i cant believe none of you have mentioned the $7000 price tag for a 360/12 or $6700 for a 325c64.

for that kind of cash i could fly to the USA from Oz, buy a RIC and fly home. this would still work out cheaper then allans list price. considering the free trade agreement with the USA and the parity of the aussie dollar this is just crazy. the poms get the same guitar for $5000

puts ric outta reach of the average guitarist. for that kinda cash id buy vintage.

Supposedly, in America, buying an expensive foreign car, such as a Porsche, would cost less if you went over to Europe, purchase the car, and have it shipped over yourself. *Shrugs*

But yeah, I understand your struggles there. At least it is possible to purchase a Ric in Australia, though.

Not to mention the Hoodoo Gurus.

"Sure Billy's got a ' hide' charging that much!! As a fellow Aussie I see your point. I too have saved a lot of cash by importing, if you have a good honest contact or friend in America you can import and it's soooo much cheaper!

Is that really the asking price for these models here in Australia new, are you sure???? PHEW!

If they are then you are right,,,,,you could go on a holiday to the USA and bring one or 2 guitars back, and it would work out better and cost less or similar!

WOW if your correct re the price, then that seems very high, however retail outlets always charge more, I would definitely try to talk down that price, I would reminded them that the dollars is almost equal and go from there, you may get a good discount, but it depends who you talk to and their response.

To give you an example I purchased and imported a brand new 381v69/6 in MID which is fairly rare, from a contact in the USA. It cost me a total of 4K, and that included post. One can only imagine (fear) if that guitar was in an Australia music shop for sale the price tag it would have attached. I have a friend from Manhattan with his family staying at my home here in Australia at present, he has an excellent job and lives in affluence, however he baulks at the price we pay for goods here in Australia, he even says they are above N.Y prices!

I checked....... that is the asking price on line!

I dropped into Allans/Billy Hydes just to see if there were any bargains in their closing down sale. I was expecting to grab some strings, maybe a pedal etc, but they had a 360/6 fg there for $2,400. I spent about an hour pacing the streets trying to talk myself out of it but I couldn't. I just marched back in and grabbed it while I could. Always pays to have a credit card handy.