Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Asked this at another site, but thought I'd canvass the experts here. I have a 1968 375 O.S. fireglo in unbelievable shape (bought it from Olivia's last year). Super slim neck, cool strat sound and really beautiful dark top. I love it but find that I'm lusting after the '66 365 O.S. at CME.
What do you folks think I should be looking for in a trade? Has anybody played the 365 O.S. at CME? They've had it there for two years.
Help me!

Sounds like you've got the rarer guitar.

As for CME, caveat emptor.

The '68 is definitely the more exotic of the two. I wouldn't trade straight across (and not sure I really want to part with the 375) but love the 365. I have bought from CME before and though they were expensive I felt that the items were accurately described. Curious (and feel free to PM me here if you don't want it public) if folks think they are not worth dealing with.

Why don't you give us a link to the CME guitar.

http://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/ric ... 3,i-72567/

Here you go!

I'd say switch guitars if you want, but I wouldn't even consider a trade-in to a retail store, if that's what you're talking about. It might be convenient, but you will most likely not even come close to what the guitar's street price is in trade-in value. That's because they're going to re-sell it for that and they want to make a profit in the process (and from that place, a pretty healthy one at that). Here you have a captive audience/target group of the types of people who might be interested in that guitar. The same is somewhat true for eBay. In both cases, the retail markup, which on an expensive guitar could be a couple grand or more, is not deducted from your share.

i wouldn't even consider the trade without seeing the cme guitar in person. + try any os first if you like it or not, i am not *that* fond of binding on the top...and while i have some guitars with it i do like new style with rounded top better from playing point of view much better..

sloop_john_b wrote:Sounds like you've got the rarer guitar.

As for CME, caveat emptor.

+ 1

I would definitely not do business with them and I'll pm you why.

I agree with Graham and Jdog re: CME.

My advice, for what it's worth, is to take some time and let the passion level off a bit. From a collectible standpoint, you've got the rarer instrument. The playability is up in the air until you've tried the one in Chicago, and no matter who the offering dealer is, they don't stay in business by taking a loss on anything, so once you've factored in their time and overhead, most trades will not come out in your favor. Lastly, considering reputations, Olivia's and CME may be located at opposite ends of the same state, but other than that, I wouldn't even mention them in the same breath; Olivia's is a class act.

Thanks for the honest advice everyone. I needed to hear this, and it reminded me that of the two purchases I made from CME one did not go entirely smoothly. It's unrealistic for me to get there in person so I'll wait. The '68 375 O.S. I have is an incredible piece- my only complaint is that it doesn't sound like my '66 365, which isn't much of a complaint at all, is it?

The more I think about brokerage fees, shipping, duties, etc. for a guitar I haven't played in person, well, it's too much of a gamble and I am certainly likely to be on the losing end of a trade.

chucksimms wrote:Thanks for the honest advice everyone. I needed to hear this, and it reminded me that of the two purchases I made from CME one did not go entirely smoothly. It's unrealistic for me to get there in person so I'll wait. The '68 375 O.S. I have is an incredible piece- my only complaint is that it doesn't sound like my '66 365, which isn't much of a complaint at all, is it?

The more I think about brokerage fees, shipping, duties, etc. for a guitar I haven't played in person, well, it's too much of a gamble and I am certainly likely to be on the losing end of a trade.

Good call-----your guitar is a real peach (I remember it!) and much rarer than the two-pickup OS.

I wouldn't be surprised if the O.S. at CME is decent (it looks great), but certainly not better than what you have. (plus, if you're trading with a dealer....consider that unless there is extra cash involved, if it's a straight trade------what you have is better than what they have).

Good advice, gang. I can't help but continue to have a wry smile about the impact a bad customer experience can have on business reputations. Ya gotta love the ol' word of mouth, don't you?

collin wrote:Good call-----your guitar is a real peach (I remember it!) and much rarer than the two-pickup OS.

I wouldn't be surprised if the O.S. at CME is decent (it looks great), but certainly not better than what you have. (plus, if you're trading with a dealer....consider that unless there is extra cash involved, if it's a straight trade------what you have is better than what they have).

+1. All of it. There's nothing that hasn't already been said. The three pickup OS is rarer, so don't trade it. Plus, I wouldn't think about doing business with CME...Jdog's his PM to you in person with me.

Well, though I had a lot of recommendations to the contrary I entered into negotiations to trade my mint '68 375 O.S. for the '66 365 O.S. at CME. I still have the 375 and will NEVER deal with CME again. Next time I will heed the sage advice of those who have had transactions with vendors and have stories to tell. Lesson learned!