Guitar Center Black Friday deals 2023: you can still get up to 40% off guitar gear

Guitar Center Black Friday Sale: Up to 40% off
From guitars to PA systems, pianos to recording gear, there's something for every type of musician in Guitar Center's epic Black Friday sale. Guitar Center has stated that these are the "best deals of the year" so if you're on the fence about purchasing a new piece of music gear, then now is the time - the deals won't get any better than this! 

Guitar Center: 15% off coupon on 15,000+ products
Featuring the fantastically-spec'd BMG Brian May signature model, the brand-new, Tosin Abasi-favored Bad Cat Jet Black amp, a fire-breathing Maxon SM-9 Pro+ Super Metal, and more, Guitar Center's mega-sale is the farthest thing from a get-these-out-of-our-inventory push. 

PRS SE John Mayer Silver Sky: Was $849, now $679
Both the maple and rosewood-equipped versions of John Mayer's highly praised SE Silver Sky signature guitar is now 20% off at Guitar Center, so trust me when I say now is as good a time as any if you've been thinking about getting one. 635JM single-coils, serious playability and that Sob Rock flair make this an absolute winner for Black Friday. What's more, all of the finish options are on offer, too. A Nylon Blue maple SE Silver Sky? for $679?! Don't mind if I do.

Huge Epiphone sale: Up to 25% off
Whether it's a 1959 Les Paul, ES-335 semi-acoustic, or a Silverburst Les Paul Custom, Guitar Center might have just served up one of the most drool-worthy lists of guitar deals we're going to see this Black Friday, with up to $250 off. The guitars mentioned are just a few of the stunning deals that caught our eye, click through for the full list. 

Guild OM-240CE: was $529 now $249
Given Guild is one of the most storied acoustic guitar builders on the planet, you wouldn’t typically see its acoustics in a beginner roundup. But with an astonishing $280 off – that’s 53%, percentage fans – you can get a record-and-gig-ready acoustic as your very first. Available with a solid Sitka spruce top (a feature normally only found on more expensive models), plus mahogany sides and built-in Guild electronics, this Charcoal Burst-finished model is an undeniable bargain at this price, and one of the most impressive offers we’ve seen this year.

Squier Classic Vibe '60s Precision Bass: $449 $349
Squier’s Classic Vibe instruments have rewritten the rulebook when it comes to vintage feel and value for money in the affordable end of the bass and guitar market. The ’60s Precision Bass is no exception. Our review named it “one of the best pound-for-dollar models you can get”, noting it boasts “build quality and attention to detail that far exceed what you’d expect for the price.” Now this Limited Edition Sonic Blue option is 25% cheaper at just $349.99 – whether you’re a beginner looking to buy something that lasts, or a seasoned player after a new option or backup bass, this is a superb opportunity to snap one up.

Squier Classic Vibe '60s Precision Bass: $449 $349
Squier’s Classic Vibe instruments have rewritten the rulebook when it comes to vintage feel and value for money in the affordable end of the bass and guitar market. The ’60s Precision Bass is no exception. Our review named it “one of the best pound-for-dollar models you can get”, noting it boasts “build quality and attention to detail that far exceed what you’d expect for the price.” Now this Limited Edition Sonic Blue option is 25% cheaper at just $349.99 – whether you’re a beginner looking to buy something that lasts, or a seasoned player after a new option or backup bass, this is a superb opportunity to snap one up.

DigiTech Whammy: was $299 now $249
You’ve heard this perennially popular pitch-shifter on countless recordings, from Rage Against the Machine to Muse, Steve Vai, Radiohead and beyond. Its trademark octave-up squeals and synthesizer-esque harmonies have made it one of the most iconic pedals of all time, so any kind of discount is a rare thing indeed. Save $50 now at Guitar Center and revolutionize your pedalboard.

Line 6 Catalyst 200: $499.99, now $379.99
The powerful Line 6 Catalyst 200 is a fantastic modeling amplifier and now you can get it for much less over at Guitar Center. It's got a hefty $100 discount, making it phenomenal value for such a powerful and versatile amplifier.

