Shipping a guitar from U.S. to Bangkok / Play music in BKK

[SkyRider]

2 subjects:

1. I've been shopping for a bass guitar here in BKK, I checked out Siam Paragon, Central World, (I heard China Town has some, but they may be fakes)

I haven't really found anything that feels or sounds right.

So now I'm thinking that I should have one of my guitars shipped to me from America.

What would be the best way to do this, FedEx?

I heard customs in BKK will charge money. How much? What compications could incur?

2. Any musicans in BKK, who would be interested in forming a band, or need a bass player - "classic rock" - please contact me.

[Nana Cowboy]

Hold on a minute pal. did you say China Town guitars might be fake? lol

[SkyRider]

Hold on a minute pal. did you say China Town guitars might be fake? lol

Nana Cowboy - Thanks for the confirmation regarding guitars sold in BKK China Town. lol

Edited July 31, 2013 by SkyRider

[isawasnake]

I would either 1) wait until I had a trip to the states 2) wait until a friend/relative was coming from the states 3) make the trip especially for buying it to the states.

That last option is way more feasible than initially thought on large items too. If you are going to buy something big, the ticket quickly pays for itself in both dollars and peace of mind knowing you aren't going to get a second rate product. I don't know about other people, but every single thing I have ever bought in Thailand, short of an Ipad, gives me the heebeegeebees, like it was a refurbished package, or opened and returned, or a display model etc. And what about when they insist you take the display model people have been mucking with at full price. What a joke. I am sorry but it is true. Yeah, I will pay full price (=50% markup compared to US price) for the watch that hundreds of customers have had their grubby hands on.

[SkyRider]

I would either 1) wait until I had a trip to the states 2) wait until a friend/relative was coming from the states 3) make the trip especially for buying it to the states.

That last option is way more feasible than initially thought on large items too. If you are going to buy something big, the ticket quickly pays for itself in both dollars and peace of mind knowing you aren't going to get a second rate product. I don't know about other people, but every single thing I have ever bought in Thailand, short of an Ipad, gives me the heebeegeebees, like it was a refurbished package, or opened and returned, or a display model etc. And what about when they insist you take the display model people have been mucking with at full price. What a joke. I am sorry but it is true. Yeah, I will pay full price (=50% markup compared to US price) for the watch that hundreds of customers have had their grubby hands on.

Good points. But that is a very long flight back to the States, and not that inexpensive. And friends don't come to Thailand often.

Does anybody know what would be involoved in having it shipped?

[pluto_manibo]

Chinatown has the wholesalers and yes they do carry the original brands( not copies)...Fender and Gibson dealership is in Central World( Music concept). Music Society in Coco walk carries second hand instruments. Second Music in the courtyard behind Lucky music , has a great selection of used musical instruments and equipment...Alicia guitars is a great Luthier and makes custom quality guitars...

[SkyRider]

Chinatown has the wholesalers and yes they do carry the original brands( not copies)...Fender and Gibson dealership is in Central World( Music concept). Music Society in Coco walk carries second hand instruments. Second Music in the courtyard behind Lucky music , has a great selection of used musical instruments and equipment...Alicia guitars is a great Luthier and makes custom quality guitars...

Do you by any chance know the names of the stores in China Town that sells originals and not copies?

[farang000999]

2nd hand stores in fortune town towards the top.

[Nana Cowboy]

Hi OP, someone mentioned Fortune and yes that can be checked out. Also there is at least 2 decent shops at Pantip also

[pluto_manibo]

Chinatown has the wholesalers and yes they do carry the original brands( not copies)...Fender and Gibson dealership is in Central World( Music concept). Music Society in Coco walk carries second hand instruments. Second Music in the courtyard behind Lucky music , has a great selection of used musical instruments and equipment...Alicia guitars is a great Luthier and makes custom quality guitars...

Do you by any chance know the names of the stores in China Town that sells originals and not copies?

From Memory, Boosey and Hawkes, Petch Siam sound and a few others in that same area.

[jimmybcool]

I wish I could recall where I bought mine. I got a Parker NightFly (made in USA) and a Fender Eric Johnson signature strat also made in USA and bought both in Bangkok. Price was a lot higher than I could have bought them for in the states but I am certain mine are both really USA made and not copies of any kind.

I'd keep watch on the various Craigslist and the like. Occasionally a foreigner puts up a guitar for sale. This assumes you are able to identify the real thing from a fake.

Good luck.

[BahBahBoBo]

I would either 1) wait until I had a trip to the states 2) wait until a friend/relative was coming from the states 3) make the trip especially for buying it to the states.

That last option is way more feasible than initially thought on large items too. If you are going to buy something big, the ticket quickly pays for itself in both dollars and peace of mind knowing you aren't going to get a second rate product. I don't know about other people, but every single thing I have ever bought in Thailand, short of an Ipad, gives me the heebeegeebees, like it was a refurbished package, or opened and returned, or a display model etc. And what about when they insist you take the display model people have been mucking with at full price. What a joke. I am sorry but it is true. Yeah, I will pay full price (=50% markup compared to US price) for the watch that hundreds of customers have had their grubby hands on.

