These 40 huge Black Friday and Cyber Monday guitar gear deals are still live – but they won’t be around much longer
Late to the Black Friday and Cyber Monday party? Don’t worry you can still grab a great deal on guitar gear
The biggest sales weekend of the year has finally come to a close and there have been some phenomenal Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals that have come and gone this year. Although officially Cyber Weekend is over, there are still plenty of great deals available, so whether you missed out on the action, or you’re waiting for payday there are still some big savings to be made at major retailers.
Sweetwater still leads the way when it comes to the percentage game, offering up to 80% off music gear in their Cyber Week sale. You can also still grab up to 40% off at Guitar Center until November 29, as well as a solid up to 50% off gear at Musician’s Friend for a limited time only. Finally, if you’re a Fender fan, over at their official store you can still get up to 50% off a range of their iconic instruments.
Below we’ve hand-picked some of our favorite deals that are still very much alive and kicking, but if you don’t see anything you like you’ll find even more on our Cyber Monday guitar deals page.
Editor's picks
Fender Aerodyne Strat: $1,329.99, now $799.99
One of the best playing Fender guitars we've played in years, the Fender Aerodyne Special Strat HSS has an unbelievably fast-playing neck and seriously good-sounding pickups to boot.
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.
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.
Blackstar HT Club 40 MKII: Was $899, now $599
One of the most dependable, portable gigging tube-driven combos has had $300 knocked off its price at Sweetwater for Black Friday. With two channels, reverb and Blackstar’s ISF control, you’ll have classic Brit and US tones covered in a manoeuvrable, stylish 1x12 combo amp.
JHS Bonsai: Was $249, now $186.75
Everybody needs a Tube Screamer on their ‘board, but how about nine of them? The JHS Bonsai gives you every imaginable flavor of the world’s most popular overdrive pedal. Whether you want the classic low-gain grind of the TS808, or the late 90s TS7 with its characteristic low-end dirt tones, this pedal gives you pretty much every iteration of this ultra-popular overdrive pedal.
Hagstrom Viking short-scale bass: $1,249 $699
This Chinese-made modern recreation of Hagstrom’s ’60s build, the Concord bass, is a semi-hollow short-scale model that oozes retro cool. There’s a maple body, set maple neck and a pair of custom-voiced Dyna-Rail humbuckers. It is a beautiful bass and features one of the heftiest discounts we’ve seen on any product across the Cyber Weekend period – knocking an immense 44% off the list price.
Line 6 Helix Native: Was $399, now $199
Harness the power of Helix inside your DAW for half price with Sweetwater’s early Black Friday deal. With 60+ amp models, 30+ speaker cabs, over 100 effects, and more, you can have multiple instances of Line 6’s award-winning, world-class studio guitar tone at your fingertips.
Electric guitars
Squier Affinity Jazzmaster: $279.99, now $223.99
This low-cost series is superb for beginners and now offers more choice than ever. We can't get enough of the Affinity Jazzmaster, its lightweight body, slim and comfortable C-shaped neck and Squier single-coil Jazzmaster pickups add up to a guitar that is way more than the sum of its parts.
PRS SE Swamp Ash Special: Was $849, now $679
As part of a wider PRS SE sale, you can get a tasty 20% discount on the whole range, including this stunning PRS SE Swamp Ash Special. With the HSH configuration you can get a huge array of tones from this beautiful guitar and the PRS 'wide-thin' neck profile makes it supremely comfortable.
Sterling by Music Man Mariposa: $599.99, $399.99
One of the best Sterling by Music Man launches in recent years, this signature model for Mars Volta maverick Omar Rodriguez-Lopez is a no-nonsense, endlessly playable rock machine, with a slick roasted maple neck and rosewood fingerboard, locking tuners and two tonesome custom humbuckers. We rated it 4.5/5, and it's available now from Musician's Friend with an almighty $200 off.
Epiphone Les Paul Traditional Pro IV: $549, $399
What’s better than a Goldtop Les Paul? A discounted Goldtop Les Paul – and you can also snag this budget beauty in Ebony, Wine Red and Pacific Blue finishes. Loaded with Alnico Classic Pro humbuckers with push/pull coil-splitting, this is a surprisingly versatile guitar, while its maple-topped mahogany body nails the classic LP vibe – and right now you can bag $100 off at Musician’s Friend.
G&L Placentia ASAT: was $449 now $249
G&L was founded by Leo Fender, and the company’s designs take inspiration from his work with Fender. So if you’re in the market for a Telecaster, this is a remarkable deal on a budget model with proper heritage. Its poplar body keeps the weight down, while its dual Tele pickups deliver all the tones you’d expect. And at $200 off at Musician’s Friend, this is an unbeatable deal.
