Humboldt Pawn – Eureka, California

Howdy!

Years ago, it was kind of ok to shop at pawnshops as sometimes there were some good deals to be found. But, over time these stores have evolved into terrible places where you can pay more than new prices for a rattlecan painted Squier Stratocaster or a Sawzall that looks like someone used it to cut up dead bodies.

Well, there are a few exceptions and one of these is Humboldt Pawn in Eureka, California.

Eureka is a coastal town in Northern California, sort of a wide spot on Highway 101 between San Francisco and Oregon. This is a pretty area of the state with nice cool weather and a really laid back vibe. It seems like the last place to find a quality pawnshop, but this is the biggest town around and it must be the best place to sell or pawn your old stuff.

Humboldt Pawn has a lot going for it, and they have been in business since 1999. There is ample free parking, it is a huge shop with good lighting and no electric gate to be buzzed through, and there are plenty of employees to wait on you. These folks are friendly without the usual crummy pawnshop attitude, and they keep the store in great shape. The displays are tidy, and they do not have junky crap lying around and getting dusty.

This is a great start, and they also have a lot of desirable stuff for the discerning audiophile, cyclist, hunter, fisherman, or musician. For the latter, they have just about everything imaginable. There are guitars and basses from entry level Yamahas and Ibanez on up to high dollar Martin acoustics, Gibson electrics, and even a Rickenbacker 4001 bass. They also have amplifiers in all shapes and sizes, effect pedals, and accessories galore. I was intrigued by some of their Honda generators, which are a lifesaver if you ever have an outdoor gig with no place good to plug into. Clean power!

I lucked out when I shopped there and found a very nice vintage BOSS CS-2 Compressor Sustainer pedal, which was made in Japan. These are truly wonderful pedals, and it came in at a very decent price.

If you are ever cruising up or down the 101, you have to stop into Humboldt Pawn, it will totally be worth your time. Their info is:

Humboldt Pawn

1435 Fifth Street

Eureka, CA 95501

707-442-7777

www.humboldtpawn.com

Mahalo!