Price check - Sweetwater $379.99

Universal Audio UAFX Pedals: Was $399, now $319
The UAFX Ruby, Woodrow and Dream pedals offer emulations of the Vox AC30, ‘55 Fender 5E3 Deluxe Tweed, and ‘65 Fender Deluxe Reverb amps, respectively. These pedals are the best way to get their sound and feel in an ultra-portable, studio-, home-, and stage-friendly package. At $319 this Black Friday, they're an absolute steal.

EarthQuaker Devices pedals: 20% off
Head to Guitar Center before November 29 to take advantage of a 20% discount on ALL the renowned pedal company's stompboxes, including the Sunn O))) Life Pedal V3, plus great prices on the Rainbow Machine V2, Avalanche Run and Hizumitas Fuzz Sustainar.

Boss Katana Head MKII 100W $369.99 $299.99
You might not guess it, but this Katana head can handle anything from bedroom jams through to medium-sized gig settings. It’s been a runaway success since its introduction in 2015 and this second generation edition scored 4.5/5 stars in our 2021 review – being lauded for its rock solid build, library of beloved Boss effects and a great variety of useable tones on offer. Guitar Center is offering discounts on several Katana models, but this head has one of the chunkiest: with nearly 20% off the list price.

Gibson Les Paul Trad Pro V: $2,499, now $1,999
The Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro V is about as versatile as a Les Paul gets, packing coil-splits and out-of-phase switches, and comes in a luxurious Satin Wine Red finish. If you're in the market for a bonafide rock machine, this has to be your next guitar – especially with Guitar Center slashing the price to just $1,999.

Price check: Musician's Friend $2,499

Epiphone ES-335 Traditional Pro: was $599, now $449
What do you call a guitar that has you covered for everything from jazz to blues, indie to classic rock and more? Easy, it’s the ES-335. Check out the ES-335 Traditional Pro. It’s on sale for $449 (down from $599) with a choice of Inverness Green, or Metallic Gold. You'll get a double-bound, 5-ply maple body, a mahogany neck (with the classic dot fretboard markers) and a pair of Alnico Classic Pro humbuckers. Bag yourself a slice of semi-hollow royalty for less before they’re gone.

Fender Player Tex-Mex Strat: $849.99, now $699.99
This upgraded take on Fender's popular Player format is equipped with a set of the company's Tex-Mex pickups for a fatter single-coil sound that's perfect for Texas blues. It's one of this year's best lookers, too, with a Sonic Blue finish, complemented by a mint green-hued pickguard. Guitar Center has shaved $150 off its $849 asking price, bringing the final figure down to $699.

D'Angelico Premier Bedford SH: $899.99 now $509.99  Guitar Center is offering a huge $390 discount on this stunning semi-hollow offset from D'Angelico. It's got retro charms a-plenty, but a seriously flexible HSS setup that – thanks to the Duncan Design mini humbucker – gives you access to a huge range of tones, but doesn't look like it's been culled from a Super Strat...

Schecter C-1 Platinum: Was $979, now $799
This stunning-looking metal machine has got a sensational $180 discount in the Guitar Center Black Friday sale at the moment. As you’d expect from a metal guitar the EMG pickups are ultra-aggressive, so will give you tight chugs for days. It’s a versatile instrument too, thanks to the Floyd Rose Special locking tremolo and Sustainiac pickup in the neck position. The Sustainiac is a superb addition, whether you’re looking for expressive cleans or distorted leads that quite literally sustain forever. 

PRS SE Custom 24: Was $879, now $699
As part of a larger PRS SE holiday sale, Guitar Center has a range of PRS SE guitars with 20% discounts across the board. The SE Custom 24 caught our eye immediately, as it's one of the best bang-for-buck guitars you can buy in the modern age. With a $180 discount, it's a brilliant way to get a top-tier guitar for less.

