Trade Train #4: The Kids Aren't Alright (So Check with Parents First)

The last time the Trade Train rolled into the station, we unloaded a Dr. Z Maz 38 head and a Leyland Sound 2x12 cabinet in exchange for a Gibson Les Paul DC Faded, a Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue, and $300. The train had left the station, and this passenger was pretty happy.


Train is rollin'. Tickets!

Happy for awhile of course.  The Gibson DC wasn't doing it for me - a cool guitar, but I felt no connection to it, and to be honest I don't love P90 pickups. Time for a new ad!  Remember the rules:
  1. Take nice pictures - more people will click your ad and read about your super awesome guitar
  2. Post as a trade - Unless you are hard up for cash, always post as a trade first.  You can always mention in the description that you'll consider a cash offer.  
  3. Don't oversell!  Provide a description, but be factual.  The pictures do the talking.
Time went by and the typical offers popped up.  Some of my favorites included:
  1. An Epiphone LP 100 and $50
  2. A Squier "Strat", a pedal, and some baseball cards
  3. Two bottles of Coors, a left handed over mit, and the Ark of the Covenant (?!?)

OK, I considered the last one, but who has this kind of space for hiding?

Everything is about patience though, something most Kijijiots seem to lack. Patience always pays off, and eventually  I received an email from an address "coolteenager69totally@heywoodjablowme.tit". Not the most confidence inspiring of addresses, but this usually means you're dealing with a youth, perhaps two, and youths know not the value of things.

You know, two youts. Except one. One yout.

The youth offer was typically vague - "I'll trade you for an SG".

Me:



Youth: (Sends a single pic)


Actual pic sent

A Gibson SG Standard?  This kid wanted to trade a Gibson SG Standard for a Faded DC?  Not possible. I politely asked for more pics and info, and he politely responded with more pics and a description.  A 2005 Gibson SG Standard.  I'd have to go to him, but he was more than happy to trade.

That Friday night, my wife and I drove out to the kid's place. Another good reason to never go alone is that it is never a good idea to be dealing with youths unsupervised.  Adults should know better.  I was also concerned about the disparate value of the two guitars: This was pretty much highway robbery, and I'm not sure I could do it to the kid.

Thankfully, the kids parents were there, and they were very friendly (showing up with my wife probably helped).  They explained that he wanted something different, and that as long as there was nothing wrong with my guitar, they were happy to let him do what he wanted. Their foyer was bigger than my apartment, so much of my guilt was quickly evaporating.

Good.  Parental approval is a good thing, and my wife witnessed.  I'm in the clear.

I went down to the "jam room" (spoiled) and he tried out the DC.  He couldn't find four chords or a flashlight, but whatever.  I pulled the SG out of the case and immediately knew why he didn't want it anymore - The action was a mile of the board, the neck relief was way out of adjustment, and it was filthy.

I could see past that though. The neck hadn't twisted, the frets were good, strings can be replaced, and dirt can be cleaned.  We shook hands and parted, each party happy with the transaction, but only one knowing that they made off like a bandit, my conscious clear because Mommy and Daddy signed off of the whole thing.

Two hours on the bench and I had that SG clean and set up.  At the time, they were selling for anywhere between $1000-$1300, and typically at $1200. With the value of the DC set at $800, I was happy with the 50% return on trade value.




It was a great guitar. Classic looks, sounded great, and it was in fantastic condition. Totally a keeper, right?

Anyone want to guess if I still have it?

Choo Choo!


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