43-632: Guitar Center, Inc. is an American musical instrument retailer chain headquartered in Westlake Village, California . It operates 304 locations and is the largest company of its kind in the United States. The company oversees several subsidiaries, including Musician's Friend, AVDG, Music & Arts , Woodwind & Brasswind , and Giardinelli . Guitar Center was founded in Hollywood in 1959 by Wayne Mitchell as The Organ Center ,
86-458: A pipe organ . Music stores may sell used, possibly vintage or collectible instruments and sound gear . Used-gear stores may employ or offer a consignment model, in which the store (acting as the consignee) sells the piece on behalf of the actual owner (the consignor) and takes a portion of the purchase price. Stores that primarily sell used equipment may carry new merchandise, minimally guitar strings , patch cords and microphone cables. In
129-814: A $ 1.9 billion buyout from Bain Capital , totaling $ 2.1 billion including debt. The deal was led by Goldman Sachs and amounted to a per-share price of $ 63, or a 26% premium on the June 26 closing price. The deal was approved by shareholders on September 18, 2007, and closed October 9, 2007. In mid-2009, Guitar Center opened its first rehearsal and lessons studio facility in Woodland Hills, California, consisting of eight studios with backline, ranging in size from 350–550 square feet (33–51 m). In 2011, Musician's Friend's headquarters operations were moved to Guitar Center's facilities in Westlake Village, California . In
172-519: A debt-cutting deal with key investors and lenders. Guitar Center said it had received up to $ 165 million in new equity, and lenders agreed to reduce its debt by around $ 800 million. The company emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy on December 23, 2020, after a reorganization deal added additional equity and debt capital. In 2004, the Guitar Center began a "Legends Collection" with guitars made famous by Eric Clapton , Stevie Ray Vaughan , and U2 's
215-531: A live audience and a panel of celebrity judges at Guitar Center's Drum-Off finals in Los Angeles, California. In the finals, each contestant was required to perform on a 5-piece acoustic drum kit complete with hardware, cymbals, cowbell, throne and the option to incorporate a Roland SPD-30 Octapad (the SPD-30 was not included in 2016). Contestants were evaluated by a panel of independent and credible judges on
258-521: A new 28,000-square-foot flagship location in Times Square in New York City . The opening included a concert featuring The Roots . The Guitar Center Times Square location became the permanent home of Eric Clapton 's Blackie Fender Stratocaster , which had been purchased at a Christie's Crossroads Centre auction in 2004 for $ 959,000. In April, 2017, Moody's Investors Service revised
301-431: A niche, beginning with LPs and evolving through formats of cassette tape , VHS video, compact disk , and DVD . Some music stores provided instrument maintenance and repair, music lessons , or leasing of instruments and equipment. In the 2010s, general music stores have had to face competition from online music stores, which offer a huge selection of instruments and equipment. Electric guitars started appearing in
344-432: A product is accompanied by the name and model number of each item, a description of each product's features, and the price. The sophistication of online music stores varies. Some online music stores have a single photo of the item, the product name and price, and a few bullets about the features. On the other hand, some online music stores have interactive Web 2.0 features, such as 360-degree virtual reality -style images of
387-726: A retailer of electronic organs for home and church use. In 1964, after a supplier required him to carry Vox guitar amplifiers , to continue receiving organs, Mitchell added the amplifiers to his inventory and renamed the store The Vox Center, leveraging the Beatles association with the Vox brand. In the late 1960s, as other brands like Marshall gained popularity, Mitchell renamed the store Guitar Center. By 1972, Guitar Center had expanded to eight locations, including stores in San Francisco , San Diego and suburbs of Los Angeles . In
430-400: A separate area with a door, both to create a quieter area for customers to play the instruments and to enable humidifiers to be used. Famous acoustic guitars include C. F. Martin & Company , Taylor Guitars , Fender , Gibson , Guild , Washburn and Lowden Guitars . One common specialty store is the piano store, which typically sells a range of upright pianos and grand pianos . In
