[ELPManticore]

Anyone ever found a good deal at a pawn shop? I went one time when I was like 13 or 14 and they weren't very friendly or too excited to let you see stuff.

But are prices all that better, I've never been back to one.

(Esp helpful if you've been to one in the central MA area)

[alcorelectric]

IMHO, pawn shops were alot better several years ago.
I picked 3 guitars from them in the mid nineties.
Lately, it seems like most PS will also have there stuff on ebay or will use ebay as their reference for pricing. I have not seen a good deal in the local PSs in a very long time.
T

[wisedyes]

Hmmm, all I know is that I picked up my favorite guitar ( a mint condition Yamaha Image double cutaway - much like a Les Paul DC or even a PRS, actually - the quality is that good ) at a pawn shop in Baltimore. It was a great deal ( $500.00, the guitars retailed at the time for about $1100.00 or so ).

There is also a pawnie here in Richmond VA that has some pretty good deals on stuff, I noticed recently. So yes, I do think that you can do pretty well at one, but I do also think that they are smarter than they used to be about pieces of good quality. And keep in mind that there will be absolutely zero after the sale service available.

[CountryMile Cadillac]

My first guitar was a Fender 12 string I bought for like $50 in a pawn shop. Loved it, end up pawning it for $200 to go on tour!!