CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Guitar Center Holdings, Inc.) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Net sales	$ 2,082,577	$ 2,010,895	$ 2,004,179
Cost of goods sold, buying and occupancy	1,447,434	1,405,044	1,414,751
Gross profit	635,143	605,851	589,428
Selling, general and administrative expenses	579,226	546,135	543,819
Impairment of intangible assets	45,961		9,709
Impairment of goodwill	107,026		123,804
Operating income (loss)	(97,070)	59,716	(87,904)
Interest expense	(161,250)	(145,572)	(137,523)
Interest income	214	339	507
Loss before income taxes	(258,106)	(85,517)	(224,920)
Income tax benefit	(21,167)	(29,140)	(35,062)
Net loss	$ (236,939)	$ (56,377)	$ (189,858)