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I think I read somewhere that the FWS will exempt any shell shipment if it's personal item. Does that extend to unused shell products? (not installed in guitars)

Also I will be shipping some wood back, some african blackwood, bubinga, and indian rosewood. Anything I need to watch for?

I'll be mailing them before I leave because I don't want extra questions should they decide to search my baggage.

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

Are you a US citizen? If not are you on a work visa? (dont need to answer that on here, but consider those questions) If on a visa, and guitar building is not your work, I'd be more concerned about bringing in commercial goods. I think you'd want to be "hobby only", and the goods are your personal hobby supply, with no intent to sell, repair, etc. If you are a citizen, then it wouldn't matter.

Call F&W at the port you plan to enter at for advice on the shell, and keep records of what they told you, and who you spoke with.

Permits required.

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Lance Peck

The wood is probably easier, unless it's CITES restricted. Just ship it to someone and pay the import fees when you land. As for the shell, I'd just sell it, and buy more when you land.

I'll be showing serious immigration intent at the port of entry. They can't refuse me on that ground because I'm coming in on an immigration visa.

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

Welcome to the USA! Where will you be settling?

I don't know... I'm thinking Houston, Austin, or Nashville... as well as Denver.

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

Tai-Fu I live just sixty miles from Nashville. Hope you choose to settle around here.


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I guess I just need to know what job prospect there are as far as luthiery is concerned there.

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

It's Nashville. There are 14,578 guitar pickers in Nashville. Lots of name builders. So the competition would be fierce. You could become luthier to the stars. But I think they already have their luthiers picked out. I just wanted a similar minded neighbor. Good luck wherever you go


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Yea name any place where competition aren't fierce... I will most likely focus on repairs, setup, etc. anyways.

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

Not to discourage you. But repairs is a tough business as well. It would be cool to hook up with a roadshow and travel as the guitar tech.


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You guys are such a sourpuss. You are really making me regret coming over. Or is this a way of discouraging newcomers?

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

Forgive me for being extremely puzzled by this ... I too went through the immigration process, and one of the things that they insisted upon knowing was where my place of residence would be.

Normally it would be with the member of your family (who is already a US citizen) who acted as your petitioner/sponsor, who also has to show that they are financially able to look after you.

Reality is a bummer I know.


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I will be staying at Fremont CA but I don't want to stay there the whole time because it is extremely expensive to live there. By living somewhere not so expensive I lessen my chance of becoming a burden to my family as well as the government. Though honestly I don't mind living in the SF bay area if I could afford it, the air is nice, and the weather is never too hot or too cold. It also has one of the best public transport in the nation, which is a plus for me as Taiwan has a very good public transportation network. As far as I know there is no requirement to live with your family unless it was a spousal visa, since I was being sponsored by my father and not a wife. Correct me if I'm wrong but don't most Americans live apart from their parents when they come of age? Also just because they live in a different state doesn't mean they can't support me if necessary. If you got a spousal visa then of course there's a requirement to live with your spouse, as it is customary in the American (or every other) culture, unless you are separated.

Yes they do insist on a place of residence that's normally with your family, but once you get there as long as you notify the Department of Homeland Security of any changes in address before 90 days after you move, they should not have a problem with this.

And also please, I know reality sucks but what I hear people here say every time someone asks if it's easy to get into guitarmaking/woodworking/medical/engineering/computer they always say it's tough. Name one industry where it isn't tough, it pays well, and there's no competition and EVERYONE will swarm that industry. Yea, of course it will be tough and even repairs will be easy but that's why there's HARD WORK. Even Frank Ford, when asked why he'd make a website on his methods (rather than keep it a secret) said that anyone who works hard enough and becomes as good as he is through his site deserves some respect. But when I just see nothing but sourpuss comments insinuating how impossible it is to make a living as a luthier, that's over the top. No one's going to get rich quick on this but it's good making an honest living doing what I love.

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

I talked to someone at Martin many years ago about becoming one of their certified repair folks. They purposely limit the number in any region but they had some openings at the time in other places than where I live. It didn't seem that the qualifications for the work were hard to meet and they do some of their own training at the factory. If you don't mind locating where they have an opening, it would seem that their repair designation would guarantee you a fair amount of business. If you feel like you have the chops, why not give them a call?

Ok, I guess I could talk to Martin but I'd imagine they want me to be established first before they would want to extend the qualification. I don't think I'm going to race to establish just to hope someone else didn't beat me to the punch.

I guess they don't want too many authorized repair center in one area because it would confuse people, not to mention piss off existing service centers with increased competition. I'll call them as soon as I get into the country however... pretty confident that I have the chops.

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

Fremont is a nice place. But expensive as you say. Central Valley and Northern California would be a nice place to settle. I grew up there. Not as nice now as then but where is? Enjoy America Tai. Glad to have you.


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