Have I mentioned that I LOVE pawn shops ?!?

[herndonbassist]

Nice score indeed!

I always think about what they gave to the person that pawned it. If they sold it for $90, I'm thinking they're only in it for no more than $50. I have typically gotten less than 50% value on any item I've taken in (and that was over 30 years ago).

 

[Joebone]

Have sometimes wondered if Austin pawn shops offer outstanding opportunities given the density of musicians - ditto with Nashville - but then you'd think that the pawn shop owners would also recognize instrument values...anyhow, great score for the OP!

 

[Dark Horse]

Definitely from an alligator snake.

 

[saabfender]

We have one music shop here that buys and sells. Unfortunately if he had a very used 70's Peavey Mark III he would ask the same price when it was brand new

It's a mistake going into one that specializes in musical instruments. They think everything has a magical vintage premium. Better bets are one of the nationals or those that specialize in firearms, where instruments are the odd-man-out.

 

[Dark Horse]

It's a mistake going into one that specializes in musical instruments. They think everything has a magical vintage premium. Better bets are one of the nationals or those that specialize in firearms, where instruments are the odd-man-out.

I wouldn't say that's a hard and fast rule though. I find some great deals at ones that do musical instruments. I just bought this today for 130 bucks out the door at one that specializes in musical instruments....

 

[rollie 55]

It's a mistake going into one that specializes in musical instruments. They think everything has a magical vintage premium. Better bets are one of the nationals or those that specialize in firearms, where instruments are the odd-man-out.

back in the late 70's i brought a vox foundation valve bass head for 50p at the time in the uk these old amps was'nt worth a lot i wish i still had it

 

[rollie 55]

I wouldn't say that's a hard and fast rule though. I find some great deals at ones that do musical instruments. I just bought this today for 130 bucks out the door at one that specializes in musical instruments....


View attachment 3303682

nice

 

[akrachanko]

Oh..... and I did some trading and got this today too .....

View attachment 3302809

That P-Bass looks incredible! Is that Lake Placid Blue or another Fender color?? I have a mod shop Jazz Bass that I got in LPB and Tort, just because it's such a beautiful combo!

 

[wintremute]

One day I'd love to just hang out with you and hit pawn shops.

 

[Bass Jones]

Some of them used to use a code on the price tag like a system of letters that would tell the salesman how much money they had in an item. A chain here in Austin used "marylouise" with each letter standing for digits 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,0. So, if it had MLE on the tag that meant they needed to get back $150 out of it to break even. It gave you an edge bargaining. Not sure if they still do that.

 

[Dark Horse]

That P-Bass looks incredible! Is that Lake Placid Blue or another Fender color?? I have a mod shop Jazz Bass that I got in LPB and Tort, just because it's such a beautiful combo!

It's Ocean Turquoise Metallic. One of my favorite colors.

 

[Dark Horse]

Some of them used to use a code on the price tag like a system of letters that would tell the salesman how much money they had in an item. A chain here in Austin used "marylouise" with each letter standing for digits 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,0. So, if it had MLE on the tag that meant they needed to get back $150 out of it to break even. It gave you an edge bargaining. Not sure if they still do that.

Unfortunately Mary Louise is a thing of the past. They figured out that many people knew that.

 

[bluepeep]

Every time I go into one the guy has Ebay open and the Interwebs, knows the price of everything and asks for 10% MORE.....I think they make their money when desperate ppl sell to them or just leave it there....

 

[operagost]

I haven't been able to make a score like that because the shops near me are smart enough to look things up. But they overlook things like accessories and esoteric details. One shop priced a student-level valve trombone at a slide trombone level. It also came with 3 mouthpieces. I flipped the two extra mouthpieces for $70 and the trombone itself for slightly over what I paid for it. I also found three brand new packs of genuine Gibson Les Paul speed knob sets wrapped together and selling for a little less than what one new pack would go for. Not sure why they didn't sell the sets separately.

 

[groovaholic]

Wow, that's awesome. Pawn shops suck here.

Ditto.
Here, they all put $100 price tags on Boss DS-1 and $299 on Squier Affinity basses that I can get for $109 new.

 

[Bass Jones]

I always feel a little guilty going in those places because they are loan sharks (apologies to anyone in the biz) and although I've never been in this position I have witnessed someone pawn their own generations old family jewelry and over a period of time pay 10 times what they were loaned in hopes of one day buying it back and in the end lose it anyway.

Heh, heh, didn't mean to be a Debbie Downer, I still go and don't judge anyone else who does! But if anyone wonders where they get their money, that's where.

 

[pht2356]

Made the rounds .... bought a Boom Bass 1215 cabinet for almost nothing. They had no idea what it was, and it'd been on layaway forever, so it was on the big big markdown.... and then I talked them down some more !

Cabinet..... 30 day warrantee ... tax ......

........... $107 !!!! (They sell at MF for like $1200)

And it's in great shape... no tolex tears, just a nice cab ! Sounds incredible...... it'd been in the back since 2017 , they'd forgotten it !!!




View attachment 3302802 View attachment 3302801



And the receipt ......

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Oh..... and I did some trading and got this today too .....

View attachment 3302809

 

[pht2356]

I pawnshops. Pic #1 is mim jazz, #2 squier pbass then & now

 

[pht2356]

Can't seem to get the hang of this picture thing. All three same pawnshop

 

[Dark Horse]

Nice !!!