CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (72,169)	$ (236,939)	$ (56,377)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	90,905	106,197	104,846
Impairment of goodwill		107,026
Impairment of intangible assets		45,961
Impairment of property and equipment	559	1,294	884
Net loss on disposal of property and equipment	36	5,157	995
Amortization of deferred financing fees	3,191	2,896	2,531
Non-cash interest expense	20,295	8,504	57,415
Stock-based compensation	1,082	1,552	3,218
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	717	(7,861)	(1,638)
Merchandise inventories	(16,999)	(46,095)	11,351
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	832	(3,814)	16,181
Other assets, net	(306)	(19)	76
Accounts payable	(3,037)	15,302	8,642
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	3,332	(5,291)	16,848
Merchandise advances	3,919	3,254	3,663
Other long-term liabilities	1,979	3,412	7,150
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	34,885	(24,885)	143,444
Investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(67,468)	(57,324)	(47,887)
Acquisition of intangible assets	(110)	(197)	(250)
Net proceeds from disposal of property and equipment	2,944	4,002	238
Net cash used in investing activities	(64,634)	(53,519)	(47,899)
Financing activities:
Borrowings on asset-based revolving credit facility	225,000
Repayment of asset-based revolving credit facility	(225,000)
Repayment of long-term debt	(647)	(641)	(20,750)
Financing fees	(765)	(8,400)
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,451)	(9,327)	(21,479)
Net increase (decrease) in cash	(31,200)	(87,731)	74,066
Cash at beginning of year	106,036	193,767	119,701
Cash at end of year	74,836	106,036	193,767
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest	141,291	157,461	69,001
Income taxes	2,562	1,908	2,749
GUITAR CENTER, INC.
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	3,395	(153,705)	(8,864)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	90,905	106,197	104,846
Impairment of goodwill		107,026
Impairment of intangible assets		45,961
Impairment of property and equipment	559	1,294	884
Net loss on disposal of property and equipment	36	5,157	995
Amortization of deferred financing fees	2,779	2,485	2,130
Non-cash interest expense	404	216
Stock-based compensation	1,082	1,552	3,218
Deferred income taxes	(18,083)	(32,711)	(19,340)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	717	(7,861)	(1,638)
Merchandise inventories	(16,999)	(46,095)	11,351
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(59)	(5,483)	(2,136)
Other assets, net	(306)	(19)	76
Accounts payable	(3,037)	15,302	8,642
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	27,266	8,974	32,467
Merchandise advances	3,919	3,254	3,663
Other long-term liabilities	1,979	3,412	7,150
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	94,557	54,956	143,444
Investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(67,468)	(57,324)	(47,887)
Acquisition of intangible assets	(110)	(197)	(250)
Net proceeds from disposal of property and equipment	2,944	4,002	238
Net cash used in investing activities	(64,634)	(53,519)	(47,899)
Financing activities:
Borrowings on asset-based revolving credit facility	225,000
Repayment of asset-based revolving credit facility	(225,000)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	19,891
Repayment of long-term debt	(647)	(641)	(20,750)
Financing fees	(765)	(7,499)
Repayments to Guitar Center Holdings, Inc.	(79,602)	(81,028)	(729)
Net cash used in financing activities	(61,123)	(89,168)	(21,479)
Net increase (decrease) in cash	(31,200)	(87,731)	74,066
Cash at beginning of year	106,036	193,767	119,701
Cash at end of year	74,836	106,036	193,767
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest	81,619	77,898	69,001
Income taxes	$ 2,562	$ 1,908	$ 2,749