SCHEDULE I - Condensed Financial Statement of Parent Company Only (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Schedule I
General and administrative expenses	$ 547,724	$ 579,226	$ 546,135
Interest expense	165,378	161,250	145,572
Income tax expense (benefit)	2,492	(21,167)	(29,140)
Net income (loss)	(72,169)	(236,939)	(56,377)
Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of Guitar Center Inc., net of income tax	173	210	(440)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(71,996)	(236,729)	(56,817)
Parent
Schedule I
General and administrative expenses		277
Interest expense	79,975	79,973	74,391
Equity in net income (loss) of Guitar Center, Inc., net of income tax	3,395	(153,705)	(8,864)
Loss before income taxes	(76,580)	(233,955)	(83,255)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(4,411)	2,984	(26,878)
Net income (loss)	(72,169)	(236,939)	(56,377)
Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of Guitar Center Inc., net of income tax	173	210	(440)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ (71,996)	$ (236,729)	$ (56,817)