CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) (Guitar Center Holdings, Inc.) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 211,724	$ 97	$ 629,002	$ (417,432)	$ 57
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2009		9,695,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Stock-based compensation expense	3,218		3,218
Exercise of employee stock options	4,387	3	4,384
Exercise of employee stock options (in shares)		279,000
Repurchase of common stock	(5,116)	(2)	(5,114)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		(224,000)
Net loss	(56,377)			(56,377)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(440)				(440)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	157,396	98	631,490	(473,809)	(383)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010		9,750,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Stock-based compensation expense	1,552		1,552
Exercise of employee stock options	290		290
Exercise of employee stock options (in shares)		13,000
Repurchase of common stock	(576)	(1)	(575)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		(21,000)
Net loss	(236,939)			(236,939)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	210				210
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	(78,067)	97	632,757	(710,748)	(173)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	9,742,000	9,742,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Stock-based compensation expense	1,082		1,082
Repurchase of common stock	(39)		(39)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		(2,000)
Net loss	(72,169)			(72,169)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	173				173
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ (149,020)	$ 97	$ 633,800	$ (782,917)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	9,740,000	9,740,000