I went to a different guitar shop yesterday. They did not have the exact model amp I am interested in in their in-store inventory. But, they had one almost the same. Same manufacturer (Fender). Different covering, a different speaker in it; some might say that is mostly cosmetic. We decided to go there and take a look. Also, they can order the exact one I am interested in and it will be delivered in 3 to 5 business days. So, in layman's terms: about a week. Also, the salesman there said they'd be interested in what I have to trade.
I had a number in mind for the trade value.
What about that first store you went to on Monday? Thanks for asking. They couldn't give me a price on my trade, but said the manager would be in the next day (yesterday) around 11:30. I waited until noon, then gave them a call... the manager wasn't going to be in until Wednesday.
No big deal; but, as Joan said, "You are ready to do something. Today." We drove to the second guitar shop. Yep, they were interested in doing a trade. I checked out the amp that is almost the same (black instead of blonde, same size speaker but a different manufacturer). To complicate things further, they have the next larger size amp... in the exact color... and with two of the speakers I like. For the same price as the one I have been considering. Let me repeat that: bigger amp, twice the power, a lot more volume, twin speakers instead of one. Same price. I had to ask why. The salesman thought it may have been ordered and then the customer didn't like it when it came in. Or, ordered on-line, then returned to the store. He assured me it is new and nothing wrong with it.
I played through it. It sounds great! I used to have this same amp in the tube version (from 1974 to 2006). It was one of my favorite amps. I know what you are thinking... me, too..."SAME PRICE AS THE SMALLER ONE!! WHY WOULD YOU NOT DO THIS??"
Overkill. I must be getting old. Maybe smarter? Probably not. That amp in stock is larger, heavier, and louder than the one I am interested in. The one I want is truly "the Goldilocks" in size, weight, and volume (control). Yeah, I caught that, too: "the one I want," not "the one I am interested in." This hot deal is about 50% heavier to cart around.
Joan made an interesting car analogy: "It is like going to the Chevy dealer to buy an Equinox and see that they have an even better deal on a Suburban." Hey, it won't fit in the garage and it will get fewer miles per gallon, but it is a good price.
I am willing to pay the same money for an amp that is smaller; to get exactly what I want. I ordered the amp. Traded the two smaller amps I brought in. Got $50 more for the trade than I expected. Yes, I may have gotten a bit more if I sold them myself... but that would mean having to deal with people. It is worth something to me to not have to run ads on Facebook Marketplace and deal with people who will message you and ask if you will take less (You haven't even seen this thing - it is SO good, you will probably want to offer me more when you see it!). Yeah, I made the right decision.
I did leave the guitar shop (some might call it a "center") with something: strings. When we got home, I changed the strings on the 335. Four of the five strings on it broke as I was unwinding them. Yeah, it was over-due for some new strings. And as long as I was at it, I changed out the strings on the Emerald Virtuo, too. I may take both of them for music at Mark's today. We'll see.
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Two Here...
Murphy and Stella chillin' this morning...
They are frequently rowdy with each other; generally in a playful kinda way. Murphy went outside with Joan for a short time this morning; already 93º just after 7:00... they didn't spend much time out there. And now, nap time for Murphy; Stella won't be far behind.
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