As far as instruments are concerned, I've never "found" a "good deal" at a pawnshop. Most pawnshop owners have no clue about what an instrument, guitars anyway, should play like. Most of the ones I've seen have been abused severely....eg. dented frets, neck cracks, twisted necks, etc....They just go off of what the relative Ebay price is. Amps can be hit or miss. FWIW, most local dealers will match any catalog price such as from Musicians Friend or AMS. And you get the service that comes with buying new equipment from a local dealer if you have any problems. There are lots of inexpensive starter instruments out there.