473-415: A subset of those categories (e.g. a store that sells acoustic and digital pianos, or a store that specializes only in drums and percussion ), to highly-specialized stores focused on a single product type (e.g. a guitar boutique focused on vintage collectible guitars, or a sheet music store). In the United States and Canada, another common distinction exists between “Band and Orchestra” stores that cater to
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#1732791151121516-605: A tour of musical events and Guitar Center locations, such as the one held at Madison Square Garden as part of Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival in April 2013. In August 2014, Clapton’s Blackie and ES-335 were moved to a new permanent location in Times Square . Clapton's cherry red Gibson 335 was used to record Cream’s versions of "Badge" and "Crossroads (from their final live performance in November 1968), and other historical performances over 40 years. Steve Ray Vaughan’s "Lenny"
559-620: A wholly owned subsidiary, with its headquarters remaining in Medford, Oregon . In 2005, Guitar Center Inc. acquired Music & Arts, the largest band and orchestra dealer in the United States, and merged it with their American Music Group chain of band and orchestral stores. The company was renamed Music & Arts. The same year, Guitar Center, Inc., started The Fender Music Foundation , a nonprofit organization that supported music education. In 2006, Guitar Center acquired four stores in Texas from
602-688: Is currently listed on the New York Stock Exchange . In April 2016, Ares Management closed its fifth global private equity fund, raising $ 7.85bn. In May 2016, Ares Management announced a plan to buy asset management company American Capital ; the US$ 3.4 billion deal closed in January 2017. On January 30, 2020, Ares Management acquired a controlling stake in the Hong Kong –based alternative investment firm, SSG Capital Management. The deal
645-695: Is hosted by Nic Harcourt , and was created, developed and produced by Guitar Center exclusively on DirecTV . Guitar Center Sessions has won several awards, including a Lumiere Award from the International 3D Society for the episodes featuring Jane's Addiction and Peter Gabriel . To celebrate Guitar Center's 50th anniversary, Linkin Park performed on October 24, 2014, with the performance first airing via DirecTV on December 5, 2014. The At: Guitar Center web series (formerly At: Guitar Center podcast) features interviews and intimate performances with some of
688-1144: Is in part because the costly instruments are viewed as a status symbol in China. Another specialty shop is the "violin shop", which, despite its name, often sells various violin family instruments (violin, viola, cello and often double bass, and the bows, strings, rosin , chinrests, and other accessories used with these instruments). Violin shops are often operated by luthiers (violinmakers) who make violin family instruments and bows for sale. Luthiers also do maintenance and repairs on violin family instruments and bows. Sheet music stores sell printed classical music for songs, instrumental solo pieces, chamber music , and scores for major symphonies and choral works, along with instrumental method books, "etudes" (studies) and graded musical exercises. Many sheet music stores also carry printed music songs for popular music genres such as rock, pop and musical theatre including individual songs and collections of songs grouped by artist, musical, or genre. Music for guitarists or electric bass players may be in tabulature notation, which depicts where on
731-499: Is one factor that is causing the closing of piano stores: "A good grand piano from a respected name costs about as much as a luxury automobile", and as such, children (and their parents) are choosing less expensive instruments, such as electronic keyboards or stringed instruments. Though sales of acoustic pianos and quality keyboard instruments continually declines in the United States, in China "piano sales are booming", with most instruments being intended for home use. This rise in sales
774-500: The Fender Music Foundation ) established Music Rising, a charity to benefit musicians whose lives had been disrupted by Hurricane Katrina . In 2007 The Edge donated his guitar to be auctioned for the charity and It was sold for $ 240,000 to Guitar Center ($ 288,000 including Buyer's Premium). From 1988 through 2016, Guitar Center conducted an annual search for the next great undiscovered drummer. Developed to spotlight
