Would you keep it or would you trade it?

waltschwarzkopf

waltschwarzkopf

New member
Hi guys,

Sorry for posting so often, but when I have doubts about gear I know this is the place to go. I really appreciate all the help I’m getting from you.

Anyways, I recently acquired a guitar worth 1500CHF for a very small fraction of that price; let’s say that I got lucky. I like the way it looks, sounds and plays. BUT I don’t LOVE her.

Just out of curiosity I went to the shop where it was purchased 3 months ago and they offered me half the value in store credit in case I wanted to sell her to them. The store is quite expensive, so there’s not a lot that you can get with that. I had my eyes on a Gibson LP 50s Tribute, which I could get giving up the other and paying 150CHF, which means I’d get a new Gibson Les Paul for about 300 bucks, which is a pretty sweet deal.

I already have a Les Paul, which I love and is my main guitar and would never give it up. Therefore the interest in another, which is physically identical (except for the color) but with different pickups. Mine is a Studio Faded with a custom paint job.

My dilemma is whether:

A: I should keep the guitar and give it a chance, knowing that it may not be played much. And probably be sold in the future for hopefully more than half of it’s value. (No idea about this or if it will sell.)

B: I should trade it for something that I like more and will surely play often and take to the studio and hopefully gig it. Even though my “profit” would be smaller if I ever want to sell it. (A LP will sell faster here.)

What do you think? I remember one of you telling me that guitars are meant to be played and not to be traded, so I’d hate to see her gathering dust on a corner. I know I’d be doing a bad trade, as the guitar I’d be giving up is of higher price and possibly higher quality. But those are the store’s conditions. I can always keep it and see what happens.

Cheers,
Walter


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Re: Would you keep it or would you trade it?

If you're gonna sell it, sell it online. Not many places will buy it off you for a good price, they have to turn a profit you know. I say wait until you know for certain you don't want it. Most of us here have sold a guitar without a lot of thought spent on the decision only to end up regretting it. You don't seem to have any monetary pressures to force you to rush, so take your time on the decision.
 
Re: Would you keep it or would you trade it?

I agree… If you don’t HAVE to rush, then don’t. Just like any other courtship, take a little time to get to know her and see if anything develops. Worst case scenario is that you find yourself in the same place as you are now, but later. Best case is that you find that you really DO end up bonding with it and you have a great guitar.

I also agree with Chistopher about selling it online if it comes to that. A dealer or music store will NEVER give you what it’s worth. Unless you are in a hurry to move it, you’ll be much better off selling it yourself.

What kind of guitar are we talking about anyway?
 
Re: Would you keep it or would you trade it?

Take your time, and get rid of it for something you LOVE. I only keep guitars I am absolutely in love with. If you have the patience to wait for the right buyer, use the time to research the exact perfect guitar for you.
 
Re: Would you keep it or would you trade it?

If this is the guitar that you want to trade for the Gibson Lucille...

Sit down and make a list of what you don't like about your guitar...neck shape, weight, ergonomics, tone, hardware? Figure it out. What are the differences between it and your Les Paul...a guitar you love?

Then figure out what can be fixed, and what can't. A set up can work wonders on some guitars; not so much on others. Pickups can improve tone, but if you're fighting ergonomics or dealing with a guitar that won't stay in tune...you could be beating a dead horse.

Sometimes a guitar is more, or in this case less, than what the spec sheet would indicate. I've had guitars like that and the "less than" ones drove me crazy.

Then figure out if you REALLY prefer the Lucille. Can you deal with the weight? Does it feel good? Playability, ergonomics, and yes...consider resale.

Write it down...it may help you figure it out when you see it on paper.

Had a similar situation in 1979. I had a Gibson ES-150DCN, a beautiful guitar indeed, but it just drove me nuts. Would not play in tune, would not stay in tune. Would feedback like a banshee. Didn't sound good through the only amp I had...just not a good combination. Fingerboard too narrow for comfortable chording. It was expensive, beautiful and blonde...but no matter what I did she just didn't work for me. Then one day I tried out one of the new Music Man Sabre II guitars, and that was it. Played it for 30 minutes, went home and got the Gibson and made the trade. No regrets, except I took a big loss in the trade. But it evened out over the years...I paid the rent for a long time with the Sabre.

If you can define what it is that you like and don't like you're almost there. It was a watershed moment for me, and at the time, the Sabre was the perfect guitar for me. I wouldn't just dump your guitar, but if you are reasonably sure that the Lucille is goung to work for you...go for it.

Good luck.

Bill
 
Re: Would you keep it or would you trade it?

What guitar is it
Some expensive guitars don't hold the value

Some you simply wish you had back

I know some of mine have been rediscovered
And what mattered at one point of the process

Is no longer relevant, and I want that tone and feel of the "lost " one

Maybe it's sentimental

I don't know I would try to bond with it
 
Re: Would you keep it or would you trade it?

No hasty decisions. If you truly don't bond with or play a guitar (and it has no sentimental value), getting rid of it is usually a good move. However, the worst thing you can do is get impatient and make a poor trade. You have other guitars to play, so take your time and get the maximum value you can out of the guitar. Always try to improve your position.

You have several irons in the fire recently. Sit back a bit and take time to make a good decision.
 
Re: Would you keep it or would you trade it?

Thanks a lot for all your comments, I'm glad that we can all agree on the same. I also spoke with my best friend and former bandmate, as he has many guitars an knows how to appreciate them for what they are.

I will keep it and give her a chance, maybe we do bond and I keep it forever. If not, like you said, I can always sell it later. But since I don't HAVE to rush, there's no point in making a poor trade at the shop. If they had offered 1-for-1 trade, maybe I would have taken it, but not if I have to give up something superior and also pay more.
 
Re: Would you keep it or would you trade it?

I've learned it hard way to never rush a deal. There's always something better to come along...

When you absolutely know you want, it's easy to just sit on it and wait. Once you find that deal; you can jump on it without need to hastily figure out whether or not to take it.
 
Re: Would you keep it or would you trade it?

Nice looking guitar. Maybe you could make an even trade on Craigslist.
 
Re: Would you keep it or would you trade it?

I would keep er. Chinese or American? Assuming Asian, but you never know, you could change tastes and could spark some interest
 
Re: Would you keep it or would you trade it?

Starfire? $1200 new on Amazone
 
Re: Would you keep it or would you trade it?

Starfire? $1200 new on Amazone If you arent gonna play it, sell it . Its not going to raise in value. If you arent strapped for cash, list it in fleabay or here. Stores never gonna to give what you could get elsewhere.
 
Re: Would you keep it or would you trade it?

Wow, it really sells for $1200? That's a good amount of cash if the OP wants to sell. I know it won't bring quite that much, but it will still be a nice chunk of change. A store will give you half of what it's worth..... max. Some stores will actually try to steal it from you.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
 
Would you keep it or would you trade it?

Yes, here it sells for 1200CHF online and 1500CHF on a store. The store where it was bought offered me half the value if I traded it in and bought something more expensive, and he made it sound like they were doing me a favour... And a local scammer / dishonest reseller offered me 500CHF as soon as I put the ad, to which I obviously didn’t even bother to reply. So I know that I shouldn’t sell it for less than half if it’s new value. I’ll see how it goes, the ad is up and for this short time I’ve had one person interested. In the worst case scenario, I keep a good guitar for a fraction of it’s price.

But I cross my finger that it sells soon and for a good price, after all it is new and also a good instrument.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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