Mike2tone

Yes, EU/UK made items are not subject to tariffs but any items over £15 or £39 if marked as a gift, are subject to VAT, regardless of whether they are second hand or not, if coming from abroad, even if it is a private sale, unfortunately. 

13 hours ago, JohnFitzgerald said:

Richard,

I'd be delighted to be proven wrong too. My understanding is that VAT might be an element ? I'd looked into buying from Thomann and they no longer charge VAT for goods over £135, as per the new rules, and that's chargeable here. All as I understand it.

The thing with Thomann is that they will allow you to pay the VAT/Duties to them, if the item is less than £135. If over £135, you would pay VAT and duties (if needed) to the courier company. All their prices on their website are ex-Vat now.

If you were in the UK, I would have this in a heartbeat, but with the fact taxes will apply when shipping from the EU and possibly tariffs, it will be a lot more expensive that the asking price. it is a shame what this brexit crap has created. 

1 minute ago, spike said:

Or Roger wants to take life easier and doing a manufacturing and distribution deal with Warwick means less work for him and a nice pension too.

A bit like Stuart Spector selling over to Korg but with the difference that Roger will continue to own and oversee the US made line, I guess

2 hours ago, thodrik said:

Okay. Sounds like an equivalent or something similar to the Satin line. Though if it is like Custom Shop Warwick prices then the price could be even higher than current Satin/NYC prices.

Though if the Metro prices are similar to the team built prices for the Thumb, Streamer etc, then that is much lower than current Metro prices

Honestly, I am intrigued to see how it works out.

Yes, I assume the Metroline will be built in Germany/Czech Republic like the GPS Warwick and the high end will be made fully in Germany, with prices near the NYC range.

I hope you right in terms of prices but will this mean that the Express line will be sub £1,000 like the Rockbass gear, as I guess they will be made in the same factory?

First basses should be shipping in May so I guess we will know more after NAMM.

I guess there will also be a German made Master built/Custom Shop version, as well as the NYC. The whole thing is being released at NAMM but this came from the horse's mouth. 

OK so, Custom Shop and Metro Line will be made in Germany and the Metro Express in China. That is all I know. 

I asked myself the same questions when I heard the news and knowing the guys at Warwick, I am sure regardless they will make a great product.

I have asked the relevant questions, with regards to manufacturing and distribution, both to Warwick and the European distributor, but not news yet. In fact, the European distributor or at least the person I spoke to, did not even know about it!

I guess i will know more at the NAMM show, when they get released. i will post more as I get the info and I am allowed!

I love this V10s. The neck feels just like the new Stingray Specials and it is a joy to play. The hardware has been upgraded, which is a nice touch. As per the video, they sound as good as they look. 

18 hours ago, drTStingray said:

Not so - the Sterling by Musicman Ray 34 and 35 can be had with roasted maple necks, figured tops and HH pick ups with single coil settings. 

As for the Sire basses, I recently saw the 360 Band (Hamish Stewart, Mollie Duncan and Steve Ferrone of AWB plus sessions players) and Steve Pearce played a Sire (V7 MM I think) all night and it sounded excellent - well almost all night as Hamish Stewart played a Fender Mustang on one song. Good recommendation for these basses - he's a top sessions bassist. 

You are correct Sir, I forgot the new Rays have been announced and should be landing at around £850 to £1100  depending on the model you are looking for.  Great basses for the money!

On 09/03/2019 at 15:10, uk_lefty said:

Not sure what all the fuss is about. They aren't discontinuing the V3 and V7 for it and will probably only make a small number of V10s. If you don't think it's good value, don't buy one. I have had a Vintage V7 as my main gigging bass for a while and the bridge and tuners have held up fine. I admit they could be better but I haven't yet felt the need to upgrade.

Exactly!!

1 hour ago, lemmywinks said:

The new one has the Premium version of their tuners so it would be interesting to hear your opinion on those especially if you can compare them to the standard ones.

Yes! Nothing due until the second half of the year though but I will report then. I wanna see the other colour of the V10 as they only had the natural at NAMM. Sunburst should look good. 

