Black Friday is over, but there is still plenty of time to save big on pedals! Cyber Weekend is easily one of the best times of year to grab a stompbox-related bargain. Over the last few years of covering this mega sales event, we've seen huge discounts applied to all the big-name brands, such as Boss, MXR, JHS, TC Electronic, NUX, Pigtronix, and so much more – and we're seeing the exact same this year.
Of course, it's not only heavily discounted stompboxes on offer, there are also deals to be had on patch cables, pedalboard power supplies, and everything else you may need to build your dream pedalboard.
Many retailers have already started slashing prices, with the likes of Sweetwater offering up to 70% off guitar gear and Musician's Friend dishing up discounts of up to 60% in their Black Friday sale.
From now until the end of Cyber Weekend, we'll be searching high and low for the very best pedal deals we can find, so be sure to return regularly to see what we uncover. We've also answered a few frequently asked questions surrounding Black Friday and included some handy shopping tips at the bottom of this page as well.
IK Multimedia’s Tonex ecosystem is an AI-assisted amp-modeling ace-in-the-hole, particularly if you invest in a TONEX pedal. There are two core models to choose from, in the workhorse Tonex Pedal and the eminently-portable Tonex One; buying either and registering with Tonex before the 2nd December will grant you access to the Metal Gems Collection – aka, $50 worth of high-quality, high-gain amp models – for absolutely nothing.
Zoom MS-70CDR+ MultiStomp: $149.99, $109.99 Over at Guitar Center, the MS-70CDR+ has got a tasty $40 discount, bringing it to just above the $100 mark. The original Zoom MultiStomps earned something a cult following thanks to their versatility. Small, yet packing a shedload of sounds inside the MultiStomp is the perfect 'Swiss army knife' pedal to add a particular tone or utility to your 'board when you don't want to take up too much room or spend too much money.
Pigtronix Constellator: Was $179, now $99 At just $99, the Pigtronix Constellator is a brilliant deal at Sweetwater thanks to a huge $80 reduction in their Beat the Holiday Rush sale. It's an analog delay pedal that delivers a luscious warm wash that belies its budget price point. It's a seriously underrated bit of gear, and we love the modulated tones it can deliver, as well as the mini size that means it's easily able to fit onto any 'board.
Line 6 Helix range: up to $150 off at Guitar Center Guitar Center is offering up to $150 off across its entire catalog of Line 6 Helix products, meaning there are huge deals on the HX Stomp, HX Stomp XL, HX Effects and flagship Helix. Expect world class tones, best-in-class amp models, and intuitive interfaces across the board. These are some of the most popular and powerful multi-effects and modeler units on the market with near-limitless applications – and, with regular software updates, they will only get better with age.
Electro-Harmonix pedals: Up to 50% off at Musician’s Friend It’s the time to load up on pedalboard staples from Electro-Harmonix in Musician Friend’s Black Friday sale, with discounts on classic units like the Big Muff Pi, POG II and Memory Man. Meanwhile, newer additions, like the Satisfaction Fuzz Plus (inspired by the Maestro FuzzTone) and Pulsar Tremolo are half price.
JHS Pedals: Save 25% If you’re looking for some fresh pedals for your 'board this Black Friday weekend, a huge 25% off JHS Pedals at Sweetwater is a great way to make your money go further. Featuring a huge array of JHS’ most popular stompboxes the blanket discount means you can make some big savings on high-quality pedals.
IK Multimedia TONEX: was $399.99, now $299.99 IK Multimedia's near-perfect TONEX pedal is a key player in the amp modeler market, and thanks to its recent update – which added greater effects potential – it's never been better. AI modeling tech lets you capture the tone of your own gear and take it on the road, while the factory-made presets offer some of the best amp models in the business. A serious competitor for the HX Stomp – and currently $100 cheaper than usual.
Neural DSP Quad Cortex: free gig case and IR pack Neural DSP's Quad Cortex is still held up as one of the market's gold standard multi-effects modelers. Now, you can snap it up with a gig case worth $120 – perfect for gigging guitarists – and a free Eminence IR pack, which will help make those ampless signal chains sound even better.
Black Friday guitar pedal deals: FAQ
(Image credit: Future)
When is Black Friday?
Black Friday 2024 will land on Friday, the 28th of November. The deals will extend across that weekend (also known as Cyber Weekend) before finishing with a bang on with Cyber Monday guitar deals on the 2nd of December.
The deals won't be restricted to those four days, though. Previous experience tells us that some of the best Black Friday guitar deals will emerge well in advance of the event – so keep checking this page to see what epic deals we uncover.
Should I buy guitar gear online during Black Friday?
If you're concerned about buying a guitar or other gear on Black Friday without playing it first, you needn’t be. Online music instrument retailers like Guitar Center, Musician’s Friend and Sweetwater offer hassle-free returns as standard, so you can purchase a guitar, play it in the comfort and privacy of your home and, if it’s not right, send it back without issue.
You should check the specific returns policy for your chosen retailer before you purchase, but most offer between 30-45 days to return an item, as long as it’s in original condition.
