Guitar-A-Thon Roundup: Exclusive Guitars, Basses and Effects Pedals

With spring Guitar-A-Thon upon us, now’s our chance to unveil deep discounts on gear by big brands. It’s also a special season when our merchants partner closely with many of our top vendors to develop exclusive, limited-edition guitars, basses and effects only available at Guitar Center.

As musicians themselves, careful thought goes into each piece to come up with unique modifications not found anywhere else. From custom finishes to premium tonewoods to upgraded electronics and beyond, these limited runs give our teams an opportunity to create something that resonates with players on a different level than the standard fare.

Among this roundup of exclusive Guitar-A-Thon launches, you’ll find behind-the-scenes insights from Guitar Center’s very own Wayne Philipp in the acoustic guitar department, Jerry Benegas in electrics, Jesse Espinoza in basses and Dylan Van Vleet in effects.

Pictured: Guitar-A-Thon Exclusive Guitar and Bass Headstocks

Table of Contents

Exclusive Acoustic Guitars at Guitar Center
Exclusive Electric Guitars at Guitar Center
Exclusive Bass Guitars at Guitar Center
Exclusive Effects Pedals at Guitar Center
Guitar-A-Thon: Grab Yourself Some Exclusive Equipment
People Also Ask ...

Exclusive Acoustic Guitars at Guitar Center

Pictured: Taylor Sunset Blvd 414ce Studio Acoustic-Electric Guitar in Sunset Edgeburst

Guild F-2512E Deluxe Rosewood 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Key Specs and Features:

• Crisp, warm tonality from a solid spruce top and rosewood back/sides
• Rounded F-Jumbo body with an arched back provides outstanding projection
• Integrated Fishman-designed GT-1 pickup system for amplification

Shop Now: Guild F-2512E Westerly Collection Jumbo 12-String Acoustic Guitar

Wayne Philipp: Guild is best known for their jumbo 12-string guitars, and the Westerly Collection models include an arched back like their USA-made counterparts, which adds to the deep, yet balanced, sound. Their standard version is made with laminated maple, so we asked if they would make a run with rosewood for customers who may want a richer, slightly warmer sound.

Ibanez ALT31 Altstar Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Key Specs and Features:

• All-black acoustic-electric with a distinctly metal attitude
• In-line, RG-style headstock lends the guitar an electrified aesthetic
• Plain fingerboard with a lone 12th-fret skull inlay

Shop Now: Ibanez ALT31 Altstar Skull Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar in Black

WP: Acoustic guitars are often very traditional, and it can be hard for brands to break out of that. Ibanez is well known for their edgy electric guitar looks, and with the ALT30 models, they bring some of that electric guitar flair to the acoustic world. We asked them to take it a step further, making us this blacked-out version with a skull inlay thrown in for good measure.

Martin DC-X1E Special X Series Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Key Specs and Features:

• High-pressure laminate (HPL) body is a sturdy alternative to solid wood
• Unique black finish with white accents breaks the traditional Martin mold
• Onboard Fishman-designed pickup system with a built-in tuner

Shop Now: Martin DC-X1E Special X Series Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar in Black

WP: We’ve had an exclusive 000C-X1E that has been a best-seller at Guitar Center for a decade. Some customers want the sound and look of a classic dreadnought guitar, so we partnered with Martin to release this all-black X Series dreadnought cutaway. The HPL construction makes it both affordable and durable—it’s an ideal performance guitar.

Taylor Sunset Blvd Collection Acoustic-Electric Guitars

Key Specs and Features:

• Sunset Edgeburst finishes are inspired by golden hour in Los Angeles
• Italian acrylic diamond inlays and gold tuners complement the finish
• Equipped with Taylor ES2 (414ce, 214ce) and ES-B (GS Mini-e) electronics

WP: Taylor and Guitar Center have done many exclusive runs together over the years. This time around—rather than doing a single, one-off model—we thought about making an entire series based on their best-selling guitars, giving them a unique sunburst-style finish and exclusive inlays. Taylor’s answer was the Sunset Boulevard Collection, inspired by our famous flagship store in Hollywood, California. The first three models—a GS Mini-e, 214ce DLX and 414ce Studio—launch with Guitar-A-Thon. They all feature solid torrefied spruce tops, rosewood backs and sides (solid or layered), gold hardware and the amazing Sunset Edgeburst finish.

Want to learn more about this stunning series? Check out our Spotlight on the Taylor Sunset Blvd Collection. If you’re keen to learn more about the legendary maker’s lineup, dive into our Guide to Taylor Guitars. 

