Somewhere out there may be one or two, maybe three, true pawn shops, not simply used instrument resale shops, that are legitimately the stuff legend as far as used guitar, basses, amps, keys, pedals, etc. I've yet stumble upon one.
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Recent pawn shop finds
- Thread starter Skullheadrac
- Start date
I stopped going to pawn shops. They have become big business. I've always looked at guns and music related stuff. But prices are not what they used to be.
I did buy a Martin D28 for $200 in the very early 1980's. But that was thru the guy who pawned it. I just gave him what he owed to get it out of pawn and he never paid me back so I made out.
I did buy a Martin D28 for $200 in the very early 1980's. But that was thru the guy who pawned it. I just gave him what he owed to get it out of pawn and he never paid me back so I made out.
eBay killed good deals at them, same with flea markets.
Yup, I asked a place if they were flexible on the price of an amp once and they just looked it up on eBay and said "I see one listed here for $xxx, out price is fair where it is" don't even see what they sell for on eBay, just took the first inflated been-on-ebay-for-years buy it now listing and took that as justification. That ebay price was above sweetwater and guitar center MSRP, where the same item was in stock.
The only good deals seem to be on things so obscure nobody knows their value. The same shop has a fakenbacker double neck from AliExpress priced at $2500....the same ones that cost $500 from DHgate, but had a hand made local small companies bass for $150. I have no idea what the local companies bass was valued at, I couldn't find one sold anywhere, or even listed online, but quality wise it should have been more than $150.
My recent pawn shop find was my 1974 Rickenbacker 4001.
Originally priced at $5500.
Marked down to $3500.
I took it home for $3200 out the door (so before taxes I paid around $2950).
Original hard case included.
(edited to correct typo)
Originally priced at $5500.
Marked down to $3500.
I took it home for $3200 out the door (so before taxes I paid around $2950).
Original hard case included.
(edited to correct typo)
The shops have adapted and research and sell the good stuff on ebay/reverb an ship all over nowadays.
It doesn't matter to me, if someone has what I'm looking for at a price I'm willing to pay, I know I've bough music items that came from them.
It doesn't matter to me, if someone has what I'm looking for at a price I'm willing to pay, I know I've bough music items that came from them.
A couple of years ago I was looking for a backup head. I found a Peavey Tour 450 at my local pawn shop. $110.00 tax inc, Actually a kick %%$## head! Does a little more than what i want but hey for a back-up, cant be beat!
Yes and yes. I'd imagine the best pawn shop finds would be in localities with poor broadband.
You nailed it. And on rare items without much web presence, like my somewhat rare Canadian/American Godin Freeway 4 4-string.
Well, let's see it!
Well...since you asked.
NBD: 1974 Rickenbacker 4001 with questions for the experts (Pic heavy!)
It's been a couple years but I found a mint condition Spector Legend Custom for $240. I modded it with US EMG pickups and preamp and Hipshot Ultralight tuners. Already had those items on hand so spent zero money. It already had StrapLoks on it. Flipped it for $600. Ended up buying it back.
I was actually on Ebay a few years back when I saw a Genz Benz UBER QUAD for about $200 or $250, I can't remember exactly. I thought that was crazy and then I checked to see what city it was in only to find that it was in a small town just outside of my city 
.
I drove about 45 minutes over there and found it right next to a Genz Benz UBER 115t both in immaculate condition
. Needless to say they are both mine now and I use them a lot with my GB Streamliner and Mesa TT800. 
.I drove about 45 minutes over there and found it right next to a Genz Benz UBER 115t both in immaculate condition
. Needless to say they are both mine now and I use them a lot with my GB Streamliner and Mesa TT800.
Yes, nice one, I remember that thread. Rotos sound great on them.
Whole lot of nothing there - at premium prices.
Guitar Center used site is hit or miss, but at least they have better selection, more buyer protection, and more buying options.
Maybe...but I don't like Rotos, personally. Don't like how they feel. I ended up going with Labella Low Tension Flats and love them!
