Disappointing product range in NZ

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MakoGat
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Disappointing product range in NZ

Post by MakoGat »

Is it just me or is the range of gear available in NZ stores lacking / boring / hard to get???

So many times ive had hard cash in my pocket out looking for a particular and relatively "common" product and visiting the big 3 stores to find nothing available or little options of an equivalent. Im even talking simple things like decent effects patch cables, if I need a few on the spot im screwed. (yes I should be making my own)

Are we all buying in our own stuff from overseas?

Ive just searched Auckland for 3 options on popular perhaps common amp heads released in the last year or two and there is only one of the three in the country and only one single head available in the whole country, now im looking at buying offshore.

Frustrating.

I think Im going to have to do something about this. Watch this space.

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Re: Disappointing product range in NZ

Post by Dharmajester »

MakoGat wrote:Is it just me or is the range of gear available in NZ stores lacking / boring / hard to get???
Nah, it's not you :wtf:
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Re: Disappointing product range in NZ

Post by slash-ed »

What amp brands are you talking about?

Things that look popular on the internet (or in a certain region, like Chapman in Europe for example) may not be that viable economically for a small, faraway country like NZ.
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Re: Disappointing product range in NZ

Post by jeremyb »

Low volume stuff has to be high margin and the population here isn't large enough to support it :(
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Re: Disappointing product range in NZ

Post by Kev77 »

It’s the price of living at the end of the world.
"Cash on the ballot, money to burn, Dealey Plaza, make a left-hand turn" Bob Dylan is a genius

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Re: Disappointing product range in NZ

Post by MakoGat »

slash-ed wrote:What amp brands are you talking about?

Things that look popular on the internet (or in a certain region, like Chapman in Europe for example) may not be that viable economically for a small, faraway country like NZ.
Fender, H&K, Peavey, ENGL, Victory small tube heads 15 -30 W (no I dont want Blackstar/no offence)

Im putting together a complete rig, amp, cab, pedalboard, pedals, cable etc and Id say 80% of it I cant get here. Sure some of it is oddball with a few boutique things thrown in but a large sum of cash is about to go overseas.

Ive been making some dealer enquiries overseas......

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Re: Disappointing product range in NZ

Post by godgrinder »

MW blew out everything Engl for cheap 2-3 years ago, I don't think they're bringing in anything new. Most of the local metalcore bands that used Engl 10 years ago are using digital multi fx now so I think that sector of the market is long gone here. Pretty cheap to order them from Thomann though.

Peavey and Victory dealers are pretty active on trademe. They probably just aren't sending any to the usual suspects.
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Re: Disappointing product range in NZ

Post by Single coil »

There was a place in Albany called kosmic sound who appear to have vanished and serve only West Island now. Guess the warranty on my bandit is now void :mental:
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Re: Disappointing product range in NZ

Post by mrmofo »

20 years ago, when I arrived here in NZ I was frustrated as fark with just about everything. once I found my way around, found a few good people I realised there are heaps of great bargains. remain positive, you will be able to put together a brilliant rig if you shop around.
There are still some that think the neck PU is moved to accommodate the extra frets which only proves they cannot detect the difference in length of each.

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Re: Disappointing product range in NZ

Post by KNNZ »

I just went to RS Takapuna and RS Albany
Boring... Lol

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Re: Disappointing product range in NZ

Post by werdna »

I was used to NZ shops. When I went to the Guitar Centre in LA, I was so excited that a small amount of urine escaped into my trousers.
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Re: Disappointing product range in NZ

Post by Capt. Black »

werdna wrote:I was used to NZ shops. When I went to the Guitar Centre in LA, I was so excited that a small amount of urine escaped into my trousers.
Yeah but you go to any town in the USA with a similar population to towns here and you won't find anything better that we have.
I did a tour of guitar shops in Austin, Texas some years back and it was like I'd walked into branches of RS or MW. There was nothing different. Same in the UK. Same in Japan. Apart from a few MMMMMMAAAAAAJJJJJORRRRR specialist stores, it's boring everywhere.

On the other hand, the amount of vintage gear in second hand stores was mind blowing!

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Re: Disappointing product range in NZ

Post by Molly »

I tried to buy my Victory head through the NZ dealer but his 'You will do this at my convenience so must wait until it suits me to sell you one' attitude had me ordering from Andertons. Arrived within a few days and was a bit cheaper.

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Re: Disappointing product range in NZ

Post by mrmofo »

problem I have found is in NZ it is almost impossible to sell a Hamer for any where near its worth.
personal problem, no one cares. would rather have a new relic than a classic. boooooooo
There are still some that think the neck PU is moved to accommodate the extra frets which only proves they cannot detect the difference in length of each.

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Re: Disappointing product range in NZ

Post by godgrinder »

Capt. Black wrote:
werdna wrote:I was used to NZ shops. When I went to the Guitar Centre in LA, I was so excited that a small amount of urine escaped into my trousers.
Yeah but you go to any town in the USA with a similar population to towns here and you won't find anything better that we have.
Hollywood GC is more of an exception than the rule (apparently most of the cool/vintage stuff that got traded in at other stores get sent there). Nothing exciting in the San Fran and New York ones.
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Fryette Pittbull CL | Marshall 2203KK | Krank Rev 50 | Mesa Mark 2A

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VHT/Fryette GP3, GP/DI & 2/90/2 | Peters FSM/Chimera
Verellen Meatsmoke | Synergy SYN1 | Mesa Studio

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