Pawn Shop Basses?

[flatwound251]

Has anyone had a recent experience buying a bass from a pawn shop? I have only just begun looking for a decent condition used fretless EB (Reverb, Ebay, etc.), but thought pawn shops might be worth checking, although I have not bought one yet. I am interested in you TBers pawn shop experiences (regardless of the type of bass.)

 

[Eilif]

If you've got pawn shops around it's worth a check, but finding good bases can be tough these days unless you've got a shop that specializes in instruments.

Good deals on cheapies pop up from time to time, but usually it's guitars and sometimes amps and cabs. I got a Fender Sonoran for 70 out the door last month and an Acoustic 410 a couple years ago. The last pawn shop Bass I was tempted by was a Lakland Skyline a couple years ago. The only Pawn shop Bass I currently own is a T40 I bought 2002.

 

[jd56hawk]

Pawn shops are almost always a last resort.
We're talking a store that has cameras, laptops, skiing equipment, jewelry, power tools, TVs, video consoles, clothing, etc, etc, etc.
Sure, musical instruments, too...some of the bigger ones might have a ten or twenty guitars and two or three basses. I frequent five different pawn shops and the biggest one had four basses last time I checked...not one I'd even bother picking up and plugging in.
Sure, you can get lucky if you don't care about what you're buying, but there's nothing like walking into a store like Guitar Center and getting to choose from over 100 basses, trying out five or ten and finding something that plays and sounds as good as it looks, and if you're looking for a particular bass, there's a slim chance you'll find it even if you have ten pawn shops to choose from.
Other than that, pawn shops aren't what they used to be. With internet access, the shop owners know exactly what a used Fender MIM or Ibanez Mikro is selling for at the music stores, and they're prices are often higher.

 

[Oren Hudson]

They can be a good source. They usually have gear priced pretty high, but I've found them to be willing to deal, particularly if you flash a little cash.

 

[DWBass]

Not the norm but I found a mint condition Spector Legend Classic for $240. Pawn Shops have wizened up and know what gems are going for these days. Keep at it though. They occasionally slip up.

 

[alembicbones]

I think the online marketplace outside of pawn shops (including Talkbass classifieds) has a way better selection of basses to choose from. Locally I have The Bass Shop that has a great online presence and is run by bass players who care about basses. I think it is the exception that you would find this experience from a pawn shop.

Bones

 

[mellobud]

Has anyone had a recent experience buying a bass from a pawn shop? I have only just begun looking for a decent condition used fretless EB (Reverb, Ebay, etc.), but thought pawn shops might be worth checking, although I have not bought one yet. I am interested in you TBers pawn shop experiences (regardless of the type of bass.)

I’ve had good luck at my local pawn shop during Covid times.
They like to put the date of intake to the pawn shop on their tags. I used that the date to haggle on a US G&L that had been there for a few months.

It was almost pristine except it felt funky/slimy from being on their wall for so long.
Tag had a 999$ price and I got it for 750$.
It ended up being a limited run series that G&L did in 2015. There was another orange transparent finish US G&L with 2 MFD pickups that I passed on because the P just played better.

Sometimes pawn shops surprise you.

 

[M.R. Ogle]

I have established a working relationship with the biggest pawn shop in our town. I go over there once a week and check any guitars and basses that have come "out of pawn" or have been purchased to get them ready for their sales floor... usually involving restringing, checking the electronics, removing gunk and stickers, etc. For a small nominal fee... not a full pro "setup", but rather removing any immediate buyer objections, lol.

There have been some very interesting instruments come through there, and I get to see them first and have bought several on the spot, before I even work on them.

The manager of the pawn shop is actually pretty knowledgeable and realistic about pricing, and he knows I am also fairly knowledgeable, and I realize that the pawn shop would frequently rather "turn over" the instrument for an immediate sale than pay me to work on it, pay for any replacement parts it might need (nut, bridge, pots, etc) and hope for a buyer later.

 

[jojobean39]

I’ve had some luck over the years. Modulus Q6 for $1k, USA Fender Precision for $400, USA Fender Jazz Plus for $500.

