CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net sales	$ 2,139,191	$ 2,082,577	$ 2,010,895
Cost of goods sold, buying and occupancy	1,495,800	1,447,434	1,405,044
Gross profit	643,391	635,143	605,851
Selling, general and administrative expenses	547,724	579,226	546,135
Impairment of intangible assets		45,961
Impairment of goodwill		107,026
Operating income (loss)	95,667	(97,070)	59,716
Interest expense	(165,378)	(161,250)	(145,572)
Interest income	34	214	339
Income (loss) before income taxes	(69,677)	(258,106)	(85,517)
Income tax expense (benefit)	2,492	(21,167)	(29,140)
Net income (loss)	(72,169)	(236,939)	(56,377)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	173	210	(440)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(71,996)	(236,729)	(56,817)
GUITAR CENTER, INC.
Net sales	2,139,191	2,082,577	2,010,895
Cost of goods sold, buying and occupancy	1,495,800	1,447,434	1,405,044
Gross profit	643,391	635,143	605,851
Selling, general and administrative expenses	547,724	578,948	546,135
Impairment of intangible assets		45,961
Impairment of goodwill		107,026
Operating income (loss)	95,667	(96,792)	59,716
Interest expense	(85,403)	(81,277)	(71,181)
Interest income	34	214	339
Income (loss) before income taxes	10,298	(177,855)	(11,126)
Income tax expense (benefit)	6,903	(24,150)	(2,262)
Net income (loss)	3,395	(153,705)	(8,864)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	173	210	(440)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 3,568	$ (153,495)	$ (9,304)