|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| |
Due
to US regulations, we
cannot ship shell (i.e.,
mother-of-pearl and
abalone) internationally
directly from the United States.
This includes ZipFlex or
other products
containing shell, such
as inlaid titanium
bridge pins (note that
the titanium pins
without inlay are not
affected by these
regulations). |
|
| |
All
our shell is legally
obtained and is also
legal for us to ship
internationally, but
with each shipment there
are forms and fees
amounting to $250. There
is currently no de
minimis exception for
international shipments.
This means that even for
a shipment of one single
piece of ZipFlex, the
surcharge imposed by
these government
regulations would still
be $250. This has
effectively made it
impossible for us to
ship shell products
internationally. |
|
| |
There is good news on
two fronts, however:
overseas distributors
are on the way, and an
exciting new material
that can ship, without
restriction, anywhere in
the world is on the
horizon! |
|
| |
|
|
| |
 |
|
| |
We
are busy establishing
overseas distributors.
We will be able to ship
a single, large order to
these distributors, and
the extra fees (and
regular shipping costs)
on that one shipment
will be spread over the
entire order, thus
minimizing the extra
cost burden for each
small order. |
|
| |
Our new
distributor for the EU
(in Italy) is Maxmonte
Guitars. Click the
link to go to the AST EU
website, where you can
place your orders. We will do
our best to have this
European distributor
stock as many of the
popular ZipFlex shell
types and widths as
possible, and we are
also happy to work with
solo luthiers and
factories overseas to
stock what you need. |
|
| |
Please check back here
often, as I am also
working to establish a
distributor in Canada,
as well as distributors
in Asia and Australia.
Contact information for
these regions will be
posted here as soon as
it is available. |
|
| |
Please note that none of
this affects shipping
any AST shell product
within the US. Only
international orders are
affected by these US
regulations. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
 |
|
| |
We
are also working closely
with two other companies
on a very secret,
exciting and dramatic
inlay material for use
in ZipFlex and other
upcoming products like
rosettes and straight
strips. This new
material will not be
affected by any
restrictions for
international shipping.
It should be ready to
introduce late this
summer, and it will also
be available in the US
(alongside traditional
shell). |
|
| |
Thank you all for your
patronage over the last
few years, and for your
patience while we
develop these new
products and
distribution networks. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Kevin Ryan
February 2012
Westminster, California |
|
| |
|
|
