New Guitar, tough decision

[mbgreene]

Caerdydd - anglisised as Cardiff, Wales?

send a PM to Spudmurphy, he's the Earl of Cardiff, as well as the Air Chief Marshall of the Albert Lee Owners Club. Maybe he can point you in the right direction. I know he has listed used EBMM that were in local Cardiff shops on several occasions.

 

[knoman]

Caerdydd - anglisised as Cardiff, Wales?

send a PM to Spudmurphy, he's the Earl of Cardiff, as well as the Air Chief Marshall of the Albert Lee Owners Club. Maybe he can point you in the right direction. I know he has listed used EBMM that were in local Cardiff shops on several occasions.

Cardiff indeed! Well another reason for getting it from canada/the states is that it's about half the price. So I am looking to get one there really and have them bring it over (depending on what customs will say...).

 

[candid_x]

I always thought the Axis was a really flat radius. Looking at the numbers, I've been wrong. Axis and Silo at 10. Morse and Luke at 12. JP at 15.

Hmmmmmm.

jack

I think what gives that flatter impression is that the Axis neck carve has that asymmetric shape, chunkier by the thumb than below, where it sorta plains out. At least that's how it feels to me.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Ahhh Caerdydd .

In Cardiff you have three possible options.
1) Cardiff guitars - who are official EB stockists. - Basesd down 'da Bay (Tiger Bay !!)
2)Cranes Music - who only seem to carry EB Basses.
3) Gamlins Music who I bleeb are no longer official stockists of EB guitars

(nobody expects a Spanish Inquisition )... the fourth option is Nobles Music in Whitchurch - but only for second hand guitars. - a long running family run business.

I bought mine from Cardiff Guitars who gave me a great deal - and have provided EXCELLENT customer service.

Air Chief Marshall huh! - has a certain "ring" to it ha!

 

[beej]

On the EBMM website, it doesn't list any dealers in canada that I can see...

*Tons* of dealers in the Toronto area! But as mentioned, it'd be a lot better if you knew which guitar you wanted, they're all significantly different. But we can help you find something over here.

For me, the big choice comes down to neck profile. The Silhouette/Special, Albert Lee and Morse have more of what you'd deem a traditional neck shape. The Axis is similar, but slightly worn in (asymmetrical). Then you have the Petrucci, which is wider and flatter, and the Luke, which is much smaller with a v-shape profile and lower frets. You can change pickups, etc, but if a guitar doesn't feel right you won't play it.

Next, body contours. The Morse is flat, like a Tele but with another horn. The Axis has a flat top and belly carve. The rest have contoured bodies. Depends what you like.

Finally, pickups, trem vs hardtail, piezo, body woods, etc. Each model is different. They're all awesome.

I'll stand up for the Morse- I think it's a gem. So much so that I have three of them (2 and a Y2D). Two buckers and two single coils; it's a very versatile guitar.

 

[knoman]

Aye yer right, I'm gonna have to go in tomorow, search out this Cardiff guitars (who I've never actually been to, I'm told the guy there does loads of stuff for the Manic street Preachers!) and try out some necks!
I hate playing guitars in shops, especially in gamlins...the guy is somehow intimidating...


I think I prefer contoured as far as the body goes though..
Then a trem and humbuckers, piezos are a little out of my price range I think.

Thanks alot, you guys are an incredibly helpful lot!

 

[whitestrat]

Caerdydd - anglisised as Cardiff, Wales?

OT: Do you guys learn to speak/read/write Welsh in schools?

 

[knoman]

OT: Do you guys learn to speak/read/write Welsh in schools?

Aye, compulsory up until AS levels, at 16.

 

[q-base]

Aye, compulsory up until AS levels, at 16.

OT continued: I was just wondering whether you find it cool or rather pain in the butt? Just curious.

best regards!
jacob

 

[knoman]

OT continued: I was just wondering whether you find it cool or rather pain in the butt? Just curious.

best regards!
jacob

I find it incredibly annoying actually, because it's one less option for choosing a real GCSE, but then I'm not welsh....if I were on the Isle of Man then I would appreciate learning Manx..

