I will need and especially if any canadians have dones this.

please let me know!

Chris

[Number Of The Priest]

Re: Buying a guitar from Japan, anyone here done i

My most recent guitar was from Japan:

http://www.jcfonline.com/ubbthreads/...0&fpart=1&vc=1

Details and such are within that topic. Hopefully you might find it useful. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[MountainDog]

Re: Buying a guitar from Japan, anyone here done i

I bought a guitar from Japan (the seller had an ebay auction and I was interested in a different guitar that was in the background). He sent it using JapanPost EMS mail and charged me $49USD. It took about 5 days and can be tracked on their website. It came from Japan to San Fransico (in 3 days) then became part of the US Post Office Priority Mail and I got it two days later in Southern California from my mail carrier.

Here's a link the the Japan EMS website. You'll see a "EMS Track & Trace" button on the left. That's where I was able to see the travels of the guitar.
Japan EMS mail website

[MountainDog]

Re: Buying a guitar from Japan, anyone here done i

I forgot to add, there was no paperwork on my end. I just paypaled him, gave him my address, he emailed me the EMS tracking number, and the guitar was delivered.

[ApeDosMil]

Re: Buying a guitar from Japan, anyone here done i

I bought a Greco LPC off of ebay and it was pretty smooth. I did a wire bank transfer and got the package 3 days after!

[Number Of The Priest]

Re: Buying a guitar from Japan, anyone here done i

[ QUOTE ]
He sent it using JapanPost EMS mail and charged me $49USD.

[/ QUOTE ]

[img]/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] Wow!!! How'd you scam that? Typically the "reasonable" shipping price for Japan to North America for a guitar is something like $100-$120 American!

[TheSteveMan]

Re: Buying a guitar from Japan, anyone here done i

Maybe the guy "knows somebody" at the post office?
Especially in Japan, if you know the right person you can get an "in."

Anyhow, I also bought a guitar from Japan, but it was easier for me... I ordered it to be built for me before coming to Japan, the order was completed after I got here, and I picked it up from the dealer in person.. gonna either have the dealer ship it for me, or ship it myself when I go back.
Got a great deal that you can't really get back in the states.

[Back For More]

Re: Buying a guitar from Japan, anyone here done i

I purchased one as well. It was an off Ebay deal with a reputable seller (katanaguitars) and shipping was $120 through EMS and got here in 4 days. I was slightly nervous about the whole thing, but it went fine. In fact the guitar was better than described and still had the plastic on the pickguard and truss cover.

[MikeE]

Re: Buying a guitar from Japan, anyone here done i

SpiralArchitect, are you buying the guitar from a dealer or individual. Is it an eBay auction? This may help to get more specific answers.

[SpiralArchitect]

Re: Buying a guitar from Japan, anyone here done i

It is from a guitar store called "big boss freaks market"

Chris

[Riscchip]

Re: Buying a guitar from Japan, anyone here done i

I bought my Ibanez 1077XL from Japan. It was delievered fast...shipping was about $75. No paperwork on my end.

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: Buying a guitar from Japan, anyone here done i

$49, it was probably when the U.S. dollar was stronger than now.
Also if the guitar had a smaller(like Gibson)hardshell case and with smaller box, it could be cheaper.
If with gigbag, it will be cheaper as well.

[Number Of The Priest]

Re: Buying a guitar from Japan, anyone here done i

Toru, my ESP/Edwards Les Paul Custom lawsuit was $120 shipping, no case. Just the guitar in the ESP thick-padded gigbag in a cardboard box. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

I frequently check Katana's supply of awesome looking lawsuit guitars in Ebay's ESP section. [img]/images/graemlins/drool2.gif[/img]

[SpiralArchitect]

Re: Buying a guitar from Japan, anyone here done i

Hey guys

well I'll be shipping a very important instrument to me, and right now it doesn't have a case. It's a washburn Dimebag USA guitar, and it might be vulnerable to damage in just a gigbag, which is what it comes with, interesting story behind why it doesn't have a factory hardshell.
I could always send my hardshell for my dime 3 to them, but I don't want to wait too long. but?

Ideas?

Chris

[SeventhSon]

Re: Buying a guitar from Japan, anyone here done i

I bought 2 guitars from Japan (bluzey.com). Both came in gig bags but were well packed. Arrived safely. If you are concerned, have them source a hardshell case for you and tack it onto the purchase price.