Exclusive Electric Guitars at Guitar Center

Pictured: Fender Player II Moonlight Drive Telecaster

Epiphone Les Paul Custom Widow Limited-Edition Electric Guitars

Key Specs and Features:

• Gorgeous flamed maple tops, mahogany bodies and ebony fretboards
• Binding and headstock inlay match each guitar’s transparent finish (available in Indigo Burst, Orange Burst, Purple Burst and Red Burst)
• Weave webs of articulate distorted tones with ProBucker pickups

Jerry Benegas: I originally asked Gibson for the Teal Blast Les Paul Custom but was turned down because of the matching binding—and the fact that the USA didn’t have a Les Paul Custom. Our rep and I were brainstorming future limited runs when the Widow came up. We couldn’t do them in the USA but were told Epiphone could create them for us. I was really excited about the idea and chose the four colors we’re getting today. I’ve been on a purple kick for a while now, so my favorite colors are Purple Burst and Indigo Burst.

Feel free to also peruse our article on How to Choose the Best Epiphone Les Paul.

Fender Player II Moonlight Drive Electric Guitars

Key Specs and Features:

• Alder bodies and rosewood fretboards with ultrastable roasted maple necks
• Seymour Duncan bridge pickups offer hot-rodded sound (TB-4 JB Trembucker in the Stratocaster and a Hot Rail in the Telecaster)
• Stunning dark blue metallic finish captures the vibe of a starry, moonlit night

JB: In 2023, I planned new Player models around a late ’60s Chevelle SS I remember from high school. A kid had what I think was a ’68 in midnight blue. During the day it was a very dark navy, and at night it looked black. I asked Fender to create that and sent reference photos. This was originally planned for Guitar-A-Thon in 2024. What I got was later called “Saturday Night Special Daytona Blue.” For 2025, we’re trying again to really nail that automotive finish I remember. This time we’re also doing a Seymour Duncan pickup in the bridge, and I’m very happy with the results. The finish has the mesmerizing dimension to it that I was looking for. 

Looking to further fill out your Strat or Tele collection? How to Buy the Best Stratocaster and A Guide to the Fender Telecaster can help.

Gibson Les Paul Studio Figured Limited-Edition Electric Guitars

Key Specs and Features:

• Figured AA maple tops on a classic mahogany body
• Burstbucker Pro pickups with coil tapping offer a variety of growly and spanky tones
• Timeless Les Paul charm in the streamlined Studio package

JB: This one was pretty straightforward. I was planning 2025 exclusives with Gibson, and they offered some ideas—one of them being the Studio Figured. I think the colors we chose are the best out there: Dirty Lemon and Tri-Burst. The faux binding on the Dirty Lemon looks incredible, and it feels way more expensive than it is. I’m really excited for these.

For more options, read up on How to Choose the Best Gibson Les Paul.

Jackson Pro Plus Series Soloist SL2 DX Electric Guitars

Key Specs and Features:

• Available in Floyd Rose floating tremolo and Hipshot hardtail configurations
• Sleek ebony fretboards with subtle sharkfin inlays
• Roaring metal tones courtesy of aggressive Seymour Duncan pickups

Shop Now: Jackson American Series Soloist SL2 DX Electric Guitar with Floyd Rose in Snow White

JB: I remember coming up with these during a visit with the Jackson brain trust in Arizona, where I was tasked with creating ideas for some new Guitar Center collaborations. Considering how great the USA guitars are, I wondered if we could find a way to bring that caliber of instrument to a lower price point—that was the driving force behind these Pro Plus Series Soloist exclusives. We got stainless steel frets, Seymour Duncan pickups and a mid-tier Floyd Rose tremolo all for under $1,300. I wanted a black guitar but didn’t want it to look like everything else, so we asked them for colored binding and dark inlays. We have a tremolo version in black and a hardtail in white, so customers have options.

Visit our guide on The Best Metal Guitars for additional shred-ready recommendations.

Exclusive Bass Guitars at Guitar Center

Pictured: Schecter Guitar Research Reaper-4 Electric Bass Guitar in Satin Charcoal Burst

Fender Player II Moonlight Drive Precision Bass

Key Specs and Features:

• Outfitted with a Seymour Duncan SPB-3 Quarter Pound split-coil pickup
• Roasted maple neck resists movement during temperature/humidity fluctuations
• Exclusive dark blue metallic finish shimmers under the stage lights

Shop Now: Fender Player II Moonlight Drive Precision Bass

Jesse Espinoza: Jerry [Benegas] played a large part in envisioning the color to make the Moonlight Drive happen. I have been on a tear with the weight of my basses, so I had to make sure we used a roasted maple neck to reduce the weight of the instrument. Roasted maple adds the benefit of neck stability, along with contributing to the beauty of the bass. I added a Duncan Quarter Pound pickup to give our customers the most popular mod right out of the box.

