The price of "the tone"..

[funkingroovin]

I'm still unsure how to feel about this..

A little backstory-about 11/12yrs ago,one of my friends tells me "we're gonna start a band,you need to get a bass". Whatever,never played anything besides the radio,but I'm game.(how hard can it be,right?) So,I bought a Rogue 4str. starter pack,and away we went.

A month later we book our first gig.Found out real quick,the Rogue couldn't cut thru the mix(heavy metal+I was plugged thru the pa) My drummer had a cousin that played bass,and he lent me his gear for the next show.So it went for about a year..Practice w/my Rogue,play live w/buddies gear.(I did end up getting a MIM P-Bass to emulate my borrowed gear)

Fast forward- I had purchased a cheap Ibanez to use as a back-up/leave at practice guitar a few years back,and decided to give it a re-fin.The buddie who lent me his gear yrs ago hears it,sees it,and buys one just like it.

His Ibanez gets some minor upgrades,and becomes his main player.

Here's the kicker...His old bass happens to be a 40th Aniv. Fen. P. He loves the finish on his Ibby,but loves the re-fin I gave mine. Last night he shows up at our gig and tells me "Hey bring your Ibanez w/you to practice Wed. and I'll trade you for "that ol' P sittin in my closet".

!!! That "ol P" is worth FAR more than a 9yr old GSR190,for God's sake,he's got it in a '63 Fen. hardcase thats a 9 /10 !!!

And did I mention,my Ibanez has a 7" split in the neck?Which is why I haven't played it in a while,and,according to him, "why not trade,you don't use that one,and I don't use this one anymore..."

I pointed out several times that ,brand new,the cost of my Ibby is the same as the cost of a good gigbag + the neck is SPLIT! He doesn't care because the Ibby has the sound and the look he wants.

I think I'll make the trade,of course,but man,I feel like I'm screwing this guy over w/his permission! What do you guys think I should do? Truth be told,I'm not sure my conscience will let me..

[xxfaux_punkxx]

you pointed out the flaws and the price difference. He doesn't care. No harm no foul

[Doouglas]

Yeah i agree with Faux.

You have told him what's wrong with the Ibanez and he still want's it, It's no problem to trade then.

[Cannabass]

do it up man

[Cannabass]

oh and pics!

[funkingroovin]

^yeah,thats how I reasoned it out too,just needed to be sure my own selfish interests weren't clouding my vision And we'll see...I got my p.o.s. all packed up,waiting for Wednesday

[Stumbo]

I'd write it up so you can document ownership for future ref.

[David Pinton]

^ true that, you don't to have him call the cops later, saying you stole his precious bass.

[XXL]

I agree about getting it in writing.

[dtaylor]

It sounds like you've taken great care to explain the $ difference, but your friend is in love with the tone of the Ibanez. As such, consider the trade win/win.

[jpTron]

yeah i'd totally do it. you covered all basses

[Exploiter8]

It's possible the guy is just a good dude! He did, after all, let you use his gear for a year, didn't he! I bet he views you as a good dude, too!

X8

[FuzzBoxVoodoo]

He said "basses" ha-ha-ha-ha
Sorry I had to do it.

Originally Posted by jpTron

yeah i'd totally do it. you covered all basses

[Gopherbassist]

They're just pieces of wood that have been painted and had hunks of metal screwed to them. Their only value is the value their owner attaches to them.

[funkingroovin]

@ Exploiter8-- That's the prob. He IS a really nice guy. Not the sharpest tool,but has your back,no questions. I'm sure everybody has one of these friends. Last summer I was selling a bottom 15cab,he said he wanted it,and insisted on giving me half again what I was asking because "..I checked,and thats what they're goin for.." And he's not rich by any means. Just a simple "fair is fair" kind of guy.

As pointed out,He obviously thinks it's it's a "fair" trade,we both win. He's actually mentioned this before,but that was at a Christmas Bash,at about 4 in the morning,hip-deep in X-Mas Cheer and B.S. (my wife remembered this)

I feel like a tool for considering it,but I'd be a dumb*** not to. And I should mention I've offered cash from my end, but "..it's not money,it's a bass for a bass.."

Man,I don't know...

[funkingroovin]

The wife just wanted me to let you guys know her vote is "I be a dumb*** not to"

[Alduroth]

Your wife is smart.

You would be a dumb**** not to.

[R. Laevinus]

Originally Posted by Gopherbassist

Their only value is the value their owner attaches to them.

Yeah, that and the quantity of money that can be extracted from other would-be owners in exchange for said ownership.

[funkingroovin]

^ Very true,but if I do this I could never sell it...While he's alive

[funkingroovin]

He just called me to tell me he can't get a sitter for practice tomorrow,why don't I swing over now since I'm not busy?

I already feel guilty,and I haven't even put my shoes on.

Well,let's go see how this works out...I know he'd let me make payments,if I can get past his insufferable good nature...