The cynic in me wants to view the Black Friday and Cyber Monday guitar deals with suspicion – how many of the electric guitars are reduced because they just can't sell them during the rest of the year, and why? But looking out there at our guides, there's plenty of solid evidence to be optimistic, and when I saw Squier Classic Vibe guitar discounts of up to 40% at the Fender site I genuinely got the strongest credit card trigger finger I've had in 2023. And it's for valid reasons; I think these are the best deals out there right now.
I don't own expensive guitars and these Classic Vibe guitar deals are proof again that I don't need to. I'm going to explain why.
The Squier Classic Vibe range often showcases the best of what Squier can offer, to the point that it begins to blur the line with Fender. And of all the deals I've seen, over $100 / £100 off these models represent the best bang for buck for the most players I've seen.
US, UK and mainland Europe customers, bass players, beginners, left-handed guitar players – I've got incredible deals for you all here!
1. They'll last beginner players longer
The Classic Vibe range offer classic vintage specs that have withstood and excelled in the test of time – they are universally loved designs, but the series has long offered higher specs than those found in the Sonic and Affinity ranges and are priced to reflect that. Except with the discounts shown above you're now getting more for less, and significantly narrowing the price difference.
Better quality from the beginning means the need to upgrade later isn't so pressing
Better spec pickups and tuners compared to those ranges are usually a given, as well as nickel rather than the lower spec chrome hardware found on the Sonic series. All this adds up to guitars you'll grow with as a new player – better quality from the beginning means the need to upgrade later isn't so pressing. But I wouldn't be looking to trade up from a Classic Vibe at all, because of the next two reasons…
2. They are great for adding to your collection
Who wouldn't want a '50s or '60s spec Fender in their guitar collection? Or why not get that bass you need for recording? Now you can do it cheaper.
Reviewing the Fender Mike McCready Strat reminded me there is no substitute for great Strat tones – I want to add a vintage spec Strat to my collection but I can't justify the spend. But a Classic Vibe offers to do that for much less money.
The best Classic Vibe guitars can really give the Mexican Fender Player range a run for their money
I'm not hung up on what the headstock says; for me it's about the playability and tones. The best Classic Vibe guitars can really give the Mexican Fender Player range a run for their money. But they are actually the equivalent of the dearer Fender Vintera II range, and those guitars are above $1,000. That's a huge jump that I can't make, and I'm sure I'm not alone. And that brings me to my final point – you can narrow that $800+ gap of specs much more affordably.
3. Classic Vibes are fantastic modding platforms
Contrary to what you might expect from a guitars editor who regularly reviews guitars well over $1,000, I don't actually own any guitars that cost anywhere near that. And I'm proud to say it. It's not that I don't want to, I'd love to own many of the guitars I review, but I can make up the difference without putting myself into a pit of debt and post-purchase shame. So I make up the difference by modding.
You can make them premium Fender spec guitars for far less money than buying a US Fender
And that's why I love Fenders; they are the best modding platforms in the guitar world for me. Official Fender and OEM parts are readily available to make your own signature model a reality. P-90-sized Firebird pickups in a Fender Player Mustang I bought from eBay for £350? No problem. A PAF-size Cunife humbucker made by the Creamery in the UK for my Mexican HS Duo Sonic? Why not. I was able to create modded guitars I'll never see on the shelf. And the Classic Vibe guitars are great candidates for that – they're already good quality, but .
Fender Custom Shop pickups, locking tuners… even a new pickguard, make it yours for even less now with these deals.
