Are there good acoustic guitars at pawn shops?

alancdarby · #1 11-02-2010, 11:09 PM

I was saving up money to buy a new acoustic well a better acoustic but realized that you usually blow alot of money buying new i was wondering if you can save alot going to pawn shops? Im looking to buy a martin

cosmic gumbo · #2 11-03-2010, 07:39 AM

I got my tuba at a pawn shop and it was one sweet deal. They said it belonged to a Sunday school teacher who only played it in church on Sundays. She had to pawn it so she could go gamble at the Indian casino. Pawn shops near casinos are filled with great stuff!

billkath · #3 11-03-2010, 08:01 AM

I think the days of being pawn shops not knowing the value of classic instruments is LONG gone. With the internet, these days, a value is only a click away.

derek · #4 11-03-2010, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billkath

I think the days of being pawn shops not knowing the value of classic instruments is LONG gone. With the internet, these days, a value is only a click away.

Agreed. In fact, the last time I trolled pawn shops looking for diamonds in the rough, everything I saw was grossly over priced. There wasn't anything that resembled a decent instrument either. I have stopped shopping them.

lindydanny · #5 11-03-2010, 08:22 AM

Trolling is one thing, but actively shopping for something is quite another. I bet if you look, you may find somethings. Remember that with pawn shops, prices are negotiable. Negotiations hinge on who knows more. So, if you find a guitar that you like, take some notes and research it. Then, approach about the price.

Even used guitar shops are the same. There's a guy here in KC that buys/sells used guitars and he overprices everything on the rack. I've watched as someone who knew there stuff came in and bartered with him. He was realist and they agreed on a fair price (alm0st $300 less than ticked) within a couple minutes. The owner made a profit and the customer got a nice guitar. Win win.

~DB

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #6 11-03-2010, 09:05 AM

I'd say the best prices are on things like Craigs List. But you have to know the market and know guitars.

billkath · #7 11-03-2010, 09:08 AM

My advice is to look in local papers in small towns that are particularly hard hit by the recession.

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #8 11-03-2010, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billkath

My advice is to look in local papers in small towns that are particularly hard hit by the recession.

Maybe somewhere that just elected a representative from the Tea Party!
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(^^^ Gratuitous reference to the recent election!)