Logan
guitars at pawn shops
You can find good guitars at some local pawn shops. I saw some good ones their. Any questions are welcome!
Logan
Logan
# 1
I would advise anyone buying pawnshop guitar to have a good knowledge of guitar structure play-ability, and be allowed to amp test. If not experienced have someone that is along with you.
# 2
Given Mr Axe2`s recent bad experience of his guitars being stolen and then being pawned, it might be worth double checking the origin of any pawn shop guitars you're thinking of buying! Cheers, Steve
# 3
I've heard others say pawn shops put the high quality instruments on the auction sites thereby making more money. Sounds logical to me. Likewise, I've heard others discuss that there are many folks out there who really know guitars, make part of their living buying and flipping guitars and are quick to snap up quality or collectable guitars. Also sounds logical.
The implied bottom line is deals on quality guitars in a pawn shop will be rare. That said, we all believe that what makes music is not the level of guitar but the level of the player. If the buyer has been careful and done due diligence and the guitar works for them then have it.
I want to believe...anybody got any good stories about good pawn shop scores?
The implied bottom line is deals on quality guitars in a pawn shop will be rare. That said, we all believe that what makes music is not the level of guitar but the level of the player. If the buyer has been careful and done due diligence and the guitar works for them then have it.
I want to believe...anybody got any good stories about good pawn shop scores?
"It takes a lot of devotion and work, or maybe I should say play, because if you love it, that's what it amounts to. I haven't found any shortcuts, and I've been looking for a long time."
-- Chet Atkins
-- Chet Atkins
# 4
Originally Posted by: john of MT
I want to believe...anybody got any good stories about good pawn shop scores?
Christopher did a neat little video on a Strat style guitar that he paid I think $26 bucks for or something. Probably not a fair example though, as I'm pretty sure he'd make any guitar sound great. ;)
# 5
No kidding, he could make twine tied to a twig sound great! :-). He'd probably play Bach with it too to make it that much more infuriating...
The man has SKILLS I tell ya!
The man has SKILLS I tell ya!
# 6
Originally Posted by: john of MT
The implied bottom line is deals on quality guitars in a pawn shop will be rare.
[/quote]
Exactly. It used to be the case pre-internet that pawn stores were sources of cheap hidden treasures. But it worked the other way just as often. :)
These days the market place & price points are much more transparent & widely known. As soon as a guitar or amp arrives at a pawn store they look it up on EBay & the local Craigslist. Everyone has access to the same info in real time. So, the field is very level.
That said, there are occasional hidden, surprise treasures & deals to be found. But I frequent a dozen or so pawn shops in my neck of the woods. And from the far boonies to the bigger cities everyone is pretty cognizant of the market value of their gear. :)
I typically find deals when the owners are glutted with gear, have duplicates & are trying to move product to make space for more profitable items. And after the holidays, too! Another good opportunity is the as is fixer-upper. See below!
[QUOTE=john of MT]
I want to believe...anybody got any good stories about good pawn shop scores?
You bet! Here are a couple recent ones.
I got an Ibanez RG hardtail for $75 because the pots were fried & they had another fully operational one.
I spied a Fender Squier behind the counter at one shop. It had an "$26 As Is" sticker on it. Someone ripped out the wires from the pots to the input jack. The owner either didn't want to fix it or didn't know how. I put $30 on the counter to account for sales tax. :)
The clerk said, "Now, ya gotta know she don't work, ya plug 'er in."
I said, that's fine. I can fix it & if not, the body & neck alone are worth $30 to me.
I rewired it, cleaned it & strung it up. Made this video. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83h7C8P734A
# 7
Originally Posted by: Slipin LizardChristopher did a neat little video on a Strat style guitar that he paid I think $26 bucks for or something. Probably not a fair example though, as I'm pretty sure he'd make any guitar sound great. ;)
That's the vid I just linked in the previous post! Thanks for the compliment. :)
# 8
Originally Posted by: maggiorNo kidding, he could make twine tied to a twig sound great! :-). He'd probably play Bach with it too to make it that much more infuriating...
:D LOL. Now, that might be a bit of an exaggeration. Thanks for the compliment!
# 9
# 10
Yeah...and thanks for the stories and the video, Christopher!
"It takes a lot of devotion and work, or maybe I should say play, because if you love it, that's what it amounts to. I haven't found any shortcuts, and I've been looking for a long time."
-- Chet Atkins
-- Chet Atkins
# 11
How is it I can remember the exact dollar amount Christopher paid after reading his thread once ages ago, and yet I can't remember where I left the car keys?? :confused:
# 12
I remember in the 80's there was a guy in town who had lots of money he got a good bit of money from his parents. He took that cash and bought lots of music gear. Really nice stuff too.
He had a customer shop Jackson guitar (and the were it in the day). It was pretty gorgeous with a tiger stripe design overlaid on a gradiated purple to pink to white pearlescent body paint. Gold hardware too. It was a great instrument. I knew the guy a little so I'd seen and handled the instrument once.
So, that money he got...It was a one time deal and he blew it all and had to start pawning his gear.
That Jackson, as the story goes, ended up in a pawn shop for $75. That Jackson was $1500+ even in the 80's....I'd like to say it was me that scored it but alas it wasn't.
He had a customer shop Jackson guitar (and the were it in the day). It was pretty gorgeous with a tiger stripe design overlaid on a gradiated purple to pink to white pearlescent body paint. Gold hardware too. It was a great instrument. I knew the guy a little so I'd seen and handled the instrument once.
So, that money he got...It was a one time deal and he blew it all and had to start pawning his gear.
That Jackson, as the story goes, ended up in a pawn shop for $75. That Jackson was $1500+ even in the 80's....I'd like to say it was me that scored it but alas it wasn't.
# 13
# 14
Originally Posted by: Slipin LizardHow is it I can remember the exact dollar amount Christopher paid after reading his thread once ages ago, and yet I can't remember where I left the car keys?? :confused:
LOL. I missed this earlier. :D
# 15
# 16
Pawnshops can be good if you know the value of what you’re looking to buy. They can also be kind of shady, but you can find some decent stuff there! I bought a guitar from one of the best pawn shops in Utah. It was a great deal! Visit: www.pawnutah.com.
# 17
http://www.guitartricks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41778
Check out my thread, "Some History and Some Current Events" at the above url. A rock band, trying to finance their tour, was convicted of pawning counterfeit Martin guitars...
Check out my thread, "Some History and Some Current Events" at the above url. A rock band, trying to finance their tour, was convicted of pawning counterfeit Martin guitars...
"It takes a lot of devotion and work, or maybe I should say play, because if you love it, that's what it amounts to. I haven't found any shortcuts, and I've been looking for a long time."
-- Chet Atkins
-- Chet Atkins
# 18
