He's got what I want, I've got what he needs..
 

Okay, get yer mind outta the gutter you "homophobes", I'm talking guitars.

I'm trying to do a straight across trade with someone in Atlanta (my '52 Tele reissue for his Gibson J-45). What is the best way to do this type of transaction? Is there an "escrow" type of situation that can be done? I'm not hip on the "you send me yours and I'll send you mine" scenario.
If any of you have been in this situation of dealing with "private party" long distance and have input, I'd appreciate it.

Find a friend of his in your area, give him the Tele. Have a friend of yours in his area take his Gibson.

I've done two trades like this. One was for an Ernie Ball Music Man EVH model in TX. Another was trading a 1911 for an M4. Both of us just mailed each other the stuff on trust and it went off without a hitch. Most enthusiasts are honest people. BTW, for the guns we mailed to each other's FFL's.

I know everyone dislikes Sam Ash, but they are here and in Atlanta. Maybe you can set something up with them - I know, I know, they will kill you with some sort of transaction commission....

Rattlesnak flies into L.A. with some frequency and he is based out of Atlanta...

Send your guitar to rcecale and have him do the trade, and mail you the Gibson.

Then, you send rcecale some beer.

God, I'm a genius sometimes.