Would flying to collect from Paul be cheaper, or would you still have to pay the large amount of taxes and charges after returning to your local airport? I thought I read someone suggesting if the prices were so high, you might as well go collect in person versus courier.
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well the cost of the flight is what'll make it expensive. If you have it shipped it will cost about $340 for the freight fee, and your Duty fee will cost about $400 when it gets delivered.
Here is what I have experienced in my assorted Wal purchases and shipments.
Fly over: US folks are allowed $800 in purchases they can bring back before they are taxed Duty. In my case me and my wife went and collected my Mk2, so they considered me a two party and allotted me $1600 allowance toward my Duty, and only taxed me on the difference. It knocked about $100 off the Duty. (the Customs agents didn't even ask what woods it contained or even wanted to look at it)
Most important! there are two different classifications for Duty fees for stringed instruments: electric instruments requiring an amp to make sound are taxed at 5%. and acoustic instruments are taxed at 8%.
You need to make sure wether shipment delivery or flying that you get the correct classification at the 5% rate on your bass. One of my 2016 Wal shipments was classed wrong at 8% by Customs and I didn't know the difference at the time, and it certainly helped when I flew this time as the agent was confused at the descriptions of the classes.
There was one time a Wal got shipped to me from Canada. The shipper put it in a Fender shipping box and marked it as a US Fender bass. UPS called me on the phone at Customs and said "we opened it and this is not a Fender bass, can you tell us what this is".
Obviously they were noticing the headstock logo. So I gave them the Wal website for reference and verified its UK made and it was on it's merry way, but that was before the whole Cites/rosewood thing.
Fly over: US folks are allowed $800 in purchases they can bring back before they are taxed Duty. In my case me and my wife went and collected my Mk2, so they considered me a two party and allotted me $1600 allowance toward my Duty, and only taxed me on the difference. It knocked about $100 off the Duty. (the Customs agents didn't even ask what woods it contained or even wanted to look at it)
Most important! there are two different classifications for Duty fees for stringed instruments: electric instruments requiring an amp to make sound are taxed at 5%. and acoustic instruments are taxed at 8%.
You need to make sure wether shipment delivery or flying that you get the correct classification at the 5% rate on your bass. One of my 2016 Wal shipments was classed wrong at 8% by Customs and I didn't know the difference at the time, and it certainly helped when I flew this time as the agent was confused at the descriptions of the classes.
There was one time a Wal got shipped to me from Canada. The shipper put it in a Fender shipping box and marked it as a US Fender bass. UPS called me on the phone at Customs and said "we opened it and this is not a Fender bass, can you tell us what this is".
Obviously they were noticing the headstock logo. So I gave them the Wal website for reference and verified its UK made and it was on it's merry way, but that was before the whole Cites/rosewood thing.
I found one I’m interested in, but it looks like there is some seam separation down the middle of the body. Not enough to be open as a crack, but visible. Owner says it has been stable for years.
Should I make an appropriately discounted offer or run away?
Should I make an appropriately discounted offer or run away?
It does happen on the poly on occasion, nothing new about that. Do you have a pic you can share or pm?
Just a quick question(s): i am considering selling my current Mk3 to order a custom Wal,
...what are the current wait times - still 2 years? @kulit17
...also (prob a dumb question) ..on the website, i don't see options for costs of neck spec'ing ...does he only price that stuff from direct emails? I'd like to spec my next Wal neck to match my '70 P bass. (just eases my carpal tunnel a bit to keep the necks consistent).. thx
...what are the current wait times - still 2 years? @kulit17
...also (prob a dumb question) ..on the website, i don't see options for costs of neck spec'ing ...does he only price that stuff from direct emails? I'd like to spec my next Wal neck to match my '70 P bass. (just eases my carpal tunnel a bit to keep the necks consistent).. thx
Just a quick question(s): i am considering selling my current Mk3 to order a custom Wal,
...what are the current wait times - still 2 years? @kulit17
...also (prob a dumb question) ..on the website, i don't see options for costs of neck spec'ing ...does he only price that stuff from direct emails? I'd like to spec my next Wal neck to match my '70 P bass. (just eases my carpal tunnel a bit to keep the necks consistent).. thx
website has it as 27 months currently. all option costs you'd have to email Paul to get an accurate quote unfortunately.
. Can’t quite tell if there is separation on the front seam as well. Asking for more pics.
Attachments
Haha. Whoops. I only uploaded the thumbnail. Really, I was just trying to save you from hitting your mobile data limits. You’re welcome.
AFAIK, no seams on a solid mahogany body.
the mahogany body on the left was a poly black finish bass before the finish was sanded off.
the mahogany body on the left was a poly black finish bass before the finish was sanded off.
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Just a quick question(s): i am considering selling my current Mk3 to order a custom Wal,
...what are the current wait times - still 2 years? @kulit17
...also (prob a dumb question) ..on the website, i don't see options for costs of neck spec'ing ...does he only price that stuff from direct emails? I'd like to spec my next Wal neck to match my '70 P bass. (just eases my carpal tunnel a bit to keep the necks consistent).. thx
Well...you know how to get ahold of me Scott!
