| Re basenote:
Well, I checked out FX boxes a little while ago, just long enough to find out
that I can't quite yet afford what I want. (*Sigh*) The two units I recall
prices for were the ART Multiverb III and the DSP 128+; the lowest prices I
could find were $315 and $285, respectively, from a mailorder place called
"Sound mumblemumble-" I got it from the "dealers" note in this conference.
Now of course, there's Daddy's Junky Music right here in Nashua, and they'll
match any verifiable price you quote them. (And, of course, if you haven't
checked out the market they'll hit you for a bit more markup than they really
have to!)
My own choice of the above two settled on the Multiverb, but in gathering info
I got a lot of raves about the DSP unit from guitarists, FWIW.
Happy hunting.
Cheers,
Bob
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| I thought that I'd give an update on my trip & my purchases. I didn't
get too much of a chance to visit a load of music stores but did get to Daddys
in Nashua & EU Wurlitzer in Boston.
The prices were indeed cheaper than the UK one of the main reasons
being that we have a large sales tax (17�% VAT). New Hampshire has no sales tax
& Massachusetts has a 5% tax.
I didn't see any units with a dual 240/110 power supply but thinking of
it I've not seen any in this country either. This immediately ruled out any ART
or Digitech gear. The Alesis 'verbs all run off a 9V DC supply, I saw a
Quadraverb for $399 (�234) which is a pretty good buy compared to UK price
(about �300).
Tempted as I was by the 'verbs I really wanted a unit that did
distortion as well and finally settled on the Yamaha FX500. I tried this out in
EU Wurlitzer using a James Burton signature Telecaster ($1300/�764 - price in
UK >�1000) and was much impressed both by the unit and Wurlies. The large shop
has a far bigger floor space & gear out on display than any shop that I've seen
in the UK. Despite the fact that it was nearly closing time on a Saturday the
staff were really helpful and didn't try & rush me at all. I bought the unit
for $399 + 5% tax i.e. $420/�247. If I'd had more time I'd have tried to find a
place in New Hampshire & saved the tax. The guy in the store helpfully made out
a second sales receipt for approximately half the purchase price, as he
explained they often sell to musicians who are returning home to countries that
have a 50-100% import duty.
Which brings me to the downside of personal importing. I was reluctant
to simply walk through the green channel as I had a considerable amount of
luggage and had spent a lot of money on various things so I opted to be
reasonably honest and declare my goods. You are only allowed to import goods to
the value of �32 into the UK free of tax. Any excess is taxed at a composite
rate of 22.5% to cover VAT & duty. As I had approx a 15 CDs and a dozen LPs
plus various presents I was well over my limit. The Customs man asked me to
estimate the value of what I had I said �200 and he was happy to charge me �37.
So the outcome for me is a small saving, my friends in the US now have
a 12V power supply, I already had a suitable power supply at home.
Would I do it again? Yes but I think that I'd look a little more
carefully at prices especially mail order & avoid all sales taxes.
Nigel
BTW The customs man didn't actually look in my bags or I might have had a far
more difficult time explaining the 1lb of white crystalline powder that I had
in my bag (actually a fixative for some tie-dye dyes that I had bought.)
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