1. ELIGIBILITY: Participation in the Ultimate Gibson Experience Sweepstakes (the “Sweepstakes” or “Promotion”) is limited to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States or 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.

2. PROMOTION PERIOD: The Sweepstakes begins on July 25, 2024 at 12:00:00 AM Eastern Time (“ET”) and ends on August 7, 2024 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.

3. 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 www.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 (1) email address throughout the Promotion Period. Entries received from any person or email address in excess of the stated limitation will be void.

   Entries will be deemed made by the authorized account holder of the e-mail 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 e-mail address by an internet access provider, on-line service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail 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.

4. RANDOM DRAWINGS: A random drawing will be conducted on or about August 9, 2024 to select one (1) 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.

5. PRIZE AND APPROXIMATE RETAIL VALUE (“ARV”): One (1) Grand Prize – a 3-day/2-night trip for the winner and one guest to Nashville, TN (travel valid 9/1/2024 – 2/28/25). Prize includes roundtrip coach air transportation from major airport nearest winner’s home, 2 nights’ hotel accommodations (1 room/double occupancy), and a tour of The Gibson Garage and ground transportation to/from hotel/The Gibson Garage. Winner will also have the opportunity to select either a Gibson acoustic guitar or a Gibson Electric Guitar (not to exceed $4,000 in value). Travel dates exclude Thanksgiving weekend, the last two weeks of December and the first week in January. Travel may be subject to other blackout periods and other restrictions may apply. Sponsor will determine airline, flight itinerary, and seating in its sole discretion. If winner cannot travel during the specified travel dates, then he or she forfeits the entire prize. Sponsor reserves the right to provide an alternate means of transportation or travel stipend in lieu of air transportation, which will be determined at Sponsor’s sole discretion, depending on where the winner resides. Maximum ARV of the Grand Prize is $5,700. The actual value of the prize may vary based on transportation and hotel price fluctuations; any difference in value will not be compensated. All applicable federal, state and local taxes on the prize and any expenses relating to the acceptance/use of the prize not specified herein are the sole responsibility of winner. The value of the prize is taxable as income and winner will receive an IRS form 1099 for the total value of the prize as stated herein. Winner and guest must travel on 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 and other incidentals and items of a personal nature. Winner and guest are responsible for obtaining any insurance (including but not limited to, any travel or health insurance. 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.

   General Prize Conditions: All travelers must possess required travel documents (i.e., valid government-issued photo ID). 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 the The Gibson Garage is subject to the restrictions and requirements of the venue, as applicable. Tours are subject to the terms and conditions regarding use, including any requirements of the venue operator. Travel must be made through the Sponsor’s agent on a carrier of Sponsor’s choice and is subject to availability. Passes/tickets 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 passes/ticket(s) being voided. The Released Parties (as defined in Section 8 below) are not responsible for any unclaimed, lost, mutilated or stolen pass/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 the Event or at any prize-related venue. In no event will the Released Parties provide any additional compensation to any Entrant other than the prize offered as stated herein.

   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 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.

6. WINNER NOTIFICATION AND CLEARANCE: Prize award is subject to verification of eligibility. Potential winner will be notified by the Administrator via email on or about August 12, 2024. Potential winner (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] IRS Form W-9 to include his/her social security number that will be used only for the purpose of reporting the winner’s prize earnings to the Internal Revenue Service (collectively, the “Documents”). Winner’s guest must be legal age of majority and will be required to execute liability/publicity/travel releases prior to issuance of travel documents. If winner is a minor, 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 documentation/releases at Sponsor’s sole discretion.

   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 Administrator (as determined in Sponsor’s sole discretion); or (ii) fails to timely return the required paperwork without alteration and in the form presented by Administrator; or (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, time permitting. Only three (3) alternate drawings will be held in an attempt to award the 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 participant.

7. 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/province for purposes of advertising and trade without further compensation, in any media, worldwide, unless prohibited by law.

8. GENERAL: Sponsor, Administrator, Prize Providers, and their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions, advertising and Sweepstakes 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 telephone network, computer equipment, software, 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 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.

9. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: Entrants agree to release indemnify and hold harmless the Released Parties from any and all liability, for 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 prize or participation in any Sweepstakes-related activity and for any claims based on publicity rights, defamation or invasion of privacy and 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, an “act of God” (e.g., natural disaster, etc.) or an unforeseeable health event (e.g., pandemic) 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 prizes 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.

   LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES: TO THE MAXIMIM 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 SITE AND/OR PARTICIPATING IN THE SWEEPSTAKES, DOWNLOADING FROM AND/OR PRINTING MATERIAL DOWNLOADED FROM ANY WEBSITES ASSOCIATED WITH THE SWEEPSTAKES. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING AND TO THE MAXIMIM 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 that 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 Entrant, Designated Agent or such persons has, have or may have against 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, Sweepstakes, and applicable privacy policy.

10. 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 individually, without resort to any form of class action, and any judicial proceeding shall take place in a federal or state court in Los Angeles County, California; (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 Entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and 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 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.

11. 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.

12. WHO WON? For the name of the prize winner send an email with the subject line: “Guitar Center Fender Strat Sweepstakes Winner” to: winnerslist@mkpromosource.com, to be received by August 11, 2024. The winners list will be available on or about August 26, 2024 or after the winner has been verified.

SPONSOR: This Sweepstakes is sponsored by Guitar Center Stores, Inc., 5795 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village, California 91362.

ADMINISTRATOR: This Sweepstakes is being administered by Marden-Kane, Inc., 575 Underhill Blvd., Suite 222, Syosset, New York 11791 an independent judging organization, who is responsible for notifying potential winner and overseeing the awarding of the prize, and whose decisions regarding the conduct of this Sweepstakes are final and binding.

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.

© 2024 Marden-Kane, Inc. All rights reserved. These Official Rules may not be copied, edited, or used for any other purpose, commercial or otherwise, without the express written consent of Marden-Kane, Inc.