I try not to worship gear nor gear acquisition, but there used to be a time when I did, and pawn shop scores were a highlight.
One such highlights was when my 18 year old smartass convinced a sales person at Black Market Music in San Francisco to sell me a TR-606 for $40, down from $60 or $65 I forget. Basically he referred to it as “junk” taking space in their used guitar pedals bin, and I told him that it is going to stay there unless he trashed it or sold it to me for cheaper. I used to think that I hustled my way to a lower price, but the reality is that he just wanted it gone.
And you?
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I think I have more memories of selling things to pawn shops than buying from them but I once got super baked and went bowling, then walked over to this pawn / record shop called record heaven, looked at the used tapes, then bought a black leather motorcycle jacket and a red hondo randy rhoads flying v copy all before it was time for my mom to come pick me up.
Early 90’s were a hell of a time.
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Got my Munro Egg 100s from a chain pawn shop here in the UK, only about 4 years ago. Much cheaper than new, although not exactly cheap. I was just so surprised to see something so cool, niche and quality there.
vancouver: a dr110 for $35
bethnal green cash convertors: a kawai K1r for £25 and a Roland D-110 for £50
kentish town cash convertors: PO33 for £40 and an Akai S1000 for £40
i miss finding bargains but now they all seem to reference last sold on ebay so the golden days are over, unless you’re lucky.
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I bought a used guitar a long, long time ago. That’s the only music gear I’ve ever bought there. I have, however, purchased many dvds and blue rays from pawnshops.
Yamaha DX200 for £80 in Cash Converters, Walthamstow. Sold for £200 about 10 years ago.
I picked up an SM57 from a pawn shop last week for £35.
Back in the 90s as an impoverished muso/student I used to go on ‘Cashies missions’ across Perth (where Cash Converters started) to hunt down guitar gear, synths and camera gear I could then keep or flip. The aim was to visit as many pawn shops as possible while using the least amount of petrol. Some of my best finds were an original Ibanez Flying Pan for $25, an Ibanez Moderne/Futura (which I still own) for $600 and an SH-101 for $120.
Good times before the internet came along and wised everyone up to what vintage/analogue gear should be worth.
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