Shit, I hit return instead of space bar.
ANYWAY,
If you have, how much did the shipping cost? Did it work out cheaper overall or is it really the same price or more? (As the rockshop advise on their opening page, although I do wonder if its just a nice bit of competition-slaying: http://www.rockshop.co.nz/04/start.php)
What hassles were involved and what will I have to pay? I noticed in earlier posts some peeps had been pimping music123.com.
I may well be getting a bass amp from overseas and I'm trying to avoid going through the rockshop. I just really dislike the Rockshop, staff can be moderately gimpish...but they hold the monopoly on the strings I like so I have to trudge in, get my meagre service and stomp out scowling. I'm trying desperately hard to avoid giving them anymore money, but alas, I may have to.
Some things are ok to buy over the net ie: strings, leads, pedals. However, I wouldn't buy larger items like guitars and amps. Several reasons:
1. You can't check over the piece of equipment before you put your money down, make sure everything is in working order. Even though many sites have good customer service, it is still a bitch having to send something back to the States to get fixed or replaced.
2. In the case of amps, the voltages and plug will be wrong for use in NZ. You will need to buy an expensive and usually very heavy transformer box to use it here.
3. Your warranty will not be valid for your piece of equipment to be fixed by a local service agent of the manufacturer. Once again, it has to be sent back to the States.
4. By the time you add on the cost of shipping, which for any amp will be very costly, you will generally not be saving anymore than $100.
I hate to say it, but in some cases the Rockshop have a point. What can look like an attractive deal does not always work out that way once you really get into it. Do your research though, in some cases you can make really excellent savings over the net, but in terms of amps I would stay clear.
what kind of bass gear are you wanting to purchase? for premium stuff such as ampeg it's probably worth buying it overseas. the quality of workmanship ensures that even without an active warranty it'll be reliable enough. and i know plenty of master electronicsmen who can do the voltage conversion.
we were considering buying a Roland Fantom XR rack off eBay, but in the end decided to spend the extra $700 at the rockshop (yes, I hate to do it as well.. two minutes in the shop and we already knew more about the product than they did) simply because we knew the unit would get loads of use on the road and a warranty would come in handy (ive been able to upgrade it for free several times because of that too).
for pedals etc, sweet as- you will save loads of money buying them from overseas.
I'm thinking about buying the Ashdown Mag300 head, which I must confess is because the pointless VU sold me! I've got about 2 grand to spend on a rig (which has taken me a bloody long time to save...) and I want to stretch the moolah as far as it can go, as I have to get a head and cab. Trade Me only veeeery occasionally has good deals on bass gear and they all seem to fly out the window when one has money to spend. Any recommendations for gear about my price range? Because I'm buggered in a music store can help me (I was told by a Rockshop Employee that RMS meant "Really Massive Sound." I started laughing...but he REALLY didn't. Looked as though I'd completely insulted him)
jump down to Soudwaves, T.Dub.
there is a 400w Fender Head in store, worth a run through.
Ashdown. Luurvley gear, that VU aint pointless, no limiter so its nice to have a visual on just how hot your input is and for a training device its cool to see just how much "Your Touch" can come into play.
I'm not conviced 2K will cut it but if time is an option get around the traps and mix and match.
Do the speakers need to handle a 5?
Do you want a neutral Amp or an inbuilt flavour?
Combophobic?
Weight/Cartage/Transport?
whats the Performance vs Recording split/workload.
What Local Players have a sound you like or don't like and how do they get to that point?
Do you have to buy now?
Yeah, I know I'll be cutting it pretty fine with $2k but I need it pretty soon. I don't play a 5 string so thats ok, a neutral amp would be better but a nice flavour wouldn't be too bad, I am indeed combophobic, barring a really nice ampeg I saw where the amp unit could be removed and rack mounted. Its more for performance and being able to hear myself comfortably on stage as my bass has an active eq sound I like, so I D.I. when I record. I'd like to buy soonish, because even with all my little frequency tricks, my 120w laney combo just doesn't push enough air. To be honest I'm far more concerned with hearing myself on-stage at this point, and as you mentioned, I was going to go with the mitch and match approach so that I could upgrade it over time.
