Might order a RG 970xl from Japan

Paul Secondino · #1 11-19-2002, 12:47 PM

Ibanez does not sned the 6 string version of the 1077xl over to the USA unfortunately.So I exhausted very method of building a baritone 6string myself.No one makes what I want adn it will cost me $350.00 just to have the neck I want built.

So Ibanez makes exactly what I want anyway so might as well import it right?It will cost just under $1000.00 to buy it from the Ishibashi company in Japan and then I have to pay import tax(duties) on it.

Anyone here have experience buying from Japan?Any advice?Here is a pic of the guitar for those not familiar wiht it

http://www.ibanez.co.jp/japan/el_gui...x/rg970xl.html

Jupiter · #2 11-19-2002, 02:09 PM

Well, if it's exactly what you want, then i say go for it!
If it were me, and i had the option of making my own guitar, though, i would make it myself. I'd much rather have something one-of-a-kind that i put my heart and soul into making.
But hey, thats me!
Ben

HIS ROYAL DARKNESS · #3 11-19-2002, 05:53 PM

Paul,

I'm sure he'll post soon....but soloist has purchased quite a few from Ishibashi, and he just RAVES about how quickly they arrive and such.

I'm not too sure about the import duties, that's what's kept me from ordering from them. Ishibashi says that you "MAY" end up having to pay duties, but I don't know how to find out if I fall under that category or not. Can anyone else clear that part up?

Soloist · #4 11-19-2002, 08:08 PM

How right you are, I couldn't wait to post on this topic. Yes, I have purchased quite a bit from ishibashi and I have to say that I have had better experiences buying from them than anyone in the US. If that guitar is exactly what you want then go for it. Also in case you are wondering out of the 4 guitars (my brother and I have purchased two each over the past year) we have never had to pay duties, customs, taxes or anything other than the price of the guitar plus shipping. If you have any questions at all prior to purchasing your guitar you can just email the international sales agents. they are very helpful and would be able to address any concerns you may have. Also, yes, the shipping is very quick (of course you pay for it; but the currency conversion rate offsets the cost, so its almost a wash), once you put in your order it takes about 3-4 days before its at your door.

Paul Secondino · #5 11-20-2002, 12:41 AM

Awesome guys.Soloist,did you order via email and use their secure site?I dont want to just fax personal info over to Japan.So far their communication is really good.I think I will put the order in tomorrow.Take care guys.

Soloist · #6 11-20-2002, 12:59 AM

I use the secure site to place my orders.

Paul Secondino · #7 11-23-2002, 06:08 PM

I ordered the guitar.It isn't really complicated.All said and done it is costing me about $1100.00.You fill out the online form and then go to the secure site to give them your credit card info.Then they ship it to you.

you should notify your credit card company first so they don't raise a red flag on your credit card.I would be happy to help anyone tha wants to know more about ordering from Ishibashi

kennydoe · #8 11-23-2002, 06:51 PM

I ordered knobs from itchyrashy once...no problems at all.

~K

Paul Secondino · #9 11-24-2002, 02:34 AM

Lol. How about He-She-crotchy?

kennydoe · #10 11-24-2002, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Secondino

Lol. How about He-She-crotchy?

yikes...I try to stay away from that

~K

EKG · #11 11-27-2002, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soloist

...once you put in your order it takes about 3-4 days before its at your door.

YES!!! I can't wait!!!

Paul Secondino · #12 11-27-2002, 07:26 PM

The order went in and they got the guitar.4 days later(today) I have it.Ishibashi did a great job.Everything arrived undamaged and as expected.The guitar is however tuned to "d".

Anyone else play a 1077xl that received it tuned to "d"?I find that odd.The trem is sitting perfectly level so I know that someone set it up to play in "d" but I play in normal concert pitch so I have to re-set it up.

Soloist · #13 11-27-2002, 11:03 PM

Almost all of the guitars that I have received from ishibashi have been detuned slightly and thus required almost complete setups (which I usually just do myself, unless its horrible). Paul, just wondering did you get the nice thick soft case or a cheap, thin gig bag, Ishibashi informed me that ibanez was starting to cut costs by using a far inferior bag, I hope that you got the nice one. By the way how does the long scale six string sound/play compared to your other guitars?

Jupiter · #14 11-28-2002, 02:50 AM

Hmm... it was my understanding that all of the baritones { including the 1077XL } came tuned down a whole step... is that right?
Ben

Paul Secondino · #15 11-28-2002, 12:04 PM

Well I wanted the guitar shipped in a hard case.so they did adn I got the gig bag included.The hard case is a piece of ****..IT looks like a dreadnought case but is thin and ****ty.The gig bag is medium quality.IT isn't as thick as the Sam Ash one I have for $40.00.

They said tha they do not have the UV1000 cases in Japan for some reason.I asked for one.Other than that,everything is cool.

The guitar plays great.I always needed mroe room at the upper frets to pay on and now I have some.There is no transition needed to play the xl guitars.The lower frest are hardly any farther apart at all.If I handed you my guitar,you wouldn't even know it.BUt the upper frets are wider to solo on.I love it alot.I worry about Ibanezes super thick finishes though.They must inhibit tone to some degree.My 2020x is the best sounding Ibanez I have.