I am flying to the UK to bring a fretless blueburst! :)

[gibsonlp]

Hey there,

So much happened I forgot to mention it on the most important place:

in 2 days I will be on a plane on my way to pickup a fretless blueburst I managed to find in the UK.

After missing one that went for $1940 on the bay last sep' (in what seemed like a high-end price range back then and looks like a bargain in the post nov' 2007 prices) I did what every desperate man does:
I googled "Rickenbacker Fretless Blueburst".

For some odd reason - not less than 2 stores in the UK had it IN STOCK, one of them was not willing to ship outside the UK, the other was willing to.

After I checked further I noticed that shipping it over would be VERY expensive (250 pounds shipping + insurance and ~250 pounds local VAT and other customs expenses) I decided to buy a pair of tickets to London on the same price and have a nice trip to London with my younger brother...

After VAT refund - the bass would cost around $1840, not bad even for a US price these days for a double discontinued product (fretless and blueburst), right?

I am buying it at http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/4003fl/3228 , b.t.w...

Just a shame the hotel prices in London are so high

[rickenbrother]

That's great, Gil, congrats! Post some pics when you get it home.

[rickaddict]

Congrats. Nice that you get a free trip to London out of the deal for you and your brother!

[teeder]

Congrats! Sounds like a nice bass.

[simer4001]

I wish my wife would let me fly to London to pick up a guitar.

Mike Parks shows that a 4003 Blueburst FL has "just arrived". I don't know if he still has it though. The page hasn't been updated since Jan 7th.

[gibsonlp]

Thanks guys,
And the trip is not really free - I need to pay for it, I just end up paying the same as I won't pay taxes and shipment...

As for Mike Parks:
I contacted Mark regarding an AFG fretless he has on order, I will not disclose his offer - but let's put it this way: flying to the UK (1 ticket, not both) to bring the blueburst FL from there is still cheaper than the price Mark asked for his pending AFG FL...

[rikk]

Since it's US goods there is NO customs charge and since you don't live in the UK you shouldn't have to pay VAT. At least that's how it was the last time I was there.

[gibsonlp]

All true except for the fact that I live in Israel.
US goods get treated like everything else and we need to pay %15.5 VAT.
I am supposed to get most of the UK VAT back on the airport in London when I am leaving the UK.

When I am coming to Israel I need to declare ( ) I am bringing the bass with me and then I'll need to pay VAT in Israel

[ozover50]

Congrats, Gil............ well done!!

Not all London hotels are expensive, BTW..... depends on where you want to stay. The city centre of course is the worst but there are some reasonable ones a little further out. I have stayed in Bayswater both times I was there and I found it quite convenient with the underground. Mind you, taking the exchange rate into consideration I guess they are still pretty expensive.

Here's where I stayed last time. Not 5 Star but comfortable enough..... unless you want to stay in it all day!!

http://www.centralparklondon.co.uk/

[winston]

Congrats Gil,

I have travelled to and stayed in London more than I care to remember. The tube is the only way to get around. Hotels? Oh boy, I have to agree they are very expensive compared to many North American and Israeli prices for a decent room.

Enjoy your trip and more importantly enjoy your new bass.

[wints]

Nice one Gil,

Now, you're not taking that home in a gig bag are you?

[johnallg]

Nice one Gil,

Now, you're not taking that home in a gig bag are you?

Wints you have impeccable memory!

Congrats Gil.

[mgauction]

Gil, be sure to contact Graham while you're there. He has a Ric collection that is compelling!

[ilan]

"When I am coming to Israel I need to declare I am bringing the bass with me and then I'll need to pay VAT in Israel"

Tell them it was cheap because it has no frets
You save about $45 since you won't have to pay VAT on shipping.

[bob_atherton]

I just checked that hotel link and it would seem that you might be able to get a single room, B&B, for just 40UKP. If that's the case that is REALLY cheap!!!