CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Comprehensive Loss	GUITAR CENTER, INC	GUITAR CENTER, INC Additional Paid-in Capital	GUITAR CENTER, INC Accumulated Deficit	GUITAR CENTER, INC Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	GUITAR CENTER, INC Comprehensive Loss
Balance at Dec. 31, 2008	$ 398,672	$ 626,476	$ (227,574)	$ (327)		$ 426,468	$ 612,253	$ (185,458)	$ (327)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Stock-based compensation expense	1,922	1,922				1,922	1,922
Modification of employee stock options	163	163				163	163
Net loss	(189,858)		(189,858)		(189,858)	(147,633)		(147,633)		(147,633)
Unrealized gain (loss) on hedging arrangement, net of income tax expense (benefit) of ($262) and $231 for the year ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively	384			384	384	384			384	384
Comprehensive loss					(189,474)					(147,249)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	211,724	629,002	(417,432)	57		281,304	614,338	(333,091)	57
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Stock-based compensation expense	3,218	3,218				3,218	3,218
Net loss	(56,377)		(56,377)		(56,377)	(8,864)		(8,864)		(8,864)
Unrealized gain (loss) on hedging arrangement, net of income tax expense (benefit) of ($262) and $231 for the year ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively	(440)			(440)	(440)	(440)			(440)	(440)
Comprehensive loss					(56,817)					(9,304)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	157,396	631,490	(473,809)	(383)		275,218	617,556	(341,955)	(383)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Stock-based compensation expense	1,552	1,552				1,552	1,552
Amortization of deferred losses on derivative instruments de-designated as cash flow hedges	216			216		216			216
Net loss	(236,939)		(236,939)		(236,939)	(153,705)		(153,705)		(153,705)
Unrealized gain (loss) on hedging arrangement, net of income tax expense (benefit) of ($262) and $231 for the year ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively	(6)			(6)	(6)	(6)			(6)	(6)
Comprehensive loss					(236,945)					(153,711)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ (78,067)	$ 632,757	$ (710,748)	$ (173)		$ 123,275	$ 619,108	$ (495,660)	$ (173)