What else can I buy during Black Friday 2024?
It's not just about the Black Friday guitar deals in November. Aside from music-making gear discounts, you'll find bargains on great tech like robot vacuum cleaners, iPads, MacBook Pros and Amazon Echos – and you can even pick up groceries, pet food and dishwasher tablets – but it’s the guitar deals we’ll be looking out for.
Black Friday guitar pedal deals: Shopping tips
(Image credit: Future)
Got your eye on a few things and wondering whether Black Friday is the time to buy? Here's a few tips from our personal experience that will ensure you're ready to strike if the gear you want is up for grabs:
1. Create a wishlist early - The most sensible way to take advantage of this year's Black Friday music deals is to know in advance what you’re looking for. This will make searching much easier, rather than having to trawl through loads of deals you don’t want to find the ones you do, or pondering things you don't need. To help you create your dream shopping list, take the time to explore our expert and up-to-date buying guides and reviews.
2. Work out what you actually need - Check out your favourite brands, see what you need and will genuinely use - don’t waste your cash and fill your basket with stuff that will never truly see any action.
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3. Consider your music goals - What do you want to achieve with your music over the next 12 months or so? Do you want to gig more? Learn a new instrument? Or finally, record your songs? Now could be the time to invest in gear that helps you fulfil your musical aspirations.
4. Streamline your current gear - Something else you should consider ahead of time is whether you have enough space in your collection for new gear. Could you offload some gear you don't use to make room and generate funds for some new gear?
5. Sign up to mailing lists - In addition to bookmarking this page, we'd recommend signing up to mailing lists of your favourite retailers now to get the jump on the best deals when they do come around.
What to expect
As you'd expect, all major musical instrument retailers get in on the Cyber Monday action, slashing prices on a wealth of products, services and of course, guitar pedals!
Last year we saw money off all the pedal big hitters, with the prices slashed on everything from Boss to MXR, JHS to TC Electronic - and we have our fingers crossed we'll see the same this year.
Now, if you have all the pedals you'd ever need, Cyber Monday is still a great time to stock on pedalboards and pedal accessories such as patch cables, power supplies and carry cases.
Black Friday guitar pedal deals: How we choose deals
Here at Guitar World, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything guitar-related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products we recommend.
First and foremost, we are guitarists, and we want to match other players with the right products for them, at the best prices.
For us to recommend a deal it has to be a product we rate that’s a genuinely great price or part of a truly fantastic bundle. It’s also important that we only recommend retailers where you will have a positive shopping experience.
Black Friday guitar pedal deals: Why you can trust us
We spend a lot of our time scouring guitar retailers for fantastic deals on our favorite gear. Not only is it our job to research and recommend the best gear in our buyer’s guides, but we’re also dedicated to helping players get the best deals for the gear they need, too. After all, the only thing better than new gear day is a hearty discount.
We cover a lot of the big sales events throughout the year, including Memorial Day, Black Friday, 4th of July sales and Amazon Prime Day, and we have a good view on which products are likely to receive the biggest discounts and when, the prices they’ve been in the past and which deals are genuinely worth a look.
Black Friday guitar pedal deals: Last year's top deals
IK Multimedia AmpliTube pedals: $329 $229 Equip your pedalboard with a wealth of new tones with this killer deal on IK Multimedia’s feature-packed (and just a little bit Strymon-inspired) AmpliTube X-Gear pedals. The X-Drive overdrive, X-Time delay, X-Space reverb and X-Vibe modulation each boast 16 cutting-edge algorithms, a trio of footswitches and an aluminum chassis – and now feature a tasty $100 off at Sweetwater.
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.
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.
Boss RE-202 Space Echo: Was $419.99, $379.99 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.
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.
Neural DSP Quad Cortex: $150 off One of the most popular amp modelers around, the Neural DSP Quad Cortex delivers incredible guitar tones, but to be honest is pretty expensive. That said it's rare we see a price drop on such a quality bit of kit, so whilst it's a comparatively small $150 reduction against the retail price, it's undeniable that the QC is absolutely worth the investment.
Neural DSP Quad Cortex: Free plugin and GigCase As above, but with a far more suave, James Bond-esque aesthetic thanks to its black enclosure and ornate gold encoder footswitches. Again, you get a free plugin worth $159.99 and a Neural GigCase valued at $119.99. The perfect bundle for the perfect all-in-one rig? We'd say so.
Daryl is a Senior Deals Writer at Guitar World, where he creates and maintains our 200+ buyer's guides, finds the best deals on guitar products, and tests the latest gear. His reviews have been featured in prominent publications like Total Guitar, Future Music magazine, and MusicRadar.com.
During his career, he has been lucky enough to talk to many of his musical heroes, having interviewed Slash and members of Sum 41, Foo Fighters, The Offspring, Feeder, Thrice, and more. In a past life, Daryl worked in music retail. For a little under a decade, he advised everyone from absolute beginners to seasoned pros on the right gear for their needs.
Daryl is also a fully qualified sound engineer, holding a first-class Bachelor's degree in Creative Sound Production from the University of Abertay.
