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ELIGIBILITY: Participation in the Fall Guitar-a-thon Sweepstakes (the "Sweepstakes" or "Promotion") is limited to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are at least 18 years of age or older at the time of entry (the "Entrant"). The Sweepstakes is void in all other U.S. territories and possessions, and where restricted or prohibited by law. Employees of Guitar Center Stores, Inc. (the "Sponsor"), its affiliates, subsidiaries, authorized dealers, licensees, suppliers, marketing partners, advertising and promotion agencies, Marden-Kane, Inc. (the "Administrator"), and any other companies engaged in the development, administration, production, fulfillment or distribution of materials for this Sweepstakes, and the immediate families (spouse, parents, children, siblings and their respective spouses) and individuals living in the same household, whether related not, of the above, are not eligible to enter or win a prize. This Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws. Winning a prize is contingent on eligibility verification and compliance with these Official Rules.
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PROMOTION PERIOD: The Sweepstakes begins on September 17, 2026 at 12:00:00 AM Eastern Time ("ET"), and ends on October 7, 2026 at 11:59:59 PM ET (the "Promotion Period"). The Sponsor runs the official clock for the Sweepstakes and will solely determine the time by which an entry is received.
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HOW TO ENTER: During the Promotion Period, access the online entry form by scanning the Quick Response code ("QR code") found on advertising materials at participating Guitar Center locations or by visiting guitarcenter.com/gear-giveaway.gc. To enter, you must complete all required information on the Sweepstakes entry form. As part of the Sweepstakes entry process, Entrants will be required to indicate that they have read, accept and agree to be bound by these Official Rules. Limit one entry per person using only one email address throughout the Promotion Period. Entries received from any person or email address in excess of the stated limitation will be void.
By submitting an entry, Entrant agrees to receive emails, recurring automated SMS messages and phone calls about events, deals and promotions from the Sponsor and from the Prize Providers listed in section 12 below. Participants may unsubscribe at any time by following the instructions in the communication. Consent is not a condition of purchase.
Entries will be deemed made by the authorized account holder of the email address submitted at the time of entry. Entries are subject to the acceptance and acknowledgement of these Official Rules and any other applicable Terms of Services/Privacy Policy. The "authorized account holder" is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an email address by an internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted email address. When using a web-enabled mobile device to scan the QR code and/or to enter, message and data rates may apply. You agree to incur any and all charges demanded by your wireless carrier. Not all mobile devices offer wireless internet access, and wireless internet access may not be available in all areas.
Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, damaged, delayed, destroyed, misdirected, incomplete, illegible, mutilated, technically corrupted or garbled entries, which will be disqualified, or for problems of any kind, whether mechanical, human or electronic. No automated entry devices and/or programs permitted. Incomplete or illegible entries are not eligible. All entries become the property of the Sponsor and will not be returned. Proof of submission will not be deemed to be proof of receipt by Sponsor.
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RANDOM DRAWING: A random drawing will be conducted on or about October 9, 2026, to select one winner from among all eligible entries received. The random drawing will be conducted by Marden-Kane, Inc., an independent judging organization whose decisions shall be final and binding on all matters relating to this Sweepstakes. The odds of winning a prize depend on the number of eligible entries received.
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PRIZES AND APPROXIMATE RETAIL VALUES (ARV): The following prizes are available to be won as follows:
(1) Gold Package consisting of a 3-day/2-night trip for the winner and one guest to Nashville, TN. Prize includes roundtrip coach air transportation from major airport nearest winner's home, 2 nights' hotel accommodations (1 room/double occupancy), and a private tour of Gibson's Custom Shop. The winner will also have the opportunity to design a ‘dream guitar' with a value of up to $12,000 through the Gibson Custom Shop Made-to-Measure (M2M) program. Any customization that exceeds $12,000 will be at winner's sole expense. Trip must be taken between 1/1/2027 and 3/30/2027. (Maximum ARV of this Gold Package is $15,000). If the winner resides within a 100-mile radius of the trip destination, Sponsor reserves the right to provide a $100 pre-paid cash card in lieu of air transportation. If a winner elects to travel without a guest, no additional compensation will be awarded for the guest portion of the prize. Winner and guest must travel on the same itinerary. Winner and guest are solely responsible for all other expenses not specifically set forth herein, including but not limited to meals, additional transportation, souvenirs, parking, travel insurance, and other incidentals and items of a personal nature. Decisions regarding all components of the prize are at the Sponsor's and its agents' and Prize Provider's absolute and sole discretion.
