Guitar Center Black Friday deals 2022: the hot deals you can still get today

Guitar Center Black Friday deals 2022: their biggest music gear sale of the year is live
(Image credit: Fender, Boss, Roland, Shure, Casio, Apple )

The official Guitar Center Black Friday sale landed with a bang yesterday. Traditionally, Guitar Center has some of the very best deals of the year - and this year was no different, with some of the biggest savings you'll find on music gear right now (opens in new tab), including electric guitars and basses, to drum kits, recording equipment and more. Happily, most of those deals are still live. Below you'll find the best of the bargains still out there. And next up, keep an eye out for Guitar Center's Cyber Monday Sale - we're just getting started here!

Best Guitar Center Black Friday deals 2022

Guitar Center has also brought back the coupon code that we saw last year, which bags you 15% off qualifying music gear (opens in new tab) when you plug the code friday15 in at checkout. That particular Guitar Centre promo code runs to the end of 28 Nov, Cyber Monday

If you want to know about specific deals that are rocking our world right now, we'd point your towards a sweet $115 on the formidable Boss Katana-100/212 MkII practice amp (opens in new tab). Or if you're after a great beginner keyboard for your or someone else in your life, the awesome Casio PX-1100 Privia Digital Piano currently has $79 off and is available in black or white finishes (opens in new tab).

We’ve been covering the sales bonanza that is Black Friday for a number of years now, meaning we can spot an epic deal a mile off. So, leave it to us to point you in the right direction. 

We’ll be working round the clock over the coming days to reveal the greatest Guitar Center Black Friday deals, sharing the very best offers and bargains right here on this page. So make sure you check back regularly to see what we uncover. 

Guitar Center Black Friday deals: Quick links

Hit the links below to head to the Guitar Center Black Friday deals for the instrument you want to shop:

Guitar Center Black Friday deals: Guitar deals

Gretsch G5427T with Bigsby: was $899.99 (opens in new tab)

Gretsch G5427T with Bigsby: was $899.99, $729.99 (opens in new tab)
If you’re after that big-body sound then this awesome deal is sure to get your heart racing. Now with an amazing $170 off, the Gretsch G5427T features powerful FIlter’Tron pickups, a laminated flame maple top, plus a Bigsby B60 for adding warble and shimmer to your guitar work.

Fender Player Strat HSS Plus Top: $909 (opens in new tab)

Fender Player Strat HSS Plus Top: $909, now $749.99 (opens in new tab)
Fender’s Player series guitar remains eminently popular thanks to its mix of fantastic build quality, timeless sound, and excellent price point. As far as we’re concerned you’ll be hard pushed to get as much bang for your buck with anything else - and now you can get this awesome HSS Strat with flame maple top at a reduction of $160.

Fender Acoustasonic Telecaster: $1,999.99 (opens in new tab)

Fender Acoustasonic Telecaster: $1,999.99, $1,749.99 (opens in new tab)
Firmly channeling the spirit of innovation, Fender’s divisive ‘is it or isn’t it’ Acoustasonic Tele now has a huge reduction of $250 at Guitar Center. Featuring an Ebony fretboard, an acoustic engine with ten different voices, and a unique three-pickup system configuration, it may have it’s haters - but we love this groundbreaking guitar.

Guitar Center Black Friday deals: Amp deals

Boss Katana-100/212 MkII: $564.99 (opens in new tab)

Boss Katana-100/212 MkII: $564.99, $449.99 (opens in new tab)
Probably the most popular practice amp in the world, we love the Boss Katana series for its versatility of tone and usability in any situation, whether you’re practicing at home, recording in the studio, or playing a live show. With this super deal at Guitar Center, you can get this brilliant 2x12 combo amplifier with $115 knocked off the price.

Guitar Center Black Friday deals: Audio interface deals

Universal Audio Apollo X16: $4,499 (opens in new tab)

Universal Audio Apollo X16: $4,499, now $3,999 (opens in new tab)
If you’re serious about your recording exploits then this incredible 16-channel interface will seriously beef up your creative endeavors. This powerful thunderbolt interface perfectly integrates into your existing setup, working beautifully with existing outboard gear to supercharge your productions. Now with a massive $500 off, you also get a full complement of UA’s award-winning plugins totally free, worth $2,400 when sold separately.

