Would you do this trade?

[Wyrdlow]

Update; i told him i would pass on it and he offered me a 72 telecaster bass. I think that one will be a keeper, will keep you posted and thanks for all your input and advice!

I wouldn't have been tempted by the Jazz, but I do love a Tele Bass! .I don't know a deal about Elricks so I couldn't say, really. Still, if I had one and was sure I didn't want it, I'd go for that Telecaster if it was a nice example. Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[BobKos]

There aren't many Fender branded basses that I would EVER consider trading that Elrick for. All of the ones I would consider are around 60 years old - not 45.

 

[db59]

Having never played neither.......Elrick for the win!

 

[RVRSCO]

The Elrick is a far superior instrument in my opinion. Especially when compared to a late 70’s Fender Jazz bass. The late 70’s and 80’s were not a good time for Fender. Every once in a while, someone finds a gem, but the majority of those basses are boat anchors and just don’t feel like an instrument build with care. The Elrick on the other hand, in my experience, are fantastic instruments built to look, play, and sound phenomenal because Rob Elrick is a master at building basses. Keep the Elrick and look for an older Fender Jazz. 72 or older and make sure you can play it before trading or buying it.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Not without a thorough check. That was about the worst year for Fender QC. It also is a 70s ashFender, which means ir probably is at least 11 pounds.

 

[sawzalot]

Hm, I love the sound of a 70's Jazz, but no way I'd trade that Elrick for it. You can get the 70's Jazz sound so easily through so many more cost-effective ways. Stick with the Elrick and save up some cash for a used Fender Marcus Miller or literally any J-bass with 70's pickup spacing.

 

[J Wilson]

I can understand that the Elrick and the Jazz are two entirely different animals, and the Jazz may appeal to you more.

However, IF I correctly understood it's an Elrick Evo Gold 4, then their MSRP is around 6 grand. Used of course that number would drop, depending on condition.

Regardless of what people think about 70's Fender axes, the only thing that really matters here is IF this particular JB has a realistic sale or trade price in the neighborhood of the Elrick. And without a real appraisal, be it Norm's or Gruhn's or any of the other handful of vintage guitar stores that offer insurance-accepted appraisals, unless you are REALLY up on your vintage prices, you may be giving away a lot on this deal. You don't want to be the guy thinking about an even swap of your Ferrari for a Vette.

I have a sense of where you're coming from, but for me personally, new, used, and vintage Jazz Basses are about as hard to find as a Big Mac. I would advertise the Elrick until you found the right home for it (i.e., someone who knows them and wants one without going to 6 grand), then find the Jazz you want. This is not a deal I'd pursue.

But your results may vary, and Best of Luck

JW

 

[21DaHoagie12]

Do not make that trade, the strings on the bass aren’t even aligned properly over the neck lmao

 

[Pocket Dave]

Wondering about your input- i have an Elrick evolution gold and someone offered me a 78 jazz bass in pretty great shape. What would you do? I love jazz basses and foolishly sold a 72 which was the only 70s JB i ever had.

I don’t think this one would be on the same level (the 72 was light, resonant and just a great instrument) but I am strongly considering it. What would you do?

Also worth mentioning I have a 98 American standard with flats and rosewood board that is wonderful but definitely more of a 60s style jazz.

Haven’t seen it in person but here are some pictures of it:
View attachment 5287384 View attachment 5287385 View attachment 5287386

Update; i told him i would pass on it and he offered me a 72 telecaster bass. I think that one will be a keeper, will keep you posted and thanks for all your input and advice!

Glad you turned down the '78. That would've been a hard pass for me too. The '72 Tele bass sounds cool though.

You mentioned the '98 American Standard J. What makes it more of a '60's model in your mind - looks or sound/feel? If it's just looks, I've got nothing for you; If it's a tonal thing, you might consider changing the pickups out for a set of Fender Pure Vintage '74's.

Otherwise, as has been pointed out, the late '70's were an era of mostly crap instruments from Fender. They cut corners on labor by not beveling as much relief on the front and back of their beveled basses and guitars, adding weight while subtracting comfort; They sourced wood in masse from lowest cost bidders, adding even more weight; And the increased production to meet high demands at a time when relations between labor and management in U.S. manufacturing was at an all-time low, resulting in almost non-existent quality control.

Lower-quality late '70s Fenders (and Gibsons) may not have kick-started the vintage instrument craze, something that was already becoming a thing as early as 1970 among pro players like Billy Gibbons, Duane Allman and Joe Walsh, but they added fuel to the fire with the massively-growing general guitar buying public by the mid-to-late '70s. Their lesser-desirability was the reason the rest of us started shopping back rooms at local guitar shops. 1978 was also the year of the first National Guitar Show in the U.S., in a Dallas hotel basement.

Pic of the late Charley Wirz, Charley's Guitars from that show:

 

[Dabndug]

IMHO the '75 RIs (whether Japanese or Anerican) are streets ahead of the typical late '70s J.

I have a '71 P I bought in the '80s and whilst it is a good bass, it has a number of QC issues that would be unacceptable today. I woukd posit that the recent Tele reissues are better instruments than the originals, and definitely much better dollar for dollar.

Short story - keep the Elrick and look for a reissue if you want a vintage style bass.