817-446: The 1930s. Mainstream electric guitars stores sell well-known brands like Gibson , Fender and Ibanez . Most guitar stores sell six-string models, bass guitars, left handed guitars and electric guitar packages for beginners, which typically include a budget-priced electric guitar, a small practice amplifier, a strap and picks. Guitar World magazine states that since guitar stores require patrons to try out guitars and amplifiers in
860-482: The 2010s, some piano stores sell high-end digital pianos , including grand pianos equipped with a digital player piano mechanism that can play back a recorded performance by activating the hammers. Piano sales are on the decline, in part because high-quality, properly-maintained pianos can remain playable for 60 to 80 years after their original purchase. Some piano stores offer rental of new pianos; as well, some piano stores sell used pianos. The high price of pianos
903-668: The Edge . The Centre purchased Clapton’s “ Blackie ” Fender Stratocaster for $ 959,500, his vintage Gibson “ ES-335 ” for $ 847,500, and Vaughan’s “ Lenny ” Stratocaster for $ 623,500, a total of over $ 2.4 million, in the Clapton Crossroads Centre charity auction at Christie's , New York. The Edge’s cream white Gibson Les Paul Custom was purchased for $ 240,000 at the Music Rising Charity Auction in 2007. The collection has been exhibited in
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#1732791151121946-850: The Guitar Center website. Connections Made by Guitar Center , a collaboration between 88.5 KCSN Los Angeles and Guitar Center, was a weekly one-hour radio program hosted by radio host Nic Harcourt featuring new music from both signed and unsigned artists from across the globe and musical spectrum. Music store A music store or musical instrument store is a retail business that sells musical instruments and related equipment and accessories. Some music stores sell additional services, such as music lessons , music instrument or equipment rental, or repair services. Music stores range from full-line stores that sell products across all musical instrument and even pro audio categories (sometimes including DJ equipment and visual stage components such as lights or fog machines), to music stores that focus on
989-2158: The Guitar Center. The inaugural inductees were music gear pioneers Jim Marshall , Robert Moog , Les Paul , and musicians Eddie Van Halen and Stevie Wonder . Currently, over 150 more honorees are enshrined. Other inductees include Elvis Presley , Chuck Berry , Bo Diddly , Carole King , Alice Cooper , Holland-Dozier-Holland , Herbie Hancock , the Black Crowes , The Ramones , Dick Clark , Willie Dixon , Buddy Guy , KISS , John Lee Hooker , Smokey Robinson , Solomon Burke , John "Jabo" Starks , Robert Cray , Etta James , Ike Turner , Kim Se-hwang , Muddy Waters , B'z , Eric Clapton , AC/DC , Aerosmith , Alanis Morissette , B.B. King , Black Sabbath , Carlos Santana , Cheap Trick , Def Leppard , Ernie Ball , Grandmaster Flash , Iron Maiden , James Brown , Jerry Lee Lewis , Jimi Hendrix , Jimmy Page , Joan Baez , Joe Satriani , Bonnie Raitt , Kenny Loggins , Johnny Cash , Layne Staley , Little Richard , Lynyrd Skynyrd , Melissa Etheridge , Nancy Wilson , Queen , Roky Erickson , Clyde Stubblefield , Slash , The Doobie Brothers , The Wrecking Crew , Van Halen , Vince Gill , Simon Kirke , Lizzo , Nick Cave , Thin Lizzy , Judas Priest , Oasis , Mud , Korn , In Flames , Jakob Dylan , BTS , Yola , Gary Clark Jr. and Chick Corea . Debuting in 2010, each episode of Guitar Center Sessions showcases exclusive live performances by noteworthy artists captured in hi-definition at Guitar Center's iconic Hollywood , California location. Past guests include Linkin Park , Saint Motel , Wiz Khalifa , Billy Idol , The 1975 , Sum 41 , Weezer , Smashing Pumpkins , Peter Gabriel , Alanis Morissette , 311 , Megadeth , Snoop Dogg , Soundgarden , Seether , The Cult , Cake , Jakob Dylan , Tame Impala , Rodrigo y Gabriela , Bush , Ben Folds Five , Korn , Joan Jett , Cheap Trick , Skylar Grey , Peter Frampton , Frank Turner , J Balvin , Coheed and Cambria , Debbie Harry , Kraftwerk and Jane's Addiction . Guitar Center Sessions
1032-558: The Middle East. The firm was established in 1997. The co-founders included Antony Ressler , Michael Arougheti, David Kaplan, John H. Kissick, and Bennett Rosenthal. It has several subsidiaries: In May 2007, a minority interest in the firm was acquired by an international institutional investor , Abu Dhabi Investment Authority . The investor did not acquire any voting or governance rights via its investment. In May 2014, Ares Management completed its initial public offering and
