Musicman SUB, UK???

[GreenStar]

Hey, I dont know if this has been covered before, but I'm new, so forgive me

Where can I find dealers of Musicman SUB basses in the UK??? I'm desperate for one, but all the shops sell them far too expensively...any ideas???

Also, as a side note, does anyone know if the Gator series Hard Cases fit the SUB?

thanks alot, GreenStar

 

[oldbluebassman]

How do you know that the shops are selling them far too expensively? Are you comparing the shops to the official list?

If you go to Strings and Things web site. http://www.stringsandthings.co.uk/, the MM UK distributors, they have the official price list. If the stores are selling above those prices it's wrong otherwise you have to negotiate.

 

[GreenStar]

The Store I had in mind was selling them for £699, I dont know if thats just how much they go for over here...It's just I saw one on an american site for around £380.

thanks for the help, GreenStar

 

[Melv]

Well I got mine for £620 at Langley Guitar centre bucks. Its on the stringsandthings dealer site. Thats the active 5 string

 

[oldbluebassman]

Greenstar, USA prices will always be lower than UK prices for US made basses because there's no overseas shipping/ insurance or import duty/VAT.

Basses imported into the UK are subject to a duty levy of about 3%, then you have to add 17.5% VAT to the price, shipping and the duty. I know because I've done it a few times.

For example you saw a Sub in the USA for about £380. If you bought it and had it shipped to the UK you'd expect to pay £100 for the shipping, then tax/duty of about 25%. This would raise your £380 to about £600.

You could try and persuade the seller to make a fraudulent value declaration so you'd pay less duty but that is firstly illegal and secondly, should the bass go astray, you would be unable to claim the actual value on insurance. It's not worth the risk.

In the UK MM have an importer/distributor, Strings and Things, who resell through local and on-line music stores. Both have to make a profit on the deal however depending on the operating costs of the various stores you will find that some are able to discount. In fact that £380 was probably a discounted price in the USA.

The published UK retail prices for Subs are:

Sub 4 Passive (no case) £635.00
Sub 4 Active (no case) £675.00
Sub 5 Passive (no case) £675.00
Sub 5 Active (no case) £725.00

I would reckon that Melv got a good deal at £620.

If you import and have a serious problem then you're on your own. Buy through the dealer network and you get that EBMM back-up, and before you ask, no I'm not associated with EB or any associated company. I just play EBMM basses.

 

[Melv]

Yep i got a great deal. If u lived near North west london u could get it at that shop too

 

[GreenStar]

Yea, £629 in a shop looks amazing from what I've seen looking around. And you were right on the American SUB, it was almost half price...

BUT, with a little further browsing I've found another interesting site, www.gak.co.uk

The SUB on this site is £549 including VAT, and you get a Rosewood/Maple fretboard option (thats the first time I've seen that for a SUB)

Surely that is a good deal??


thanks again guys

 

[Melv]

Thats for the 4 string. And thats the internet price. If u were to go to that shop and purchase it, it would be more expensive

 

[oldbluebassman]

I don't know where you are in the UK but GAK are a very reputable store in Brighton, and incidently just down the road from Strings and Things.

Was that the price for the active or passive version?

 

[Melv]

Was that the price for the active or passive version?

It's £549 for an Active 4 string SUB. That is only if you order it online. If purchasing from the store you'll be paying more

http://www.machinehead.co.uk/ernie_bass.php There you can buy a 5 String Active SUB for £649. It will be a tough job finding it cheaper elsewhere if buying online doesnt suit you

 

[MM Scarborough]

I got mine for £550 (active 4 banger) inlcuding case from electromusic on doncaster. Really good service

 

[jongitarz]

Yea, £629 in a shop looks amazing from what I've seen looking around. And you were right on the American SUB, it was almost half price...

BUT, with a little further browsing I've found another interesting site, www.gak.co.uk

The SUB on this site is £549 including VAT, and you get a Rosewood/Maple fretboard option (thats the first time I've seen that for a SUB)

Surely that is a good deal??


thanks again guys

FYI...We don't offer the S.U.B. with a maple neck I think they mean the neck itself is maple, and the fretboard is rosewood..The way they worded it is confusing, but again, it only comes with a rosewood fretboard.

Jon