Author Topic: buying used Gibson pickups from Japan, what do I need to know?  (Read 1669 times)

gtrguy

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buying used Gibson pickups from Japan, what do I need to know?
« on: October 15, 2018, 10:12:48 PM »
This has no doubt been covered somewhere; I am interesting in buying 2 used 1980 Gibson V2 guitar pickups from a Japan dealer in Tokyo.
Is there a duty or tax or what do I need to know to get them shipped to Oregon? The price plus shipping is 388.32 US dollars.
Thanks

cozmik_cowboy

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Re: buying used Gibson pickups from Japan, what do I need to know?
« Reply #1 on: October 16, 2018, 08:12:33 AM »
What do you need? A pic of them hooked to a meter with today's paper in the background would be my first thought.......  8)

Peter
"Is not Hypnocracy no other than the aspiration to discover the meaning of Hypnocracy?  Have you heard the one about the yellow dog yet?"
St. Dilbert

"If I could explain it in prose, i wouldn't have had to write the song."
Robt. Hunter

hankster

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Re: buying used Gibson pickups from Japan, what do I need to know?
« Reply #2 on: October 16, 2018, 02:15:03 PM »
Good one. I agree.
Live each day like your hair is on fire.

keith_h

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Re: buying used Gibson pickups from Japan, what do I need to know?
« Reply #3 on: October 16, 2018, 03:27:55 PM »
If you can prove the pickups were manufactured or originated in the USA you should not have to pay any duty however you may have to pay customs fees. Some shippers such as UPS can act as the customs clearing agent and will charge extra for it though I have no idea what the cost is.

edwin

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Re: buying used Gibson pickups from Japan, what do I need to know?
« Reply #4 on: October 16, 2018, 08:09:12 PM »
Just curious, what are the features of these pickups that they command such a price?

peoplechipper

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Re: buying used Gibson pickups from Japan, what do I need to know?
« Reply #5 on: October 16, 2018, 08:48:34 PM »
you actually need v-shaped pickups?

cozmik_cowboy

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Re: buying used Gibson pickups from Japan, what do I need to know?
« Reply #6 on: October 16, 2018, 09:47:29 PM »
you actually need v-shaped pickups?

Doesn't everybody?

Peter (Who really does think those are about the hippest-looking p/ups this side of caramel Alembics - and who finds it strange that using multiple question marks for emphasis gets you ??? ?)
« Last Edit: October 16, 2018, 09:49:17 PM by cozmik_cowboy »
"Is not Hypnocracy no other than the aspiration to discover the meaning of Hypnocracy?  Have you heard the one about the yellow dog yet?"
St. Dilbert

"If I could explain it in prose, i wouldn't have had to write the song."
Robt. Hunter

gearhed289

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Re: buying used Gibson pickups from Japan, what do I need to know?
« Reply #7 on: October 17, 2018, 08:47:08 AM »
you actually need v-shaped pickups?

If you have one of these, then yes.  :D

gtrguy

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Re: buying used Gibson pickups from Japan, what do I need to know?
« Reply #8 on: October 17, 2018, 10:27:10 AM »
That's the one. The business is Tc-Gakki in Tokyo.

https://www.tcgakki.com/eng/items/?pk=089283

edwardofhuncote

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Re: buying used Gibson pickups from Japan, what do I need to know?
« Reply #9 on: October 17, 2018, 11:58:45 AM »
Now there is a picture that explains a LOT!  :)


I have never seen one irl.

hankster

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Re: buying used Gibson pickups from Japan, what do I need to know?
« Reply #10 on: October 17, 2018, 03:30:48 PM »
Are those low impedance pickups?
Live each day like your hair is on fire.

gtrguy

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Re: buying used Gibson pickups from Japan, what do I need to know?
« Reply #11 on: October 17, 2018, 07:29:42 PM »
No, just odd shaped bright Tele sounding Humbuckers wound in a V shape. I recently acquired one of these guitars that is missing the original PUPs and thought I'd like to have a set of the correct ones on hand if I ever decide to return it to original condition.

edwin

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Re: buying used Gibson pickups from Japan, what do I need to know?
« Reply #12 on: October 17, 2018, 08:36:33 PM »
Now, I get it! Cool!

gearhed289

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Re: buying used Gibson pickups from Japan, what do I need to know?
« Reply #13 on: October 18, 2018, 08:13:30 AM »
No, just odd shaped bright Tele sounding Humbuckers wound in a V shape. I recently acquired one of these guitars that is missing the original PUPs and thought I'd like to have a set of the correct ones on hand if I ever decide to return it to original condition.

I would grab them while you can. Those things have gotta be like hens teeth!

hankster

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Re: buying used Gibson pickups from Japan, what do I need to know?
« Reply #14 on: October 18, 2018, 04:04:02 PM »
I agree. Really a handful of these guitars created - grab the pickups while you can!!
Live each day like your hair is on fire.