Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Forbidden-Donut]

Hey guys, I'm preparing to head to Korea.

I was wondering if it would be a better idea to ship a guitar over, or buy one when I'm in Korea? There's the risk of damage during the delivery, and it probably costs a bit of money. I would prefer bringing it over on my flight, but it's a bit too big to be considered carry on luggage.

What did you fellow guitar players do?

[reactionary]

is it a guitar you care about? then leave it. you can get a semi-ok playable guitar for about 100,000 won (just ask around about nagwon arcade). just use that for the year.

[Kimchi Cowboy]

I've done both. If you have a good hardcase, you can pack around your guitar with towels, socks, underwear, whatever, and check it as, well, checked luggage. Your airline might charge you for an extra bag, though, you'll have to check your allowances.

You can get pretty good deals on guitars here, but I guess it depends on what you want / need. Do a search for "nagwon" on this board. Personally, unless it's a guitar that you just can't live without (with which, of course, you run the risk of getting busted during shipping) then I'd say you're better off buying one here.

[DRAMA OVERKILL]

What kind of guitar are you considering shipping over (why not carry-on??)... basically, what's it worth? If it's expensive and/or dear to you, I wouldn't ship it, otherwise, go for it... that's just me.

You can always, of course, buy when you get here. I paid 300,000 won for a dosmestic made acoustic which I'm quite satisfied with, and 350,000 won for a domestic made electric which, now, I'm not so satisfied with. I really want a Fender Tele. or Strat., but the prices here for original American-made guitars is rather pricey (from what I've seen, but if anyone knows different from this please share!).

[Hollywoodaction]

I've bought guitars online and had them shipped here. No problem whatsoever. Just make sure it's insured, that's all. Oh, but you might have to pay 20% taxes and duty, though, which is why I'd check it in as extra luggage on your flight instead. It won't cost you more than if you had it shipped.

[keysbottles]

I saw a guy in the boarding area with a guitar,,I did not see what happened when he took it on the plane. It was a Taylor so I'm sure it was well cared for.

[Cheonmunka]

Have brought my guitar (classical) over in a hardcase as luggage. Was fine. I put it in with fragile luggage at a seperate counter. Asked for fragile specifically. That was Korean Air. Don't know if other airlines take the same care in that regard....
Hey, prices for a good used USA Fender strat (non-Mex) start around nearly one million won. That's about 1200 dollars in today's money.
There are a lot of people here who say the locally made guitars are fine, but, maybe they are thinking just for a drunken party loud booze sing-a-long.
If you are unsure whether to bring your guitar or just buy a local one here, go to your store tomorrow and play a Samick for a while.

[Bibbitybop]

Harpeau sells tons of guitars in the buy/sell/trade forum.

[drunkenfud]

I carried a guitar home from China. Three separate flights.

Changchun-Beijing
Beijing-London
London-Edinburgh

In each case I took the guitar on as carry on baggage and the flight attendants showed me where to stow it. On most planes there's an ideal spot between the last row of seats and the cabin wall where a guitar can slide right in.

It's a little inconvenient carting a guitar around during the transfers, but certainly better than trusting it in the hold.

[The_Eyeball_Kid]

I've taken a classical guitar all over the world with me. It's never been a problem. Mind you, I AM quite charming with check-in staff.

[Netz]

What everyone else siad is spot on, you have to decide how important it is to have "your" guitar. Also, if you do bring it, GET A HARD CASE. You can check it in as an extra peice of liggage for around $50-75, if you're not as chraming as others..........

One more thing, if you can get a good deal on one on Ebay before you leave, you can always sell it for at least what you paid for it in the US/Canada when you leave Korea to someone on these boards.

I'd GLADLY pay $500+ for a nice Parker Fly, becuase the Korean made Flys here are crappy and EXPENSIVE!!!!!!! (Same goes for Fender/Gibson/Martin)

Can you make sure it's Black for me?

Thanks

[tsulami]

I left mine at home when i found out it would cost $100 US each way to check it. Bought one from Harpeau when i got here and plan to sell it when I leave. I think it's the best way to go unless you have a spectacular guitar you can't live without.

[elicia]

have you checked with the airline?

i brought mine over as a carry on.

[kreitler7]

It is possible to bring it as a carry-on. But they may not let you do that. Dude, just buy one in Korea. Go to Nagwon Arcade (near Anguk station, orange line, in Northern Seoul). If you are a right-handed player, there are literally hundreds of guitars to choose from. They have most brands such as Fender, Gibson, Cort, Samick,ect. If you are left handed, the selection isn't that good. I picked up a nice Gibson SG (not sure if it is real, but it sounds good) and a Leem amp for about $450. You can haggle on the prices at Nagwon which is nice. "Nagwon" is written in Korean on the side of a greyish building that is raised above 4 lanes of traffic. Traffic goes under the builiding, which is kind of strange.

[freshking]