Two guitars I'm not crazy about (but of value) for trade for another Ball?

[Benji Peterson]

Regardless of what I have the answer seems obvious. TRADE. The whole story is I have an American Deluxe strat 50th Anniversary model that I bartered in trade for some studio time. I'm not crazy about this guitar. I tried selling it for $1100 on a few boards with no luck and don't feel like taking less than that for it. Additionally, I have another guitar that I enjoy but isn't up to the build quality of a single EBMM guitar. It's a 2010 Gibson ES359 in Pelham Blue.
Here's where I'm at. I tried convincing myself that the strat was a necessary and useful part of the stable but after comparing it with my Albert Lee MM90 w/rosewood neck it was obvious that it simply has no place in the lot. The EBMM is easier to play, sounds as bright and chimey as the strat (and much better over some dirt), and infinitely more inspiring to play. So... the strat deserves the axe....
The 359 is a nice guitar but worth no where near what I paid for it in terms of build quality. It is my only hollow body though and does a nice job of inspiring some creative playing. It's a nice color and looks super sharp but doesn't get played as much as the balls.
Last month I bought a JP12-7. I love it! Great instrument. I was kicking around the idea of trading these two non-EBMM guitars for a JP at my local Guitar Center. I don't know that they'll straight trade but even if they did I'm losing on the bottom line. I think the strat is worth at least $1200 and the 359 at least $2500. I'd consider a normal loaded JP6 or hopefully even a JPX w/roasted or something.
IF they were to do the trade, should I? I know ultimately it's my decision but I'd like to get some feedback from you guys. Thanks!

-Benny

 

[Benji Peterson]

I guess a good question for you guys who have dealt with Guitar Center before is whether or not I'm realistic on my trade projections or if they even consider trades like that. Thanks.

 

[Rufedges]

The thing with thinking something is worth a certain value is it is only worth that value if somebody will pay it.......if they won't, then regardless of what you paid for it, think it is worth, book-listed at, etc, unfortunately in the real-world and this economy, it is not. See what GC will give you, maybe better off having 1 guitar you enjoy than 1 that is OK and one you don't use at all. Maybe try ebay first, but some guitars aren't just in demand, and there are a billion Fender Strats out there for sale. Good luck.

 

[DrKev]

Don't get hung up on the bottom line. I think your pricing on the two guitars are too high. Besides, you've already tested the waters with the strat and proved it. Now remember that in many stores, trades will be offered at maybe 50% or 60% the value that they think they can get for the instruments, without them sitting around for too long. If you can't sell them at a certain price, they probably won't either. And nobody wants two used guitars on a wall in place of one new one.

I'd go in there with your two guitars and see what they'll do. I suspect you'll be disappointed at what they'll offer you on a trade but to me personally, it wouldn't matter what the values are. The convenience of a trade in a store has a value too. If I get one better quality guitar in place of two I don't use (and no longer have to try selling) the monetary value doesn't have to add up.

 

[tommydude]

DrKev is right.

GC will give you 50% of value. The bottom line would be for you as a player to decide.
If the other guitars are not used, then let them go. It is time to move on to something better.

 

[glockaxis]

Just dump them for any JP. I think they will value the Gibson high and the Fender a little lower. People will pay outrageous prices for anything Gibson.

 

[jzeijen]

I would try to sell the Gibson yourself and take the Fender as a trade in to the GC. On the other hand, I traded two other guitars for my Reflex. If I had sold them separately I might have gotten more out of it. But it's not that easy in the current guitar market. In the end I was satisfied with the trade, so it worked out.

 

[FantasyMetal]

I'd go in there with your two guitars and see what they'll do. I suspect you'll be disappointed at what they'll offer you on a trade but to me personally, it wouldn't matter what the values are. The convenience of a trade in a store has a value too. If I get one better quality guitar in place of two I don't use (and no longer have to try selling) the monetary value doesn't have to add up.

This is largely my philosophy as well.

Also, I think you can walk out of there with a fully loaded JP6 for those two, you'd probably have to put some money down for a JPX. That's just based on my experiences at my local GC. Hope it works out for you!

 

[beej]

If you've decided you're done with them, move 'em. Forget what you paid, they're only worth what someone else will pay.

I'd probably see what GC offers you (less than you want), and perhaps try selling them online for more than that, but less that you'd originally priced them at. Everything sells at the right price.

