I'm gettin me a Jackson Stars!!!

[TheSteveMan]

Re: Yikes....

I know all about it!
I ordered a Kelly Star through Ishibashi.
No, they don't have a full website in English. http://www.ishibashi-music.com is the closest they have.. They say if you want to see their site in English click the "English pages" but that just plugs the site into a crappy online translator.
Anyway they have an e-mail address that you can contact, and they have at least two people I know of who will deal with you in English. (I've been in contact with Noriko, she's really good and helpful)
If you want the stock model with one of the standard finishes and no changes to anything, the KS-J2 comes out to just under a grand (minus shipping), and the KS-J2 E (with a pair of EMG 81s) comes out to be about 100 bucks more.
Shipping is a little over a hundred bucks.
I don't know if Ishibashi carries the stock Kelly Star, but you can contact them and see if they can get you one. I ordered a semi-custom through them as described above and it was about 300 bucks more than the standard KS-J2, but it should be really awesome for me. Also I don't have to worry about shipping because I'll be in Tokyo for a year so I can pick it up there by the time it's done, but I do have to worry about getting it back here without it picking up any damage.

[Hambucker]

Re: Yikes....

Yeah because it could be considered as a Weapon of massive destruction [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[IommiChild]

Re: Yikes....

how much does it cost to ship stuff from Japan? must be kinda spendy....

[Newc]

Re: Yikes....

Around $120-$130. It's like a Flat Rate or something for EMS service.

Newc

[wulfe13]

Re: Yikes....

What about import taxes and any other fees that might apply?
What kind of pups are in the KS-J2 standard model?
If I can get one for under $1200 or so, I'll start saving now!
Oh yeah, and do they come with a Hardcase or is that extra?

[Newc]

Re: Yikes....

The NASL did not have a hard case with it, just a gig bag. I think that's the other major difference between them and the USA Selects - the hard case is extra.
Anyhoo, there are no import taxes when coming into America.
Here's the specs from www.jacksonstars.com :

KS-J2 Epuipped with Seymour Duncan pickups
\145,000 (税込）w/Original Soft Case
KS-J2E Epuipped with EMG pickups
\155,000 (税込）w/Original Soft Case

BODY : Alder
SCALE : 648mm, 24F
NECK : Maple Thru-Neck
FINGERBOARD : Bound Striped Enoby with Sharkfin Inlays
BRIDGE : Schaller Double Locking #1370
PICKUPS : KS-J2=Seymour Duncan SH-1n (Front)/TB-5 (Rear)
KS-J2E=EMG-81 (Front & Rear)
CONTROL : 1Volume, 1Tone, 3Way Toggle Switch
HARDWARE : Black
FINISHES : BK, DMB, DMR, PT, CBL, SBK & Optional Finishes


Newc

[TheSteveMan]

Re: Yikes....

The KS-J2 has a Duncan SH-1 neck and TB-5 bridge! 100 bucks more and you get a pair of EMG 81s.
You can get one for about 105,000 yen (this price includes a Jackson Stars soft case, and Japanese 5% "consumption tax") which is less than a thousand dollars at the current exchange rate, but probably right at a thousand with the exchange rate your credit or debit card would give you. About 120 bucks for shipping and you may have to pay import duty upon receipt of the package, but I'm not totally sure how that works, you'll have to look it up on the http://travel.state.gov website I think. As far as I know it can't be any more than about 9% of the price of the guitar, and there might be an exemption of a couple hundred bucks, so it could be 9% of the the price after the exemption is subtracted.
Anyhow if you got this model with the duncans, your total cost including shipping and duty would probably be close to 1200 give or take.
I know an online store that does stock the KS-J2, but they don't have anyone who will deal with you in English that I know of. I can e-mail and ask if they'll ship overseas (they'll probably do it if you're interested), and if you want, e-mail me [email protected] and I can show you how to fill out a web order form, maybe I'll take a screen shot and label everything in English for you.

[Newc]

Re: Yikes....

I did not receive any sort of Customs form when I got my NASL, or anything else saying I had to pay import duties.

Newc

[TheSteveMan]

Re: Yikes....

It very well could be included in the shipping price?

[Newc]

Re: Yikes....

Could be. The guy who bought it on my behalf did the shipping calculation.

Newc

[TheSteveMan]

Re: Yikes....

ACK somebody help me I'm gassing for eerie dess swirl on this thing, if you don't stop me I might tack on the extra bucks to do it!!

[wulfe13]

Re: Yikes....

How much extra is it? Would it take any longer to receive?

[TheSteveMan]

Re: Yikes....

Well it's already gonna take 4 months to get it so I doubt they've gotten to the finish part of the process..
the catalog custom order template lists the EDS finish as 20,000 yen (just under 200 bucks) but I don't know exactly how much the dealer will actually charge me, and I'm not sure yet if it is too late to change or what. I'll let ya know when I find out, hehe

[diospada]

Re: Yikes....

i wonder how the nasl will look with maple board, hmmm, I'm thinking about a semi custom maple boarded nasl.... interesting...!!!

[TheSteveMan]

Re: Yikes....

I bet it would look sweet!
I love maple boards so much I don't play rosewood or ebony anymore. The only exception I would make would be a jazz guitar.