Trade in electric rig for a nice acoustic?

[gatornavy]

So... I'm seriously thinking about trading in my electric rig which consists of a 2003 Fender Custom Shop '56 Strat in great condition, a Swart AST with upgraded NOS tubes and a Celestion Blue, and A DRRI that's about 4 years old. Everything is in great shape. I'm looking at some nice Martin acoustics, like the HD-28V, etc. Would a music store even consider a direct trade like this? I don't want to go there and look like an idiot for trying. I'll miss my Strat for sure... but the acoustic bug has bitten me and I'm not made of money, so a trade is the only way for me to go.

What do you think? Should I go for it?

I am thinking of going to a place here in VA Beach... I only mention that because I know one of their employees frequents this site.

 

[gatornavy]

Ok, so Alpha Music will definitely work with me. Now I just have to decide if I really want to give up my electric gear. My CS '56 is sweet. Decisions, decisions.

 

[TheBuffalo]

sounds silly...

why not get a cheaper acoustic? or sell one of your amps and get a decent acoustic

 

[TheoDog]

You will be much happier with your investment if you sell your current gear to fund the new purchase rather than going for a trade that will sap about 40% of the value off the top for the retailer's profit margin.

 

[buddhuu]

sounds silly...

why not get a cheaper acoustic? or sell one of your amps and get a decent acoustic

+1. I sold up and went acoustic a few years ago. Now I'm plugged in again. It was a waste of time selling up. When it comes down to it we need electric and acoustic.

 

[nightrain]

Don't do it man. You seem in doubt already, you'll regret this later. I love my acoustic just as much as my electrics (including a CS strat as well), but I'd hate missing any of my electrics.

 

[gatornavy]

Thanks for responding and giving your opinions! I've always wanted a Martin D-28. I'm in the Navy and go on deployments fairly often, so I was thinking about something more portable than having to lug around my electric and an amp. Plus, I've always loved acoustic. My ship is changing homeports to Spain at the end of the month, and I am not bringing my current guitar or either amp since I will have to fly back to here in June. So... to me it makes sense. But, that's why I posted it and was looking for others opinions. I can't decide if it's worth it. I appreciate your time!

 

[TheBuffalo]

ah ok, well that does make more sense for you then.

But i agree that you should try selling it outright first. If you list it here they will sell pretty fast. Especially that swart.

 

[gatornavy]

I agree, too, that selling would be the better option, but time is limited at this point. When I bought my [used] CS '56, I traded my 1999 American Deluxe Strat in for it (my first big purchase after enlisting). They gave me $700 credit, and turned around and sold it for $950 at Guitar Center, so I know how that goes.

 

[TheBuffalo]

i will say this, if your gonna do the trade.

Accept whatever offer they give you on your gear, and then haggle the price of the guitar.
Alot of people complain that guitarcenter doesnt give enough for their gear, but 9 times out of 10 if you accept their offer you can get a pretty nice discount on whatever it is you trading in for and make up a little bit of it

I still think you could sell that swart within a month if you price it right

 

[gatornavy]

i will say this, if your gonna do the trade.

Accept whatever offer they give you on your gear, and then haggle the price of the guitar.
Alot of people complain that guitarcenter doesnt give enough for their gear, but 9 times out of 10 if you accept their offer you can get a pretty nice discount on whatever it is you trading in for and make up a little bit of it

I still think you could sell that swart within a month if you price it right

That was what I tired when I traded up my AD for the CS. They said... NO! But, a Fender CS is probably more popular than a Martin so they could get away with that. If I hadn't bought the CS for what they offered me, someone else would have within an hour or two.

 

[TheBuffalo]

yea it just depends on who your dealing with and if they think they can sell it later.

i imagine acoustic guitar sales are much slower than electrics

 

[Dereksslide]

You can get very good cheap acoustics these days. Buy a Sigma dreadnaught and take it with you, you'll then able to work out if it's the right thing to do.

