CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (Guitar Center Holdings, Inc.) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts (in dollars)	$ 2,979	$ 3,030
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation and amortization (in dollars)	194,763	173,077
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization (in dollars)	$ 171,259	$ 194,015
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000	5,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	20,000	20,000
Common stock, shares issued	9,742	9,750
Common stock, shares outstanding	9,742	9,750