morganj

Guys,

For all those budding and experienced musicians out there!

I've got a thread on the Immigration forum for importing acoustic guitars and nearly cr*pped myself when I read some of the guidelines by Aussie Quarantine website (aqis). :scared:

Is there no way to prevent the pending torture on my lovely guitar?

Can you please give me the lowdown on importing guitars?

Link: http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...hreadid=226852

Thanks all!

Larissa

pop to the top - anyone out there know?

anya4oz

Can't help, and more's the pity, as we will have the same problem, so I'd like to know, too. Have been told 'don't bother' about pianos - so will be on the prowl for a decent Concert Grand once we arrive in Melbourne; bet they cost a *small fortune* there, though.....

Maybe one option is simply to board the plane carrying the guitar, & regale the passengers/crew with a jolly song or two, to while away the long journey (or hand said instrument to the nearest nun, as in the movie 'Airplane')....

Geezzzz....

Anya.

cadabra

As i am tone deaf and musically challenged, this problem would never enter my life, but its an interesting question. Would a guitar be allowed as hand luggage due to its length and odd shape?

seang

Do a search for the poster "theguitardoctor" and PM him he should be able to give you some info.Doesnt post to much now but does seem to be around every now and again so possibly he will pick up your PM and reply.

wmoore

Anya, that's your second Airplane gag this week. Have you been digging the old classics out again?

PS I've got Airplane and Airplane 2 on DVD if you need reminding just how great these films are

Larissa

Aww bother - why not pianos? I've been thinking of taking mine and this is the first I heard!

anya4oz

I just love Airplane - my fave movie. I used to be able to recite whole chunks of it. A year or so back I was flying from SFO to Seattle & there was a guy with a guitar on the plane, also a nun, and a fish option on the menu, so everyone was in hysterics as you can imagine....



Anya.

wmoore

All you needed was a doctor called Shirley.....

anya4oz

Apparently being put in the container all that time's horrible for them; the poor things sweat & you can never get them really in tune again (so I'm told)....

What we need is some of Hev's Tupperware to ship them in

Also my Mom has a theory that the Northern European pianos (eg Steinways, Bosies etc) never sound right in warmer climes anyway.

YIKES! Another big expense then...

Anya.

Pollster

Oh shit - hubby's precious accoustic has been sitting in warehouses and containers for the past nine weeks and arrived in NZ yesterday - we get out mitts on it in a couple of weeks.

I don't think I will tell him about this thread.

Larissa

I'm sure I saw a site for vacuum packing huge items (e.g. motorbikes etc) when I was going through my vacu-storage obsessive thing... so I will investigate... don't hold your breath though!

Larissa

Plus you could get some of those big bags of silica gel... thinking about it, my mate took her piano.. I will have to ask her

morganj

Thanks guys and gals for the input!

I will talk with TheGuitarDoctor and let you know if I get some feedback. I’ve also sent an email to the Quarantine group and will await a succinct summary of their massive thesis on the properties and intricacies of wood. Like “Can I take my guitar unscathed?� Yes or No!

If you look on the other thread some people have talked about slinging the guitar on their back or even just carrying it through customs without anything to declare. I'm not sure I'd risk that since I'm unsure of the legitimacy of this. But then if not the flight crew, your could always regale the customs and exercise workers with a rendition of Kumbaya? Maybe they won’t be that entertained at all and will let you though on malice with intent of murder!!! ;D

Here's the other link:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...postid=1389632

Zebra4

Bring as many guitars in to Oz as you wish. We did. It's preserved wood so no dramas. Acoustic guitar has travelled around the world, and yes it still sounds OK!