Save $170 On Fender Player II + Katana Amps & Line 6 HX Stomp

GD Gear Nerds!

Guitar Center is doing one of its annual mega sales. It’s a big one with loads of gear discounted.

Like 30% or more in some cases.

I’ve just spent most of the morning salivating over new, potential gear I probably don’t need.

But if you’re after a new amp, guitar or FX unit, I’ve pulled some of the best deals I’ve seen and added them below.

FENDER PLAYER II: EXCLUSIVES ON SALE (BRITISH RACING GREEN FTW)

Y’all, Fender dropped some serious sauce with this one. Two iconic models, dressed up in a slick British Racing Green finish (Guitar Center exclusive!), and both are under $700 right now.

Fender Player II Jazzmaster – Only $679.99 (Save $170!)

God knows I love a Jazzmaster, and the Player II model is killer. The Alnico pickups are perfect for shoegaze and experimental stuff as well as lighter pop-focussed stuff too.

I also really dig the exclusive finish they come in (British Racing Green). As the name suggests, it’s both classy and rather easy on the eyes.

And with a $170 saving, it delivers a tonne of value for money.

• Modern “C” neck with rolled edges = silky smooth feel

• Limited-run color that screams boutique

• Alnico pickups + upgraded hardware

Fender Player II Stratocaster – Only $699.99 (Save $140!)

• Same slick finish, same neck feel

• Classic Strat tones with upgraded clarity

• Built for the stage, but looks killer on the wall too

Fender’s Player II series is badass. They really pushed the boat out with these ones, updating everything from the components to the fretboard. Now more than ever they feel like pro-grade guitars.

I have the Player II Tele and Strat and both are easily studio-grade instruments. I don’t tour much anymore as I’m no longer in a band but if I did, these two would be joining me.

Read my Fender Buying Guide for more information on models and specs (and price differences).

AMP & FX: KATANA GEN 3 + HX STOMP ON SALE

There’s tons of gear up for grabs in this sale but there’s two main options I wanted to single out because I actually own and use them.

And most importantly: I’d buy them both again if someone broke into my home and stole all my shit.

They’re basically two of the most useful pieces of gear I own. Collectively, they do around 90% of everything in my current workflow. The additional 10% being my actual guitar and my computer.

BOSS Katana Gen 3 50W Combo – Just $299.99 (Save $50)

• Gen 3 “Tube Logic” is legit; the feel is on point

• 6 amp characters (including new “Pushed” mode)

• Light, loud, and studio/stage-ready

I’ve played and recorded with more amps than I care to admit, but the Boss Katana Gen 3 50W combo has been my go-to for literally everything for the past 12 months.

It’s stupidly reliable, endlessly versatile, and it feels like a real amp under your hands, not a stiff digital box.

For recording, it’s a dream. The USB out gives you direct, clean tone into your DAW, no mic needed, and the Boss Tone Studio app lets you dial in sounds with surgical precision.

I’ve used it for full demo sessions, layered parts, and even final tracks; it holds up every time.

What I love most is that I don’t have to think about it. No fiddling, no gear drama. Just plug in, get inspired, and play. For something this affordable, it punches way above its weight.

Line 6 HX Stomp – Just $599.99 (Save $100)

• Full Helix engine in a mini box

• Run amps, cabs, and effects all in one

• Perfect fly rig or silent recording beast

The Line 6 HX Stomp is one of those rare bits of gear that earns its keep fast. I bought mine because I needed something that could do a lot without getting in the way.

For recording, it’s borderline unfair. I run it straight into my interface and I’ve got full Helix‑quality amps, cabs, and effects ready to go, zero noise, zero setup drama.

I can track at 2am with headphones, reamp later, or tweak tones after the fact without re‑recording. That flexibility alone makes it a studio weapon.

What I love most is the size-to-power ratio. It lives on my desk, jumps onto a pedalboard when needed, and can easily be the entire rig if I’m going direct.

No menu‑diving nightmares, no compromises in sound. It just delivers pro tones in a box that fits in a backpack—and once you get used to that, it’s hard to go back.

Recommended YouTube Watches…

Spotify is about as popular as genital herpes right now.

No one has anything nice to say about the company. Whether its hawking AI slop or making the lives of bands and artists miserable, Spotify has now completed its transition from plucky start-up to greedy, corporate Big Tech arsehole.

Haggis on Toast has a cool video about the many, many benefits of ditching Spotify and going back to actually owning physical music – you know, CDs and vinyl.

I love Russian Circles. I listen to them constantly. I think it’s far to say they’re one of the best metal bands on the planet right now. Premier Guitar has another one of its excellent rig rundowns with the band, so if you’re interested in how they sound so freakin’ good make sure you watch it.

That’s it for today. And if you do grab one of those deals above, do let me know. I’d love to know what you got and why.

Peace.

Richard