EssentialTension

[quote name='rixey' timestamp='1325702349' post='1486395'] Anyone know if there is any difference (good or bad) in lakland basses now that hanson have bought them out. Gary [/quote] Some people will tell you there is a difference and some will tell you that there isn't. Production of Skylines moved from Korea to Indonesia at around the same time. Some people will tell you that there is a difference there as well. My pre-Hanson Indonesian Skyline Decade is perfect. Anyway, the takeover wasn't a buy out by some unrelated company as Lakland and Hanson were already in a relationship with each other - i.e. Hanson were making Lakland's pickups - and the CEO of Lakland (John Pirruccello) is the brother of Hanson's CEO (Bo Pirruccello). There have been several reports of poor QC on some Skyline instruments - so try before you buy, but that really goes for any make.

Aren't there more of them than us and they'd take over

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/163896-violinists-cant-tell-the-difference-between-stradivarius-violins-and-new-ones/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/163896-violinists-cant-tell-the-difference-between-stradivarius-violins-and-new-ones/[/url]

Brilliant, that's made my day.

Exciting!

It points at this: [b][b]3.1 How are import charges calculated?[/b][/b] Charges are calculated by UK Border Agency (UKBA) staff at the postal depots where the packages are received. However, in some cases special arrangements are in place for goods purchased on the internet (see paragraph 3.4 below). [b]Value Added Tax (VAT)[/b] - Import VAT is charged at the same rate that applies to similar goods sold in the UK and applies to commercial goods over £15 in value, and on gifts that are over £40 in value. The value of the goods for import VAT is based on the:[list] [*]basic value of goods, plus [*]postage, packing and insurance, plus [*]any import (Customs or Excise) duties charged [/list]

[quote name='SisterAbdullahX' timestamp='1325452968' post='1483351'] Cheers all! One last thing, is a receipt from the seller accepted as proof of purchase price by HMRC? [/quote] HMRC are not stupid and if it's a receipt that says $200 for a pre-CBS Fender then they will know someone is trying to pull a fast one. However, commonly the stated price would, I believe be accepted. The seller usually fills in a value for customs when arranging the shipping and that's the figure used.

So, just to clarify the detail: {[(Price of item + price of shipping + price of insurance) + 3.7% duty] + 20% VAT} + shipper's customs handling fee.

[quote name='gareth' timestamp='1325448180' post='1483289'] vat/duty are not charged on the shipping cost so in youre examples its 25% on £500 not £600 [/quote] Yes they are: [url="http://www.dutycalculator.com/new-import-duty-and-tax-calculation/"]http://www.dutycalcu...ax-calculation/[/url] In fact, any insurance costs over and above shipping costs are also subject to the duty and tax.

[quote name='SisterAbdullahX' timestamp='1325445516' post='1483247'] Hi y'all, and Happy New Year!! Anybody have any experience of buying a used bass from the US? Have my eye on something and was wondering if I would have to pay import tax/vat on it and also what it would cost to have it sent over and finally who is the most reliable carrier? Cheers! [/quote] Add the price you pay for the item and the price of shipping. You'll pay approximately 25% of that total as tax. For example: £500 (bass) + £100 (shipping) = £600 total value. 25% x £600 = £150 tax So, total cost to you = £750

[quote name='KiOgon' timestamp='1325353741' post='1482488'] I Looked at doing that but is seems once you have a dispute open with ebay they won't let you do anything through Paypal. [/quote] I didn't realise that but ebay and paypal are the same people aren't they?

You are in the right but do it thru ebay and paypal.

[quote name='munkonthehill' timestamp='1325349189' post='1482402'] awesome, I doubt I would have found that ... [/quote] I only found it because I already knew.

Zemaitis

[quote name='EmmettC' timestamp='1325272854' post='1481667'] You shouldn't even deal with DHL, you ordered off Thomann, and it's their responsibility to get it to you. They choose the courier company, and it's up to them to deal with the problems DHL cause. If the problem was reversed, if you were returning something to Thomann, do you think they'd chase up royal mail for the package, they wouldn't refund you untill it was back with them. [/quote] If you are returning something to Thomann then Thomann have supplied a prepaid label and they are the ones with a contract with Parcelforce/Deutschepost or whoever. All you have to do is take it to the PO and get the receipt. So it would be Thomann's responsibilty chasing it up even on a return.

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1325239650' post='1481161'] Well it'd be interesting to test him on his offer of 'money back' but who's definition of; 'as good as a USA Fender bass' and which USA Fender bass, as I've played some crackers... and some dogs! Oh and it does boil my urine when people claim Squier basses from the 90s are 'JV' series... they are NOT. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-Squier-Precision-Bass-JV-Silver-series-1993-/230724106692?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item35b83a79c4#ht_500wt_1413"]http://www.ebay.co.u...4#ht_500wt_1413[/url] [/quote] It isn't a Silver Series either.

[quote name='Immo' timestamp='1325090389' post='1479735'] ... most people statistically would prefer modern made P-bass with round ... [/quote] I thought it was what we had rather than what we'd prefer.

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1325114039' post='1480051'] Now that's a good point. We did an "acoustic" session at a beer festival & the drummer used his electronic kit. [/quote] You just can't trust them can you?

Try watching these: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIzV9462xeE[/media] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4MdWzN_100&feature=related[/media]

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1325113012' post='1480033'] ... When we add our drummer we're no longer acoustic ... [/quote] We have a drummer and he's acoustic too.

I play in an 'acoustic' band and until recently doubled on a fretless Precision with flats and an EUB both through a Mesa combo. No one ever asked me why I wasn't playing an 'acoustic' instrument. However, I've now moved on to a Takamine B10 (thanks to Clarky) and an acoustic upright. I don't suppose anyone will notice the difference - except that there will be less space on stage.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1325095059' post='1479823'] The original strings would not have been black nylon jobbies but flatwound steels, exactly as fitted to all other Hofner basses of the period. [/quote] Would the original strings have been Pyramid Golds?

[quote name='Michaelg' timestamp='1325037229' post='1479399'] excellent! do you have any information about the gold symbols? [/quote] Only that mine didn't have them and I've never seen them before on other pics. Are they painted on or what?

That's in lovely condition. My very first bass was exactly that model and colour. I bought it used (in 1973, I think) for £30. The gold symbols are not original.