PreSonus AudioBox Studio Bundle: $329.99 (opens in new tab)

PreSonus AudioBox Studio Bundle: $329.99, $259.99 (opens in new tab)
Don’t know where to start with your home studio setup? Fear not because this brilliant bundle from PreSonus gives you everything you need to start doing your own production, mixing, and mastering. With a healthy $70 off at Guitar Center, you get an audio interface, studio monitors, microphone, headphones, and PreSonus’ Studio One software in one handy package. It even includes all the cables you need to connect everything up! How’s that for convenient?

Guitar Center Black Friday deals: Keyboard & synth deals

Roland RP501R: $1,629.99 (opens in new tab)

Roland RP501R: $1,629.99, now $1,199.99 (opens in new tab)
Picking your first digital piano can be difficult, but you want something that will replicate the sound and feel of a full size grand piano without the hefty price tag. With a huge discount of $430, the Roland RP501R is one of our top picks for getting the sound of a full-size grand piano in the comfort of your living room. Its discrete looks and profile mean it fits in effortlessly in your living space, while the SuperNATURAL sound engine and PHA-4 keyboard deliver ultra-realistic sound and feel.

Casio PX-1100 Privia Digital Piano: $858 (opens in new tab)

Casio PX-1100 Privia Digital Piano: $858, now $779 (opens in new tab)
Casio doesn’t just make funny noises these days, in fact, they’re quite quickly garnering a reputation for their properly good digital pianos. The Privia is a stunning-looking instrument thanks to its red top panel and its super slim design means it will fit in pretty much any room of your house. It doesn’t just look good either, the Smart Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard gives you the true feel of a full-size grand piano, where the feel of the keys changes as you move across the keybed.

Roland GP609: was $12,729.99 (opens in new tab)

Roland GP609: was $12,729.99, $8,999.99 (opens in new tab)
If you’ve got both the room and the budget, Roland’s GP609 Digital Grand Piano has a frankly astonishing $3730 off at Guitar Center. This stunning-looking all-white piano has a powerful 6:1 speaker system for room-filling sound and a PHA-50 Progressive Hammer Action Keyboard that responds to your lightest touch and heaviest strikes. Marrying the beautiful sound of old with the technological wonders of the modern age, you can also connect your smartphone via Bluetooth to it, perfect for playing along with your favorite songs.

Guitar Center Black Friday deals: Mixer deals

Yamaha MG10XUF Mixer: $369.99 (opens in new tab)

Yamaha MG10XUF Mixer: $369.99, now $299.99 (opens in new tab)
Whether you’re thinking of putting on some of your own live shows, or you need to replace that ancient mixer in your practice space, this ten-channel offering from Yamaha is now even better value with $70 off the asking price at Guitar Center. Featuring studio-grade Class A mic preamps, one-knob channel compressors, and a built-in audio interface, you also get 24 different effects for creative processing out front.

Guitar Center Black Friday deals: Drum machine deals

Korg Volca Sample 2: $169.99 (opens in new tab)

Korg Volca Sample 2: $169.99, now $109.99 (opens in new tab)
This cute little sample-based drum machine can act as part of a larger studio setup, or as a standalone unit for all your rhythm-based creations. Load in your samples via micro-USB then carve and create to your liking with the two step jump modes, double filters, and built-in reverb. MIDI in and out make this a super flexible tool for your studio setup, and with $60 off it’s even better value for money.

Roland Boutique TR-06: $399.99 (opens in new tab)

Roland Boutique TR-06: $399.99, now $279.99 (opens in new tab)
A reimagining of a now-iconic drum machine, this reboot from Roland takes all the great features of the legendary TR-606 and adds a bunch of sound sculpting options with panning, tuning, and gain controls. A healthy discount of $120 at Guitar Center is a seriously tempting offer, giving extra appeal to this powerful and portable music creation tool.

When is the Guitar Center Black Friday sale?

The Black Friday Guitar Center sale itself kicks off on Friday 25 November, the day before Thanksgiving.

