Buying gear in Thailand/Bangkok?

Sorg

New member
I am visiting Thailand/Bangkok in Christmas. Are there any good instrument shops down there? Is it cheap? How is the quality?
 
Re: Buying gear in Thailand/Bangkok?

I wouldn't buy anything there. There was a thread a while back about someone who got a counterfeit Gibson in Thailand.

Ryan
 
Re: Buying gear in Thailand/Bangkok?

It was a fake Gibson. If something is counterfeit, it means that it is fake and purposely designed to trick someone. For example, if you try to make fake money, that's considered counterfeiting. Counterfeiting is very common in that part of the world. If you were to buy a guitar in Thailand, it's possible you might end up with a fake.

Ryan
 
Re: Buying gear in Thailand/Bangkok?

i have traveled there (and otehr places in Asia) about a half dozen times or so... no good bargains on western intruments there ... but it was a very cool place to buy eastern instruments ... i enjoy having exotic (by western standards) instruments around as conversation pieces and to spice up some 'world influenced' original recordings ... not very expensive either .. have a fun trip

cheers
t4d
 
Re: Buying gear in Thailand/Bangkok?

Hey-

I'm thinking about heading out there next year for a vacation. What can I expect? Can you recommend a good time of year to visit? Thanks!
 
Re: Buying gear in Thailand/Bangkok?

Well I have to say that I live in Norway and that the instrumentprices is at least twice compared to the USA. Is the prices about the same in USA and Bangkok?
 
Re: Buying gear in Thailand/Bangkok?

Sorg said:
Well I have to say that I live in Norway and that the instrumentprices is at least twice compared to the USA. Is the prices about the same in USA and Bangkok?
US-made instruments will be roughly the same price as in Europe, especially after you pay taxes.
 
Re: Buying gear in Thailand/Bangkok?

aleclee said:
US-made instruments will be roughly the same price as in Europe, especially after you pay taxes.
First that, and secondly the chances of gettung a REAL USA made axe and not a fake are about 1 in 100000.

Bad idea.

Once again, order stateside, even with the superhigh shipping and Norwegian duties (I think around 35%, or?) youj´ll still be cheaper than buying in a store in Norway ;)
 
Re: Buying gear in Thailand/Bangkok?

Yes I know. I earn a lot by buying from the US.

Anway, I am not considering buying a real expensive guitar in Bagkok. Just hope to catch a cheap and cool one... You never know...
 
Re: Buying gear in Thailand/Bangkok?

Sorg said:
Yes I know. I earn a lot by buying from the US.

Anway, I am not considering buying a real expensive guitar in Bagkok. Just hope to catch a cheap and cool one... You never know...

AH, OK, we thought you were going for "something better"...

I think a decent low end axe can probably be found more or less anywhere ;)
 
Re: Buying gear in Thailand/Bangkok?

I mailed a guy who lived there and he said there were a lot good guitar shops down there....
 
Re: Buying gear in Thailand/Bangkok?

The thing to be aware of is the massive climate difference. Thailand is fairly hot and humid compared to most places in the northern hemisphere. The reason Thai guitars are so crappy when brought to the states (among generally poor parts and labor) is that the wood has never had a chance to dry out because of the Thai climate. The wood comes to the states and it's like putting it in a vaccuum for moisture, and the wood warps.

If you do buy something and bring it back, watch it very closely and keep it well conditioned for the first few months as it becomes acclimated to its new climate.
 
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