Jackson JS1M Concert Bass in Infinity Blue

Key Specs and Features:

• Vibrant neon finish harkens back to hair metal’s heyday
• Bold, jet black sharkfin inlays pop on a lightly hued maple fretboard
• Lightweight poplar body wears comfortably for long sets and sessions

Shop Now: Jackson Limited Edition JS Series JS1M Concert Bass in Infinity Blue

JE: The Jackson JS1M is a very popular bass in our stores. We were nearing the end of our run with the Neon Green version of this, so I wanted something that would bring the same excitement to the bass wall in our stores. My mind was set on an extreme shade of blue, and this is where we landed. When we were naming it, we wanted to pay homage to certain universally beloved, blue cartoon creatures, but, well, there were licensing issues (laughs).

Schecter Reaper Bass Guitars

Key Specs and Features:

• Exclusive Satin Charcoal Burst finish on a buckeye burl top
• Schecter USA pickups with a Darkglass Tone Capsule active EQ
• Available in 4- and 5-string models

Shop Now: Schecter Reaper 4-String Electric Bass Guitar in Satin Charcoal

JE: I was very excited when I saw the original Schecter Reaper bass and thought we should get a version of this going for Guitar Center. The buckeye burl top looked so awesome, and the black burst around it just accentuated the woodgrain so much. The Schecter USA and Darkglass electronics on this bass pack a huge punch and have such a large range that really invited me to dial in the tone I want out of this thing. I feel lucky to be able to work with our partners at Schecter to make such a good-looking and good-sounding bass.

Still figuring out the right fit? How to Choose the Best Bass Guitar answers all-important questions for every style of bassist.

Exclusive Effects Pedals at Guitar Center

Line 6 HX Stomp in Limited-Edition Seafoam Green

Key Specs and Features:

• Front-to-back tone creation powered by Line 6’s HX Modeling engine
• Geared for guitarists and bassists, both on stage and in the studio
• Seafoam Green finish gives cutting-edge tech some cool retro flair

Shop Now: Line 6 HX Stomp Limited-Edition Multi-Effects Pedal in Seafoam Green

Dylan Van Vleet: The Line 6 HX Stomp has always been one of my favorite modelers. It’s insanely powerful for its small footprint and can really solve a lot of problems in your rig. Want to switch to an acoustic for a song? Bet. Want to play bass through your guitar pedalboard? Say less. The HX Stomp can do it all and do it all incredibly well. 

While there have been a few limited-edition colors in the past, I think the Seafoam Green absolutely pops the most. It’s an iconic finish hailing back from cars of the ’50s that have long-since adorned guitars, amplifiers and pedals.

As a personal fan and user of the HX Stomp, I hope you enjoy this super cool, limited-edition variant. We have a great partnership with our friends at Line 6, and it’s always a blast to collaborate on projects like these. Can’t wait to see what we cook up next.

For the ultimate in streamlined gigging and recording rigs, check out our complete guide to the Best Multi-Effects Pedals.

Guitar-A-Thon: Grab Yourself Some Exclusive Equipment

There’s never been a better time to equip your rig with one-of-a-kind gear than right now at Guitar Center. From fresh takes on classics like the Les Paul and Precision Bass to an aggressively styled acoustic and retro-influenced modeling pedal, our merchants have worked hard to deliver invigorating new instruments and effects for players to feel inspired by.

Need a closer look or a personalized consultation to find the right exclusive equipment for you? Let our in-store associates or online Gear Advisers guide you through Guitar-A-Thon.

Left to Right: Epiphone Les Paul Custom Widow, Fender Player II Moonlight Drive Telecaster, Taylor Sunset Blvd 414ce Studio

People Also Ask ...

How often does Guitar Center run the Guitar-A-Thon event?

We run Guitar-A-Thon twice a year, typically in the spring and fall. After this, keep your eyes peeled for more festivities in the coming months.

How much can I expect to save during Guitar-A-Thon?

Guitar-A-Thon offers savings of up to 35% on acoustic and electric guitars, basses, amps and effects. There are also opportunities to score in-store doorbuster deals and enter our Guitar-A-Thon sweepstakes for a chance to win awesome prizes.

Will exclusive Guitar-A-Thon 2025 instruments and effects still be available next year?

The gear designed by our merchants exclusively for Guitar-A-Thon is limited edition. While we do our best to ensure everyone has a chance to take home their favorite piece, it’s sometimes hard to say how long a specific item might last. If you see something you like, feel free to connect with a Gear Adviser online or over the phone—they’d be happy to walk you down the smoothest path to cool new gear.