Epi Elitists in Australia

[enriquo91]

Hi everyone! I'm a newbie to the forum, just turned 17, been playing about 4-5 years and about to become the proud owner of an Epiphone G-1275 hopefully this week:d/

 

BUT! Before I settled on this purchase, I originally intended on getting myself an Elitist Les Paul Custom (preferably in the Alpine White finish - just looks absolutely stunning). After many hours of research I discovered that the Elitist range was pulled from Australian shelves several years ago because the distributor was asking Gibson prices for them while on Musicians Friend (Who aren't allowed to ship Epiphone products internationally) are selling them for a little over a grand.. (Which is completely unfair and don't get me started on the prices of musical instruments here in Aus, not to mention ridiculous customs charges).

 

I'm just wondering if there are any Australian Elitist owners here in the forum and would like to know how they got their hands on them if they were purchased after these great guitars were discontinued in our market. It would be great to see a return of the Elitist line in Australia at decent prices, otherwise is there anywhere us Australians would be able to buy one of these beauties?

[JefferySmith]

The shipping charges alone for buying outside of Australia would be enough to kill the deal. I considered buying a guitar made in Australia about 10 years ago. Shipping was out of this world, in part due to the length and shape of the box (air mail).

[enriquo91]

Not having a product available locally is a real shame, not to mention when the only means of acquiring one is by ordering from overseas. Shipping prices are ridiculous aren't they? What's more is that us aussies have to pay extra at customs, my mate got stung with an additional $700 when it arrived. I can't even find a dealer overseas that'll ship Epiphone's to Australia, let alone Elitists.

 

I have tried several times to have an Elitist put on special order at several music stores in my city, one guy just threw up his hands and said "GET A GIBSON! THEY'RE ON SPECIAL!!!"...but $4500? Just a tad bit out of my price range (darn aussie prices). One place hadn't even heard of the Elitist line! *Sigh* I wonder why they're so expensive here? Just makes it that much harder for us young musicians.

 

*I'd like to add that the Gibson price was for a Les Paul Custom, down from the RRP of $6299 - I'm GASing for a LP Custom so bad...

[acewarslave]

there was an elitist on ebay not that long ago not the alpine white..but i hear u on price..but that said i paid $1250.00 for 1988 tobacco burst les paul custom usa just 2 month ago...bargain here in oz..there out there just be careful..i bought fake ace frehley epi i thougt was real,.

[colimodio]

Bummer!! Please, let me ask: ordering from a closer supplier that resells used stuff, Ordering from Music stores located in Japan, Europe, and not just from USA? can it be done?

 

Another one would be: your "best friend" from USA "Visiting Oz".. comes with a gorgeous Les Paul or 335...what kind of tax would he be paying? Can he "go back" with not the same guitar?

<---(see avatar)

 

I love to try to beat the system..i hear they let Nissan Skylines from before 2001 come in? Man ...

anyway, good luck 2U

[epilover9568]

there was an elitist on ebay not that long ago not the alpine white..but i hear u on price..but that said i paid $1250.00 for 1988 tobacco burst les paul custom usa just 2 month ago...bargain here in oz..there out there just be careful..i bought fake ace frehley epi i thougt was real' date='.[/quote']

 

1250... I take it that is US dollars... Where did you buy that ?? Newspaper/internet ad ? Ebay ? Relative ? Drug Addict ?

[acewarslave]

na epilover9568 thats in australian dollars bought the guitar off ebay.. ijust missed out on a nice orville,and to say i was slightly pissoff u bet..so i thought ill go check the gibson section.the had just poted the guitar with a $1000 start bid or buy now 4 $1250 so i wasnt going to let it getaway...no druggos involved[-x