Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Here's what's up:

I have the opportunity to trade in my 2009 370/12 JG (8-8.5/10 condition) towards a 360/12C63 JG (9/10). The C63 is used product through a national chain and they're asking $2400. If I could do it straight up cash.... but that's not happening. I can trade towards it and the 370/12 is the one most appropriate trade ... or maybe not, I'm really not sure.

I have to call upon your experience:

1. What's my 370/12 worth in the scheme of things Ric? She's nice, but has some capo pinches and a small ding that damaged the finish on the lower horn/front, but did not hit clean wood; Which is a harder find? A 370/12 JG with high gains or a 360/12C63 JG? The 370/12 is a great player.

2.Could I ever forgive myself for letting go of my first Ric, the 370/12, or will I live out my days seeking to regain that first Ric experience? Existential, but that's life, right?

I know I've had GAS lately. Just have to be open & honest about things. Maybe my brain's a bit curdled with mid-winter funk.

Thanks & appreciated.

DoubleThink wrote:3. Would I ever forgive myself for letting go of my first Ric, the 370/12, or will I forever live in a world in which I'd have to obtain Ric after Ric to regain that first Ric experience?

You'll survive just fine, trust me on that.

Your trade-in value is very subjective, depending on the dealer. The fact that your guitar is even slightly damaged will likely mean hundreds of dollars off of the value when it was a new guitar. You may want to think of selling it on eBay, Craigslist, or through other sources after you hear what the dealer will give you in trade. The 370 is currently not being produced, which may or may not be an advantage to you (I personally find the "play area" very crowded with 3 pickups, but that's just me).

I think if you can get about $500 - $600 less than you paid for the 370, and apply it toward the purchase of the C63, it will be a good deal, considering the damage on the guitar, but you may get less - you have to remember that your dealer will have to sell the damaged guitar after your deal is completed, and the damage could discourage a prospective buyer. If you're not happy with what you're offered, you'll either have to accept the trade-in value given, or try to sell it privately.

And yes, you will survive it! The C63 is an awesome instrument, and if you get it, my bet is that you'll consider the C63 a step up over the 370.

stringsncords wrote:And yes, you will survive it!

I had to ask, because I'm getting the George vibe ... and I'm getting the Townshend vibe ... and I know my head just isn't straight at the mo'. Guitar Aquisition Syndrome. I know I've been significantly dumbed-out by GAS in the past.

Thanks for your input, guys. I'll determine whether this can be worked to a mutually agreeable conclusion with the seller. I've the wife onboard, so that's the battle almost won already. I'll post to let you know the outcome.

Your screen name seems appropriate, Stefan!

a 370/12 is not all that rare... if it's needed to help you get the C63, move it. You will want to chase the dragon for years but you'll also be busy with a new guitar.

jingle_jangle wrote:Your screen name seems appropriate, Stefan!

LOL!!!

Double Bound JetGlo's like the C63-12 you mention are real cool !!!
Go for it !

Bye bye 370,ta ta now,see ya,In a while, crocodile!,Don't let the back door hit ya where the good Lord split ya, latter being my fav...

DoubleThink wrote:I can trade towards it and the 370/12 is the one most appropriate trade ... or maybe not, I'm really not sure.

You don't always have to trade like for like. Think about what else of value you have that you might be more willing to part with.

Personally, I say don't sell your first Rick.
Also, chain stores tend to rip you off when you sell or trade them a guitar. I know atleast Guitar Centers in my Area do that.
Just shoot for having both Ricks!

IvanMunoz wrote:Personally, I say don't sell your first Rick.
Also, chain stores tend to rip you off when you sell or trade them a guitar. I know atleast Guitar Centers in my Area do that.
Just shoot for having both Ricks!

Ivan, that's my experience re: chain stores, in general. I rarely have use for them, though sometimes they can present a pretty morsel.

I've been thinking of my very first 'new' guitar. I got rid of it during a fit of GAS within a year of buying it 30-odd years ago. It was a wine red Les Paul Standard. Bought it in '79 from a shop, though I couldn't say which year the guitar was built. I'd saved the profits from a year or two of doing four paper routes, plus whatever I could make along the way. So, I hesitate getting rid a ... well ... any Ric, honestly. I don't have enough of them yet to start squandering them. Still, a fella's gotta do what he feels is right.

You're the only one who can know for sure, but I've found it's best not to get too overly-attached to any one guitar. Sure, I've sold some stuff I wish I hadn't, but I've got others I never would have experienced if I hadn't sold...it all works out.

I found for a bit there I was feeling "trapped" for lack of a better word by keeping some guitars. Selling them was hard in some cases, but liberating. The exception to that for me would be a guitar of special, sentimental value, a gift from my wife, that kind of thing. Save for my little Alvarez RF-8 acoustic (my first guitar, a gift from my wife), I don't have a "first" of any type/brand of guitar anymore.

If you do decide to go for the c63, I agree with the advice to sell it outright yourself instead of trying the trade-in. It's not that they're trying to rip you off IMO, but rather I'd think in most cases, the dealer is gonna need to work you down on the trade because he then needs to sell for a reasonable profit for his trouble.

Be up front in your ad about the blems, which certainly sound minor, do a little research on what similar models have sold for recently, and set up your sale.

Best of luck with your decision!

Ivan, before you advise someone not to SELL their first Rick, you have to BUY your first Rick.

Guitar stores aren't ripping you off when they offer you $700 for a guitar you paid $1600 for new. It might feel that way, but think about it. If it's $2K list, they could get a new one from the manufacturer to sell themselves for half that. Why would they give you more for your used one??? And... "Like New" is NOT "new," as much as you might think it is. They don't care you kept it in a smoke free humidified environment. They don't care you kept it in the case under your bed since the day you bought it. They don't care that you read it a bedtime story every night. Plus, remember they have to, um, you know, MAKE MONEY on the transaction, so they can, you know, um, keep the lights on, pay employees, etc. This concludes this segment of Guitar Economics 101 with J Dog.

Jason, I completely dig where you're coming from. Business is business and if it weren't, there'd be nary an axe over which to twiddle one's thumbs in wishful contemplation.