Good points. But that is a very long flight back to the States, and not that inexpensive. And friends don't come to Thailand often.

Does anybody know what would be involoved in having it shipped?

Not sure what the story is now, but I took a fender 5 string bass and a marshall amp (head) to Thailand on the airplane, for my ex brother in-law (my wife passed away from complications due to cervical cancer).

I had no problems, but that was years ago.

You might want to check with airlines you may be able to fly over with it.

[mortenaa]

I ship items from the states all the time. Never had any problems. Fedex door 2 door delivery. Online shopping freak? Car parts and computer parts mostly. Usually its 30% tax on the reported value. + VAT 7%.

You can ship as "gift" or "personal item", and should be zero taxation...

[davidstipek]

2 subjects:

1. I've been shopping for a bass guitar here in BKK, I checked out Siam Paragon, Central World, (I heard China Town has some, but they may be fakes)

I haven't really found anything that feels or sounds right.

So now I'm thinking that I should have one of my guitars shipped to me from America.

What would be the best way to do this, FedEx?

I heard customs in BKK will charge money. How much? What compications could incur?

2. Any musicans in BKK, who would be interested in forming a band, or need a bass player - "classic rock" - please contact me.

SkyRider

I bought the remake of 50's guitar that Fender/Gibson (don't remember exact brand) did a few years back... looked like worn, old, well used Guitar. (I had bought for a friend, because it was twice the price in Bangkok, as I bought at in USA) This is why I cannot remember who's Guitar it was a Copy/Remake of. We checked how to get it here, safest, honest, secured delivery.

We ended up having Fender/Gibson ship to my Brother-in Laws house (in Seattle). I was escorting my Mother-in-Law back to USA at about the same time. When I arrived we openned sealed Box and inserted a Belated Birthday Card from Mom. then resealed original Container. At the time I was allowed 2 Suitcases up to certain weight on EVA Air. When I checked in at Airport the Guitar was checked at counter as my second suitcase, it was a little overweight cost me 60 USD extra. They asked what contents were and I told them as I stated above. They remarked to my file online and I told them it was insured, but still make box as fragile... which they did.

Everything went fine, arrived at BKK and was selected to be inspected. They asked about Guitar, said I was going to have to declare it's worth and pay duty Tax... Since it was NEW! We openned box for them to inspect and one of the Men picked up Birthday Card, read it and asked me if it was a gift. I said yes and that we had waited until I was in USA to return with it. He smiled noted that it must have been from my Mother-in -Law since card was signed from her...In Thai! he put card back in box spoke to the other Officers and told me, as a Gift it was mine, free no Tax! Enjoy my Music!

I do play, but this was a Guitar I wouldn't have bought... My friend collects and it has a Good Home, gets played and is well cared for. I believe if we had not done this way, either it would have disappeared, or maybe doubled in Price...

If you ship one of yours here, It should be documented that it is not new... and so on. If you deside to buy a New one get it somehow to contain a note that it is a "Gift".... A step ahead will keep $$$ in "Your" pocket... Understand??

Note carefully each step we took to get it here securely!

David

Edited August 1, 2013 by davidstipek

[NoshowJones]

2 subjects:

1. I've been shopping for a bass guitar here in BKK, I checked out Siam Paragon, Central World, (I heard China Town has some, but they may be fakes)

I haven't really found anything that feels or sounds right.

So now I'm thinking that I should have one of my guitars shipped to me from America.

What would be the best way to do this, FedEx?

I heard customs in BKK will charge money. How much? What compications could incur?

2. Any musicans in BKK, who would be interested in forming a band, or need a bass player - "classic rock" - please contact me.

I was a professional bass player before I retired to Thailand, I played mostly a Fender Jazz, and then a Yamaha. There were not copies, I bought an accoustic six string Yamaha copy here in Thailand just for playing in the house. A few times I have played with bands in Pattaya, and I was never happy with the bass sound although the musicians were good enough. I am not sure though how easy or hard it is to get a non copy bass here in Thailand. Good luck with your band, and remember the work permit, even if you are not getting paid.

[Cuban]

2. Any musicans in BKK, who would be interested in forming a band, or need a bass player - "classic rock" - please contact me.

To perform in private. Any attempt to play at a venue will result in undue attention of that you can be assured.

[Nana Cowboy]

Bringing a guitar over on a plane is not a problem. My friend has done this many times

[belg]

dont forget you need a WORKPERMIT to play with your friends, in public

[Gruntfuttock]

Guitars are generally more expensive in Bangkok than they would be from the States. If you ship a guitar over, it would be worth checking on packing. Pad the edges of the instrument inside the case so that there is no movement. Support the neck with bubble wrap or similar. Detune the strings so that in the event of the package being dropped etc. there is no pressure on the strings. As an added precaution I would wrap the case in Bubble Wrap. Depending on the quality of the case, I sometimes cut out thick cardboard and place between the case and Bubble Wrap.