Thanks for the heads up on the fender at soundwaves, I'll be giving that a wee run. Thats in New Brighton, yes?
these ampeg combos rock hard. if i had two grand for a combo i'd buy this (and no, im not the one selling it). but failing that, go for an ashdown or gallien krueger- both make fantastic combos
whoops, i just re-read your post and your combophobic.. doh!
GK's prices have come down heaps and I can really recommend them- so much punch, great tone. Played an RB1001 head for about 4 years and absolutely loved every minute of it.
As mentioned I think the cost of shipping plus import duty pretty much kills it for larger items e.g. bass amps. I'm afraid that you may have to swallow your pride & talk nicely to the rock shop...
But if you know what you want, the overseas vintage market can be pretty attractive- but FWIW, even if you find a bargain factoring in the shipping & duty, I'd still hold off on splashing out without knowing the seller's track record, and knowing someone local with the skills/experience to keep it running!
Yip- sweetwater worked really well for me - nice and quick.
Regarding the Rock Shop- or commonly called the COCK shop- Tdub- you wrote pure harmonious music to my ears when you say you are trying hard not give them any more money. Everyone should follow this example and boycott the rockshop. i have worked there for a short period of time- and I know what goed on the business side of things- if you knew how much mark up they had on some gear you would burn their shop down. Mick Webb who owns the whole thing has also set up a decent monopoly within his "sell imports to myself and avoid tax that way" approach - and NO guys- they dont care about the music- if you were working there for $9.50 and hour would you care? Your best resource is your head- and the internet of course. Do not shop at the rockshop - trust me.
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Shit, I hit return instead of space ...
Shit, I hit return instead of space bar.
ANYWAY,
If you have, how much did the shipping cost? Did it work out cheaper overall or is it really the same price or more? (As the rockshop advise on their opening page, although I do wonder if its just a nice bit of competition-slaying: http://www.rockshop.co.nz/04/start.php)
What hassles were involved and what will I have to pay? I noticed in earlier posts some peeps had been pimping music123.com.
I may well be getting a bass amp from overseas and I'm trying to avoid going through the rockshop. I just really dislike the Rockshop, staff can be moderately gimpish...but they hold the monopoly on the strings I like so I have to trudge in, get my meagre service and stomp out scowling. I'm trying desperately hard to avoid giving them anymore money, but alas, I may have to.
Some things are ok to buy over the net ...
Some things are ok to buy over the net ie: strings, leads, pedals. However, I wouldn't buy larger items like guitars and amps. Several reasons:
1. You can't check over the piece of equipment before you put your money down, make sure everything is in working order. Even though many sites have good customer service, it is still a bitch having to send something back to the States to get fixed or replaced.
2. In the case of amps, the voltages and plug will be wrong for use in NZ. You will need to buy an expensive and usually very heavy transformer box to use it here.
3. Your warranty will not be valid for your piece of equipment to be fixed by a local service agent of the manufacturer. Once again, it has to be sent back to the States.
4. By the time you add on the cost of shipping, which for any amp will be very costly, you will generally not be saving anymore than $100.
I hate to say it, but in some cases the Rockshop have a point. What can look like an attractive deal does not always work out that way once you really get into it. Do your research though, in some cases you can make really excellent savings over the net, but in terms of amps I would stay clear.
what kind of bass gear are you wanting ...
what kind of bass gear are you wanting to purchase? for premium stuff such as ampeg it's probably worth buying it overseas. the quality of workmanship ensures that even without an active warranty it'll be reliable enough. and i know plenty of master electronicsmen who can do the voltage conversion.
we were considering buying a Roland Fantom XR rack off eBay, but in the end decided to spend the extra $700 at the rockshop (yes, I hate to do it as well.. two minutes in the shop and we already knew more about the product than they did) simply because we knew the unit would get loads of use on the road and a warranty would come in handy (ive been able to upgrade it for free several times because of that too).
for pedals etc, sweet as- you will save loads of money buying them from overseas.
what kind of amp were you thinking of buying?
I'm thinking about buying the Ashdown ...
