Advice required: Fretless blueburst

[gibsonlp]

Hey there,
A while ago I saw a stunning blueburst fretless on the bay. I managed to miss this deal ($1950) because I thought too much...
I contacted mike parks regarding an AFG fretless he has on order and he asks for a price which sounds a bit too much imho ($150 or so above the (new) list price).

I managed to find 2(!) bluebursts (which I find more appealing than AFG) in the UK. Only one of the stores is willing to ship internationally and they want 935 pounds before tax (that's around $1800 which isn't too bad!), since I am exporting the guitar outside the UK I won't have to pay 17.5% VAT on it (I will have to pay VAT to the Israeli authorities as soon as it arrives though...).

The problem is:

1. Shipping is ~250 pounds which is REALLY expensive (I paid $200 for shipping the 660DCM from NY)
2. I will have to arrange the shipment myself which is a bit of a headach.

Any suggestions? Would you go for it?
Maybe a forumite is traveling from the UK to Israel and is willing to take the bass with him?

[ilan]

250 UK Pounds (US$500) for shipping?? Ouch. For that kind of money I'd at least expect some frets

[nukebass]

I'm out of the new bass market, so I don't know if my advice is valid, but they aren't taking anymore fretless BBR orders (have they all been made yet?). I'd say go for it if you really want it. It's just money, right? You'll have a nicely made, relatively rare bass.

[ajish4]

Hey Gil,

I ALMOST went for a 4003FL Blueburst THREE TIMES.

The first time, I canceled the order in favor of a 4003DCM. I regretted it then, as I do now.

The second time, I changed my mind because I had a 4003FL AFG on order, so I ordered a 4004Cii Blueburst. I regretted it then, as I do now.

The THIRD time, my dealer quoted me $1900.00 a few months ago, I declined and purchased my 1971 4001 BG...I regretted it then, as I do now.

Not that I regret my purchases, I just REALLY would have liked to get one.

My advice, with the FL's being shelved and Blueburst is a DOUBLE BONUS....if you can afford it, GET IT! I don't know what the resale value will be down the road, but I can't see how you could lose!

[rickenbrother]

My advice, with the FL's being shelved and Blueburst is a DOUBLE BONUS....if you can afford it, GET IT! I don't know what the resale value will be down the road, but I can't see how you could lose!

I agree with that.