I was offered a trade....

[ilan]

I was offered an '85 Ric 4003S (no binding) Mapleglo w/black trim, for my '78 Fender P - black, rosewood board, 9lbs., new pickguard, wiring harness and bridge.

I hardly ever play that P bass - there's nothing wrong with it but I have 4 other P's that I like better.

Mapleglo is OK but I'm not sure about the black trim. The bass is the S model without binding so it should be easy to convert it to non-BT - switch all the black parts to chrome and white plastic, then sell the BT parts on eBay.

Should I do it?

[uwe]

I thought the witch hunt against black hardware was happily confined to the Gibson village ... now I have to read this. From you of all people, Ilan!

Have you played the Ric? If you feel comfortable with it, the answer is a no-brainer.

[Denis]

Sounds to me, Ilan, like you are not really inclined to do it, even if you don't play the P-bass much. You don't sound ecstatic about either the Mapleglo finish OR the black hardware.

[Barklessdog]

Are they equal value?

The Ric sounds nice, I like them without the binding. Is that a Dot neck?

[ilan]

Yes. it's a dot neck. The thing is that I want to SELL a few basses that I don't play, not trade. I was trying to move the '78 P. Value-wise, I think the Ric is worth more. It's just that I really want ONE Ric with WHITE pickguard and TRC! they look so good with all the chrome bling. And it seems that I always come across Black Trim Rics. Karma, you think?

[Highlander]

I generally go by this rule...

"If you have to ask the question, you generally already know the answer..."

ie, is it time to change jobs, should I buy/swop this bass, should I learn not to type so much...

[godofthunder]

Sound like a good trade to me ! I'd do it in a heartbeat, you can sort out the black hardware at your leisure.

[gearHed289]

If you already have other P Basses and you don't play this one much, to me it's a no-brainer. Get the Ric! 4003S is probably my hands-down favorite model. And the only time I LIKE Mapleglo is with black plastic. The hardware I could take or leave.

[TBird1958]

Look under a rock........................You'll find a P bass.


Rickenbackers are lovlies, you know what do 

[Pilgrim]

To me the compelling issue is that you have multiple P basses and don't use this one.  Get the Ric.

[Bert]

Split PG, or not split PG?

[Dave W]

Get the Rick even if it isn't worth more.

[uwe]

Even unplayed sitting in a stand, a Ric impresses non-musicians more than a P!

[ilan]

Just made the trade. Got the Ric. Some rusted screws, missing handrest (but luckily I already have a spare black handrest), straight neck, low action. Just needs a couple new screws, a good cleanup and fresh strings.

My bass playing son will turn 13 in March. His dream is a Ric and I don't let him touch my Rics... this one will be his bar mitzvah present. We're atheists so there will be no religious ceremony but still he expects a big present... I think I just got him the perfect gift. Now I just have to keep it a secret from him until March.

[dadagoboi]

Just made the trade. Got the Ric. Some rusted screws, missing handrest (but luckily I already have a spare black handrest), straight neck, low action. Just needs a couple new screws, a good cleanup and fresh strings.

My bass playing son will turn 13 in March. His dream is a Ric and I don't let him touch my Rics... this one will be his bar mitzvah present. We're atheists so there will be no religious ceremony but still he expects a big present... I think I just got him the perfect gift. Now I just have to keep it a secret from him until March.

Funny how obvious it is after you pull the trigger...or somebody else does.  I say give it to your son now and make it a joint project to bring it up to spec.  Then he can play it at the party in March.