Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jugbandjames]

How expensive are guitars, pedals, etc over there? I'm leaving in about month, and I can't decide if I want to bring my guitar with me or buy one there and resell it when I leave. I have to buy a hard case, and there'll be a baggage fee both ways, plus I would still need to buy an amp. I've been told they're more expensive in SK (and I would imagine that's at least true for the American brands) but does anyone have exact numbers (or a range of numbers)? Aren't Squier guitars made in Korea? They've gotta be pretty cheap, right?

[CKAB]

Go to the Nakwon arcade. The cost of instruments is actually pretty cheap. You can get a bottom of the line guitar for 150-300k won.

http://koreanguitars.blogspot.com/2008/08/korean-guitars-where-to-buy-guitar-in.html

I'd say it actually cheaper for the most part than the USA.

[FMPJ]

Pedals are VERY expensive here. Guitars aren't so bad because many are manufactured here, but pedals will run you.

[Reise-ohne-Ende]

I just bought a guitar in Bujeon (Busan). The cheapest guitar was 100,000. There were ones that ran into the 1-2 million range. I got a very nice one for 220,000 - it came with a capo, extra strings, a hardware kit, a case, and a variety of picks. All in all I'm very pleased. I loved my guitar at home, but I don't think it's worth the expense of shipping, personally.

As for the pedals, I don't know. If you can afford the extra weight in your baggage, bring them, but I'm sure you can find some here.

[pkang0202]

Locally made guitars are cheap. If you want a Fender, Gibson, or Paul Reed Smith then its best to buy it elsewhere.

[Trevor]

Check the buy sell forum here and also Seoul Craigslist.

[jugbandjames]

Are there any Korean made guitars that are comparable in quality with the American guitars? I've got a ten year old Mexican-made Fender Telecaster, and it's in nearly perfect condition (minus some soldering maintenance over the years).

Also, how much are amps?

[Crockpot2001]

[wackakapow]

I played a few Swing guitars at the Nakwon arcade a while back. They're Korean, and they were awesome. The fretscale felt a bit long, but the action was good and the sound was sweet. They nailed, and I mean nailed, the strat and tele sounds. I didn't try any of the Gibson knockoffs but it looks like they have a shorter scale length than the Fender rips. They were quality guitars. And they were cheap; nothing over $700 in that store.

I was a big Cort fan back in Canada but Swing blows them out of the water as far as bang for your buck; I can't wait to shopping again.

Man did that sound like spam.