exception rather than the rule unfortunately. All the Pawn Shops in a 100 mile radius of me had cr@p or overpriced stuff on par with buying from a dealer :(
Now, small mom/pop stores, they could be goldmines!
Johnny, did ya make it to Ed Romans? That guy is a class 1 asshole but does have an immense stock to look at/play.
Yes Nick I did! It's overwhelmingly big! I did a quick look around. Then bought strings, picks, Axe Wax oil and a cable. Got the info i need for the HBE products and left!
I heard some of the guitarists in town jamming on the gear. Put it this way, if anyone who has submitted clips in BKP's wanted to make money in a band in Vegas, you would get work as long as you played the game right and your band are as good or better than you! 8)
We rock in here! Just you all remember that!! 8) 8) 
Johnny, it's same all over the states.
Guitar Centre is like a 'Tesco' for musicians but to be able to hear yourself think (let alone talk/play) over 14yo's hammering out Nirvana or Green Day in those places is nigh on impossible.
Romans is a trip to see aint it :) Too bad the guy is a douchebag!
Good deal on the HBE's, have a power screamer myself, you will love it, they rawk!
Surprised you did'nt find any uber cheap '80's axe's, charvels,ibanez,kramer etc. The one thing Texas Pawn shops and mom/pop stores seemed to have in abundance is some darn good 80's axes cheap. Never really was my bag as most have floyd type trems but they are a steal nowadays if thats no issue.