Although the event doesn't officially take place until this date, just like most retailers, the Guitar Center Black Friday deals will certainly start rolling out sooner. Last year, GC was slashing prices from as early as late October and didn't stop until well into December.

Beyond Black Friday are the Cyber Monday Guitar Center deals, which land just 3 days later on Monday 28 November.

What can you buy in the Guitar Center Black Friday sale?

Despite its name, Guitar Center actually stocks pretty much everything any musician could want, so it's a great place to go if you want to give your studio an overhaul, upgrade your guitar rig, start drumming or any other musical activity that tickles your fancy. You might head to the website planning to buy an electric guitar, but the company also sells all the music making products you could ever wish for: MIDI keyboards, studio monitors, microphones, beginner digital pianos and much more.

The Guitar Center Black Friday sale is also the time to stock up on those music making essentials and accessories: acoustic guitar strings, guitar tuners, guitar picks and guitar straps are just the start. If you can make music with it, it's more than likely that Guitar Center will have it and it will enjoy some sort of discount on Black Friday.

Will there be Guitar Center Black Friday stock issues?

If the news headlines are to be believed, stock may be harder to get hold of this year and deliveries could take longer due to a shortage of drivers. 

While the situation will be different for every individual brand and retailer, and some of the headlines need to be taken with a pinch of salt, our advice would be that if you spot a great deal on something that's been on your wishlist for a while, to pick it up there and then to avoid missing out.

Don't forget that the returns policies for most retailers means you can purchase an item, try it out at home then return it if it's not right. So, order early to avoid disappointment, knowing you're covered if you need to take it back. 

Guitar Center Black Friday coupons

Not only does the Guitar Center Black Friday sale deliver excellent discounts on individual products, last year they went even bigger by offering a blanket 15% discount off a wide range of gear, meaning everything from pianos and guitars to DJ turntables and headphones were available with decent money off. All you had to do was enter the unique code at checkout. This is particularly ace if you have a number of items on your wishlist.

How to prepare for Guitar Center Black Friday?

The golden rule when hunting for Guitar Center Black Friday deals is to know what you're looking for. Whether you're a guitarist, bassist, drummer, producer or DJ, think about what you need to improve your music-making life and then start researching it. This will save you a lot of time when the Guitar Center Black Friday deals start rolling in, as you'll quickly be able to decide what's relevant to you and what isn't. There will be so many deals coming your way, that being able to cut through the noise is super important.

Also make sure you're aware of current prices – that way you'll know how good a deal something really is when you see it reduced on Black Friday. Some supposed 'savings' aren't everything that they seem.

The good news is that you can easily find out what the best music-making products are by checking out MusicRadar's huge portfolio of buying guides and reviews.

Don't forget that Guitar Center isn't the only major retailer offering Black Friday savings, either. Check out our retailer and individual product pages below for even more options. Can't find what you're looking for at one shop? Maybe it's on sale exclusively at another...

Guitar Center Black Friday: Last year's top deals

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Fender Player Strat HSS Plus Top: $859, now $699
This HSS-configured Plus Top Player Strat in Sienna Sunburst may just be one of the best Strat deals we saw last year. A regular Player Strat at heart, this guitar is capable of just a little bit more, thanks to the Player Series humbucker in the bridge - and last year it had $160 off at Guitar Center.

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Epiphone ES-335 Traditional Pro: $599, now $479
Not only was this good-looking semi-hollow $120 cheaper than Epiphone’s regular ES-335, it had the added bonus of coil-splits for its Alnico Classic Pro humbuckers. Throw in a classic layered maple body, rounded C mahogany neck and choice of four finishes, and you got a seriously good Black Friday deal.

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ESP LTD EC-401QM: was $899, now $699
An electric with the hardware to match its dark, evil looks, this is a metal and hard rock machine from the expert hand of ESP LTD - and it was only $699 last year. 

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Gretsch Guitars G2420T: $549.99, $349.99
Gretsch Streamliner guitars are stonking value at full retail price, so this deal at Guitar Center made the G2420T unmissable.

