Ordering American Amps to Australia

[Zilla3154]

So I am thinking of picking a new bass amp, probably a Markbass or an Ampeg SVT-3 head. Sadly I am located in Australia and the prices here are very, very inflated (think about 1.35x the price of exactly the same product from America), so the obvious thing to do would be just to import one off an on-line retailer BUT Australia uses 240 volts @10 amps power points while america uses 230@10 power points. Will this present a problem/cause a mini fireworks display in my room?

Price difference: Australian store http://www.allansbillyhyde.com.au/pr..._Amplfier.aspx
Ebay America: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ampeg-SVT-3P...ht_7324wt_1159

[Avezzano]

Will this present a problem/cause a mini fireworks display in my room?

not at all. It will work just fine.

EDIT: Sorry I just read what you wrote without thinking too much!!! USA use 115 Volts, so two options:

1) it is automatically selected by the amp (check with manufacturer)

2) you need a simple modification: the primary of the transformer has two bobbins wired in parallel (115) or series (220/240). Be aware to put the bobbins in series with the correct phasing...

P.S.: probably what you meant was a difference in price of 2,35 X not 1,35 X that means an increase of only 35% (that would be reasonable!)

V.

[Tim1]

America uses 120 volts, I believe = problem

[dukeisdog]

Originally Posted by Tim1

America uses 120 volts, I believe = problem

I think so too. Some amps come with a switchable power supply, might be something for the OP to look into.

[sad_katz]

Get ones with a Switching Power Supply, like the GB Shuttle 6.0 and Ampeg PF-500. I have just bought a used Shuttle 6.0 from TB and am in the process of importing it into Indonesia. Granted I don't have yet, an amp with SMPS should work.

Markbass amps don't have SMPS system and are limited to where they are originally purchased

[meRTKendrew]

Most amps would have a switchable power supply. If it uses an IEC 'jug cord' type plug.
But you can't just plug it in and hope it works. The pins wouldnt fit anyway.


-RTK

[sad_katz]

Originally Posted by meRTKendrew

Most amps would have a switchable power supply. If it uses an IEC 'jug cord' type plug.
But you can't just plug it in and hope it works. The pins wouldnt fit anyway.


-RTK

That's the power cord found for PCs, right?

Most class D SMPS amps have detachable power cord.
Just plugin a cord with the correct pins, or use an adapter.

[GrowlerBox]

Originally Posted by Zilla3154

So I am thinking of picking a new bass amp, probably a Markbass or an Ampeg SVT-3 head. Sadly I am located in Australia and the prices here are very, very inflated (think about 1.35x the price of exactly the same product from America), so the obvious thing to do would be just to import one off an on-line retailer BUT Australia uses 240 volts @10 amps power points while america uses 230@10 power points. Will this present a problem/cause a mini fireworks display in my room?

Price difference: Australian store Ampeg SVT3Pro Bass Amplfier|Allans Music + Billy Hyde Price! $1,499.00 - Allans Music + Billy Hyde. Australia's leading music store.
Ebay America: Ampeg SVT-3PRO Electric Bass Amp with Tube Pre Amp Made In USA EC | eBay

Just to clarify -- US is 120 V at 60 Hz, Australia (and NZ) are 230 V at 50 Hz. Australia was nominally 240 V until 2000.

You'll need an amp that can switch between these, or detect the voltage and transform appropriately (as in the TCE amps and several others, including, I believe, Genz Benz). Many, including Markbass and at least some of the G-K amps need to be factory set or modified, which will probably eat up any advantage you gain. Not sure about Ampegs. In any case, it's not just a matter of switching the cord to the appropriate plug configuration.

Finally, that Ebay Ampeg is used, the Billy Hyde one is new.

[vin*tone]

SVT 3 Pro can be internally reconfigured. The Markbass is a tricky one.

[lesliegl]

I recently bought a Genz Benz Streamlner off ebay and all i had to do was flip a switch over to 230 volts..as we say down these parts..''too easy''

Leslie

[johnk_10]

Originally Posted by vin*tone

SVT 3 Pro can be internally reconfigured. The Markbass is a tricky one.

