Bass in a pawn shop

[Rusty2867]

I found this bass in a pawn shop the other day and stopped in today to check it out.
It says Fender in large letter and Squire in very small letters made in Korea and ser#
starts out with CN2.It has a Hipshot bridge,Schaller tuners and EMG pickups in a PJ
configuration with a hard case for $175. Worth it? The neck looks like it needs some adjustment as the strings almost touch the first fret and the frets are a little worn.
Don't necessarily need it but if its a good deal maybe! Sorry couldn't get a pic

 

[hypercarrots]

it doesn't sound worth it to me.

 

[Iamgoodformetal]

Not as an investment, but definitely as a backup, or if you have a box to check. It's a Squier series Fender, made by Cort, meant to fall between a Mexican Fender and a Squier. If the logo is gold the body is solid whatever, if not it's plywood. If you'e a modder the hardware/electronics alone might be worth it.

 

[Brio]

I had a “squier series” pj and I loved the neck. Parted it here in the classifieds. As a fellow kansas-citian, do you mind if I ask where it was?

 

[Rusty2867]

Not as an investment, but definitely as a backup, or if you have a box to check. It's a Squier series Fender, made by Cort, meant to fall between a Mexican Fender and a Squier. If the logo is gold the body is solid whatever, if not it's plywood. If you'e a modder the hardware/electronics alone might be worth it.

The logo is gold

 

[Rusty2867]

I had a “squier series” pj and I loved the neck. Parted it here in the classifieds. As a fellow kansas-citian, do you mind if I ask where it was?

Metro Pawn Westport Rd What part of KC you in?

 

[Brio]

Metro Pawn Westport Rd What part of KC you in?

Appreciate that. I may check it out over lunch tomorrow.

And to your original question, I paid more for the one I had and it was in rough shape. It was labeled “Precision Bass Active,” had active components, preamp etc but was dead. I replaced pups and wiring to make it passive and it was a great beater bass.

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

Could be worth it for the parts, alone.

 

[DWBass]

Offer $125

 

[Maxdusty]

Offer $125

I agree, it's a pawn shop- you can always offer less. You may not get it down to $125, but I'm pretty sure you can get it lower than $175. Every single pawn shop buy I've made, not just basses and at several pawn shops, I've been able to negotiate a lower price. They usually have a bottom line and willing to take less especially if you pay in cash as opposed to credit or card purchase. Last bass I got was priced at $175 plus tax, I got it for $150 out the door.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Try it first, and make sure it has Squier printed on the headstock.
If they won't take $125, offer $140 out the door (i.e. after taxes).

You may find that you don't like the EMG pickups.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

EMGs were something I expected not to like until I got a bass with them. I fully expected to change them out. I now have them in 4 of 14 basses. Who knew. Still like my passives too.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

The CN serial number throws me off, because I thought CN = Made in China.
If it's Korean, it should be a top-notch build, so if you end up paying full price (you shouldn't) & love it, no harm, no foul.

 

[Eilif]

The CN serial number throws me off, because I thought CN = Made in China.
If it's Korean, it should be a top-notch build, so if you end up paying full price (you shouldn't) & love it, no harm, no foul.

Korea is often top-notch, especially when coming out of certain factories. However, there's alot of crap Korean basses out there, many with plywood bodies, and many of them are Squires. I had a Korean Squire J with plywood body and it was not great.

If this is from the Cort factory, you're probably on safer ground, but MIK is not necessarily synonymous with quality.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

If memory serves, those with the big Fender & small Squier are the good ones.

 

[johnson79]

I think it's a decent deal if you can talk them down. If it's a dud you could probably part it out for more money.

 

[Andyman001]

My Ibby SR-405 is from the Cort Korea factory and is a nice bass.

 

[Kmonk]

Could be worth it for the parts, alone.

Exactly, I would buy it and part it out if you don't like it. You will more than likely make your money back just by selling the pickups and the case.

 

[Joedog]

Tell them it needs a set up, a new nut, and fret work....then offer $120. You can always raise an offer if they refuse, and if you want it badly enough. Cash on the counter speaks loudly. Before I made a counter offer (if necessary) I'd walk out and see if they say OK as you are leaving. Good luck.

 

[Henry Luera]

I would say its worth it, as long as there is no serious damage to it. You could just buy it as a parts bass!