Why are Mesa Boogie so expensive in the EU?

[digitaldeath]

Hey guys, just wondering why they're much cheaper in the States (other than the fact that they're made there)? Surely importing 'em can't that much of a difference onto the price?!
If anyone else has got a Mesa Boogie (i'm eyeballing a single or a dual rectifier) shipped from the States to the EU, I'd love to hear how it went (import tax etc.).
Thanks in advance.

 

[Metaltastic]

It's a shitty deal you guys have, to be sure - most definitely get it sent over, though changing the transformer will be another story. HOWEVER, I cannot stress this enough - DO NOT get a single Rec, the thing is junk compared to a Dual (not sure why, but trust me, I own a 2 ch. Dual, have spent a lot of time with a 2 ch. Triple, and tried a LONG time on multiple occasions to get a Single to sound good, with no results - really the main issue is it's very harsh/buzzy, and yet unsaturated, cuz when you try to turn the gain up to get some sweet saturation, it just gets harsher/buzzier; 2 ch. Dual Rectifiers are god's own amps! But the 3-channels are good too )

 

[Jaymz]

I guess the import tax will be so heafty you might as well just pay the price for one from a (UK etc) store. Then they have you by the balls.

 

[digitaldeath]

It's a shitty deal you guys have, to be sure - most definitely get it sent over, though changing the transformer will be another story. HOWEVER, I cannot stress this enough - DO NOT get a single Rec, the thing is junk compared to a Dual (not sure why, but trust me, I own a 2 ch. Dual, have spent a lot of time with a 2 ch. Triple, and tried a LONG time on multiple occasions to get a Single to sound good, with no results - really the main issue is it's very harsh/buzzy, and yet unsaturated, cuz when you try to turn the gain up to get some sweet saturation, it just gets harsher/buzzier; 2 ch. Dual Rectifiers are god's own amps! But the 3-channels are good too )

Thanks for the reply. This did not answer my question. I've seen your vids and I quite like the tone you're getting with the Dual Recto.
So what's the story with the transformers with the Dual Rectos, is it external? Gotta find a way of getting one shipped over!

 

[James-Doolan]

Hey guys, just wondering why they're much cheaper in the States (other than the fact that they're made there)? Surely importing 'em can't that much of a difference onto the price?!
If anyone else has got a Mesa Boogie (i'm eyeballing a single or a dual rectifier) shipped from the States to the EU, I'd love to hear how it went (import tax etc.).
Thanks in advance.

Hey man i did it bought one on the bay for about 800 euro with shipping it came to 1000 euro for a 2 channel duel recto from usa to Waterford. Add 100-150 for a good step down tranny and 100 for some new tubes and your good to go. I managed to slip customs though on that one though they are a lot better nowadays virtually everything coming in from the states is being taxed now weather its marked as gift or not. So probably add another couple hundred to that. Still cheaper than here though.

 

[digitaldeath]

Hey man i did it bought one on the bay for about 800 euro with shipping it came to 1000 euro for a 2 channel duel recto from usa to Waterford. Add 100-150 for a good step down tranny and 100 for some new tubes and your good to go. I managed to slip customs though on that one though they are a lot better nowadays virtually everything coming in from the states is being taxed now weather its marked as gift or not. So probably add another couple hundred to that. Still cheaper than here though.

You poxy bastard! How long ago was that?
I'll be in New York in March, but taking one back on the plane might be a bit risky!

 

[James-Doolan]

You poxy bastard! How long ago was that?
I'll be in New York in March, but taking one back on the plane might be a bit risky!

Got it back in June my Powerball is getting dusty nowadays i love the mesa worth every penny if you ask me quality amp Actualy if you go over there you can buy one and bring it back all you have to do is say you were getting it repaired should be able to get out of customs

 

[Metaltastic]

Thanks for the reply. This did not answer my question. I've seen your vids and I quite like the tone you're getting with the Dual Recto.
So what's the story with the transformers with the Dual Rectos, is it external? Gotta find a way of getting one shipped over!

Yeah, they don't allow any selling of their stuff online (new), or even posting of prices, those shitheads - trying to preserve the "mystique" or something gay, I guess, even though fucking Soldano, VHT, Engl, etc. sell more expensive amps on Musicians F(r)iend Thanks for the props on my vid, btw, and yeah, AFAIK unless some Rectos were made with switchable power supplies (mine isn't, some Peaveys are), you'd have to either get a 220/240 Volt Power transformer (uggghhh) or a good step-down like James said. Best bet is to scour ebay and harass every seller you can for international shipping! (especially cuz Mesa stopped making 2 ch. Rectos in '01)

 

[Wolfeman]

look up 'ROHS'....

Drives the cost up on anything going to Europe....

 

[xFkx]

We've got expensive mesa/bogner, you've got expensive framus/engl. Such is the rule of transcontinental trade


I Choose teh framus.

 

[Metaltastic]

look up 'ROHS'....

Drives the cost up on anything going to Europe....

Yeah, but Mesas seem to be VASTLY disproportionate in their increase compared with other American musical products going over there...and Australia gets saddled with hideous Mesa prices too, is that because of RoHS issues as well, do you think?

 

[Metaltastic]

We've got expensive mesa/bogner, you've got expensive framus/engl. Such is the rule of transcontinental trade


I Choose teh framus.

I don't, regardless of the price - I can't stand the Cobra, and Engls really only seem good if you want that particular sound

 

[digitaldeath]

Thanks for the tips guys. If I were to say I had my amp shipped to the States for repair and simply collected it while I was on holiday, think I'd really get away with it?
If not, anyone care to venture as to how much tax I'd have to pay on top?
I have access to a Triple Recto, but man, that thing is just so fuckin' loud if you want to 'drive' it - what's the Dual Recto like in comparison?

 

[Metaltastic]

Exact same amp, just not retardedly loud

 

[James-Doolan]

Nearly as loud as my laney which is to say insanely loud and more than anyone will or should ever need

 

[Wolfeman]

Yeah, but Mesas seem to be VASTLY disproportionate in their increase compared with other American musical products going over there...and Australia gets saddled with hideous Mesa prices too, is that because of RoHS issues as well, do you think?

I know the ROHS causes prices to go up for everyone, but those big differences are probably the manufacture just banking some profit on hard to grab gear...

 

[MetalJonesy]

roll on the mesa single channel 20w head /,,/









in my dreams!

 

[Metaltastic]

Haha, yeah, a mini-Recto would kick ass! (as long as it sounded better than the single! )

 

[ze kink]

We've got expensive mesa/bogner, you've got expensive framus/engl. Such is the rule of transcontinental trade


I Choose teh framus.

Yeah, and we've got the cheap Diezels as well

 

[vespiz]

Surprisingly, Peavey's are decently priced here. List price for a 6505 is €1255. Compare that to a Dual Rectifier, € 2550. Weird. Someone sure gets a good cut out of them! Of course, the list price is not what these things really sell for..