Going to Vegas over the weekend; where for gear?

[Michedelic]

Got a wedding to go to, no Elvis but still some goofy chapel somewhere. I'm staying at an Air B'n'B off of the strip. Cirque Du Soliel/Beatles "Love" will be the main entertainment event(besides the wedding ceremony). As I have no plans on handing over my mad money to Wynn or Adelson, where are the best bets for vintage gear? Cowtown, I guess, right? Or are they ridiculously priced? Is it worth it just to go for the museum/window shopping experience? Was Roman's taken over or just liquidated? Any cool 'little guy' places? Which pawnshops won't be time wasters? Is the Pawnstars place worth poking into just for stupid tourist fun, or just kinda pointless? We're driving in, so I plan on bringing some stuff for possible trade; should I bother or is it low-ball central? Thanks.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Kramer Bass signed by John Paul Jones & John Entwistle

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

View attachment 2848417

Yup! I go just to say I've been.
Pretty much what the whole Vegas experience is about anyway.

 

[MJ5150]

-Mike

 

[GIBrat51]

Yeah, Cowtown Guitars, and maybe AJ's Music & Vintage Guitars (2031 W.Sunset). If you're looking for basses, or anything bass related; gotta tell you, it's slim pickings here. Neither of those places ever has much, bass-wise. Unless you want new; then I'd say Sam Ash. You can stand in line at Pawn Stars if you want; but, other than getting your picture taken, it's a waste of time. I know; been there both before and after they got famous. I don't know anybody who ever found a bass much worth buying in any pawn shop here. And certainly no bargains; they all have computers, and the first thing any of them do is go straight to eBay for a price... The truth about Las Vegas is that, if you got rid of all the touristy stuff? It may sprawl all over the valley, but it really isn't much of a city. Certainly not as metropolitan a place as the population size would suggest. If it were me, I'd just see some shows; go to the Gangster, Neon, and Atomic Museums; and wander around the Fremont Street Experience. And save your music stuff shopping for someplace more productive...

 

[RobTheRiot]

I agree about Gold & Silver Pawn, unless you just want to see it, don’t expect to find any deals there at all.
The Guitar shops have already been mentioned, but I disagree about the pawn shops... I’ve found some really nice gear at great prices. You have to hope it’s been sitting a while, that’s when the prices come down... also you might find some deals cuz of holiday season. I’ve scored an ibanez prestige series 5 string for $350 (great deal), and am in process of paying off a mint condition Fender 60th anniversary commemorative US P-bass, for welllll Under $1,000... it’s hit or miss obviously, but worth a cpl quick stops...
Good luck and have fun!