1075-701: The South Texas and Central/South American company, Hermes. In the same year, Activision partnered with Guitar Center, and all purchases made during game play of Guitar Hero , beginning with the second installment, were made in a virtual Guitar Center store. In February 2007, the Musician's Friend division acquired assets of the Indiana-based company Dennis Bamber, Inc., which included band and orchestra retailer Woodwind & Brasswind, plus Music 123 and Lyons Music. In June 2007, Guitar Center agreed to
1118-430: The United States, nationwide chains such as Music Go Round (about 30% new gear) and Sam Ash Music carry on a steady trade of used instruments and equipment. Since the 2000s, many music retailers have begun to adopt an online model. Retailers sell instruments and sound gear through websites that contain photos of the equipment, which are grouped into categories (e.g., electric guitars, amplifiers, PA gear). Each photo of
1161-566: The United States. Scherr sold the company in 1996. The following year, with 30 stores on the West Coast and in Michigan, Ohio, and Florida, Guitar Center made an initial public offering of stock and opened more new locations. In 2000, Guitar Center acquired mail order and e-commerce retailer Musician's Friend for $ 50 million, and claimed the merged company was the world's largest seller of musical instruments. Musician's Friend became
1204-462: The biggest names in music. Some past guests have included Travis Barker , Sevendust , T-Pain , Joe Bonamassa , The Crystal Method , Buddy Guy , Elmer Bernstein , Daughtry , Jimmy Cliff , Meiko , Lee Jong-suk , Rza , Steve Vai , Joe Satriani , Brandi Carlile , and Minus the Bear . The podcast is hosted by Nic Harcourt and is available on the iTunes , Zune and BlackBerry networks and on
1247-401: The community and its organizations. In service of this diverse clientele, store owners might focus on some specialty or niche market (pianos, sheet music, percussion). Instruments might be purchased outright, leased or rented. Specific or non-stock items could be ordered through the store. More commonly, music stores offered some variety, depending upon the tastes and resources of the owners and
1290-468: The company dropped from B to 'CCC+'. In April 2014, Ares Management took a controlling stake in Guitar Center. Bain Capital, Guitar Center's former owner, retained partial ownership of the company, along with representation on the board. According to Mike Pratt, the retailer's previous chief executive, the deal would reduce Guitar Center's total debt and provide it with the resources to expand and invest in its business. In August 2014, Guitar Center opened
1333-630: The desires of their clientele (whether actual or sought-after). This might include some mixture of fretted instruments (electric guitars, acoustic guitars, mandolins, ukuleles); brass , woodwind , and violin-family instruments; drums and percussion ; pianos and organs ; consumable items ( strings , reeds , drum sticks ); accessories ( metronomes , music stands); and sheet music . In more recent decades, stores began to include instrument amplifiers , guitar effects units , electronic keyboards , microphones , sound recording equipment and digital audio software. Recorded musical instruction became
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1376-741: The drumming community, the Drum-Off was the music retailer’s longest running artist-discovery program. The process of Guitar Center’s Drum-Off began with three rounds of preliminary competitions at each of Guitar Center's 250+ locations nationwide, with each contestant allowed five minutes of set up time and three minutes to perform. One winner from each store final competition advanced to one of 30 quarterfinal competitions, and one winner from each quarterfinal competition advanced to one of five semifinal competitions, during which contestants were allowed five minutes to perform. The winners from each of these five semifinal competitions qualified to compete in front of
1419-417: The following criteria: skills & technique, groove, originality, stage presence, and overall performance. Guitar Center discontinued their sponsorship of the annual contest in 2017. The Sunset Boulevard location in Los Angeles hosts Hollywood's RockWalk , a hall of fame, honoring musical artists. Founded in 1985, artists are invited to place their handprints into cement blocks that are put on display at
