Guitar Center Black Friday deals 2023: Everything you need to know about the biggest sale of the year

Guitar Center Recording Event: Save big now
If you're looking to upgrade your home studio gear, there's no need to wait until Black Friday. From now until 20 September you can save on everything from microphones to interfaces, monitors, headphones and more. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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!