 

[Benji Peterson]

Lots of good points here and an obvious reality check. Still though, I can't quite shake the truth of the 'bottom line'. I know what I have in the Gibson. Too much! Ha. Still though, I'd rather sell them myself for market value, whatever that happens to be, than let GC decide what they feel they're worth in a trade. I don't mind losing my ass a little but not any more than I have to. On top of all that, my local GC doesn't really have a JP in stock that I'm excited about. A sky blue JP, and a JPX roasted. I don't want to have to bother with asking them to bring in another guitar etc. We'll see how it goes on a direct sale. Perhaps I'll raise enough scratch to afford another JP12. Worth a try.

 

[Vovka]

GC will rip you off on the trade value. Try selling them on Craigslist - you'll earn more than GC will offer.

 

[yellowv03]

GC has to make money. They are not going to pay you retail value for a used guitar. Your best bet is trying to sell them and taking a bit of a loss. If you trade them in you will likely get around half their value as said earlier.

 

[pearlredburst]

DrKev is right.

GC will give you 50% of value. The bottom line would be for you as a player to decide.
If the other guitars are not used, then let them go. It is time to move on to something better.

On a side note from what I actually plan to say, I would like to respond to this first. I work at GC, am a manager and am consistently frustrated with the customer service issues that are created when someone comes in the store assuming that they will get a certain percentage of whatever the value is. There is no written rule to determine what to offer someone on a used instrument. I'll say that again. THERE IS NO WRITTEN RULE TO DETERMINE WHAT TO OFFER SOMEONE ON A USED INSTRUMENT. I work at a store, which last year (and many other years) was the #1 store in the CHAIN for dealing with used gear, that includes the hollywood store - needless to say, I, as well as the other members of our store have been trained extremely well on how to give a fair amount of money for an instrument - whether it is drums, guitars, keyboards, basses, pedals etc, and trouble arises when someone assumes they will receive a percentage of value for it before any assessing has been done. I just heard a story the other day about a guy who had a Les Paul, wanted 400 bucks for it and walked away with 800 because that was what it was worth. Keep in mind that you will also get 10% off whatever it is you trade towards....so, if the JP you want is 2500 bucks, you will get the value of your instruments, PLUS an extra 250 bucks off. GC is also offering 12 months no interest financing right now, which may be something to consider.

If it was me buying in your guitars I see absolutely no reason that a straight trade couldn't work out...the strat isn't worth anywhere near what the gibson is worth, but that doesn't matter. what matters is that the numbers all work out. If you are trading towards something, they almost always want to make the deal work, especially if it makes sense for both parties.


I promise I'm not trying to come of as a jerk to the guy I quoted here, but there are lots of forums online with posts by people that think because they got a deal a certain way once, that it works that way every single time. It just doesn't. In most cases, yes, the trade most likely doesn't get you what you want, but thats because in the mind of the customer, their squire that they've had since a they were 12, bought a new neck, pickups, bridge, tuners and saddles for is worth a HECK of a lot more to them then it is to someone else.

I truly wish you well on your trade endeavor, and if you happen to live in the New England area, PM me, and I can work with getting you all set up.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

Ben, look around at what prices are everywhere. I nearly bought a used 2010 Deluxe strat at a GC for $899 before any negotiation, in perfect condition and sienna sunburst.....so I would not expect you're getting anywhere near what you're looking for. Some of the other web sites out there have for sale/wanted/trade sections. I did a strat trade and ended up with an Axis Supersport. I attempted to do another trade just yesterday, but was too late as the dude put his Al HH on eBay. You might get what you're looking for. Be ready for all kinds of crazy trade offers. I had one guy who would not give up trying to trade his bomber coat for a guitar.

It is worth a try to trade at GC or Music Go Round. They'll at least make an offer.

 

[Benji Peterson]

Good news. Gibson sold while I was watching Prometheus, which was awesome! So I've got a nice chunk of cash to work with and might possibly trade cash and the strat toward a BFR or something. Question to the manager guy from the New England area GC. Can I trade for something that isn't in the store? Could I have them order me in a JP12 or something? Lastly, I got my asking price for the Gibson which was $2200.

 

[shredhed]

That's great considering new 359s are going new for what $2300?

 

[Benji Peterson]

Well there were only 100 made in the 359 in 2010 as part of a special production for the NAMM show. I paid $3400. What a waste.

 

[pearlredburst]

hey ben,

they should be able to get you anything. once you trade your guitar, it's as good as cash. put it this way...if the salesman wants to earn the commission he will do anything in his power to get you the right guitar...technically you can get what you want from any store and from any salesman...

 

[Benji Peterson]

Sold the strat on my way to GC. Lol. Time for a purple JP!

 

[guitarp77]

Fair price.

That is the best thing to keep in mind.

Don´t be either a "free giver" neither a "miser"...if you feel what you´re being paid for the guitars is fair (considering that sentimental value is not objective) then go for it...

Good luck!