(1) First Prize – Silver Package consisting of a Gibson Les Paul AAA Flame top electric guitar ($2,999) and a Mesa Boogie Fillmore 50w guitar amp in black ($1,999). (Total ARV $4,998).
(2) Second Prizes – Bronze package each consisting of an Epiphone Widow electric guitar (ARV $799 each).
The total maximum ARV of all prizes available to won in this Sweepstakes is $21,596. The actual value of a prize is subject to price fluctuations in the consumer marketplace. Trip prize value will depend on winner's point of departure and the travel dates at time of booking; merchandise prizes are based on the fair market value of the prize at the time the Official Rules are published. Winner is not entitled to any difference between the ARV stated herein and the value of the prize at the time the prize is awarded.
All applicable federal, state and local taxes on the prize, and any expenses relating to the acceptance/use of a prize not specified herein, are the sole responsibility of the winner. The value of a prize is taxable as income, and winners of prizes valued at $2,000 or more will receive an IRS Form 1099 for the total value of the prize as stated herein. All prize details not specified in these Official Rules will be determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion. Prize consists of only the items specifically listed as part of the prize.
No substitutions, cash equivalents or transfer of prize permitted except at the sole discretion of the Sponsor, who reserves the right where lawful to substitute a prize or prize component with one of comparable or greater value. Prize may not be sold, bartered or exchanged by winner. Sponsor is not responsible for damage or loss of any portion of a prize after it has been delivered to a confirmed winner. Sponsor makes no warranties and hereby disclaims any and all warranties, expressed or implied, concerning any prize furnished by third parties in connection with the Sweepstakes. Prize may vary from what has been advertised, pictured, etc.
Additional Conditions for Gold Package Prize: All travelers must possess required travel documents (i.e., valid government-issued photo ID). Winner's guest must be a U.S. resident and legal age of majority in his/her jurisdiction of residence and will be required to execute liability/publicity/travel releases prior to issuance of travel documents. If winner is a minor in his/her jurisdiction of residence, winner's parent/legal guardian will be required to accompany winner on trip and will count as the winner's guest. Winner and guest may be required to complete additional releases at Sponsor's sole discretion. Hotel may require that winner or guest be at least 21 years of age to check-in. A valid credit card will be required at time of hotel check-in. The components of this prize are subject to change based on local health and safety guidelines at time of booking.
Admission to Gibson's Custom Shop is subject to the restrictions and requirements of the venue, as applicable; custom guitar build is subject to Gibson's M2M policy. Travel must be made through the Sponsor's agent on a carrier of Sponsor's choice and is subject to availability. Prize may not be resold, offered for resale, or used for any commercial or promotional purpose whatsoever. Any such resale or commercial or promotional use may result in ticket(s) being voided. The Released Parties (as defined in Section 8 below) are not responsible for any unclaimed, lost, mutilated or stolen ticket prizes; nor will said prizes be replaced. If a prize-related event, in part or in its entirety, is unable to take place as planned for reasons including, but not limited to, scheduling conflicts, venue operation, cancellations, postponements, delays, an event of force majeure (any acts of God, natural catastrophes, public enemies, war, acts of terrorism, civil commotion, riot, strikes or labor difficulties, lockout, judicial or government order, or other requirement of law, or national emergencies or any other cause beyond the Sponsors' reasonable control), an unforeseeable health event (e.g., pandemic or epidemic), or for any other reason whatsoever, then Sponsor will have no obligation to award compensation in lieu thereof. The Released Parties and/or any other relevant party reserve the right to remove or deny entry to the winner and/or a guest of winner who engages in a non-sportsman like or disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any other person at any prize-related venue. All prize details not specified herein shall be determined solely by Sponsor and will be provided to the winner at time of prize notification. In no event will the Released Parties provide any additional compensation to any Entrant other than the prize offered as stated herein.