Hope this helps!

I'm a Rhythm Guitarist, but don't have a work permit.

Regards

Dave

dave.redknap at yahoo.co.uk

[pizzachang]

You would be much better off to check out AliExpress and get a bass direct from a China dealer - unless you have plenty of money. FedEX and UPS will cost $500+ ( I checked shipping from Portland, OR to BKK) then you will pay customs fees. I'll be getting another guitar from Ali - of course it is a "copy" but electric guitars are copied very successfully - not fine, all wood acoustic guitars though. You can also hand carry a guitar as carry-on if you are making a trip anyway.

[pizzachang]

You would be better off checking out Aliexpress.com and buy direct from a China dealer. I checked on shipping one of my guitars from Portland. OR to BKK and it was $500+ and then you'd have to pay customs/duty. But if you have plenty of money to spend.....

Yes you would be getting a copy but electric guitars are much more "forgiving" about being copied - not so with fine, all wood acoustics.

[KuhnPaen]

Couldn't help myself....

1. What do you call a beautiful woman on a bassist's arm?
A tattoo.

2. What do a bass and a lawsuit have in common?
Everyone is relieved when the case is closed.

3.What's the difference between a Jazz bassist & a large Pizza??

The pizza can feed a family of 4 .

4. What do you call a bass player with a job? The janitor.

5. guy walks around a pawn shop checking out the various instruments. Finally walks up to the proprietor and asks: how much for the big red accordian under the window? The owner replies: You must be a bassist. How do you know?! Because that's a radiator

That's all I got.

[beammeup]

Its cheaper to buy one in Bangkok than to have it shipped, duty, VAT, shipping. There are great music shops n Central world 3rd and 4th floor ans Siam Parigon, I think 3rd floor. Priced are not that bad. (not copies)I was going to buy a Taylor acoustic guitar, I compared prices as I was going to Canada and with all the taxes it was less than 10% more in Thailand then Canada. I was going to hand carry it but I found a better deal on ebay in Singapore. If you are going to ship use USPS is cheap and there are no duty scams. I have had parts (body neck and all components shipped from the states via usps). Items arrived at my door no duty or tax. Put it all together and I have a great guitar at a fraction of the price, I would recomend USACG for body and neck.

[farang000999]

Have you tried Craigs List for Bangkok/Thailand?

There are always expats leaving and off loading their expensive goods at half price or better.

[Emdog]

There are plenty of guitar shops that sell the real deal over it, and I have bought a few here, marked up much of course. And Every time I go to USA I bring back a guitar, and never had a problem or been asked about it. Brought over maybe 10 or so, and not crap ones either. If you decide to ship, might as well take the neck off first (assume like a Fender P bass). Much less chance of damage. Did that with teles and such. Do heed warning about playing for fun. unless you like 20k fines. Playing for free is also no defence if you play too long somewhere and look like more than a brief sit in with the band. Just buy a Yamaha bass and have at it. Did see a Warwick in Sri Racha once at a shop, but girl sleeping at the time. I am pretty good at spotting fakes, btw. Oh yeah, how do you define Classic Rock? Gene Vincent or Deep Purple?

[jimmybcool]

I don't play bass and know little about them. There is one on craigslist in BKK right now for an Ibanez 5 string SR Prestige. No idea if that is what you are looking for.

And if you can find someone to translate there is a local thai webpage with classified section called guitarthai.com.

[newermonkey]

If you play in a public place YOU WILL NEED A WORK PERMIT.

[SkyRider]

There are plenty of guitar shops that sell the real deal over it, and I have bought a few here, marked up much of course. And Every time I go to USA I bring back a guitar, and never had a problem or been asked about it. Brought over maybe 10 or so, and not crap ones either. If you decide to ship, might as well take the neck off first (assume like a Fender P bass). Much less chance of damage. Did that with teles and such. Do heed warning about playing for fun. unless you like 20k fines. Playing for free is also no defence if you play too long somewhere and look like more than a brief sit in with the band. Just buy a Yamaha bass and have at it. Did see a Warwick in Sri Racha once at a shop, but girl sleeping at the time. I am pretty good at spotting fakes, btw. Oh yeah, how do you define Classic Rock? Gene Vincent or Deep Purple?

I would define Classic Rock as Deep Purple - not Gene Vincent.

[SkyRider]

I don't play bass and know little about them. There is one on craigslist in BKK right now for an Ibanez 5 string SR Prestige. No idea if that is what you are looking for.

And if you can find someone to translate there is a local thai webpage with classified section called guitarthai.com.

An Ibanez Prestige is the bass that I was thinking of having sent from the States, but a 4 string.

[SkyRider]

If you play in a public place YOU WILL NEED A WORK PERMIT.

I'd like to thank everybody for their very informative replies to my post.

About playing without a work permit, what I've heard is, the risks are higher or lower, depending on which venues you play. Example: Hotels = high risk. Small pubs, depending on the pub = lower risk.