 

[Barnzy]

I seem to be the only dissenter here. I would totally sell all that gear to do a "once in a lifetime" acoustic purchase. My preference would be to sell privately and not be rushed. Also, you need to put some hours in when looking for the perfect acoustic for you also, because you can't settle here. You have my support gatornavy. But I am an acoustic player at heart.

 

[raja]

Gatornavy....

First off, I want to thank you for your service in the military
here's my take on this...keep your gear and consider ordering a voyageair acoustic guitar, they fold making for a very comfortable guitar to have around especially when your traveling. While I don't have personal experience with voyageair guitars, they have high ratings by ppl that have used them. I too had the acoustic bug, traded up a Stratocaster that I really wish I would've kept because it would have been worth at least double what I got for it. You can order online, I don't know how the shipping would go in your case, I imagine that it shouldn't be a hassle.
much luck in your decision making and keep us posted with what you do.
also you might get a great deal in Spain...home of the guitar!

 

[toc626]

Don't do it! I "went acoustic" in '82 - sold my '65 strat (heavily reworked - not collectible but way cool), convinced I would never play electric again. Bought a tele not three months later, sold that , got a start...and now own 8 electrics, two acoustics, a mandolin, 2 fiddles....and still wish I had that unique old strat back.

 

[tamader74]

Thanks for responding and giving your opinions! I've always wanted a Martin D-28. I'm in the Navy and go on deployments fairly often, so I was thinking about something more portable than having to lug around my electric and an amp. Plus, I've always loved acoustic. My ship is changing homeports to Spain at the end of the month, and I am not bringing my current guitar or either amp since I will have to fly back to here in June. So... to me it makes sense. But, that's why I posted it and was looking for others opinions. I can't decide if it's worth it. I appreciate your time!

First off, I too would like to Thank-you for your service to ALL of us, I think we all sometimes forget the how and why we are able to insert our opinions on matters,...even ones as simple really as yours, it's all due to the Men and Women in our Armed Forces in the past, and the present.

Now, I think you have answered your question without our input,...especially if you have found a Martin that speaks to you,...Yeah, no doubt you can sell your gear for more $$$,...But, what if the Martin you want is gone in the process while your trying to get the extra $$$?.

Well,...then you go and get another Martin, and it's not the same,...with acoustics you can line up 12 in a row made the same day, same model, built one right after the other,...and I can guarantee you they will NOT sound the same.

TheBuffalo is right, Usually GC and other Dealers will stay firm on your trade-in, but WILL if you push a bit give a bigger discount on your purchase,...especially if you have something they can flip/turn quick.

Bottom line, in this instance you can be pleased and happy, or have just a 'few' extra bucks and spin the wheel. Tom

 

[Mystix]

If it was me -

I would sell one amp - whichever sells first -

and use that money and buy me a Recording King RD-316

A poor mans D-18 -

And I would have a decent acoustic and still have the electric rig whenever I got the electric urge….


(*band name alert: "The Electric Urge")

 

[gatornavy]

All of you are awesome and I value everyone's opinion. And thank you to those of you who are thankful for mine, and more importantly, everyone else's service in the military. A simple "thanks" means the world to us. I just hit 14 years of service in August. Some days are better than others for sure, but I still enjoy what I do and what it stands for.

I still haven't pulled the trigger. Still hesitant. My wife asked me yesterday "it's just an acoustic, right? Why's it more expensive than your electric. I don't think that's a good idea." I tried to explain, but I don't think she understands.

Now we are going to get some bad weather to include a lot of snow this evening... so, yet goes another day I have to wait out the process, still undecided.

I pretty much play exclusively at home, if that makes a difference. I played in a couple of bands before the Navy, and I've had some great jam sessions on the ship with some buddies in the past, but it seems like less and less people are interested in playing music these days, at least in my narrow frame of reference.

Maybe I should just hold tight until I get back. Luckily I am scheduled to rotate to a new command in June so if all goes as planned, I should be coming back here.

 

[raja]

be the odd man out and bring your electric to any jams...
keep the stuff your familiar with that you "love", whatever you don't love sell privately that way you don't lose your shirt...consider a baby martin or taylor guitar that way you can satisfy the acoustic bug