 

[MegaSwing]

You would be getting the short end of that deal, IMO, OP. There isn’t an Elrick in existence that doesn’t wipe the floor with Fender in terms of craftsmanship.

 

[MattZilla]

Thank you for your input, truth be told i am trying to sell the Elrick because of the 35” scale and haven’t had much interest besides a couple of trade offers.

THAAAAT changes the whole thing.

probably should’ve put that in the OP to stomp out all the obvious No!’s.

You’re trying to get The Elrick out and get some funds for something that’ll literally fit you better, and the Fender is definitely going to be easier to sell (assuming it isn’t a steaming pile).

Still, I think the trade is still iffy for just a slightly less questionable Tele Bass… if it were Elrick for both Fenders, then it starts to seem well balanced for both you and him.

Him trading just an old Tele Bass for a freaking Elrick, he’d be bragging all over town about how he stole the dang thing.

It looks like you only posted it for sale a few days ago… in the absolute worst time of year to be selling instruments? It’s a Buyer’s market right now and will be for a few weeks at least.

Be patient.

Wait for tax-refund season.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Update; i told him i would pass on it and he offered me a 72 telecaster bass. I think that one will be a keeper, will keep you posted and thanks for all your input and advice!

I am quite out of touch with my price list but that would be one helluva trade... for the other party. A '72 Tele bass isn't worth a fortune.

I've only played one Elrick and I was very impressed with it. Definitely one of, if not the best, bass I played at my visit to The Bass Place on a trip to Phoenix. That being said, I am not surprised you're having a hard time selling it.

 

[Lo-E]

I will never argue that the late '70s were a time of dodgy quality control for Fender - with '78 being about the lowest point - but I do find it a little amazing how many people have stated with absolute certainty that the bass in question is both heavy and poorly made*. Poor quality control is not a guarantee of poor quality, it just means your odds aren't very good. I have a '78 Fender Precision fretless that is medium weight and well made, despite having an ash body and being from the dreaded, reviled 1978. They did make some good ones in 1978 and a photograph isn't enough to go on in order to know what you're dealing with. Yes, I have played some enormously heavy, poorly made late '70s Fenders but that doesn't mean this is one of them.

Whew! I feel so much better having gotten that off my chest! Now then... an Elrick is a very expensive, modern bass. They are extremely well made all the time, not just some of the time. While the aesthetic of that particular Jazz is one I like very much and I'm not interested in Elricks personally, I still wouldn't make that trade and I think you made the right choice by declining. Not because I wouldn't want the '78 but because it just wouldn't make financial sense. That Jazz is not rare enough to be worth the price of that Elrick and, while I really dig the idea of a '72 Tele bass (a lot), I probably wouldn't trade the Elrick for that, either. It's rarer than the '78 Jazz but it still isn't that uncommon and you're likely to find one for a lot less than the price of that Elrick if you're patient. If I were in your shoes I might consider trading the Elrick for a shorter scale Elrick.

*I'm especially impressed by the poster who stated that the Jazz Bass in question looks like it weighs 11 pounds. Can I have your optometrist's number?!?

 

[2F/2F]

I would prefer the Jazz Bass, myself, but that's not even close to being a square trade in terms of value, quality, and so on.

 

[Komadinic]

This thread got way more attention than I expected and I appreciate the input. I will keep it for now, we'll see how it goes. Sorry I can't answer all your posts individually but I went through them all and I thank you all for sharing your opinions. The hunt for the perfect bass continues!

 

[Schlyder]

Keep the elrick, and build a parts bass JBass.

 

[tb-player]

+1 for keeping the Elrick. Fenders are a dime a dozen and not worth anything near the price of an Elrick. The only way I'd consider that trade would be if the Fender was a relatively new Custom Shop.

That being said, Erick's don't necessarily hold their value like old Fenders. Might be best to sell one and buy the other.

 

[mrm56]

Glad you turned down the '78. That would've been a hard pass for me too. The '72 Tele bass sounds cool though.

Lower-quality late '70s Fenders (and Gibsons) may not have kick-started the vintage instrument craze, something that was already becoming a thing as early as 1970 among pro players like Billy Gibbons, Duane Allman and Joe Walsh, but they added fuel to the fire with the massively-growing general guitar buying public by the mid-to-late '70s. Their lesser-desirability was the reason the rest of us started shopping back rooms at local guitar shops. 1978 was also the year of the first National Guitar Show in the U.S., in a Dallas hotel basement.

Pic of the late Charley Wirz, Charley's Guitars from that show:

View attachment 5288087

great post, sweet heart of a guy Charley was. loved going to his place, he and Rene always had the coolest stuff.
that first show had very few exhibiters, who was it (?) he, jimmy wallace, briggs, maybe mike stevens and a couple others.
good ol daze, lol, BMC guitars, Eugene's and those great shops (and great pawn shops) back then...

 

[Pocket Dave]

great post, sweet heart of a guy Charley was. loved going to his place, he and Rene always had the coolest stuff.
that first show had very few exhibiters, who was it (?) he, jimmy wallace, briggs, maybe mike stevens and a couple others.
good ol daze, lol, BMC guitars, Eugene's and those great shops (and great pawn shops) back then...

Jimmy, Eugene, George Gruhn, Strings West, Tom Whittrock, Paul Hamer...