I think what we need to consider, is that the V10 will be the most affordable bass for the specs you get. You will be looking at around £600 plus on top of the price of the V10, to find a bass with a roasted neck and a flamed maple top, which is actually a cap and not a veneer. 

I am divided about the hardware because although at that price point I would expect better, there  has to be a compromise because you do get top specs that cost a lot to manufacture. Also, given that the hardware used has been efficient, I guess they didn't see the need to change it. 

I got to see the Sire that Marcus uses live and his is all stock as it left the factory. 

Let's not forget that Sire are a relatively small and new company compared to Cort, who make Ibanez, Lakland and others, and is a more established company with their own factory. 

I will get my hands on the first batch that lands in the UK, so I'll be posting my thoughts. 

2 hours ago, lemmywinks said:

I know, it's just interesting to compare the hardware they put on premium models (and what they sell for) compared to what represents their top of the line basses over here.

I love my Sire and recommend them to anyone in the position of needing an excellent bass for minimal outlay but I think they are getting away from the original ethos of the range - a working bass which won't hold you back. That's a market they nailed out of the gate IMO so it's a bit disappointing to see prices creep up but the weak links still present
Also they should do a V3 fretless with an unlined board.

I do agree that the hardware could be better on the V10. We have seen basses of this sort of price point wit Hipshot gear or similar. Saying that, the Sire hardware has had very little complains.

I do not think the company is deviating from what they originally set to do. They are just adding to it, but they are not forcing customers to buy a V10 because the V7 or V3 is obsolete. Just like anything, prices increase and had to go up when the Version 2 was released, but you get a lot more for your money.

The rolled edges, for example, can only be done by hand and this takes a long time to do and no other bass features this at this price point, so this added to the cost plus the new pickups, neck finish and pre-amp. The major issue in terms of quality with the first release was the battery pack which was replaced. The hardware has not been an issue but some bridges on the V7 Vintage were a bit flimsy.

The real pain is the pre-amp as it is PCB mounted, so if you break a pot, you have to replace the whole pre-amp.

To put it into perspective, a Squire Classic Vibe is £389 and the new V7 version 2, which is an active/passive bass with an ebony fingerboard, rolled edges and matching headstock is only £416:

https://www.andertons.co.uk/sire-version-2-marcus-miller-v7-alder-4-string-lake-placid-blue

If you play both, it is a no brainer which one plays and sounds better and for the extra £27, you get a lot more than any other bass at £416 has.

On 03/03/2019 at 12:48, lemmywinks said:

Apparently they're Sire "Premium" tuners over the standard ones and the bridge is exactly the same. Two areas where they should have spent the money on higher end parts IMO.

 

Also that demo video was awful! I wish they wouldn't start with loads of meandering solos and "wacky" presenters and just show us closeups of the hardware differences.

What demo video?

On 15/01/2019 at 03:12, ironkerton said:

I tried one on Sunday - it played really nicely and sounded great. It just didn't "do it" for me. I can see why they're popular though, and it's a great bass for the price. 

Where did you try it?? I would love to give one a go!!

So, this happened! Fell in love with this colour when they announced the 2018 range, so when these basses arrived at Andertons I played a few and just had to get one!

Going for a silly price, considering how much they are going for new!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/192580674537

@laranjo Are you still looking for one of this?

SOLD to the super nice person to deal with Enrico!!! I hope you enjoy it Sir.

On hold pending the usual. 

Price drop to £1050 for a quick sale!!!

Open to sensible offers so feel free to get in touch. No trade ins, I am afraid. This is a sale only item. 

The new Metro Express are guaranteed to be 8.9lbs, which is great at that price. Although not made by Yoshi, if the quality is anything like the instruments coming out of other factories, like Xotic, then they are a bargain. 

I got an Xotic P style bass and it is one of my favorite basses, but I am looking to sell it to get one of this, as I am definitely a Jazz man!!

Bump for a very unique bass at a great price

I got the buckeye burl version, like my profile picture, and given that I sell musical instruments for a living, I can honestly say this are some of the best basses out there and at this price, it is a bargain.