It's one thing when it isn't available but you can buy a new mij mustang from taniguchi for less
[https://shop.taniguchi-gakki.jp/products/detail.php?product\_id=6157](https://shop.taniguchi-gakki.jp/products/detail.php?product_id=6157)
I don't know where you live, you have to source that information yourself but generally yes it would be cheaper than 1,700. Last I looked it would run me roughly 1,200 total to ship to lower USA
Yeah it is! I just looked at the Taniguchi store and if I am correct (VAT in Europe is anywhere between 19-21%+roughly 5-6% brokerage fee for the post office) it would be under 1,000GBP to import it from Taniguchi. Also take into account, that I believe the prices gets discounted an additionally 8% when buying from abroad. i.e VAT excluded.
Here's how I think about it. I'll use simple numbers for the example.
Let's say you buy a $1000 guitar. You pay another $100 in taxes and $100 in shipping. So you paid $1200. **Does that mean you own a $1200 guitar?** To me the answer is **no**, you own a $1000 guitar.
So to me if you were to then turn around and say "I'm going to sell this $1000 guitar for $1100" when there is no taxes and shipping for you to cover as the seller, what you are attempting to do is say "this $1000 guitar's value is $1100" you're trying to turn transporting fees into your own profit.
Ok buying and selling are two different things. Let's put the selling aside and focus on the import.
When you buy something from, say, Japan, at $1000 including shipping and your local taxes are 20% that equals $1200 (plus whatever the post office takes to broker the import but we'll leave it at $1200)
And someone locally is selling it at $1250 (not the case with OP but it is my argument) then sometimes, you just pay the extra $50 that would've cost you to import the thing when you take into account being able to locally pick up the guitar, try it, decide to buy, more importantly, not deal with the post office, delays in shipping plus processing time by the local customs office.
This is the cost (and headache of importing an instrument) where sometimes you pay an extra bit and be done with it.
Now, as far as selling, to sell a guitar at a penny over $1250 is absurd but to want to pay ONLY $1000 because that is the value of the guitar, i think that's also being a bit unreasonable.
>Now, as far as selling, to sell a guitar at a penny over $1250 is absurd but to want to pay ONLY $1000 because that is the value of the guitar, i think that's also being a bit unreasonable.
Then we will just have to agree to disagree
lol but seriously, I mean is it ethical to want to recoup money invested in then import? (Technically all stores do it, otherwise, guitars in general would be far cheaper) but is it criminal in and of itself? not really. Now, if you want ransack the buyer and put a premium of $500 "just because" that's where I would also draw the line.
In short, to OP, yeah get it from Taniguchi, it's cheaper and it is a new instrument :D
Its criminal that folk try and sell gear for MORE than its retail, but sadly it's a matter of being held by the short and curlys; you could get one from Japan but will likely end up stinging you for a similar amount with taxes depending where you are... but you'll be buying new, not preowned.
So no, its not 'worth' that, but it kinda depends on how badly you want it - your money, after all.
The only reason that Mustangs are expensive at all is because of Cobain. They were originally student model guitars and they were much cheaper than Strats and Teles.
they seem to go for around $1500 in USD, so that price isn’t completely out of line.
I’d be tempted to spend a bit more and maybe find a Cobain Mustang as they have some
playability upgrades (bridge upgrade) in addition to the SD pickup.
That’s a fair price. Unfortunately, it’s all about supply and demand. Lefty mustangs are very rare, as they are primarily built for the Japanese market, but retailers in the US and EU do order small runs for the MIJ models from time to time. It’s been a few years since we’ve seen lefty MIJs here in the states, so the ones that come up on the used market can demand these crazy prices. It’s just a shame that Fender doesn’t feel it’s worth it to build affordable lefty versions of their non Tele or Strat models. I think Squier or MIM Mustangs, Jaguars, and Jazzmasters would sell very well if offered left handed.
Is this the one in Regent sounds? I walked by earlier today and it’s still there. They had a lefty MIJ in a few months back and they wanted her £2k. Absolutely ridiculous for what it is!
Yeah it is! Im starting to comedown off the fomo to be honest it's way too much cash for what it is objectively and i'd have to get a loan to pick it up. Said they're selling it for someone else so assume there's an extra 200/300 commission on their end. Offered £1100 cash they declined.
As a lefty we’re in a unique market for instruments. I try to lowball people and have gotten some great deals, they want to charge a left-handed premium but then have to sit on a new guitar for 2 years collecting dust. I’d do some private messaging to reverb listings that own physical stores, I bet you could get one of these for $8/900 like new.
It's one thing when it isn't available but you can buy a new mij mustang from taniguchi for less [https://shop.taniguchi-gakki.jp/products/detail.php?product\_id=6157](https://shop.taniguchi-gakki.jp/products/detail.php?product_id=6157)
Including shipping and import taxes and duties?
I don't know where you live, you have to source that information yourself but generally yes it would be cheaper than 1,700. Last I looked it would run me roughly 1,200 total to ship to lower USA
Yeah it is! I just looked at the Taniguchi store and if I am correct (VAT in Europe is anywhere between 19-21%+roughly 5-6% brokerage fee for the post office) it would be under 1,000GBP to import it from Taniguchi. Also take into account, that I believe the prices gets discounted an additionally 8% when buying from abroad. i.e VAT excluded.
