Question Where to buy EBMM Albert Lee, coming from Germany?

[Hoffmann]

Hey folks,

I am such a big fan of the Albert Lee SSS design and sound, it's simply awful. However, it turns out to be quite difficult to get one overe here in Germany. Does anyone of you have a hint on where to get them here (somewhere in Germany) quite for a good price? Are there any dealers in the US that have them in stock and ship them to Europe?

Or would you recommend to buy one in the US? I will be there in summer: new York, San Francisco and probably Nashville / St. Louis as well. Are there any shops in these cities where I could play some of them for sure? Or any dealers where I can get used ones? I have read it here that you find used ones from time to time "around the corner" but I won't have the time to check every music shop in any city where I am - since these are my holidays.

Huh, to be honest, I would'nt have a problem spending four weeks looking for a good AL, but my girlfriend might have a different idea of the holidays...

Best regards from Germany - good to be here in the forums - thanks for some help!

Marian (male name here..)

 

[Jack FFR1846]

If you head north from NY City, to Manchester, CT, both DuBaldo's (Beller's) and the Manchester Guitar Center have Als.....although possibly just HH's.....don't know for sure at the moment. You could call both and see what they had in stock. Anyone at DuBaldo's would know and at Guitar Center, they are literally right in front of the guitar desk on the wall.

 

[banjoplayer]

always check this: http://www.ernieball.com/forums/mus...usic-man-guitars-sale-no-comments-please.html (sometimes guitars from Germany pop up)
where from Germany are you?

edit: btw. welcome to the EBMM forum!

 

[joe web]

contact your local dealer, they should ask Musik-Meyer, if there is a AL in stock.
if so, you get a new AL within 7 days.

 

[Tanax]

ProMusicTools | Music Man

I'm not sure if they have AL's but I bought my JP6 Dargie from there and they were very helpful in answering support-emails and other things. I can not do anything but recommend this store.

 

[Hoffmann]

Re:

Hey there,

and thanks for your help so far.

I am currently in Rostock and Berlin, but I could easily go to Hamburg as well. However it seems difficult to find dealers here in Germany and the few offers that I have seen so far had prices that were dramatically higher than those in the US, for new guitars just as second hand ones.

So I believe it might be smart to get me one in the US and bring it home on my own in summer. However, I have already contacted the dealers that were mentioned in this thread and will see how their offers are.

Also I will keep my eyes on the offers in the forums. Since I am in the US in summer, it will be difficult for me though, to arrange transport to Europe before my holidays in summer - at least if I wanna keep the costs low.

Greetings!

 

[fbecir]

Hello and welcome aboard

MusicMan are in general a bit cheaper in UK :
Music Man Albert Lee - Musicman - Electric Guitars - Knighton Music Centre
This one is second-hand :
Musicman Ball Family Reserve Albert Lee ~ Secondhand

Here you can check the stock of MusicMan UK :
Albert Lee current stock

Hope that helps !!!

 

[skerwo]

Welcome on board .

When you think about buying in the US, don´t forget the taxes you have to pay when you bring your AL to Germany. Round about 23% of the price for the taxes.

I was several times in NY. At Guitar Center in 14th street they always had a good choice of MM guitars, one time also the AL SSS. I think you have to call them.

Greets Rainer

 

[Tanax]

Welcome on board .

When you think about buying in the US, don´t forget the taxes you have to pay when you bring your AL to Germany. Round about 23% of the price for the taxes.

I was several times in NY. At Guitar Center in 14th street they always had a good choice of MM guitars, one time also the AL SSS. I think you have to call them.

Greets Rainer

Just a question since you seem experienced; How did you pack it when you got on the plane? And general stuff like that, how did you get it home basically?

 

[bazxkr]

Welcome to the gang Marian.

May be able to help you in yr pursuit of an AL SSS. Have pm'd you

Cheers
Baz

 

[headcrash]

Dunno if it helps, but I bought a AL MM90 back in end of 2007 from a guy in the US. IIRC it was via ebay. He got it shipped and I had to pick it up at the customs, where I also had to pay for customs fee and import sales tax (Zollgebühren und Einfuhrumsatzsteuer). At the time customs was around 3,5%, and the i.s.t. was 19% (which I knew before I bought it).
Since the guitar was at 1100 USD (almost new, without any noticeabe wear on it, but with a EBMM gigbag instead of a case), and the exchange rate was acceptable, it turned out to be 1100 EUR.
So it is possible, but it seems that german customs are not always as quick as you'd wish.
US dealers were not and - to my knowledge - are not allowed to ship outside the US.

Btw.: last year I did a little milling (not as much as you'd expect!) and changed the guitar to AL HH (Dimarzio Norton & Air Norton). I just couldn't get along with the P90 sound, while the playability and the looks got me hooked

 

[skerwo]

Just a question since you seem experienced; How did you pack it when you got on the plane? And general stuff like that, how did you get it home basically?

I have only one MM - but this one is my guitar for the rest of my life . I bought it used in Germany so I never had one on an overseas flight. Normally it´s no problem to take it with you in the cabin when you´re friendly and nice with the stuff. The advantage of MM cases is that they´re shorter than normal cases so you can put them in the overhead space.

@headcrash:
These are the 23% I wrote in my post. You can also buy MM guitars for shipping by US dealers when they are used. Only the new ones have the restrictions. Because of the superb quality of MM guitars it´s always a good way to look here in the forum sales thread for a used one and also in EBAY USA. Much cheaper than in Europe, also when you have to add the fees and taxes.

Rainer

 

[alf cockle]

I have a real beauty for sale on the EBMM guitars for sale site!

 

[Hoffmann]

Dear folks,

I am still preparing my hunt for the AL SSS this summer when I'll be in the US.

Are there any online stores where I can put the guitar together the way I want it and then see how much it would cost? I would love to have it in tobacco burst / vintage sunburst / pacific blueburst combined with a white pearl pickguard. But I can't find a page with these options and that shows me the price of combination.

Cuz I might also buy a new one, send it to my family in the US and take it home with me when I am there.

But even if there is the chance of choosing from different options - how long will it take till the guitar is ready?

Thanks for your help!

Best regards from Berlin,

Marian

 

[Hoffmann]

And by the way: what colour is this:

 

[Hoffmann]

Hey folks,

by the way - what is the name of Alberts guitar in this video:

Thanks there!

 

[Spudmurphy]

That's his Pinkburst SSS and Trem.

 

[Hoffmann]

But this color is discontinued, right? At least I couldn't find it anywhere as an option for buying it new. Pinkburst seems only availabe for buying new in the Ball Reserve model..

Which is a pity - to me that's the most beautiful color for that guitar!

 

[banjoplayer]

But this color is discontinued, right? At least I couldn't find it anywhere as an option for buying it new. Pinkburst seems only availabe for buying new in the Ball Reserve model..

Which is a pity - to me that's the most beautiful color for that guitar!

I totally agree. Sometimes you have the luck to get your hands on an old pinkburst - like I did.
Here´s mine:

 

[beej]

Agreed ... you've just got to get lucky find those. I love mine.