Pawn Shop Guitars?

Question

anyone have advice for shopping for a nice guitar for an intermediate guitar player at a pawn shop?

Answer 1

The best advice that I can offer is to take someone with you who is knowledgeable of guitars. If this is not an option, here are a few things that I suggest that you do:
a: Look guitar over for signs of abuse-ie. cracks, dings, etc.
b: Take a finger and note,[put finger inbetween each fret bar on neck], and play string from first fret-----all of the way up the neck, fret after fret after fret. Listen to make sure there is no rattle at each fret. If there is a rattle, the neck might be warped, or a fret bar might be sticking up too far causing this rattle. Not good. Do this on all strings.
c: Check all tuning keys to make sure they are not wore out. You can do this by playing a string while turning tuning key. If tuning key is wore out, you will be able to tell because string tone will not immediately change,[make a higher or lower sound]. The sound should change immediately while turning tuning key back and forth. This will get guitar out of tune, and might upset salesperson, but who cares. If they want to sell guitar, they will not be too upset, after all, it won't take them but a couple minutes to retune guitar.
d: There is a thing called 'Action'. This refers to the height of the strings off of the neck. The closer the strings are to the neck, the easier it is to play. I'm not sure what the standard height is, but I found that a height between 1/8th-3/16th's of an inch is where I like the 'Action' best. This varies usually from personal preference. Hold guitar where you can look directly down the neck and strings,[as if you are playing guitar, or by holding guitar flat, straight out in front of you- neck in left hand and right palm under body of guitar]. You should be able to guesstimate the height.
e: If it is an electric guitar, you need to make sure all knobs and switches are working properly. Have salesperson to plug guitar into an amplifier and make some noise while trying each knob and switch. There should be a difference in sound with everything you do. The main thing that I have found is that the knobs sometimes have dead spots,[sound stops coming out, or maybe even a little static is heard]. Alot of times this can be fixed by using a little 'electrical contact cleaner spray'.
f: Check where the chord plugs into guitar and makes sure plug on guitar is not loose. You can do this by wiggling chord plugged into guitar and watching to see if outlet moves any.
There are other things you can check, but this list will give you a good advantage.
If any salesperson doesn't want to accomodate you with these things, go to another pawn shop. It might be a good idea to do some research to make sure who you deal with knows what they are talking about. Also research prices before you buy!! Some pawn shops attempt to sell guitars for new prices, or more than worth.
I've bought several musical instruments from pawn shops, and have often times been amazed from trying to be ripped-off, to actually getting an amazing deal. One time I came across a 1957 Les Paul Goldtop. All it needed was strings and a bridge. I paid $175 for guitar, bridge, strings, and a small Fender amplifier.
Good luck!!

Answer 2

I have nine guitars acquired from different sources, from brand-new, to vintage, to ex-pawn shop.

Best advice I could give is first set an approximate budget (unless you find a fabulous vintage Strat at a knock-down price from someone who doesn't know what they've got!), and then play the thing in the shop. You'll soon know whether the neck-width and camber are right, the action,and most important, the tone. However, if it's fitted with the wrong guage strings, or of they're old and dirty, this will reduce the potential of the instrument.

Hope this is of some help.

Answer 3

If you want a very good electric guitar at a pretty reasonable price,
look for Peavey T-26,T-27 or a T-60.
They are American made back in the late 70's to mid 80's.
I have a T-26 and T-60 and they are very well made guitars.
I also have a 76 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe and a 95 Fender Jeff Beck Stratocaster which are a bit higher end guitars.
For the $$ you can't go wrong with a Peavey in good shape.
Good Luck in your search!
ndcowboy