1462-492: The instrument the performer should play a line. In the 2010s, sheet music stores often sell legal, copyright-compliant jazz fake books . Sheet music stores often carry some practice accessories, such as metronomes , music stands and tuning forks . Pro audio stores sell and in many cases, rent sound reinforcement system components, PA systems , microphones and other audio gear. Some stores also rent "backline" musical gear, such as stage pianos and bass amps . Prior to
1505-552: The late 1970s, Ray Scherr, the General Manager of the San Francisco store, purchased the company from Wayne Mitchell. The 1980s saw a resurgence in "guitar rock," led by bands such as Van Halen Van Halen and an influx of Japanese -produced instruments. This period brought significant growth in guitar sales, prompting Guitar Center to expand nationwide, eventually becoming the largest musical instrument retailer in
1548-685: The mail or by express delivery companies such as FedEx . Some music stores sell their products solely online. In other cases, some stores operate both a "brick and mortar" store (or chain) and an online store. Ares Management Ares Management Corporation is a global alternative investment manager operating in the credit , private equity and real estate markets. The company was founded in 1997 with additional offices across North America, Europe, and Asia. As of September 2021, Ares Management Corporation's global platform had approximately $ 295 billion of assets under management and 1,500 employees operating across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and
1591-399: The needs of school music programs and their students, versus “Combo” stores that focus on instruments and equipment used by a rock band . Music stores arose to service the needs of the local community. This included not only individual amateur musicians, but schools from elementary to college level, civic bands and orchestras, churches, and entertainment ensembles that performed at events of
1634-546: The outlook on Guitar Center's B2 rating to negative. In the face of flat sales in the musical instrument industry as a whole, Guitar Center became overwhelmed by its $ 1 billion debt. Guitar Center filed for bankruptcy in 2020 and the Times Square location was closed. On November 13, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic , Guitar Center announced that it planned to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after negotiating
1677-413: The premises, some guitar players are nervous about playing in front of the store staff and other patrons. A University Press of Kentucky book on women in music states that customers did not treat a woman who worked at a guitar store like she knew anything about guitars until she would use special guitar terms. Acoustic guitar sections are one of the main areas in many music stores. Some stores create
1720-421: The products, in which the viewer can "turn" the product around to see the back and sides, online comments sections where customers can review their purchases and additional music-related content, such as articles on musical instruments or sound gear written by store staff. Patrons pay electronically at online music stores using a credit card, PayPal or other electronic payment systems. The goods are shipped through
1763-511: The same year, Guitar Center began offering equipment rentals in one of their San Diego stores. Rental departments were extended to ten other locations, with plans to offer rentals across the country. In May 2013, Standard & Poor's cut its debt rating on Bain Capital-owned Guitar Center Holdings Inc. to " junk bond " status, citing struggles with "weak operating trends." The corporate credit rating on
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1806-487: The widespread availability of lightweight electronic clonewheel organs in the 1980s and 1990s that emulate the sound of a heavy, electromechanical Hammond organ , many cities had organ stores which sold large electric and electronic theatre organs and spinet organs made by Hammond, Lowrey and other manufacturers. These organs were sold for use in private homes and in churches; electric and electronic organs were popular for churches, because they cost significantly less than
1849-499: Was used to record his classic love songs, including "Lenny" and "Riviera Paradise". The Edge's cream-colored 1975 Les Paul Custom, faded from its original white, had been used for U2's stage and studio performances. All the proceeds from the sale of these guitars went to Clapton’s Crossroads Center charity. In 2005, the Edge, producer Bob Ezrin , Gibson, and the Guitar Center Music Foundation (now known as
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