Restructuring and Exit Activities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		$ 5,448		$ 8,864
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs			14,891
Restructuring accrual activity
Charges	200	5,400	1,900	8,900
Employee termination costs
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		1,731		4,386
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs			5,651
Restructuring accrual activity
Balance at the beginning of the period			3,926
Charges			244
Cash payments			(4,170)
Retention bonus
Restructuring costs
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs			4,400
Severance Cost
Restructuring costs
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs			1,300
Employee relocation and recruiting costs
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		1,031		1,359
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs			3,498
Consulting cost
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		1,085		1,366
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs			2,317
Other costs
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		1,601		1,753
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs			3,425
Guitar Center
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		466		684
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs			1,504
Guitar Center | Employee termination costs
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		123		265
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs			190
Guitar Center | Employee relocation and recruiting costs
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred				45
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs			177
Guitar Center | Consulting cost
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		65		66
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs			150
Guitar Center | Other costs
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		278		308
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs			987
Direct Response
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		3,510	500	5,201
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs			8,408
Direct Response | Employee termination costs
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		1,459		2,819
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs			4,418
Direct Response | Employee relocation and recruiting costs
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		190		418
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs			433
Direct Response | Consulting cost
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		872		932
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs			1,546
Direct Response | Other costs
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		989		1,032
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs			2,011
Corporate
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		1,472	1,400	2,979
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs			4,979
Corporate | Employee termination costs
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		149		1,302
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs			1,043
Corporate | Employee relocation and recruiting costs
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		841		896
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs			2,888
Corporate | Consulting cost
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		148		368
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs			621
Corporate | Other costs
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		334		413
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs			$ 427