Why are amps in the UK more expensive than USA? Notably GK.

[Ganky]

I've noticed that the vast majority of amps are more expensive in the UK. I've been looking to buy one of the new GK MB combos but they're over $200 more normally. Is there any specific reason for this and do you think that they'll drop price within 6 months or so? Thanks!

[lbwdog]

Here in the states, G-K is, IMO, one of the best values there is.
Not sure about the UK price differential.

[Rockman]

It is because they are imports most likely. Of course I guess most thing are imported to USA from other countries... Except I know GKs are all made in USA so those are actually imports from here.

[refbassist]

everything in europe is more expensive than the states mate!

[Ganky]

Haha, guess your right, sucks big time. Shame GK don't allow their amps to be exported to UK from the US, then I could steal all your cheap goods .
Cheers guys.

[JulienJeff]

in music gear, it seems that industries consider, almost always, that 1 dollar = 1 pound = 1 euro...
that sucks.
Amps done in Asia are 30-40% more expensive in Europe than in the states...

[Essen]

If US made amps are more expensive in the UK, then British amps are more expensive in the US, right? I'm not sure how taxes are in the US compared to Europe, but this adds a lot to the price. Also, if the item has been shipped from the factory, then into a warehouse, and then finally to the store, each of those get a "cut" aswell.

[Deluge Of Sound]

Import taxes & fees. British amps cost more to buy here, too.

[vene-nemesis]

Originally Posted by refbassist

everything in europe is more expensive than the states mate!

The sad thing about that statement is that even european made stuff is cheaper on the states...

[Decedo]

I almost crapped my pants when I saw music equipment prices here in Sweden too. Here's a kick in the pants, EBS amps are made in Sweden yet they're cheaper to buy in the US?!?! So I guess that shipping argument is out the window.

[Musicman20]

Buy Orange in the UK :P

[perogato02]

Originally Posted by Musicman20

Buy Orange in the UK :P

+1 why buy Ampeg if you can buy Orange for less?

[Captain Marvel]

We do get some stuff cheaper over here in the UK - Marshall and the great Barefaced cabs spring to mind.

If you ever feel hard done by look at the price of some of the stuff if you live in Australia - ouch!!!!

[vene-nemesis]

Originally Posted by perogato02

+1 why buy Ampge if you can buy Orange for less?

"Well i play root notes on my 1997 fender MIA jazz bass (best bass in the world ever made I <3 fender) in a mediocre band thats about to be mainstream with an album that has but one good song, just to fade from the world nce said song gets old."


Thats what comes to mind.

[refbassist]

Originally Posted by vene-nemesis

The sad thing about that statement is that even european made stuff is cheaper on the states...

and if you tried to buy from the states you will loose your pants paying duties

[perogato02]

Originally Posted by vene-nemesis

"Well i play root notes on my 1997 fender MIA jazz bass (best bass in the world ever made I <3 fender) in a mediocre band thats about to be mainstream with an album that has but one good song, just to fade from the world nce said song gets old."


Thats what comes to mind.

I would gladly play root notes on an Orange AD200

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by Captain Marvel

We do get some stuff cheaper over here in the UK - Marshall and the great Barefaced cabs spring to mind.

If you ever feel hard done by look at the price of some of the stuff if you live in Australia - ouch!!!!

right...those poor aussies and kiwis take it up the butt for gear made anywhere.

and yes, we in america pay way more for marshall, orange, hiwatt than we do for ampeg, fender, gk. so it's not like we got off scot-free.

[SurferJoe46]

It's the electricity.

Brit and Aussie/NZ electricity runs on the left side of the wires, unlike the US and everywhere else versions (not too sure about the Netherlands and Sweden and such) but the re-engineering requires lots of money to reverse the polarity of the circuits and light bulbs.

Then there's the 240Volt systems there compared to here. We don't use that much voltage in the electric chair to zap our criminals for their execution. You guys are such barbarians.

You will also always live behind the 8-ball with your Lucas systems. "The darkness never looked so bright as it does with Lucas lighting".

[vene-nemesis]

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

It's the electricity.

Brit and Aussie/NZ electricity runs on the left side of the wires, unlike the US and everywhere else versions (not too sure about the Netherlands and Sweden and such) but the re-engineering requires lots of money to reverse the polarity of the circuits and light bulbs.

Then there's the 240Volt systems there compared to here. We don't use that much voltage in the electric chair to zap our criminals for their execution. You guys are such barbarians.

You will also always live behind the 8-ball with your Lucas systems. "The darkness never looked so bright as it does with Lucas lighting".

Alternating current?

[edbass]

Originally Posted by Rockman

It is because they are imports most likely. Of course I guess most thing are imported to USA from other countries... Except I know GKs are all made in USA so those are actually imports from here.

I'm pretty sure that GK has moved production to Shanghai, China. Yet another US manufacturer opting for inexpensive communist labor over the American worker to be price competitive.
Kind of sad; but I guess you have to do what you must to keep your price point down.
Should help with pricing in Europe , but... I wonder if they will do the same thing Loud did with Ampeg; move production to Asia but keep the US pricing.
I suppose that's a quick way to inprove your bottom line!