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Post subject: He shoots, he scores! (new amp day)
Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 4:49 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 8:09 am
Posts: 453
So yesterday I ran across this in a pawn. Fender Super Champ XD.

Like new. 15W all-tube 1x10, with some digital effects and, on channel 2, 16 different "voicings."

It was tagged at $250, but since I can get one brand new for $299, I was pretty sure I could get the seller down to $200.

Image

My approach was this:

"Tom (you do know your pawnbroker by name, I hope!), my usual rule of thumb is that a good deal for used gear is one-half of "street" price new. These street for $299, and I can get an open-box new w/same warranty for $270. Give me your best price."

Then I checked all around the clock on the effects and voicings, everything seemed to work, even hooked it up to my open-back 2x12. Plenty loud, sounds good. Played with both single coils (Gretsch Special Jet with DeArmond 2000's) and humbuckers (DeArmond Jet Star with Gold Tones).

Total damage?

$175 USD!

Ka-ching!


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Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
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Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 6:15 am
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Definitely a nice score!



Jim


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Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 6:22 am
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Strat2k6 wrote:
Definitely a nice score!



Jim


Thanks.

I'm on good terms with this particular pawnbroker. He's a good guy. I told him my "rule of thumb" being half of "street," but also let him know that I realized this was a VERY clean amp and let him know that my rule of thumb was not an absolute barrier. The $175 price was one he gave me, and I think very fair.

I make a point of going in once or twice a week (this pawn is just a couple blocks from my office), and buying DVD's (they're only $3, after all) to support him in some small way between large purchases, and have also done him some small favors over the years (such as suggesting simple things he could do, like tightening tuning pegs on guitars that are slipping, and one time even pricing an item for him on the fly, when he had some kids interested in something that he hadn't priced yet). He also knows that I have tons of guitars and amps and am thus not "needy" of anything he has, but will buy a good deal.

It's good to know your pawnbroker by his first name.

And of course, it helps to live in a town with a very large land-grant state university, a very large community college that doubles as a satellite campus for a private upper division university, and a thriving music scene. The ratio of musicians to normal people here is through the roof. Makes for much better pawn inventory.

Off to church to try her out! WIll use as my stage monitor and line out to my bigger 1x15 rig (which I can never hear, since it's in front of me and pointed away, towards the congregation)


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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 12:40 pm
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Professional Musician
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Location: Bucks County, Pennsylvania, USA
Hello Brian Krashpad,

Well done on the Amp.
I like to stay on good terms with all I deal with,
after all "You'll catch more bees with honey"

Cheers.


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Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 10:37 am
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Another couple things that really help when dealing with pawnbrokers is have cash on hand and only talk and test things you are truly interested in and seriously considering buying...

There is a pawnshop a few blocks from where i live that i have gotten super deals...I know he absolutely hates it when some one comes in and fingers ever piece of gear he has asking him to hook it up then on to the next doing the same thing all the while acting as if they know more about it then him haggling with him on each piece of gear only to walk out without buying anything...Save that for Guitar Center as the pawnbroker is more than likely going to remember you and wont take you serious when you truly are interested and is more than likely going to shoot you some off the hip price..

Im not saying that the pawnbroker is right ..Im just saying what i have noticed..


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