Trading "Down"?

Has anyone ever had sellers remorse about going from super expensive to moderately priced gear?
no! it's all about the feel (which is priceless!) at any price. the sound of an instrument can be altered in so many ways, but if the 'wood parts' (the feel) aren't right: it doesn't make any difference what the rest of it is or how much it cost.

you found something that feels good to you. maybe you owe it to yourself to do some real playing (your potential) on an instrument that speaks to you in a language you understand. IMO :thumbsup:
 
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Have I ever traded down? No. I have, on numerous occasions, sold or traded a pricey bass for an equally pricey bass or guitar, though.
That's just me, though. I can understand why you might not like the Gibson -- they're not for everyone. You should do what's best for you.
 
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In the last year or two I've traded a 1977 Gibson RD Artist for a 1978 Fender Precision + Cash. Then I traded the 78 P for a Lakland Skyline jazz + cash. Then I traded the Skyline for a Fender Highway One P + cash and a really nice heavy duty SKB case.

The only one I miss is the '78 Precision, but the Highway One is honestly a great bass! And that SKB case is great too. Plus I paid off a bunch of bills with all that step-down cash...
Win win win.
 
I had a Franken P made with a Tokai body and a Warmoth(I think) Jazz profile neck. Old EMG pu's. Had some hideous spray paint on it. I let it go for I dunno, $150. When I listen back to recordings it's possibly the best sounding P I've ever owned.
I just cut a bass track this past weekend in a studio for my band. The studio owner said my Frankin Fender had such an awesome tone very full and round and quiet. He gushed over it said it was so easy to record...set it and forget it.
 
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If this was just a game of inches, I'd say suck it up and learn to adjust. I'm a T-Bird fan, so I know they can feel a little unwieldy.

But you have bigger problems, such as fret access on string 1 and trouble slapping. Clearly, the T-Bird is not the right choice.

However, I would be very reluctant to give up one of my Birds. I'd do everything in my power including taking the bus and skipping a meal to save my lunch money for a couple of months if it would get me into another bass and let me keep my Bird.

BTW, those Taurus basses look very nice.
 
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It's way more important to like the instrument that you play than to have it be valuable. If you like it, you'll practice more and get more out of it.

But, I'd recommend trying to sell your current bass directly (via TB classifieds, Reverb, etc) rather than trading it into GC. It'll take longer to get rid of, but you'll get a lot more out of it.
 
I don't usually trade away instruments, I stockpile them. There's nothing wrong with playing an inexpensive bass, just try not to lose your shirt in an unfair trade.

+100

Don't lose money in a bad trade. If you don't want the Thunderbird, sell it, and buy a comfortable bass with the proceeds.
 
My USA Glaub is my most pricey bass these days and while I love it, it's a beauty, etc., I could see another P taking its place someday, and certainly a cheaper one if it felt right (I wouldn't mind a thinner nut width for starters, and as long as I can slap some Fralins in it, it would do what I need).
It wouldn't be cheap, but Lakland used to offer to reneck instruments.
 
I have three basses in rotation; an MIA Precision Bass, Fullerton G&L L-2000 and a Squier Jazz Bass. Of those three, the Jazz has been getting all the love these days. Sometimes, price just doesn't matter.