Price check - Sweetwater $699

Epiphone SG Special-I: Was: $199, now: $149
For those wanting to harness their inner Angus, you will not find a deal more perfect than this Epiphone Special-I SG, which is 25% off at Guitar Center. Young AC/DC fanatics will be able to cut their teeth on the real deal, with the guitar offering a no-nonsense wraparound bridge and a dual humbucker setup for classic rock tones.

Fender Player Strat in Shell Pink: $824, now $649
This might be the best-looking Stratocaster on sale this Black Friday: this Limited Edition Fender Player Stratocaster not only boasts a stunning Shell Pink finish, but it's topped off with a tortoiseshell scratchplate. And with $175 off the list price at Guitar Center, it’s a steal to boot.

Squier Bullet Mustang HH: Was: $199, now: $149
The Squier Bullet Mustang HH isn’t going to be with us for much longer, so you’ll need to act fast if you want to snap this one up for just $149 at Guitar Center. We gave it a 4.5-star rating when we reviewed it, and for good reason: it’s playable, well-built, stocked with great tones and that Surf Green finish looks uber cool. Beginner guitars don’t get much better than this.

Fender Player Stratocaster: Was $799, now $599
This Strat will appeal to fans of David Gilmour. There aren't too many Stratocaster spec combos more iconic than a black body and pickguard with a maple fingerboard, and thanks to this tasty Guitar Center deal you can harness that classic Gilmour black Strat vibe and those sought-after Strat sounds for $200 cheaper than usual.

Yamaha F335 acoustic: was $189 now $129
Acoustic guitars for beginners simply do not get much better than this – especially with $50 off at Guitar Center. The F335's dreadnought body delivers a deep bass response with a rosewood fingerboard and comfortable neck shape. It features a laminated spruce top with meranti back and sides, and comes in a choice of three finishes: natural, black and Tobacco Brown Sunburst.

Guild OM-240CE: was $529 now $249
Given Guild is one of the most storied acoustic guitar builders on the planet, you wouldn’t typically see its acoustics in a beginner roundup. But with an astonishing $280 off – that’s 53%, percentage fans – you can get a record-and-gig-ready acoustic as your very first. Available with a solid Sitka spruce top (a feature normally only found on more expensive models), plus mahogany sides and built-in Guild electronics, this Charcoal Burst-finished model is an undeniable bargain at this price, and one of the most impressive offers we’ve seen this year.

Boss RE-202 Space Echo: Was $419.99, $378.49
As one of our top picks for best delay pedals, this supreme tape delay emulation pedal is one of the most expansive sounds you can put on your pedalboard. It's still very new, so we're happy to see a healthy $40 discount off the regular price over at Guitar Center.

Price check - Sweetwater $378.49

Bad Cat Jet Black: 15% off with coupon
This is one of the amps that convinced Tosin Abasi to switch from Axe-Fx and amp modeling back to tube amps – quite an endorsement, especially in this increasingly digital age. Packing four EL84 tubes, this thing is an absolute fire-breather, and this Guitar Center sale brings its price down to just a hair over $2,000. Not an insignificant discount on a product that's been out for less than a week...

UAFX 1176 Compressor: Was $199, now $169
There are many imitators to the ubiquitous 1176 compressor, but we love that the UAFX 1176 has all the versatility of the plugin and the same tone sculpting options we’d get when mixing in the box. Use it as a sustainer, a clean boost, or even an overdrive in dual mode, or just as an always-on tone sweetener for your rig.

Price check - Sweetwater $169

Kemper Profiler PowerHead 600W: $1,999, now $1,849
Pairing Kemper's legendary Profiler with a 600-watt solid-state power amp, the Profiler PowerHead is essentially all the amp you need for the stage and studio, and comes with heaps of effects, too. Not only is it still, in our book, one of the best amps you can buy, this Kemper is one of the most powerful music-making tools on the planet, full stop. If you've ever wanted to take the plunge – with $150 off at Guitar Center this Black Friday – this is the time to buy. 

EarthQuaker Devices Plumes: Was $99, now $79.20
As one of our favorite Tube Screamer clones, we had to shout the EarthQuaker Devices Plumes. It’s a small-ish reduction at $19.80, but that still makes it cheaper than you’ll find anywhere else at the moment. 

