OutSpoon

So - it finally happened. Ordered back in December after spending close to 2 years considering doing this. The plan - sell 'most' of my basses and buy a butterfly. I almost bought a yinyang 2nd hand - but when Fodera announced the classic series - in Fiesta Red - the time was right. Fiesta Red with Tort guard and Rosewood neck is my dream combination. I almost bought a Fender CS Pino bass a few years ago but ended up with a Squire instead just to try it out. Loved it... and the game begins. So - placed the order; and planned the cull. 1st to go was my 99 P bass. 2nd to go was my 97 NR jazz bass 3rd to go was my Thumb 5 string - and finally a '60's premier drum kit that was worth a few bob :-) They told me that it would be delivered between Feb and April. A Long Wait. Then - in on March 15th; the email I was waiting for. It was made. Could they send it to me please. What followed was traumatic, drawn out and complicated. The bass landed in the UK on the 31st March and was stuck in customs for a week. But finally, today, she arrived. Incredible is all I can say. I have played some guitars in my time but this is something else. Just amazing. I have 2 other basses still but I am seriously considering selling them because I can't imagine ever playing anything else now. So - here's some pics. [attachment=216475:12928257_10153365423466207_5526404699297669252_n.jpg][attachment=216476:12963850_10153365423476207_1885035680580703083_n.jpg][attachment=216477:12920267_10153365423571207_530495210539752883_n.jpg][attachment=216478:12963423_10153365423631207_874085220298475508_n.jpg][attachment=216479:12928215_10153365423661207_6356038473389779718_n.jpg][attachment=216480:12938311_10153365423756207_3753816436367012416_n.jpg][attachment=216481:12985484_10153365423776207_1519178813535726513_n.jpg][attachment=216482:12967942_10153365423861207_93181118264917605_o.jpg]

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1459777157' post='3019475'] It wasn't too bad in the end. The bass sat at Heathrow for a few days with customs, then it got sent out to the local parcelforce depot and I got a letter the next day. Paid the charges online and then went to pick it up... but they would have delivered it the next working day (once the payment had cleared) had I wanted them too. [/quote] cheers man. It arrived in the UK on Friday so hope I can get my hands on it by the end of this week... been waiting since December for this one!

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1458767335' post='3010764'] Got 25% to pay on my Moollon P bass which is currently sat at the Parcelforce depot five minutes from my house... but i can't have it until HMRC send me a letter with the customs charges... [/quote] - jeez, do they seriously have to send you a letter in the post? How long does that (did that) actually take? Now I think paying for priority shipping was a mistake if someone is going to send me a freaking letter. 2nd class no doubt!

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1458826946' post='3011287'] no in the uk it helps mean we all get great and free healthcare [/quote] fair point well made! :-)

Does me paying 25% import duty and tax mean that the customs team get great healthcare too?

[quote name='skelf' timestamp='1458683427' post='3009894'] Does that include the roughly 25% that will be added when it gets to the UK. [/quote] unfortunately not!

The bass is now paid for and ready to ship! For the record, the Monarch Classic 4 starts at $4,850 so not really 'that' expensive... you get to choose colour (choice of 4) neck (choice of 2) and pickguard (choice of 3). I added a dropped-d tuner - but it still feels like a 'custom'.

Thanks guys - solid advice. I'm working with their team at the moment on the best options to get my baby home!

Or is this just the cost of doing business and he should Do The Right Thing?

Any advice on getting an expensive bass into the country £efficiently? If someone was planning that. A friend of mine maybe?

Will totally post 1000x pictures. Just trying to figure how to get the baby home!

Fiesta red with rosewood neck, tort pickguard. I used to have a squire P bass in this colour combo and loved it. :-) It's all pino's fault..

I ordered a Monarch Standard Classic back in December - and just got an email from them that it is complete and ready to ship. I really hope it is as awesome as I hoped. I ended up selling 4 basses and a drumkit to fund it - but as I can only play one bass at once, it might as well be a nice one. As for whether it is worth it - hey you only live once so why not have some fun. People are happy to spend £4k on a car (or £40k or £400k), so why not on a bass? How many people bought a BMW when a Kia would have done 90% of the same things?

My first bass show and loved it. Lots of gear and the live performances were well worth the ticket price. Luckily I have a new bass on order - otherwise I would have spent more time playing with toys! Got a brief chance to play a PJ Sandberg at the PJB booth (white with tort) and it was much, much better than I though. Yikes. Luckily it wasn't for sale! Next year I will be networking more - so many inspirational people.

I don't have a basschat lanyard but I will be at the show on Sunday. :-) Maybe I'll write BC on the inside of my left wrist as a secret calling sign...

Just sold Tom a lovely Fender; he paid quickly with a good offer and it was all smooth and cheerful. Great guy. :-)