 

[andynpeters]

Cardiff indeed! Well another reason for getting it from canada/the states is that it's about half the price. So I am looking to get one there really and have them bring it over (depending on what customs will say...).

Bear in mind that if you buy it in Canada/USA and bring it back to the UK:

1. If you need warranty service you'll need to return it to that country/dealer (EBMMs generally don't have problems, but it would be expensive if yours did)

2. You should declare it at customs and pay (approx) 5% import duty and 17.5 % VAT on the purchase price PLUS duty. If you don't you are breaking the law, can be fined heavily and have your guitar confiscated.

Good luck.....
Andy (Ynys y Bari....but gave up Welsh at 11)

 

[knoman]

2. You should declare it at customs and pay (approx) 5% import duty and 17.5 % VAT on the purchase price PLUS duty. If you don't you are breaking the law, can be fined heavily and have your guitar confiscated.

Indeed, but don't I get to reclaim the original tax paid in canada? Plus even with all the costs it's far cheaper than over here, there it's the same in dollars is it is here in pounds!

I think I'm pretty much settled on the JP6. Where in Toronto sell MM? or even kingston and will they need time to order it in advance?
Also, what about online retailers? Is that wise?
Thanks again folks!

 

[Spudmurphy]

ot - I am Welsh but do not speak the language. It was compulsory to learn it in school, as was French and German. I totally sucked at languages - after all how can an inanimate object be masculine or feminine? (there again I think some ex Girlfriends were inanimate objects !!)

Welsh is not widely spoken in Cardiff due to the fact that the city grew dramatically from the latter part of the 19 century due to Steam coal (very high quality with little ash by product), mined in the Welsh valleys then being transported to Cardiff Docks via some of the first rail networks (pioneered by the Cornishman Richard Trevithick not by Stevensons Rocket). Cardiff docks became one of the largest exporting docks in the world (when Britain was great!). To build this infrastructure Cardiff became a cosmopolitan Mecca - loads of job opportunities requiring an influx of immigrants and thats why a lot of Irish (me - Murphy) Italian and Caribbean communities sprang up in Cardiff - and they certainly did not speak Welsh.

The further west you go from Cardiff the more Welsh is spoken infact the further North too.
My sister in Law speaks Welsh - it's her first language and she learnt English by the age of 12. Her children (who live in Cardiff) were educated in Welsh - in other words Welsh was used in school all the time.

Sorry for the ramble - to some people the Welsh language is important is still widely used and is increasing in useage.

Edit
It's always worth a visit to Cardiff guitars - give them a ring first to see what they have in stock,
The last time I was there he had a fantastic second hand Buttercream LE Silo.

 

[Jimmyb]

^^ I reckon Offa had the right idea there......

 

[whitestrat]

OT: I actually think it's cool... Heh.

 

[Butch Snyder]

I'm really surprised nobody mentions the Steve Morse. To me, it seems like a fantastic do-all guitar. But I haven't played one or even seen one in the flesh. Any Morse fans going to jump in here?

The pickup switching takes some getting used to...

Took me about a good week to be comfortable with it during gigs. Also, the Morse is almost too versatile. Some folks don't like the fact that there's no forearm or belly contours. I play Teles. No contours works for me.

 

[andynpeters]

Indeed, but don't I get to reclaim the original tax paid in canada? Plus even with all the costs it's far cheaper than over here, there it's the same in dollars is it is here in pounds!

I think I'm pretty much settled on the JP6. Where in Toronto sell MM? or even kingston and will they need time to order it in advance?
Also, what about online retailers? Is that wise?
Thanks again folks!

Not sure about reclaiming Canadian tax....if it's a state purchase tax like in USA then no. You're right about guitar prices though....I've imported some very nice guitars from the USA via EBay and still made a big saving even with shipping and all taxes.(Only S/H ones though, so don't shout at me people!).

It isn't something that EBMM encourages as they say it undermines their national distributors and dealers.....so don't be surprised if advice is not forthcoming.