D'Angelico Premier Bedford SH: $899.99 $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...
Acoustic guitars
Get a Taylor, Gift a Taylor: Travel guitars from $99
Buy any Taylor 200 series or higher model from Guitar Center and add an acoustic Baby Taylor BT1 for $99 or an acoustic GS Mini Sapele for $199. The saving on the RRP is a generous $300 and the promotion runs until 15 January 2024. So, buy your dream Taylor and get a second guitar to take on vacation or give away to a loved one this holiday season.
Epiphone PRO-1 acoustic: was $189 now $149
The PRO-1 is the cheapest entry point to an acoustic from the iconic guitar builder. This dreadnought-bodied model is smartly designed, with an EZ-Profile neck contoured to make forming chords that bit easier. There’s also a slim nut width for faster position shifts, while JumboPRO frets give you extra surface area to fret strings. Top hardware from Graph Tech and Grover, as well as Custom PRO-Prietary bracing for a bigger sound make this an ideal acoustic for your first steps on the instrument – especially with $40 off at Guitar Center.
Lava Music Blue Lava: was $329 now $259
Lava has quickly made a name for itself as a forward-thinking acoustic manufacturer, and the Blue Lava Original is its most affordable model. Its ergonomic shape and light weight are designed for comfort and easy playability, while its high-pressure laminate construction is resistant to temperature, humidity and even the occasional spilled drink. The Blue Lava also features onboard effects, while its aesthetics really set it apart. It’s now $70 off at Guitar Center.
Breedlove Discovery S mahogany concert: $449 $249
Typically a name associated with more expensive guitars, this mahogany-finished Breedlove Concert acoustic is now down to $249 at Guitar Center – a $200 saving. Built from sustainable woods and boasting a solid mahogany top, the Discovery S features a thinner neck profile with a narrow nut width and fretboard, making it a perfect choice for beginners, whether your style is based around strumming, fingerstyle or both.
Fender DE FA-235E Concert: Was $349.99, now $244.99 Even when it isn't on sale, this striking acoustic offers fantastic value for money and with its slim neck it's ideal for beginners. It even comes loaded with Fishman electronics. So, with 30% off for Black Friday, the deal just got even sweeter.
Amplifiers
Positive Grid Spark 40: Was $299, now $229
The Positive Grid Spark 40 might just be the ultimate at-home amp - and it's even better with a $70 discount today. The tones are great, and the smart tech is indeed smart. Auto Chord and Smart Jam are incredible practice and learning tools, and a lot of fun, too.
MESA/Boogie Mini Rectifier 25 tube head:
Was $1,699, now $1,359
If a full-size Dual Rectifier is likely to cause you problems with your neighbors, this mini-MESA/Boogie is your answer. All the tone of the 90s classic is scaled-down into a 25-watt tone machine that will work great for at home, in the studio and on stage. Especially at this price, with $330 off at Guitar Center.
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.
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.
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.
Effects pedals
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.
Universal Audio UAFX pedals: Up to $80 off
Bag amazing savings on almost the entire range of UAFX guitar pedals, with prices slashed by between $50 and $80 on our top picks and more, right through until November 16.
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.
EarthQuaker Devices: 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.
Neural Quad Cortex: Free plugin and GigCase w/$280
We don’t need to tell you how good the Neural DSP Quad Cortex is. The price has recently dropped on this cutting-edge modeller/multi-FX unit, but here you can get even better value with a Neural DSP plugin bundled in (worth $159.99) as well as a Neural GigCase worth $119.99.
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.
JHS PackRat: Was $249, now $186.75
The JHS PackRat is packing no less than nine different Rat emulations, including the OG ‘big box’ model, my favorite the Turbo V6 Rat, and the always popular 2-in-1 Dirty Rat. You get saturated guitar tone heaven with this stompbox, and the PackRat is a pedal that can do myriad flavors of drive, fuzz, and distortion.
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
Bass guitars
Squier 40th Anniversary P-Bass: $499.99, $349.99
Squier is celebrating their anniversary in style with this highly-spec'd P-Bass. Featuring striking gold-plated hardware, a gold anodized aluminium pickguard, a bound Indian laurel fingerboard with pearloid block inlays and an engraved anniversary neck plate this is one classy-looking bass - and better yet there's 30% off this Black Friday.
Guild Starfire Bass II: was $1,499, now $999
Available with a massive $500 discount – that’s 33% off the original price – this semi-hollow short-scale Starfire Bass has a classic yet characterful profile, and we love that Emerald Green finish. If you’re unfamiliar with the Starfire Bass II, it was beloved by Jefferson Airplane’s Jack Casady and the Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh. With $500 off the list price, we’re surprised this is still available, frankly.
