• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

One Weekend Spent Trading Basses

Ferrport

Ferrport

Feb 12, 2017
12
11
Toronto, Canada
ferrport.com
#1
I had an Ibanez BTB 670 up for sale, because I recently bought the BTB 745 5 string. I explained to my wife that the sale would offset the cost of the purchase. Everybody's happy. IMG_6274.JPG
Friday: Responder replied suggesting a trade, instead of a purchase. Wife was not impressed. I explained that the suggested trade would be more marketable, would sell, and offset the recent purchase.
Saturday: Drove to a city 2 hrs away to trade for a 4 string Fender MIM Jazz 70's reissue. He was happy, I was OK with it, but figured it would be easier to sell.image1.JPG
Sunday: Put the MIM up for sale. Noticed a 5 string I really liked, suggested a straight trade. Drove back to the same city, traded the 4 string Jazz for a 2013 Fender Deluxe Active Jazz Bass V MIM 5 string. IMG_6408.JPG
Result: 3 basses in one weekend, no cash changed hands. Everyone is (seems) happy! Now, how to explain...
 

Attachments

  • IMG_6274.JPG
    IMG_6274.JPG
    927.1 KB · Views: 85
  • Like
Reactions: mmon77, lowdownthump, el jeffe bass and 2 others
#6
There's really only one piece of information left out of the story. And it's really none of my business so it's more of an "ask yourself" kind of thing.

What's your financial situation? Are you guys living paycheck to paycheck? Or do you have an emergency fund and all bills are paid up?

If the transmission went out on your car or hers, would that be a real financial setback?

If you guys are somewhat strapped financially, I'm in her camp. If you guys would have to whip out a credit card to repair your cars or the washing machine because you don'thave $600 laying around, I'm with her. You need to pick one to keep and one to sell.

If you guys are doing well... money in the bank.... no stupid amounts of debt on credit cards.... not worried for a few months if either of you lose your jobs... then she needs to go take a pill and a nap. ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jonithen
#8
About 8 years back, I was scheduled for a double bypass heart operation. I spent a month off work waiting for the procedure. To fill the time, and keep my mind off the upcoming surgery, I went on a bass buying/trading spree. Not sure of the exact count, but I bought/swapped somewhere around 14 basses in that months time.

I think my total cash out was just under a grand. I don’t own any of those basses any longer, but they did serve a great purpose in keeping me from worrying myself to death over a pretty damn serious surgery.

My wife , who already knew that I was nuts, just took it in stride and said , try not to spend more than you should. She’s a gem!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Ferrport and kodiakblair
#9
good point, twofingers. For the most part my habit is self sustaining. Buy something, play it for a while sell it for a few bucks more, repeat. try and come out a little ahead when you can, take a hit when there's something you want right now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ferrport
#10
redwingxix said:
Well, if you still have two basses when you were supposed to just have one, I can't help. My wife doesn't or won't understand that different instruments are needed for different things, I try and say it's the same reason you seem to need thirty different handbags but that makes sense to her.
Click to expand...

Fortunately, my wife is quite understanding! She is very supportive of my GA Syndrome.
 
#12
MoeTown1986 said:
In my opinion, you're the real winner of the weekend. That is a nice bass.
Click to expand...

You're right, I felt like I had traded 'down' with the move to the 70's re-issue, but it was in good shape and I figured that it was more marketable in either a trade or a sale, so I went for it, not intending to keep it. I have recently made the switch to fivers, so when I came home I saw this one advertised. The owner was surprisingly quick to trade. He said that he was not comfortable with the 5 string, and wanted something like it but more comfortable, and that he had initially debated between buying the 5 the 70's reissue, so he was very happy to get me out the door. When I got home, I learned that the output jack was intermittent, which explains his haste, found a bent pin, and it's a terrific bass for me at this point.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MoeTown1986
#13
two fingers said:
There's really only one piece of information left out of the story. And it's really none of my business so it's more of an "ask yourself" kind of thing.

What's your financial situation? Are you guys living paycheck to paycheck? Or do you have an emergency fund and all bills are paid up?

If the transmission went out on your car or hers, would that be a real financial setback?

If you guys are somewhat strapped financially, I'm in her camp. If you guys would have to whip out a credit card to repair your cars or the washing machine because you don'thave $600 laying around, I'm with her. You need to pick one to keep and one to sell.

If you guys are doing well... money in the bank.... no stupid amounts of debt on credit cards.... not worried for a few months if either of you lose your jobs... then she needs to go take a pill and a nap. ;)
Click to expand...

You're right, this would be a consideration, but we're solid. To be fair, I mis-represented my wonderful wife in the OP for the good of the story. She is fine with the trading, and has gotten used to GAS over the years, but was just pointing out that I had not followed through on the reason I stated initially. A fair comment on her part, and a fair observation on yours. Thanks for sharing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: two fingers
#14
voodoobassist said:
About 8 years back, I was scheduled for a double bypass heart operation. I spent a month off work waiting for the procedure. To fill the time, and keep my mind off the upcoming surgery, I went on a bass buying/trading spree. Not sure of the exact count, but I bought/swapped somewhere around 14 basses in that months time.

I think my total cash out was just under a grand. I don’t own any of those basses any longer, but they did serve a great purpose in keeping me from worrying myself to death over a pretty damn serious surgery.

My wife , who already knew that I was nuts, just took it in stride and said , try not to spend more than you should. She’s a gem!
Click to expand...

Great story, and similar situation here. Test results continue to roll in, and my wife understands that bass playing--and trading--is a healthy distraction from medical uncertainty. Thanks for sharing.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back