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this isn't entirely accurate as far as US customs. we don't actually pay sales tax when we pay customs/import. When i got one of my Wals from UK i got ding'd a percentage (plus broker fee?... which i guess a fee for the courier to enter in the system and such....this was FED EX btw). I can't remember what the exact cost was but it was based from a value of around $5000. A few months later i get a bill from MA saying i need to pay a 'use tax' ...... which is equal to MA sales tax.....sooooo i got hit with a customs/import fee and a 'use tax'
Oy vey. I can't imagine ordering another at this point. I feel like I just ran a marathon. But if I did, it might just be a gloss padauk mkIII 5 string with an ebony board.
Resuming...
Stare at this picture for 9 hours to fully appreciate the thrill of a long plane ride.
And finally, touchdown!
Be prepared for a looong walk. Heathrow terminal 2 just recently opened and it is vast.
Nice to be able to take a shower at the airport considering its 7am and hotels typically won't give you your room until the afternoon.
And they have this cool laundry valet built into the door. Some kind lady presses your clothes while you shower.
And finally for now it's a quick ride on the Heathrow Express to Paddington station in the heart of London.
(We are almost there)
Stare at this picture for 9 hours to fully appreciate the thrill of a long plane ride.
And finally, touchdown!
Be prepared for a looong walk. Heathrow terminal 2 just recently opened and it is vast.
Nice to be able to take a shower at the airport considering its 7am and hotels typically won't give you your room until the afternoon.
And they have this cool laundry valet built into the door. Some kind lady presses your clothes while you shower.
And finally for now it's a quick ride on the Heathrow Express to Paddington station in the heart of London.
(We are almost there)
A quick stop by the hotel to refuel a little bit before setting off
Then a walk around the corner to the Gloucester Road tube station for a 20 minute ride to the Waterloo train station.
Transferring at the Westminster station feels like foraging through the Death Star to turn off a tractor beam.
Then at Waterloo reading the signs to find the right train to Cobham and Stoke.
Finally the journey is almost complete as I board the train to "Walsville!"
The inserts are for the smaller bodies of the MkI and MkIII, they'd flop around inside the case.
So after staring at this for around 40 minutes...
The train finally arrived at my destination.
And after a quick car ride, Paul opens the door to the workshop where all that is Wal happens...
On the way inside I am greeted by an associate of Paul's. I believe this little guy runs the painting operations.
More to follow...
I sear I'd seen a Hiscox case with a Mk. II in it that had the little side pads. My bass does slide around in the case a TINY bit when it is closed. Not a big deal, it doesn't really bother me but if I could get one with side paddy things I would.
- Nov 6, 2012
- 954
- 246
- Disclosures
- Endorsing : Elixir Strings, Digitech , Eden Amplification
Score of the day! Just passed through immigrations. I declared my new Wal and went to the inspection area. Told them accurately how much it cost and they let me slide! Very cool guys at boarder patrol today.
Hmmmm...you posted this wed a.m
Posted pics of everything but the bass. Does Paul make them invisible now??
I've been posting the story of the journey. My intent so far has been to keep each post concise and space them out. There is only one post left to go, but I have been on an airplane and then asleep for the past 23 hours. Stay tuned.Hmmmm...you posted this wed a.m
Posted pics of everything but the bass. Does Paul make them invisible now??
Yes, well I'm replying from an iPhone. So I clear immigration, drive for an hour, arrive at home to the family I haven't seen for a week. Wife has steaks and was waiting for me to turn the grill on. Son wanted to play video games, I wanted to actually play my bass amplified which I did for all of two minutes. Then went to bed at a normal time. Now I'm waking up and getting ready to take my son to a 5k fun run which starts at 8:30 this morning. This answer is the more descriptive of the schedule since I'm actually sitting down for a quick moment (and won't describe exactly why that is.)
So, I have the final picture yet to take along with about four or five others that wrap up the story. I'll get to that in about the next three hours.
Sheesh, I thought only my wife needed fully detailed minute-by-minute accounting of my whereabouts...
