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Trade a Gift?

Dr. Cheese

Dr. Cheese

Supporting Member
Mar 3, 2004
57,342
120,733
Metro St. Louis
#1
Last year, a friend gave me a Spector Rebop that was in flawless mint condition. It's a great bass, but I really prefer a larger body, wider string spacing, and a tone closer to a Fender or Music Man. A dealer has offered an even up swap for a new ATK805, but guilt is stopping me. Am I rationalizing GAS again, or should I just shut up and pay for the Ibanez?
 
#4
Baird6869 said:
Nope. Can't ever sell/trade the bass unless blessed by your friend.
Click to expand...

Not sure if you're being sarcastic, but as for me, I would be tempted to contact the friend and explain and get their understanding and consent. Which, if he or she is truly a friend, should be readily forthcoming.

This way, everything's above board.

If I had given Cheese the bass, I would easily understand and not begrudge him the opportunity to turn it into something he likes even better.
 
#5
electracoyote said:
Not sure if you're being sarcastic, but as for me, I would be tempted to contact the friend and explain and get their understanding and consent. Which, if he or she is truly a friend, should be readily forthcoming.

This way, everything's above board.

If I had given Cheese the bass, I would easily understand and not begrudge him the opportunity to turn it into something he likes even better.
Click to expand...

Contacting my friend makes the most sense, but I am embarrassed to talk to him about this.
 
#7
Wow that's a tough one but as others have said, talking to your friend about your thoughts on exchanging the bass might be the way to go. If he is a good friend, i don't see why he would be offended that you decided to change up for something different.....
 
#8
Dr. Cheese said:
Contacting my friend makes the most sense, but I am embarrassed to talk to him about this.
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"Yo - Fred - I've got this once-in-a lifetime opportunity to do this killer deal for something I've always wanted..."

Would a friend begrudge you that?

hey - for all I know - your friend simply regifted a bass s/he didn't want in the first place...
 
#9
Did it come with a gift receipt? ;)

Seriously though, its not like your selling it because you need the cash. You're just trading it for something that you like better and will obviously get more use and enjoyment out of.

Still a tough call though. Not sure what I would do if I were in your shoes...
 
#10
Yeah, I *might* ask the friend who was generous to gift me like that if he minded - and if I felt even the tiniest bit of resistance, I would apologize for even asking, and would not do it... Odds are pretty good I would just keep the bass, instead of asking - but that's the ONLY way I would do such a thing... If someone thought enough of me to give me such a nice instrument, I would value that pretty highly...


- georgestrings
 
#12
what kind of spector rebop? I seen some listed at $800 and some in the teens. If this is one in the teens I'd trade you an Ibanez ATK805 too. If you trade it, your friend will show up just shortly after and wonder where your spector is :-). Call him and talk about it. He'll gladly take the bass back and you'll be left with nothing :-)
 
#13
georgestrings said:
Yeah, I *might* ask the friend who was generous to gift me like that if he minded - and if I felt even the tiniest bit of resistance, I would apologize for even asking, and would not do it... Odds are pretty good I would just keep the bass, instead of asking - but that's the ONLY way I would do such a thing... If someone thought enough of me to give me such a nice instrument, I would value that pretty highly...


- georgestrings
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I don't take it lightly that he gave me such a nice gift. Honestly, I suspect the Spector was not his cup of tea either, but Lord knows he did not have to give it to me! In fact, I I know he gave it to me because I used to have an old SSD five that killed.
 
#14
Dr. Cheese said:
I don't take it lightly that he gave me such a nice gift. Honestly, I suspect the Spector was not his cup of tea either, but Lord knows he did not have to give it to me! In fact, I I know he gave it to me because I used to have an old SSD five that killed.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I didn't mean to imply that you were taking it lightly - the fact that you're discussing it means that you care enough to tread cautiously on the matter...


- georgestrings
 
#15
phillybass101 said:
what kind of spector rebop? I seen some listed at $800 and some in the teens. If this is one in the teens I'd trade you an Ibanez ATK805 too. If you trade it, your friend will show up just shortly after and wonder where your spector is :-). Call him and talk about it. He'll gladly take the bass back and you'll be left with nothing :-)
Click to expand...

New, Rebops run around $1,500-1,600. Used, they tend to bring around $800 tops. I would be getting a top tier price for a used Rebop if I traded it.

I am glad I posted this. It has been on my mind for a while. I may just keep it. I have a bad track record of finally finding the "keeper," only to end up moving it again. There is something to be said for keeping my Rebop. It does get a great modern tone even if I tend to have to turn up the treble when I need to cut through at church which gives me a brighter and more grindy sound than I would prefer. Maybe I need to get an Aguilar preamp and real EMG DC40s, instead the stock Tone Pump and EMGHZs?
 
#16
Are you going to use the ATK805 more than the Rebop?

Yup.

If the person who gifted you the Rebop was a true friend
he would have gotten' you the ATK805. Joking.

Seriously, I think your friend would be pleased that you
got something you like. After all that's how friendship
is supposed to work.
 
#20
I went back to the store and a/b'ed the basses again. The another bassist listened along with me and we both agreed that the ATK had a much weaker B string. I do like the tones and fingerboard of the ATK, but this looks like another situation where if I bought, once the bass thrill wore off, I would be unhappy.

My Spector mainly has feel issues. It would be worth getting more used to it by leaving my big body basses alone and playing the Spector more.
 

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