The Electra Forums

I have been thinking, since we all shop different areas and websites, perhaps we might have enough interest/members for a buying/selling/want list thread? For example, I would really like a vintage sunburst x420, and I'd be willing to pay a reasonable price to get it. My chances are much better if everybody here knows I want one and are willing to pick one up if they see it. By the same token, thanks to a few of our members I have enough project guitars to last a year or three, and I will likely be getting rid of my stock 2221 slimline. My chances of finding a buyer willing to pay my pricetag are much better if everyone here knows I have it for sale. What do you guys think? DO we have enough interest? Perhaps trade and project need lists as well? Other issues to keep in mind might be feedback/insurance systems and trade moderators. All questions, comments, and ideas are welcome. Also, if you think it's a terrible idea don't be afraid to say so (but please explain why ). Thanks for looking!

Or two whole sections:

Guitars & parts wanted:
http://www.rivercityamps.com/electrafor ... um.php?f=4

Guitars & parts for sale:
http://www.rivercityamps.com/electrafor ... um.php?f=7

I guess I never really explained what I was suggesting, let me give you an example:



This probably looks pretty familiar to those of you who have seen a trade forum before. It really facilitates getting exactly what you want, and to me, ebay hasn't seemed adequate for our hobby. There is really no reason why it would have to be restricted to Electra guitars, either. More than anything I was suggesting we USE the existing threads, not really any site reconstruction. I've seen it done with search features to support every members list enclosed within a thread. But, after having a chance to reflect on it, most of us probably don't enough guitars for this to be worth it, and I doubt the interest level required to make this kind of thing work is there either. The existing threads are probably more useful (and easier) then this would have been...

I think it's a great idea, and although most of what gets posted in those two forums is reference to ebay auctions, you're welcome to post for sale and wish lists there too. I personally prefer to have one thread for each person's list, because it allows you to mention key items in the thread subject line.

It sounds like the main difference between what you're suggesting and what we have is that we currently separate 'wanted' from 'for sale' items into two areas. There's no particular reason to do that, except perhaps the idea that people are either looking for something or want to get rid of something and will be looking in one place or the other. That may or may not be true, and I'm not sure it makes a big difference to have one area or two.

Either way, I agree that there's another function that ebay doesn't really satisfy- longer term stuff. For instance I have a handful of extra 'Ibanez-style' serrated speed knobs. I'm not looking to get rid of them particularly, but if someone is restoring and needs a couple, I'm happy to sell them off. I was looking for some other parts a while back and believe I posted my needs list there as well. Lately I can't think of anything offhand.