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Pigtronix Mothership 2 Synth Pedal $249.99 $129
Last year you could enter a whole new world of sounds for much less with this huge reduction. The Mothership 2 features superb pitch tracking to allow you to deliver otherworldly synth grooves with your guitar with a deep level of control.

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Alesis Nitro Mesh SE: Was $379.99, now $299.99
This special edition Alesis Nitro Mesh proves that it's possible for great e-kits to be affordable. You get tuneable mesh heads here instead of cheap-feeling rubber, which feel closer to playing an acoustic drum set, while keeping the noise down to a minimum - and last year this already affordable e-kit had $80 off at Guitar Center.

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Shure SM7B: was $399, now $359, save $40
If you buy just one microphone in your lifetime, the Shure SM7B deserves a place on your shortlist. It's a mic that excels at broadcast applications because it flatters any voice, even in the worst untreated rooms. It's also a superb vocal mic for singers, whether on stage or in the studio. Need to record instruments? It's great for guitar cabs and drum kits too. The word legendary is overused but it's well-deserved here. 

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M-Audio Keystation 49es MK3: Was $119, now $89
An affordable MIDI keyboard is a must-have accessory for every home producer, and the M-Audio Keystation is an incredibly popular option. This slimline controller features 49 full-size velocity-sensitive keys and even comes with a volume fader, transport, and directional buttons for easy control of your recording software. 

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Epiphone Les Paul Special-I Player Pack: $249, $219
Just starting out? Here's everything you need in one package that's ready to rock. In addition to the iconically-shaped single-cut guitar in a stylish worn red finish, you also get a 10w amplifier, a tuner, picks, strap and cable, all for under $220, last year at Guitar Center. 

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Schecter Guitar Research C-6 Elite: Save 15%
Last Black Friday, you could save a cool 15% on this shred-ready slab of Aquaburst beauty at Guitar Center when you used the code blackfriday15. Equipped with Schecter Diamond Plus pickups, a thin C-shaped neck and 25.5" scale length, this double-cutaway machine would make a killer beginner electric guitar and beyond.

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Alesis Vmini 25-Key Controller: Was $69, now $58
This pint-sized controller is a must for a producer on the go. The 25 mini keys are velocity-sensitive, giving you the ability to fully express yourself, while the octave control buttons can expand the keyboard to the full melodic range of a piano. 

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Yamaha Reface DX: Was $319.99, now $271.99
Yamaha's Reface DX captures all the magic of its legendary – yes, legendary – DX-7 FM synth, recreated in a modest, portable form factor. It may look small, but it sounds huge. This little keyboard has at its heart the most famous FM synth engine known to man. Period.

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Sterling Audio ST170 Active Ribbon Mic: $229, $149.99
Ribbons are fast becoming everyone's favourite mics again because they sound, well, astonishing. You see they have the uncanny ability to be highly detailed without being oversensitive. This means you can use the ST170 on almost anything – vocals, electric guitars, acoustic guitars, drums, overheads – and they'll all sound magnificent. Last year, Guitar Center discounted the ST170 to only $149.99 - that's a cracking deal.

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Denon DJ PRIME GO DJ Controller: $999, now $849.15
The power of Denon's acclaimed PRIME series but this time in a portable, lithium battery fuelled package. No need for a laptop, just get out there and GO! The 7" touchscreen gives you a high-definition, multi-gesture experience and the GO can even stream audio over the internet. Shove it in your backpack and you're ready to perform anywhere.

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Steven Slate Drums SSD5: Was $119.99, now $99
Build your tracks on solid foundations with SSD5. You’ll have access to hundreds of precisely sampled sounds from some of the biggest names in drum gear, as well as 1,000 preset grooves - and Guitar Center dropped the price to only $99 last year! 

Chris Barnes

I'm MusicRadar's eCommerce Editor. It's my job to manage the buyer's guides on MusicRadar and help musicians find the right gear and the best prices. I'm a guitarist and a drummer and I've worked in the music gear industry for 18 years, including 7 years as Editor of the UK's best-selling drum magazine Rhythm, and 5 years as a freelance writer working with many of the world's biggest musical instrument brands including the likes of Roland, Boss, MusicRadar and Natal.

With contributions from