Ibanez TMB100: was $249 now $199
One of our favorite budget bass guitars, the TMB100 features Ibanez's uber-cool Talman offset body shape, as well as some of the most versatile electronics on a bass in this price range, with a P/J pickup combination and a custom two-band active EQ. With a tasty $50 discount over at Musician's Friend, this is a no-brainer for anyone taking their first steps on the instrument or seeking a new tone for their arsenal.
Schecter Guitar Research C-4 GT: $1,149, $819
The C-4 GT’s racing car looks hint at a model that is designed for high performance and that’s certainly the case when you look at the spec, too. We can’t show its full glory here, but that mahogany body is capped with maple and features some stunning ergonomic carving, ensuring comfort and great upper-fret access. Then there’s a super-quick ultra-thin C profile maple neck with ebony fretboard and a pair of EMG humbuckers. It’s a sleek machine but one that does not carry a sports car price tag, especially with that gigantic $330 discount.
Fender Vintera '60s Mustang: $1,149.99, $804.99
The Mustang Bass has made quite the impact since it was released back in '64, finding its way into the hands of everyone from Tina Weymouth of the Talking Heads, Bill Wyman of The Rolling Stones, and even Mikey Way of My Chemical Romance - and now you can join the club for a less, with 30% off while stocks last.
Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 $349 $249
The StingRay is one of the all-time iconic bass designs and this single-pickup import version by Music Man’s Sterling sub-brand offers an affordable take on that build – using a basswood body, active preamp and low-noise humbucker – at a price point that was seriously good value to begin with. Now, we’ve spotted it discounted by a mammoth 30% over at Guitar Center, meaning you can scoop one up for just $249.99. If you’re after a little more flexibility, you can also bag $120 off the HH version, currently available for $309.
Spector Euro 4 LX Bass: was $2,699, now $2,399
These Czech Republic builds offer a more affordable, but still high-quality take on Spector’s US-made basses (hence the Euro moniker). The Euro 4 LX uses an alder body, with a walnut veneer and figured maple top – all rendered in a stunning Dark Cherry satin finish. It’s loaded with a combination of EMG’s P- and J-style active pickups and super solid components. This is a seriously chunky discount, knocking $300 off the usual price.
Software
Line 6 Helix Native: Was $399, now $199
Harness the power of Helix inside your DAW for half price with Sweetwater’s early Black Friday deal. With 60+ amp models, 30+ speaker cabs, over 100 effects, and more, you can have multiple instances of Line 6’s award-winning, world-class studio guitar tone at your fingertips.
Waves Cyber Week: Plugins just $19.99
It's never been easier to get great results recording your guitar at home and with the Waves early Black Friday sale, never cheaper either. There are some stone-cold classics here like our personal favorite the Scheps 73 mic pre and EQ which makes pretty much everything sound better, and some useful tools like the S1 Stereo Imager and the classic H-Delay.
IK Multimedia Amplitube 5: £299.99, $79.99
It's one of the best guitar VSTs around and IK Multimedia have seen fit to slash the price on Amplitube 5 by a massive $220. Packed full of all the amp models and effects you'll ever need, this is arguably one of the most complete amp simulators out there, and one of few to feature officially licensed models too.
Ending soon: these Cyber Weekend sales are still live
- Amazon: Shop all BF instrument deals
- Fender Play: 50% off a one-year sub
- Fender store: Up to 50% off guitars
- Gear4Music: Deals on guitars
- Guitar Center: Epic up to 40% off
- Guitar Tricks: One-year sub for just $99
- IK Multimedia: 73% off Amplitube
- Musician's Friend: 50% off sale
- PMT: Extra 10% off big music brands
- Positive Grid: $70 off Spark
- Reverb: Get an impressive up to 82% off
- Sweetwater: Massive up to 80% off sale
- Thomann: Hot deals
- Waves: 3 plugins for just $49.99
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Matt is a Junior Deals Writer here at Guitar Player. He regularly tests and reviews music gear with a focus on guitars, amps, pedals, modelers, and pretty much anything else guitar-related. Matt worked in music retail for 5 years at Dawsons Music and Northwest Guitars and has written for many music sites including MusicRadar, Guitar World, Guitar.com, Ultimate Guitar, and Thomann’s t.blog. A regularly gigging guitarist with over 20 years of experience playing live, writing, and recording in bands, he's performed everything from jazz to djent, gigging all over the UK in more dingy venues than you can shake a drop-tuned guitar at.
“For a woman in the 1940s to say ‘I have talent, I’m gonna chase it' — that was the start of her incredible legacy.” Mary Ford made her name as Les Paul’s singing guitar partner. At long last she’s getting her own signature Gibson Les Paul
Max out your amp modeling with a massive 75% Black Friday discount on this IK Multimedia Tonex and Amplitube 5 software bundle