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WINNER NOTIFICATION AND CLEARANCE: Prize award is subject to verification of eligibility. The potential winners will be notified by the Administrator via phone and/or email. Potential winner(s) (and parent/legal guardian if a potential winner is deemed a minor in his/her state of residence) will be required to complete, sign and return the following documents: [1] an affidavit of eligibility and liability release, and where legal, a publicity release and [2] for winners of prizes valued at $2,000 or more, an IRS Form W-9 to include potential winner's Social Security Number, which will be used only for the purpose of reporting the winner's prize earnings to the Internal Revenue Service; Grand Prize winner must also complete a travel release (collectively, the "Documents"). The Documents must be returned to the Administrator by the date stated in the notification email, or the prize will be forfeited, and an alternate winner will be selected. If a potential winner (i) cannot be contacted after a reasonable attempt has been made by the Administrator (as determined in the Sponsor's sole discretion); or (ii) fails to timely return the required paperwork without alteration and in the form presented by the Administrator; (iii) refuses the prize; or (iv) the prize or prize notification is rejected or returned as undeliverable, then such potential winner will be disqualified and forfeits all rights to be deemed a winner in the Sweepstakes and receive the prize, and an alternate winner will be selected through a random drawing by the Administrator from the remaining eligible entries. Only three alternate drawings will be held in an attempt to award a prize, after which the prize will remain unawarded. Upon prize forfeiture, no compensation will be given, and Sponsor will have no further obligation to that Entrant.
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CONDITIONS OF ENTRY: By participating, Entrants agree to comply with these Official Rules, including all eligibility requirements. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify Entrants who violate these Official Rules or interfere with this Sweepstakes in any manner. Any attempt by an Entrant to enter the Sweepstakes and/or obtain more than the stated number of entries permitted herein by using multiple/different email addresses, identities, registrations and logins, or any other method, will void that Entrant's entries, and that Entrant may be disqualified. Use of any automated entry software is prohibited. Electronically reproduced, illegible, incomplete or inaccurate entries are void. Acceptance of a prize constitutes permission for the Sponsor and its agencies to use winner's name, likeness, photograph, and/or hometown and state for purposes of advertising and trade without further review, notice, approval, consideration or compensation to the winner or any third party, in any media, worldwide, unless prohibited by law.
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GENERAL: Sponsor, Administrator, Prize Provider(s) (Gibson, Inc.), Social Media Platforms as defined below, and their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions, advertising and promotion agencies, and all of their officers, directors, shareholders, employees and agents (collectively "Released Parties") are not responsible for incorrect or inaccurate transcription of entry information, or for any human or printing error, technical malfunctions, lost/delayed data transmission, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, line failures of any network, computer equipment or software, the inability to access any online service or website, inability to submit the online entry form, or any other error or malfunction, or any injury or damage to Entrant's or any other person's computer or mobile device related to, or resulting from, participation or downloading any materials in this Sweepstakes, or for late, lost, stolen, illegible, misdirected or damaged entries.
Caution: Any attempt by an Entrant or any other individual to deliberately damage any online service or website, or undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes, may be a violation of criminal and civil laws, and should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages and/or other remedies from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor's failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that or any other provision.
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INDEMNIFICATION; CANCELLATION OF PROMOTION: Entrants agree to release, indemnify and hold harmless the Released Parties from any and all liability, loss, harm, damage, injury, cost or expense whatsoever, including without limitation, property damage, personal injury and/or death, which may occur in connection with participation in the Sweepstakes, or possession, acceptance and/or use or misuse of a prize, or participation in any Sweepstakes-related activity, and for any claims based on publicity rights, defamation or invasion of privacy, or merchandise delivery. Sponsor reserves the right to cancel or modify the Sweepstakes if it cannot be executed as planned for any reason or event beyond Sponsor's control, including, but not limited to, a force majeure event or occurrence (e.g., war, riots, terrorism, civil unrest, strikes, blackouts, supply shortages, order of governmental authority, etc.), an "act of God" (e.g., natural disaster, etc.) or an unforeseeable health event (e.g., pandemic or epidemic) making it inadvisable, impractical, impossible or illegal, or which materially affects a party's ability to perform its obligations under this agreement in whole or in part, or if fraud, technical failures, human error or any other causes beyond the reasonable control of the Sponsor impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Sweepstakes as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. If terminated, Sponsor may, at its discretion, award prize(s) in a random drawing from among all non-suspect, eligible entries received up to the time of termination. In no event will more than the stated number of prizes be awarded.
