slazman

Anyone out there had any recent experience of bringing a Bass back into the UK from the USA on a BA flight?

I called BA Customer Relations and the responder referred me to their website that states:

[i]Hand baggage
You may take a musical instrument on board as hand baggage as long as the item is guitar sized or smaller.
When travelling from or via the UK, a musical instrument is permitted on board as an additional free piece of hand baggage. When travelling into the UK it is considered part of your hand baggage allowance.[/i]

I asked if a bass guitar qualified ... unfortunately this was one question too far!

I read the advice as 'Yes' but, being a glass half full person expect some hassles await me in Philadelphia.

BTW bought the Bass - a G&L USA L2000 off TalkBass ... fortunately I have a friend over in Philadelphia - can't wait to get my hands on it and bring it home in March -

Just a lovely guitar ... how can you part with it?

[quote name='obbm' post='113929' date='Jan 5 2008, 10:24 AM']If you are hand-carrying something back it is best to have the invoice receipt with you to prove value unless you are going to chance your arm. There are plenty of ideas here about how to try and dodge the duty.[/quote]

Thanks ... I agree - I am hand carrying back and I will not chance my arm .... it brightens up their day to find someone who does!

[quote name='obbm' post='113800' date='Jan 4 2008, 10:21 PM']There is no difference between new and used. You still have to pay.[/quote]

OK I accept that but what do they base the charge on ... a Paypal invoice for example?

My daughter lives in the US and we are going to visit early March so I was thinking about bringing back a bass with me, taking into account the VAT & duty I think it would be worth it (I travel light BTW).

However I am thinking deeper. Looking at the classifieds on Talkbass I guess I will get a better deal with a used bass and am tempted to start making offers, getting it delivered to Phoenix to await my arrival and return. Anyone know where I stand on duty and VAT if I buy a used guitar and bring it back?

Thanks in anticipation!
Peter

More a work of art than a guitar methinks!

PM sent

Thanks for the endorsement of OBBM guys. I will be in touch with him when I get back from hols in a couple of weeks.

Just what I am looking for ...

[quote name='Buzz' post='77040' date='Oct 20 2007, 05:19 PM']Give a holler to OBBM on this forum, he'll wack you up a professional cable (top quality lead and jacks) for cheaper than all retailers, makes them however you want in reference to jacks and lengths.
Edit: Link to the Special Offers section for more details: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=502"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=502[/url][/quote]

Thanks for that, will do ... tried a bit of searching on the site and came up with nothing ... guess I need to hone my search technique!

Time to buy a new cable for my Bass to my combo amp ... any advice for one who hasn't bought before? Value for money/quality compromise?

I am a newbie here in terms of posting but I look at the for sale ads regularly as I want to move up the scale from my Ibanez BTB200 which has been my beginner bass for around a year now and am interested in the Squier vintage modified jazz.

You say ' modified with badass II bridge and schaller tuners at an extra cost of £100 '. As well as being a newbie I am not experienced in the way of tweaking basses ... can you tell me why the mods and what the improvement is?

Hope I don't come over as a bit of a dork - I guess I need to improve my knowledge of the Bass Guitar and it's tweaks and mods!