We’re Guitar Center customers, too. We get why you’re here—from being inspired by your musical heroes to the electrifying pursuit of the sound and vibe you’re after.
So, it should come as no surprise that when we were presented with this “best of 2025” staff picks article, we clamored for who got to write about what. In this article, you’ll get to hear from industry veterans working various roles within Guitar Center’s Marketing department, from marketing analysts to content producers to some familiar voices on the writing team.
Without getting too sentimental about 2025, let’s rip right into our top guitar gear picks of the year.
Fender American Ultra II Aurora Stratocaster HSS
Ben Math, Content Coordinator:
I’m a big Strat guy. Whenever I sit down in my “home studio” (we’ll call it that), I immediately reach for my JV Mod ’60s Stratocaster. I’m also a huge fan of the Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia’s playing. Anyone familiar with Jerry’s historically complex rigs knows that getting his tone isn't as simple as plugging a stock guitar into a pedalboard. His instruments—often built by Doug Irwin in conjunction with the folks at Alembic—featured onboard circuitry, boosts and other tonal tricks that made his sound uniquely his.
Enter the Fender American Ultra II Aurora Stratocaster. With Ultra II Noiseless Hot Strat pickups in the neck and middle positions, a Haymaker humbucker in the bridge and the built-in Ultra Blaster preamp, this guitar feels like the perfect stock platform to chase the legendary Jerry tones I hold so dear.
Shop Now: Fender American Ultra II Aurora Stratocaster HSS
Sonically, there's a remarkable balanced clarity across the lows, mids and highs. And that psychedelic, color-shifting Aurora finish? It absolutely seals the deal from an aesthetic standpoint.
I had a moment to plug in the Aurora Strat at our pedal station in the Westlake Village store. The roasted maple neck felt like butter ... it almost pushed me over the edge. Honestly, it’s probably for the best that I didn’t bring my wallet in with me.
JHS Pedals 424 Gain Stage
Max Lauer-Bader, Sr. Manager, Content and Social Media:
As a musician of a certain age, cassette-based multitracks were my entryway to recording. Absent modern conveniences like YouTube and Reddit, and with Tape Op not yet on my radar, I had to rely on instinct, tips from friends and happy accidents to find my way around various Fostex and TASCAM Portastudio recording setups.
One of those happy accidents? Driving the living heck out of the preamp in the TASCAM. Was it the sound I was going for at the time? No. Was I the first person to do it? Of course not. Did it sound really cool blasting out of my headphones? Absolutely.
Shop Now: JHS Pedals 424 Gain Stage Effects Pedal
Fast-forward 25 years later and emerging guitarist Mk.gee (real name: Michael Todd Gordon) starts getting a lot of buzz, due in no small part to his incredibly unique guitar sound. While there are a bunch of things contributing to his tone, all signs point toward a dimed TASCAM preamp at some point in his signal chain. Message boards exploded with discussion, and used Portastudios shot up in price.So, what's an inspired guitarist who doesn't want to add an oversized 4-track to their guitar rig to do? Well, you're going to want to buy the JHS Pedals 424 Gain Stage. The 424 Gain Stage recreates the original circuit of the aforementioned multitrack preamp, offering everything from rubbery cleans to all-out fuzz. Compared to JHS' Colour Box, which is designed to emulate the sound of a Neve console, the 424 Gain Stage is on the complete opposite end of the fidelity spectrum.
But, to quote a certain pedal nerd who goes by the name Joshua Heath Scott, “If it sounds good, it is good.”
P.S. Even if you get the 424 Gain Stage, you should probably grab yourself an old cassette multitrack, too. They may not fit on a pedalboard, but they sure are a whole lot of fun.
Line 6 Helix Stadium XL
Drew Beaupre, Longform Creative Copy Manager:
I've ripped through combos, half stacks, multi-effects floor units and various permutations of pedalboard setups in search of that “just-right” tone—before inevitably starting over for a different genre, footprint or portability factor.
