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Would You Make This Trade?

#21
two fingers said:
Do NOT trade it to a shop. Their job is to come out to the good on any trade. They aren't going to offer you what your bass is worth.


Sell your bass and go buy that one.
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What he said. I did the trade thing once because I was very excited about a bass they had on the wall- I traded in a mint Sterling 4H (the EBMM Sterling, not the sub-brand Sterling) for way less that I could have gotten for it if I sold it on my own; AND it turned out the Sterling was the nicer bass after all.
 
#22
If you like everything about your Alembic except the weight, why not just address that issue. I found the best way to deal with the weight of my 6 string was getting a Duostrap. It splits the weight between both shoulders. I have arthritis and stenosis in my back and it was a Godsend.
 
#25
Man, a custom-made bass you've had for almost 20 years on the chopping block?

I understand the appeal of offloading for cash, but not for a trade, personally. Is this a case of, "if I just did ____ I could get it right now"? From what I remember, Alembics are in a different stratosphere price-wise, but I don't know all of the models, etc.

Is the Fodera the one or just the next one?

Edit: after digging, the price gap isn't what I thought it was. Still, a shop will give you a price that allows for them to make money. I don't know, I'd still shy away from that.
 
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#27
GAS is GAS. Why don't you go to the shop and play the bass and see if it feels like you want it to feel?
It's not a question of real or perceived value. They're both fine basses.

Then you can celebrate your decision with oysters at The Walrus & The Carpenter.
 
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#30
I agree with JRA. If you’re done with it, let it go. But I’d sell it. Most shops don’t do trades and if they do, they’d probably not want an alembic. Tough to sell locally. You could get more on TB and have cash left over. I doubt the foldera is going to sell in the next week.
 
#32
Trading with a shop is fine. You just need to be aware you will get less for your bass. That's pretty much common sense. Honestly I've done this several times for a couple of reasons. One is that they have something that I want and I don't want it to get away. The other is that sometimes I don't want to deal with the hassle of selling something.

It doesn't sound like the Alembic is really doing it for you anymore. Don't be afraid to move on. It's just a guitar.
 
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#33
On general principle, I appreciate the advice that people are giving to think about just selling the Alembic and buying the Fodera. But given the price range in question, and the relative popularity of Alembic vs. Fodera at this point, I think you'd have a hard time moving the Alembic in any kind of reasonable timeframe to be able to pick up the Fodera.

They are both incredible instruments. You just have to consider whether there is a sentimental attachment to the Alembic, and whether or not the Fodera might better suit your needs. I would probably consider it, but only if the Fodera did truly check all the boxes of what I would get if I were custom-ordering one.
 
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#35
alembicbones said:
I own an Alembic Europa 5 String with Series I electronics that was custom built for me back in 2003. My local shop just took in a Fodera Emperor Elite 5 String that really ticks all the boxes I would look for in a custom Fodera. Would you offer a one for one trade?
Click to expand...

Have you played the Fodera? Are you sure it's what you want?

I ordered a Fodera Monarch Standard from Bass Central some years ago. I'd never played one. It was a nice bass for sure but nothing really special or unique. It sounds like your Alembic is special. I would keep it.
 
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#37
Hi All,

Thanks for all of the very thoughtful comments, especially those of FoderaBones:thumbsup:.

I've done straight up trades with these guys in the past and have been very happy with the outcome. This situation would be the same as it would have to be straight up again for me to consider it. I wouldn't be trading for any old Fodera. This one is exactly what I would spec out.

We'll see what the shop comes back with. If they say it's a go, I'm probably still 75% keep the Alembic, 25% trade for the Fodera.

Bones
 
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#39
Nah..... Life is too short. You need both. I don't care what it takes, go get the money and go get it. There are a lot of items in my possession that I'd sell/trade before my bass. Give up the boat, one of the cars, get a loan from "Vinnie", look into reverse mortgages... hahaha.....
 

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