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SpiralStaircase
Joined: 14 Feb 2008
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 Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 4:47 pm Post subject: Where can I buy a high end Martin at a reasonable price? |
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...in Korea, in stock and in person.
I�m thinking a D-41 but online prices are way too much compared to list prices and online vendors like musicians friend.
I don�t mind buying used. I just need to play the thing before buying so online stores are a no go.
If anyone has any insight as to the stock price of these guitars I would greatly appreciate it. Would at least give me a point of reference when it comes to haggling.
Thanks in advance |
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JustJohn
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Location: Your computer screen
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| Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 8:32 pm Post subject: |
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You could try Nakwon I suppose, but it's mostly lower end guitars there and you probably won't be able to haggle anyone in Korea down to a good price. Martins taylors and gibsons have a high premium over here.
Maybe someone else will have better ideas.
P.S.
I've heard rumours of $700 Korean made guitars that sound like $2000 ones, but I've never actually found something like that. Anyone know where? |
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SpiralStaircase
Joined: 14 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 8:59 pm Post subject: RE: Nakwon |
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The best place I�ve found so far is School Music in Seoul (IPARK building). Good prices but never anything in stock. Had a great deal on the Guild d-55 but the problem was they would have it directly shipped from the States. I don�t understand how they can sell such guitars w/o having �em stocked. I don�t know many musicians that would buy an instrument without playing it first� regardless of manufacturer or price.
I have played a couple Sejong guitars that have sounded great for the price. Very small bodies though� sound a lot like Yamaha�s L series guitars. Both are great deals.
| Quote: |
| I've heard rumours of $700 Korean made guitars that sound like $2000 ones, but I've never actually found something like that. Anyone know where? |
Considering the state of the Won, taxes (that�s a 15% premium for Canadians), and shipping fees, I am quite willing to pay a bit more for an instrument here. Just wish I could find something in store.
Thanks for the info�
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lion
Joined: 27 Oct 2004
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| Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 9:02 pm Post subject: |
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| JustJohn wrote: |
| I've heard rumours of $700 Korean made guitars that sound like $2000 ones, but I've never actually found something like that. Anyone know where? |
I looked at a "dexter" for 650 that was all solid wood, front, sides, and back. Ebony fretboard. Bone nut and saddle. Almost immoral. I saw it on the net first, then tracked it down at Nagwon and tried it. Sounded great; didn't play too well though. It's too bad because I really wanted to like it.
Samick make a "Greg Bennett" line including a few all-solid models, but ironically they seem harder to find here than overseas.
@OP: there's a guy called "MD Guitar" in Hongdae who makes pretty decent acoustics and electrics. He also sometimes has vintage guitars kicking around. They're usually electric, but you might try him on the off-chance. |
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hossenfeffer
Joined: 07 Oct 2006
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| Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 11:07 pm Post subject: |
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I have a 2007 Martin D-28 in mint condition (with warranty) that I'd be willing to sell if the price were right.
hoss |
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hossenfeffer
Joined: 07 Oct 2006
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| Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 1:19 am Post subject: |
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I don't know what your idea of a "reasonable" Martin is but here's the price list from the factory's website. You have to keep in mind that they're going to be more expensive in Korea though, because they are more difficult to find and it costs money to safely ship them here. Enjoy:
http://www.martinguitar.com/catalog/PDF/MartinPriceList.pdf |
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hossenfeffer
Joined: 07 Oct 2006
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Roderick
Joined: 16 Dec 2007
Location: BunDang
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| Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 7:06 am Post subject: |
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| Have you looked at 'Line 6' at all? They have a really killer guitar called the Variax that maybe more than you had hoped for in the Martin. Check it out... It's pretty sweet. |
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Harpeau
Joined: 01 Feb 2003
Location: Coquitlam, BC
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| Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 7:20 am Post subject: |
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Martins are friggin expensive in Korea. You can find them at Nakwon arcade in the South-East quadrant of the building~ just inside a side door.
I have a Bug's Gear Acoustic that is all solid wood. I put the specs together and gave it to a shop out in Bupyeong. It's a hybrid of a Martin D-45 and a Judy Collins sig. series. The owner of the factory was a bit p.o d with me when he found out what happened. I was lucky as he chief luthier was willing to work on it. (The owner at the time was in Japan, I guess.)
www.bugsgear.com
I have an all solid Peal guitar that is pretty sweet that I'm selling.
If you can find the Blue Ridge series out of China, theyre awesome bang for your buck!
Dexter are great.. if they're set up correctly. There are also great luthiers in town. Steve Kim at MD CUSTOM SHOP makes awesome guitars. There are many others as well. Custom-made guitars take about 1 month to put together.
Also check out the www.usfkclassifieds.com board as many GI's have nice high end instruments for sale.
Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions
Cheers!
Harpo |
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SpiralStaircase
Joined: 14 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 3:09 pm Post subject: RE: Reasonable... |
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Thanks for the links.
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| I don't know what your idea of a "reasonable" Martin is |
Most Korean online dealers advertise at 30-40% more than list prices. I expected to pay 10-15% more but 40%, to me, is sheer lunacy.
Besides, you rarely find guitars priced at list. Unless of course you are ordering direct. |
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lion
Joined: 27 Oct 2004
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| Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 3:46 pm Post subject: Re: RE: Reasonable... |
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| SpiralStaircase wrote: |
| Most Korean online dealers advertise at 30-40% more than list prices. I expected to pay 10-15% more but 40%, to me, is sheer lunacy. |
Import duty is 20%, and then there's shipping on top of that. |
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mrgiles
Joined: 09 Jul 2007
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 3:54 pm Post subject: |
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| i don't think steve martin's doing too much these days - u can probably pick him up for pretty cheap. i saw him recently with a sign that said "will drop pants for food." |
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SpiralStaircase
Joined: 14 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 5:22 pm Post subject: Thank you kindly... |
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| Quote: |
| Import duty is 20%, and then there's shipping on top of that. |
That's what I wanted to know.
In all honesty, that's an extra 20% going to the shop and not the government. |
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jhaelin
Joined: 30 Aug 2006
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| Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:27 pm Post subject: |
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there is a store in nakwon which specializes in high end guitars.
specifically, they carry martins and larrivees.
i bought a d-9 larrivee for 2,300,000 won which is under the retail suggested price ($2,598) but much higher than what you'd actually find in stores back in the states.
it came out to about 15-20% above what you might pay at a store back home.
but i am from nyc and with the sales tax consideration the difference became less painful to bear. it's a sweet players' guitar!
i recommend you go to the store in nakwon and try out their stuff, especially the larrivees. |
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lion
Joined: 27 Oct 2004
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| Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 11:07 pm Post subject: Re: Thank you kindly... |
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| SpiralStaircase wrote: |
| Quote: |
| Import duty is 20%, and then there's shipping on top of that. |
That's what I wanted to know.
In all honesty, that's an extra 20% going to the shop and not the government. |
Try importing something yourself-- for e.g. from ebay. When it shows up, it will get held in Incheon (assuming you're in Seoul), and Korea customs will send you a letter and some forms to fill out declaring the value, etc. After you/they decide how much it's worth, they'll ding you for 20% of that, and, bafflingly, for 20% of the shipping charges as well. I've watched cash flow straight from my hands into some government till. Then they'll release the item.
This applies no matter who the overseas seller is and how you had it shipped (regular mail, fedex, ups, whatever).
If the guitar you're looking at is 30 or 40% more expensive, rest assured that the guv'mint is getting 20%, and then the store/Korean distributor is pocketing the remainder. |
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