At this stage, I’m looking to streamline into a self-contained, multipurpose rig as much as possible. The Line 6 Helix Stadium XL does exactly that for me in the most advanced and intuitive way.
Tone-wise, the Agoura amp modeling methodology imparts the authentic sound and responsiveness that guitarists like me—and unlike me alike—go crazy for in a floorboard unit like this. With its next-level depth and dimension, you’ve got uncanny tube and solid-state emulation across the board. Plus, it’s almost too easy to navigate with its gorgeous high-res touchscreen and intuitively positioned controls.
Maybe I’m helplessly persnickety, but I like knowing for sure I’m about to step on the right footswitch. The Stadium XL does me a solid by including OLED scribble strips.
Factor in comprehensive I/O—including two instrument inputs—a built-in expression pedal/toe switch, plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth control, and you’ve got the ultimate chameleon: a state-of-the-art guitar rig that’ll take you far.
Shop Now: Line 6 Helix Stadium XL Multi-Effects Processor
Positive Grid Spark NEO
Dustin Hackworth, Sr. Manager of New Product Marketing:
The Spark NEO is maybe the simplest way to get good electric guitar tone. You put on the headphones, plug your guitar into the wireless transmitter and you’re basically ready to play.
No cables. No pedalboard to sort out. No roommates to annoy. Just tell the AI-powered app what you want to sound like, and you’re off to the races—takes about ten seconds.
What stands out is the sound quality. Having your mobile device act as the GPU expands the range and quality of available sounds exponentially. Where traditional headphone amps sound very digital and are typically used by beginners, the Spark NEO offers recording-quality tones right out of the box.
Shop Now: Positive Grid Spark NEO Wireless Smart Guitar Headphones
You can upload a song or describe the sound you’re going for, and the AI companion in the app will build you a custom signal chain. The only limitation—literally—is your imagination!
It’s a great option for anyone who wants a quiet setup. Apartment players. People who travel. Players who don’t want to rearrange their space just to run through ideas. Spark NEO won’t replace a full rig, and it doesn’t try to. It just gives you a clean and convenient way to play anytime you feel like picking up a guitar.
Schecter John Browne Tao in Ozone Burst
Max McAllister, Sr. Longform Creative Writer:
If you’re a fan of Browne’s earworm grooves with Monuments or you just need an all-around shredder, these guitars scream. Browne’s signature Schecter 6-, 7- and 8-string Tao models have been out for a couple years now, but the new Ozone Burst finish incorporates a cool natural edge around the transparent purple inner section.
I own a purple lefty 8-string Tao from the original 2023 run, and it’s easily one of the best guitars in my collection. I’d put it on par with my made-to-order 2014 Mayones Regius—seriously. Fit, finish, everything: excellent.
Shop Now: Schecter Guitar Research John Browne Tao-6 Electric Guitar in Ozone Burst
The factory setup is flawless, and the stability is fantastic. I don’t play 8-string all the time—six are plenty to wrap my head around for a lifetime—so I’ll go months with it stashed in its case. But whenever I pull it out, it’s still in tune, and I remember how great a guitar it is.
The thin U-shaped neck and extra jumbo stainless steel frets are so easy to play, and the Colossus/Chaosbreaker pickups (with push/push coil splitting) offer plenty of versatility for jangly ambient cleans and articulate high-gain riffs.
I love my Tao so much that I’m actually eyeing a matching sixer at some point—should probably thin the herd a bit first, though.
That’s a Wrap for 2025
Cue the ball drop festivities—2026 is upon us, and we can’t wait to see what’s next. In the meantime, head into your nearest Guitar Center store and see if you’ll come out with a new favorite toy of your own. And if you’re feeling extra determined to ring in the new year with a guitar rig resolution, our expert Gear Advisers are at the ready to help you find the perfect fit for your needs.