The Watering Hole

OK, here's what happened.

My buddy calls me up earlier this week and asks me if I still want a 5150 combo. I say "of course, but with the move into the new house it's not a good time for it right now".
He says he found one in good shape at a pawn shop downtown, and they are asking $650 for it. He also asked them if they'd do a trade for other gear, and they said they'd have to see the gear, but they would consider a trade if it was good.
So, today I go in there, see it sitting there, and it's cosmetically in Very good shape. No tears or rips I can see.
I turn it on, let it warm up for a while (20 minutes or so) while I look around the rest of the store.
I plug in my guitar, and have the volume down on both pickups, and crank the Rhythm Post and Rhythm Pre....there is noise, as expected from a 5150. I have read and heard and seen that they are noisy. I don't hear anything I wouldn't expect.I turn the EQ knobs and there is slight cracking (dirty) buy they seem to work correctly. I can hear a change in the tone.
I do the same with the Lead Pre and post, change channels, fiddel about with all the knobs and don't hear anything I wouldn't expect from a 5150.I then turned down the Pre and post on both channels, and turn up my volume on my guitar, and start checking out the volume o the amp itself. i play around with different EQ settings, different volume combinations on both channels, adjust the Pre and post on both channels and it sounds good to my ears. No unwanted noise that I can discern.
I'm happy with it.
I asked him if he'd be interested in a straight swap of gear. My Marshall JCM2000 DSL201 (20 watt tube combo) for the 5150. He does some checking on the computer, and says the best he could do would be about $450. I aske dhim if he means $450 cash plus my Marshall for the 5150, and he laughs and says no. $450 would be the trade value on my Marshall towards the 5150, leaving $200 cash I would have to lay out for the 5150.
So, I then say "OK, let's sweeten the deal. How about the Marshall and a Peavey Bandit for the 5150?". I bring them both in the store, he tests them out, and says OK to the deal, but he won't do the deal until I bring in the Marshall footswitch. No problem. I have that at home, and can bring them back on Monday.

So, is this a good deal? I think it is, but I want your opinions.
I've wanted a 5150 2x12 combo for a few years now, but am I getting screwed on the deal?
I don't think I am, but please speak up.

Thanks guys

I looked up Blue Book values one these and the trade value he gave you was actually pretty good on the Marshall.  Used market price can range from $402-491.  Mint trade value is supposed to range from $249-384.  Used resale value on 5150 can range from $610-745.  Used market resale values on different bandits START at $200.

At our shop, we wouldn't put that much into used gear.  We usually only give Mint trade value (not resale value), so I personally think you are doing pretty good (from a insider perspective).  

Nothing of importance to add, just wanna say thats a mighty nice avatar, Dook!

From Dearthian's post and his blue book - it sounds like you have got yourself a trade deal.


My guess is that the pawn shop guy was willing to do the deal to manage his stock - he had the inside gen on the prices.
The gear you are offering is good so he has two cheaper things to sell for the same price as the expensive unit.

Good deal for both of you.

If you guys here in the States ever need a Blue Book value on an instrument, go to Usedprice.com.  You can get used prices on anything.  I think you can get a value on an item by item basis, or a subscription basis.  Our store has a subscription, so we can look up as many things as we want as often as we want.

Dearthian: — Jun 05, 2009If you guys here in the States ever need a Blue Book value on an instrument, go to Usedprice.com.  You can get used prices on anything.  I think you can get a value on an item by item basis, or a subscription basis.  Our store has a subscription, so we can look up as many things as we want as often as we want.

I'm thinking of selling off a few Dumble's - are they in your book too?  

I'll give ya $500 & a Darth Vader Pez Dispenser (fully loaded of course).  

Well, I pulled te trigger and did the swap today (with the Wife's blessing too).
I now have a Peavey 5150 2x12 combo living in my basement for me to enjoy.
I have wanted one of these for a few years now, and managed to do the "paper clip swap" thing to get one.
I started out with my Flextone III, traded that even for a Crate VTX212, traded that for the Marshall JCM2000 DSL201, bought the Peavey Bandit last year for $100, and today traded both of them for the 5150.
I am a very happy (hobby) guitar enthusiast!   :D :D :D :D :D :D
(and a bit of a geek)   :) :)

Dook

And here we are together...

Nice family portrait! :D Rock on my brutha!!  ;)

cgtrox  8-)