Restructuring and Exit Activities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		$ 12,971
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs	15,078
Restructuring accrual activity
Charges	2,100	13,000
Employee termination costs
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		5,416
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs	5,652
Restructuring accrual activity
Balance at the beginning of the period	3,926
Charges	244
Cash payments	(4,170)
Balance at the end of the period		3,926
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		2,362
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs	3,632
Consulting costs
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		2,178
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs	2,317
Other costs
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		3,015
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs	3,477
Guitar Center
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		1,466
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs	1,505
Guitar Center | Employee termination costs
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		190
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs	190
Guitar Center | Employee relocation and recruiting costs
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		143
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs	178
Guitar Center | Consulting costs
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		150
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs	150
Guitar Center | Other costs
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		983
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs	987
Direct Response
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred	600	7,886
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs	8,461
Direct Response | Employee termination costs
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		4,182
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs	4,419
Direct Response | Employee relocation and recruiting costs
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		433
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs	433
Direct Response | Consulting costs
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		1,604
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs	1,546
Direct Response | Other costs
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		1,667
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs	2,063
Corporate
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred	1,500	3,619
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs	5,112
Corporate | Employee termination costs
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		1,044
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs	1,043
Corporate | Employee relocation and recruiting costs
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		1,786
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs	3,021
Corporate | Consulting costs
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		424
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs	621
Corporate | Other costs
Restructuring costs
Restructuring costs incurred		365
Cumulative amount of restructuring costs	$ 427