Korean Job Discussion Forums

[zeppelin]

Hi,

I've been in Korea for about 2 weeks now. I'm based in CheongJu. I wanted to bring my guitar with me but I was over the allocated weight for baggage with Koreanair.

Anyway I was wondering if someone could point me in the direction of a large music store either in CheongJu/Daejon area or seoul.

I want to buy a Fender (probably a strat). If anyone is looking to sell one second hand them please PM me.

Thanks in advance,

Tony.

[peppermint]

If you're in CJ, you're much better off making a trip to Nakwon arcade in Seoul. They sell all sorts of musical instruments there, and guitars are relatively cheap.


Since you're so new to the country, and I know the bus terminals at CJ pretty well:

Go to the intercity bus terminal( the one across the street from Lotte Mart) and instead of buying a ticket from the machines, go to the windows on the right. Ask for a ticket to Kangnam terminal. (nicer bus terminal and you'll get to Seoul a little faster)

When you get to the bus terminal in Seoul, the subway station is right there-\ just take an escalator downstairs. Take the orange line ( line 3 ) to Jongno -3 station

From there use the map here.

[pauly]

I've also been thinking about bringing my guitar or mandolin, but my sister, who's lived in Seoul before, says it's not worth it to bring a nice instrument over because the humidity will pretty much wreck it. I presently live in Calgary which is very dry akin to desert conditions. Am I better off buying an inexpensive guitar in Korea or does my sister not know what she's talking about?

[peppermint]

It does get really nasty humid here in the summer, though I don't know if it would ruin your instrument.

[Blind Willie]

[Wangja]

[Hollywoodaction]

You can always order online or by phone (http://www.enakwon.co.kr/htm/store.htm?id=10, http://www.freebud.co.kr/, http://www.akkiland.co.kr/).

I've ordered an Epiphone Les Paul online and it suits my beginnner's needs (long story, but it's the only official knockoff of the Gibson Les Paul, http://www.epiphone.com/ ). It used to be you could find one of these made in their factory in China for less than 200 000 won online, although I'd pony up the extra money to get one made in Korea ('I' serial numbers). You can also find some very good Samick guitars for around 300 000 won.

Better yet, for that price you can have a customized guitar (http://www.guitarparts.com/guitarparts/index.html). They are a major producer of guitar replacement parts. Their products are 2 or 3 times more expensive in North America. They are also the ones who manufacture the Kent Armstrong pickups, which you can get from them at half of what you'd pay in North America (I bought some and they sound great). Last time I called, the man on the phone was very curtious and spoke perfectly well in English.

[JongnoGuru]

[Wangja]