+1

here's the schematic for it (look on page three)

http://www.mif.pg.gda.pl/homepages/t...es/svt3pro.zip

[rodl2005]

Pf350/500, SVT7 PRO all are ok for Aus power-have selectable power switching. As do GB's Streamliner & Shuttles.
I'd recommend a 7 pro- great amp, imo, nicer than a 3 pro & more power

[tom once dead]

I bought my 3 Pro from Vin*tone who had it reconfigured to run on 240v.

[agedhorse]

Just a general note for folks considering importing amps (any brand) on their own... in most import situations, the importer/distributor handles all local warranty claims and probably will not cover any warranty work on products that they were not responsable for importing. The laws vary from country to country, but this is a risk that should be considered. Some areas of the world have little choice however if there is no distributor in that market.

[sad_katz]

Originally Posted by agedhorse

Just a general note for folks considering importing amps (any brand) on their own... in most import situations, the importer/distributor handles all local warranty claims and probably will not cover any warranty work on products that they were not responsable for importing. The laws vary from country to country, but this is a risk that should be considered. Some areas of the world have little choice however if there is no distributor in that market.

Strictly for Genz Benz products, do you still give support to problematic imported and out of warranty products?

[R Baer]

When it comes to amps and the voltage ratings, you need to check each and every amp that you are considering. Making a generalization about brands, or topologies could lead to trouble. You should be able to find the information in the amps online manuals, or you can simply call the manufacturer for information on operating voltages.

[sidez81]

What annoys the SHIZ outta me is here in Aus we currently have (and have had for a long while) a higher dollar to the US yet NOTHING has come down in price here.
MXR for example I got BOTH the M82 and M288 shipped to my door from a US seller for $20aus dollars cheaper than what just one retails for here also quicker than what my regular stores could get them and both pedals were new. I understand there are bigger shipping costs, staff costs and so forth but these slow ass middle men (distribs) need to get the F$#^ out the way they are whats killin the industry over here not the internet.... The internet just provides us with easier ways to get what we need at a realistic price and with forums like this we get answers and solutions instead of some wanker flickin a switch or throwin a new power supply in the box to justify slappin another 30 to 40 or even 50 % on the tag
I am sorry for the rant but it is somewhat related to the topic at hand.

[agedhorse]

Originally Posted by sad_katz

Strictly for Genz Benz products, do you still give support to problematic imported and out of warranty products?

We will do our best to support all products, but can not expect the importer to bear the costs of supporting product that they did not import. You can always return the produvct to the factory for service however, and the cost of international shipping may not be all that costly in the bigger picture. It's a choice that must be made on a customer by customer basis. I am also available here to walk customers through basic troubleshooting, and for today's more reliable products, the number of problems is really quite low in context.

[agedhorse]

Originally Posted by sidez81

What annoys the SHIZ outta me is here in Aus we currently have (and have had for a long while) a higher dollar to the US yet NOTHING has come down in price here.
MXR for example I got BOTH the M82 and M288 shipped to my door from a US seller for $20aus dollars cheaper than what just one retails for here also quicker than what my regular stores could get them and both pedals were new. I understand there are bigger shipping costs, staff costs and so forth but these slow ass middle men (distribs) need to get the F$#^ out the way they are whats killin the industry over here not the internet.... The internet just provides us with easier ways to get what we need at a realistic price and with forums like this we get answers and solutions instead of some wanker flickin a switch or throwin a new power supply in the box to justify slappin another 30 to 40 or even 50 % on the tag
I am sorry for the rant but it is somewhat related to the topic at hand.

I think there's more to this than you realze. Each country that imports products sets their own import fees, tarrifs and taxes, have different liability requirements for the manufacturers and importers and dictate how support must be handled. Distributors in each market take on these costs and must be compensated for doing so. Some countries have substantially higher costs of i,port than others do, based on their trade and social services programs.

I do understand the frustration of course.

[Randall]

Even Canada is pretty much in the same boat as Australia. Many factors come into play such as market size, transportation, duties, taxes. We pay much higher prices for American products than USA customers even when our dollar is at par or higher. Just a sad fact of life