As you’d expect from a good TS clone, it’s perfect for pairing with a mid-scooped amp and goes nicely stacked with other drive and distortion pedals too. Already excellent value for money, it’s certainly that more tempting at the moment in the Guitar Center Black Friday sale. If you’re into EQD pedals then definitely check out the full EarthQuaker Devices pedal sale, with loads of offers from the Ohio-based pedal brand. 

Price check: Sweetwater $79.20

Revv amps: Up to $300 off
Some of our favorite wall-shakers from Revv have received healthy price-cuts at Guitar Center for Black Friday, with $100 off the Revv G20 – which we awarded four-and-a-half stars in our review – $200 off some of the company's best-selling tube combos, and an even $300 off the firm's ferocious 100 and 120W Generator models. 

MXR M66S Classic Overdrive: Was $69 now $49
MXR’s most affordable overdrive may not offer all the bells and whistles of its pricier brethren, but it’s no slouch in the tone department. Spanning a touch of grit to hairier overdrives, it’s an easy way to give you clean tone some punch or stack with other drives. Plus, if you believe certain internet rumors, it can be turned into a far pricier Zakk Wylde Overdrive with the flick of a switch on the circuit board. Two pedals for the price of one? You can’t say fairer than that, especially with $20 off at Guitar Center.

JHS 3 Series pedals: Was $99 now $74.25 each
Even at $99, the JHS 3 Series pedals are a bargain. The comprehensive lineup covers quite literally all tonal bases – overdrive, distortion, chorus, fuzz, delay, screamer, reverb and tremolo included – and each unit is so easy to use it practically operates itself: just three control knobs and mode-switching toggles. Plus, they’re built by JHS, so you know you’re investing in a top quality pedal. They are now a generous 25% off at Guitar Center.

Walrus Audio Fundamental Series: $99 now from $79
Walrus Audio’s answer to the JHS 3 Series, the Fundamental Series pedals are almost just as affordable, equally easy to use, and also cover a vast tonal range. Here, there are three voices per pedal, and (get this) sliders to control the parameters. Nifty, eh? A selection of fuzz, overdrive, distortion, reverb and all sorts of other pedals are now available from $79 thanks to Guitar Center’s discount.

AmpliTube 5 Max: $599, $99
This comprehensive suite of guitar amps and effects had a ginormous $500 slashed off its price tag at Guitar Center last year. Snagging AmpliTube 5 Max for $99 was easily one of the best guitar plugin deals of Black Friday last year.

Epiphone Songmaker DR-100: $169, $129
Epiphone is one of the most prolific guitar builders in the biz, with the trust of thousands of guitarists the world over. Last year you could join the club, picking up the Songmaker DR-100 at just $129. Normally priced at $169, this stylishly appointed six-string has had a cool $40 lopped off its tag in the Guitar Center Black Friday deals last year.

Fender Player Strat HSS Plus Top: $909, $749.99
Fender’s Player series guitars remain incredibly popular thanks to a mix of fantastic build quality, timeless sound, and excellent price point. You’ll be hard-pressed to get as much bang for your buck with anything else – and last year saw this awesome HSS Strat with flame maple top get a reduction of $160.

Boss Katana-100/212 MkII: $564.99, $449.99
Probably the most popular practice amp on the planet right now, we love the Katana series for its tonal versatility and usability in any situation, whether you’re practicing at home, recording in the studio, or playing a live show. This super deal appeared last year at Guitar Center, with a hefty $115 knocked off the price.

HeadRush Looperboard: $899, $499
This looping behemoth does it all with a quad-core DPS system and 7” touchscreen interface, the Looperboard is the looper pedal of the future – and last year there was a crazy $400 off the price at Guitar Center. Five hours of recording time is onboard, with intelligent time stretching and 32-bit 48kHz audio quality. The 12(!) footswitches feature RGB LED indicators to keep track of your tracks, while there’s a comprehensive suite of Eleven HD Expanded effects to manipulate your loops.