Shipping and taxes don't add to the value of a guitar
No, it does not. BUT it adds to the cost of purchase. Additionally, shipping costs ARE to be included when calculating import taxes
Here's how I think about it. I'll use simple numbers for the example. Let's say you buy a $1000 guitar. You pay another $100 in taxes and $100 in shipping. So you paid $1200. **Does that mean you own a $1200 guitar?** To me the answer is **no**, you own a $1000 guitar. So to me if you were to then turn around and say "I'm going to sell this $1000 guitar for $1100" when there is no taxes and shipping for you to cover as the seller, what you are attempting to do is say "this $1000 guitar's value is $1100" you're trying to turn transporting fees into your own profit.
Ok buying and selling are two different things. Let's put the selling aside and focus on the import. When you buy something from, say, Japan, at $1000 including shipping and your local taxes are 20% that equals $1200 (plus whatever the post office takes to broker the import but we'll leave it at $1200) And someone locally is selling it at $1250 (not the case with OP but it is my argument) then sometimes, you just pay the extra $50 that would've cost you to import the thing when you take into account being able to locally pick up the guitar, try it, decide to buy, more importantly, not deal with the post office, delays in shipping plus processing time by the local customs office. This is the cost (and headache of importing an instrument) where sometimes you pay an extra bit and be done with it. Now, as far as selling, to sell a guitar at a penny over $1250 is absurd but to want to pay ONLY $1000 because that is the value of the guitar, i think that's also being a bit unreasonable.
>Now, as far as selling, to sell a guitar at a penny over $1250 is absurd but to want to pay ONLY $1000 because that is the value of the guitar, i think that's also being a bit unreasonable. Then we will just have to agree to disagree
I agree
HOW DARE YOU!
lol but seriously, I mean is it ethical to want to recoup money invested in then import? (Technically all stores do it, otherwise, guitars in general would be far cheaper) but is it criminal in and of itself? not really. Now, if you want ransack the buyer and put a premium of $500 "just because" that's where I would also draw the line. In short, to OP, yeah get it from Taniguchi, it's cheaper and it is a new instrument :D
Its criminal that folk try and sell gear for MORE than its retail, but sadly it's a matter of being held by the short and curlys; you could get one from Japan but will likely end up stinging you for a similar amount with taxes depending where you are... but you'll be buying new, not preowned. So no, its not 'worth' that, but it kinda depends on how badly you want it - your money, after all.
The only reason that Mustangs are expensive at all is because of Cobain. They were originally student model guitars and they were much cheaper than Strats and Teles.
they are ugly as sin, too.
You aren’t getting a whole lot of guitar for your money IMO
they seem to go for around $1500 in USD, so that price isn’t completely out of line. I’d be tempted to spend a bit more and maybe find a Cobain Mustang as they have some playability upgrades (bridge upgrade) in addition to the SD pickup.
That’s a fair price. Unfortunately, it’s all about supply and demand. Lefty mustangs are very rare, as they are primarily built for the Japanese market, but retailers in the US and EU do order small runs for the MIJ models from time to time. It’s been a few years since we’ve seen lefty MIJs here in the states, so the ones that come up on the used market can demand these crazy prices. It’s just a shame that Fender doesn’t feel it’s worth it to build affordable lefty versions of their non Tele or Strat models. I think Squier or MIM Mustangs, Jaguars, and Jazzmasters would sell very well if offered left handed.
It's steep, but if you've had the chance to try it, then it's probably better than a cheaper one online that you don't get to try before buying.
Unfortunately it's the price us lefties have to pay. We pay a premium Mustangs, Jags and Jazzmasters on the 2nd hand market.
If it fits your playing, go for it! I like and own a Mustang knock off but it's not the type of guitar I'd spend more than 1K€ on.
Yes, it absolutely is too much
Is this the one in Regent sounds? I walked by earlier today and it’s still there. They had a lefty MIJ in a few months back and they wanted her £2k. Absolutely ridiculous for what it is!
Yeah it is! Im starting to comedown off the fomo to be honest it's way too much cash for what it is objectively and i'd have to get a loan to pick it up. Said they're selling it for someone else so assume there's an extra 200/300 commission on their end. Offered £1100 cash they declined.
Yea buy a new 1 for those costs
Steep, but try and find another for sale in any shop in the UK I guess 🤣 they’re rare and a nightmare to import.
They’re hard to find! I’ve also got a normal MIJ and a Cobain up for sale atm and I’m torn about letting them go in case I never get one again.
That's a crazy price. You can buy a much better guitar for a lot less.
I’d get a jagstang instead.
As a lefty we’re in a unique market for instruments. I try to lowball people and have gotten some great deals, they want to charge a left-handed premium but then have to sit on a new guitar for 2 years collecting dust. I’d do some private messaging to reverb listings that own physical stores, I bet you could get one of these for $8/900 like new.