However, these were a few years back and pawn shop deals have been ruined by eBay and Reverb. It’s so easy to find comparable prices, so pawn shops aren’t putting $5k basses out for $1k anymore.

On top of that, you have to worry so much about condition and whether or not there are problems.

 

[Deleted member 365158]

Depends on the pawnshop and whats out when you walk in.
I personally don’t have many in my area(none on my island, i have to take a ferry to the mainland) but one i hit when I can is not a chain store and has had some good basses for good prices…. I scored a nice Aria pro II for a great price. I sold it to a buddy though…. He rocks it

 

[Michedelic]

Sure, you can get lucky if you don't care about what you're buying, but there's nothing like walking into a store like Guitar Center and getting to choose from over 100 basses...

Uh, what year are we talking about? Certainly not one in this decade.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

It depends. Where I live they sell crappy instruments at prices that are close to brand new. If you live in or close to a music city (Nashville, LA, Muscle Shoals, etc.) I'm sure its outstanding.

 

[Headless horse]

It's wourth to check, sometimes You can get a great deal.

 

[tb-player]

Pre-internet, pawn shops were great… especially in North Carolina. My guitarist picked up a mint condition pre-CBS Fender Precision refin for $450. He still has it and it’s probably worth 20x that amount. These days, it’s hard to find a crazy good deal since the values are online and shop owners have a better idea of what’s coming thru their hands. Also sellers have Reverb and Craigslist and FB Marketplace.

 

[DrBnz]

BUYER BEWARE..... I mean, it is a PAWN shop. I wouldn't start swinging by all the local pawn stores expecting to find a great bass at a fantastic price. You'd face the same issues if you simply went to "Marketplace" or "Craigs List".

 

[Ric5]

this guy bought a pawn shop bass that worked out well for him ... and he saved enough money to get a washer and dryer

 

[Eilif]

BUYER BEWARE..... I mean, it is a PAWN shop. I wouldn't start swinging by all the local pawn stores expecting to find a great bass at a fantastic price. You'd face the same issues if you simply went to "Marketplace" or "Craigs List".

Maybe,
But at least around here pawn shops tend to be clean, you can try the instrument out in a public space and you can pop in at your own convenience

I think pawn shops are best for the bargain hunter who is looking for bargains to flip and oddities to acquire. Even moreso if you're the sort who is in the habit of regularly visiting resale/used shops knowing that you might have to make many visits to find a gem. As a reliable source of gigging instruments with one visit, there are better shopping options.

 

[N4860]

Not the norm but I found a mint condition Spector Legend Classic for $240. Pawn Shops have wizened up and know what gems are going for these days. Keep at it though. They occasionally slip up.

Ya I got really lucky too once. Found a Music Man Bongo 4hh at a pawn shop for around $750 CDN. It was a great bass that I regret selling now but I made a good amount on that.

 

[Benj-jammin]

Personally, I think it's rather fun to peruse pawn shops, because you never know what you're going to find. You see a lot of the cheap ass "what brand is that" type bass, a lot of Ibby's, Squires, but occasionally, a higher level brand. I guess one good thing about many of the pawnshops I visit, are that they have extensive, longer term layaway plans, if that's your route. Funny thing, the best steal I've ever had at a pawn shop, was about 10 years ago - my daughter wanted a six string electric, I went to a familiar pawn shop, saw a MIM 2002 Strat, mint condition, not a scratch, Mystic Ice Blue, played like a charm, for $120. I can't remember what they were going for at the time like that, used, but I know it was more than $120...maybe $375-400, if not more. She's played it non-stop for 11 years now, absolutely loves it, and we've even had guitar techs ask if they could purchase it. At any rate, with pawn shops, I guess you take them or leave them.

 

[Baker69]

Other than that, pawn shops aren't what they used to be. With internet access, the shop owners know exactly what a used Fender MIM or Ibanez Mikro is selling for at the music stores, and they're prices are often higher.

Very true, on most things shops are pretty shrewd now and have a pretty good idea on what most things are worth.