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LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES: To the maximum extent permitted by law, in no event will the Released Parties be responsible or liable for any damages or losses of any kind, including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential or punitive damages arising out of your access to and use of the website and/or participation in the Sweepstakes, downloading from and/or printing material downloaded from any websites associated with the Sweepstakes. Without limiting the foregoing and to the maximum extent permitted by law, this Sweepstakes and all prizes are provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. Some jurisdictions may not allow the limitations or exclusion of liability for incidental or consequential damages, or exclusion of implied warranties, so some of the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you. Check your local laws for any restrictions or limitations regarding these limitations or exclusions.
By entering the Sweepstakes, Entrants acknowledge they are familiar with the provisions of California Civil Code Section 1542, which provides as follows:
A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH, IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.
Accordingly, by entering the Sweepstakes, Entrants (on their behalf and on behalf of their heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, predecessors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing, and all other persons and entities asserting rights of, or acting on behalf of, the Entrant) hereby waive and relinquish any right or benefit which the Entrant, designated agent or such persons has, have or may have against the Sponsor and the other Released Parties under Section 1542 of the Civil Code of the State of California, or under any similar statutory or common law of any other jurisdiction to the full extent that any such person may lawfully waive such rights and benefits pertaining to the releases set forth in these Official Rules, the website, the Sweepstakes or any applicable privacy policy.
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DISPUTES; GOVERNING LAW; FORUM: Each Entrant agrees that (1) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or in connection with this Sweepstakes, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved as provided herein; (2) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering this Sweepstakes, but in no event attorneys' fees; and (3) under no circumstances will the Entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and the Entrant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental and consequential damages, and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of the Entrant and the Sponsor in connection with this Sweepstakes, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of California, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the state of California or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than those of the state of California. Each Entrant expressly consents and agrees to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of a civil court of competent jurisdiction located in Los Angeles, California. CLASS ACTIONS AND ANY OTHER CONSOLIDATED, COLLECTIVE OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTIONS ARE NOT PERMITTED, AND YOU, THE ENTRANT, AGREE TO GIVE UP THE ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY SUCH ACTION. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, YOU AGREE THAT YOU WILL NOT BE A MEMBER OF ANY PUTATIVE OR ACTUAL CLASS IN A CLASS ACTION BROUGHT BY ANYONE ELSE, NOR WILL YOU SEEK TO BECOME A CLASS REPRESENTATIVE. CLASS ACTIONS, PRIVATE ATTORNEY GENERAL ACTIONS AND OTHER CONSOLIDATED ACTIONS ARE NOT ALLOWED. DISPUTES REGARDING THE ENFORCEABILITY, REVOCABILITY OR VALIDITY OF THE CLASS ACTION WAIVER MAY BE RESOLVED ONLY BY A CIVIL COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, AND NOT BY AN ARBITRATOR.
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PUBLICITY: By participating, where permitted by law, the Entrant agrees to the use of their personal information in accordance with Sponsor's Privacy Policy and Gibson's Privacy Policy. The Entrant, by accepting a prize, consents to the use of their name, photograph, voice, videotape and likeness for purposes of advertising and publicity in all media worldwide, including a winners list or other online winner announcement, without further compensation or notice. Sponsor reserves the right to use any Entry, response or comment made by an Entrant, in whole or in part, in any and all media now known or hereafter discovered, without further compensation or notice.
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SEVERABILITY: If any provision(s) of these Official Rules are held to be invalid or unenforceable, all remaining provisions hereof will remain in full force and effect.
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WHO WON? For the names of winners, send an email with the subject line: "Guitar Center Fall Guitar-a-thon Winners" to winnerslist@mkpromosource.com, to be received by October 30, 2026. A winners list will be available on or about October 30, 2026, or after the winners have been verified.
Suppliers of prizes offered in this Promotion are not Sponsors or participants in this Sweepstakes, and no association or endorsement is implied. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
This Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered or affiliated, or associated with Meta, YouTube, X or TikTok ("Social Media Platforms"). You are providing your information to Sponsor and not to Social Media Platforms.