The shopping event of the year is nearly here, and excitement is certainly building among Fender fans. The big 'F' has recently launched a slew of new models over the last few months, and that's got us wondering if we are likely to see the first-ever discounts on the likes of the new Player II, Mustang Micro Plus or even the Tone Master '59 Bassman.
Last year, we saw up to 50% off a range of their iconic guitars. So we're ever hopeful that we'll see similar discounts for Black Friday 2024. Whatever the discount amount, we can safely say that whether you're in the market for a Strat, Tele, P-Bass, or Jazz Bass, there will be some seriously tempting reductions on a huge range of Fender's iconic instruments this Black Friday.
From now until the end of Cyber Weekend, we'll be rounding up all the best Fender deals from every retailer for you, and we'll handpick some of the best deals available using our writing team's expert knowledge of Fender guitars, amps, and pedals. So if you don't want to miss out on a six-string-related bargain, be sure to check back regularly.
Black Friday Fender deals: Quick links
Below, you'll find all the latest pre-Black Friday deals to shop right now:
Fender's Black Friday sale hasn't launch yet, but there are still plenty of deals to be had. Below is a selection of Fender deals that are live right now.
Building your dream guitar just got that bit cheaper thanks to a slurry of free upgrades at the Fender Mod Shop. With savings of up to $400 on body woods, necks, pickups, hardware, and loads more, you can take the price of your custom-built guitar to below the highest stock Fender model, the American Ultra II.
Fender Tone Master Pro: $1,699.99, now $1,499.99 Featuring over 100 amp and effect models, over 6000 Fender-captured impulse responses, a 7-inch color touch-screen, a 60-second stereo looper, as well as four effects loops and ten proprietary footswitches, this unit is the best in its class for sure – and better yet, you can save $200 at Fender.
Squier FSR Paranormal Offset Telecaster: Save £180 Combining elements from both the Tele and Jazzmater, the Paranormal Offset Telecaster is more than the sum of its parts. This is a unique instrument that more than delivers on tone, playability and style.
Fender Player Plus Telecaster: $999.99, now $899.99 Fender Player Plus Telecaster is a fantastic option for those seeking the unique sound only a Telecaster provides but with a sleek modern edge.
Black Friday 2024 will land on Friday, 29 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 2 December.
How long is the Fender Black Friday sale?
Typically Black Friday sales go on for the whole weekend, but the deals won't be restricted to those four days. Previous experience tells us that some of the best Black Friday Fender deals will emerge well in advance of the event – for example this year we've seen reductions on Player Plus and Player Series guitars already. Some deals will also linger afterwards into December.
What Fender deals should I expect?
All major musical instrument retailers get in on the Black Friday Fender deals action, slashing prices on a wealth of products from beginner guitars to amps.
We've included some highlights from last year below, but some of our favorite deals were $150 off the price of the Fender Player Tele Plus Top, 50% off a one-year subscription to Fender Play, and 24% off the fabulous Squier 40th Anniversary Jazzmaster. Of course, there were many more offers to be had on amps, bass guitars, ukuleles, accessories, and even Fender-branded clothing.
The Amazon and Walmart Black Friday sales will be huge, too. Not only do they sell a fair range of music-making gear, but these are also the places to pick up things like wireless headphones and Amazon Echo devices.
What else can I buy in the Fender Black Friday sale?
Obviously, we are going to see a steady stream of discounted guitars and basses in this year's Fender Black Friday sale, but that's not all that will be on offer. We are likely to see prices slashed on Fender's online learning platform, Fender Play, too. In fact, last year we saw 50% off a one-year subscription, and we are hoping to see a similar - if not better - discount this year.
Again, if last year is anything to go by, we will also see a slew of Fender official merchandise go on sale. This includes official t-shirts, hoodies, hats, and other wearables - meaning you can show the world who your favorite guitar brand is without breaking the bank.
Do Fender guitars hold their values?
As one of the biggest guitar brands in the world, for the most part, a Fender guitar will hold its value well. This is particularly true with Custom Shop and American-made models, as these are top-of-the-range instruments. Some limited edition models might even appreciate in value, although there are no guarantees with this sort of thing.
How to prepare for this year's Black Friday Fender deals
(Image credit: Future)
1. Create a wishlist early - There will be loads of Fender deals flying around on Black Friday weekend, so by creating a wishlist beforehand you'll be able to stay focused on what you need.
2. Work out what you actually need - Have a look at what you've already got in your collection and decide where the gaps are before making a purchase. If you've already got five Stratocasters, maybe it's better that you get something different like a Tele or a Jazzmaster!
3. Consider your music-making goals - Think about the future and what you want to achieve in your next year of music-making. A new guitar is great, but maybe what you actually need are some pedals to enhance your tone, or a new amp to give you a better base to build from.
4. Make some room - We all hoard gear here, and although parting with it can be really difficult, there are a couple of good reasons to get rid of stuff you no longer use. First up, you're potentially freeing up room in your home or practice space, for which your family and partner may well thank you. Secondly, you're potentially making more cash for a future gear purchase, whether that's an upgrade to your guitar or some much-needed accessories.
We've got loads of Fender and Squier buying guides which will make it a lot easier to pick a purchase in the Black Friday sale. Check them out below for more info:
Here at Guitar World our team of writers are all actual musicians with years and years of experience reviewing and recommending music gear. We live and breathe guitar, playing live in our own bands, recording albums, and buying way too many guitar pedals.
As guitar player's ourselves, we want to match you with properly good gear, so we'd never recommend something we wouldn't use ourselves.
For a recommendation to make the cut it has to first and foremost be a genuinely useful piece of equipment. It also has to be value for money, so we'll only ever recommend retailers that will give you a positive shopping experience.
All year round we're updating our buying guides and reviewing gear, but it doesn't stop there. We also search for the best deals year-round, as there's nothing quite as nice as getting that bit of gear you've been lusting after for less.
Fender Player Strat, Fiesta Red: $849.99, $594.99 First up is the drop-dead-gorgeous Player Strat in Fiesta Red. It's no secret that we absolutely love the Player Series and we love them even more when there is 30% off!
Squier Classic Vibe Jag: Was $499.99, now $399.99 Next up is the retro-inspired '60s Jag in the eye-catching Silver Sparkle finish. This guitar has all the vintage charm of an original Jag but without the hefty price tag. Right now this guitar is down to $399.99, that's a saving of $100.
Fender Vintera '50s Tele Modified: $1,199.99, $839.99 The Vintera Modified Tele is the perfect axe for those who want the best of both worlds. This Tele has plenty of vintage mojo in the style department but also benefits from modern features such as a contemporary neck profile and hotter pickups.
Fender Malibu Player: $449.99, $314.99 The Malibu Player may be small, but this pint-sized acoustic packs a punch. Featuring a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and 6-in-line headstock, this guitar is immensely playable, sounds fantastic, and looks pretty cool while doing it.
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.
Squier Affinity Jazzmaster: $279.99, $223.99 This low-cost series is superb for beginners and now offers more choices 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.
Fender Vintera Road Worn '50s Strat: $1,299.99, $909.99 Like your guitars to be played in? Well, this limited edition Vintera Road Worn '50s Stratocaster is the axe for you. Featuring Custom Shop Fat '50s pickups and plenty of vintage mojo this guitar is a total bargain at only $909.99.
Fender DE FA-235E Concert: $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.
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.
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.
