CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (Guitar Center Holdings, Inc.) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts (in dollars)	$ 2,849	$ 2,979
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation and amortization (in dollars)	250,835	194,763
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization (in dollars)	$ 200,040	$ 171,259
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	9,740	9,742
Common stock, shares outstanding	9,740	9,742