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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 P4o8xtcMBaW6wT85+aoUSGBR5DyNdIz3G7uAXwKLfbEzdBCet9gsaioClG1tb3KK
 DUBB78952oAQZ/3rcVD3MA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-03-005281.txt : 20030811
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-03-005281.hdr.sgml : 20030811
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030811132743
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-03-005281
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030808
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030811

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SOOSMAN BARRY
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001219773

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-22207
		FILM NUMBER:		03833968

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		GUITAR CENTER INC
		STREET 2:		5795 LINDERO CANYON RD.
		CITY:			WESTLAKE VILLAGE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91362

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GUITAR CENTER INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001021113
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-RADIO TV & CONSUMER ELECTRONICS STORES [5731]
		IRS NUMBER:				954600862
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5795 LINDERO CANYON RD
		CITY:			WESTLAKE VILLAGE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91362
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8187358800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5795 LINDERO CANYON RD
		CITY:			WESTLAKE VILLAGE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91362

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	GUITAR CENTER MANAGEMENT CO INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19960816
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-08-08</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001021113</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GUITAR CENTER INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GTRC</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001219773</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SOOSMAN BARRY</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O GUITAR CENTER, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>5795 LINDERO CANYON ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WESTLAKE VILLAGE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>91362</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector>
<isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle>EVP, Chief Strategic Officer</officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate><value>2003-08-08</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>30910</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>34</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>0</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership><value>by trust</value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
<nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate><value>2003-08-08</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>590</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>34</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>923</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
</nonDerivativeTable>
<derivativeTable></derivativeTable>
<footnotes><footnote id="F1">The shares were acquired as part of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan on June 28, 2002 and December 31, 2002.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>Erick Mason, Attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-08-11</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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