I'm thinking about buying the Ashdown Mag300 head, which I must confess is because the pointless VU sold me! I've got about 2 grand to spend on a rig (which has taken me a bloody long time to save...) and I want to stretch the moolah as far as it can go, as I have to get a head and cab. Trade Me only veeeery occasionally has good deals on bass gear and they all seem to fly out the window when one has money to spend. Any recommendations for gear about my price range? Because I'm buggered in a music store can help me (I was told by a Rockshop Employee that RMS meant "Really Massive Sound." I started laughing...but he REALLY didn't. Looked as though I'd completely insulted him)
I thought RMS was Really Must ...
I thought RMS was Really Must Sell.
jump down to Soudwaves, T.Dub.
there is a 400w Fender Head in store, worth a run through.
Ashdown. Luurvley gear, that VU aint pointless, no limiter so its nice to have a visual on just how hot your input is and for a training device its cool to see just how much "Your Touch" can come into play.
I'm not conviced 2K will cut it but if time is an option get around the traps and mix and match.
Do the speakers need to handle a 5?
Do you want a neutral Amp or an inbuilt flavour?
Combophobic?
Weight/Cartage/Transport?
whats the Performance vs Recording split/workload.
What Local Players have a sound you like or don't like and how do they get to that point?
Do you have to buy now?
Yeah, I know I'll be cutting it pretty ...
Yeah, I know I'll be cutting it pretty fine with $2k but I need it pretty soon. I don't play a 5 string so thats ok, a neutral amp would be better but a nice flavour wouldn't be too bad, I am indeed combophobic, barring a really nice ampeg I saw where the amp unit could be removed and rack mounted. Its more for performance and being able to hear myself comfortably on stage as my bass has an active eq sound I like, so I D.I. when I record. I'd like to buy soonish, because even with all my little frequency tricks, my 120w laney combo just doesn't push enough air. To be honest I'm far more concerned with hearing myself on-stage at this point, and as you mentioned, I was going to go with the mitch and match approach so that I could upgrade it over time.
Thanks for the heads up on the fender at soundwaves, I'll be giving that a wee run. Thats in New Brighton, yes?
Root Mean Squared - It's an average ...
Root Mean Squared - It's an average output level or something, I can't remember. But no, Really Massive Sound is not its official meaning.
Yes N.B. unfortunatly sold too....
Yes N.B.
unfortunatly sold too.
Arses! Oh well. Anyone know ...
Arses!
Oh well.
Anyone know anything about trace elliot 250 ah bass amps? Worth a go?
t-dub, check this ...
t-dub, check this out...
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Music-instruments/Instruments/Guitar-bass/Bass-...
these ampeg combos rock hard. if i had two grand for a combo i'd buy this (and no, im not the one selling it). but failing that, go for an ashdown or gallien krueger- both make fantastic combos
whoops, i just re-read your post and ...
whoops, i just re-read your post and your combophobic.. doh!
GK's prices have come down heaps and I can really recommend them- so much punch, great tone. Played an RB1001 head for about 4 years and absolutely loved every minute of it.
As mentioned I think the cost of ...
As mentioned I think the cost of shipping plus import duty pretty much kills it for larger items e.g. bass amps. I'm afraid that you may have to swallow your pride & talk nicely to the rock shop...
But if you know what you want, the overseas vintage market can be pretty attractive- but FWIW, even if you find a bargain factoring in the shipping & duty, I'd still hold off on splashing out without knowing the seller's track record, and knowing someone local with the skills/experience to keep it running!
I've bought stuff from sweetwater... ...
I've bought stuff from sweetwater... got it real quick, like 4 days and it was cheaper then buying in NZ.
[ http://www.sweetwater.com/ ]
Yip- sweetwater worked really well for ...
Yip- sweetwater worked really well for me - nice and quick.
Regarding the Rock Shop- or commonly called the COCK shop- Tdub- you wrote pure harmonious music to my ears when you say you are trying hard not give them any more money. Everyone should follow this example and boycott the rockshop. i have worked there for a short period of time- and I know what goed on the business side of things- if you knew how much mark up they had on some gear you would burn their shop down. Mick Webb who owns the whole thing has also set up a decent monopoly within his "sell imports to myself and avoid tax that way" approach - and NO guys- they dont care about the music- if you were working there for $9.50 and hour would you care? Your best resource is your head- and the internet of course. Do not shop at the rockshop - trust me.