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PR AGENCY CONTACT:
Robert Clyne
Clyne Media, Inc.
Tel: 615.662.1616

COMPANY PRESS CONTACT:
Rick Plushner
Guitar Center Professional
Tel: (818) 735-8800 x2238

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


GUITAR CENTER PROFESSIONAL ANNOUNCES
SYSTEMS AND PRODUCTS INSTALLATION INITIATIVE

— In addition to its already industry-leading technology sales and systems design capability, GC Pro will now offer customized installation of products and systems ranging from recording to live sound to fixed-install AV systems and products —

— This new initiative will combine GC Pro’s technology sales and systems design capability with a network of experienced systems contractors —

125th AES CONVENTION, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, October 3, 2008 — In a move that brings a new level of service to the professional audio, live sound and fixed installation market sectors, Guitar Center Professional (GC Pro), the outside sales division of Guitar Center that focuses on the needs of professional users, has begun a new initiative to allow customers to obtain customized installation of the products and systems that it sells. Along with GC Pro’s industry-leading depth of product and technology/design consultation, customers will now be able to access experienced installation and integration of products and systems purchased through GC Pro. This move serves to offer turnkey solutions for a range of professional user needs, from home and commercial recording studios to post production suites to live sound venues and fixed AV installations like houses of worship, theaters and clubs. GC Pro expects that this service initially will become available in several key GC Pro markets, including Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle.

GC Pro has inaugurated this new initiative in response to customer demand and as part of its ongoing strategy to be the one-stop resource for the widest range of pro audio clients. A key component in the launch of this new effort will be the selection of experienced localized systems installers and integrators in the markets where GC Pro has a presence. In the next several months, GC Pro intends to begin the process of interviewing the systems integrators that will become providers for GC Pro customers and who will be available to install most products and systems that GC Pro sells.

A GC Pro account manager will guide the purchaser through the proper combination of technologies, help design the best configuration to maximize their productivity, and load and activate appropriate software where applicable. At the same time, the customer will have the ability to select a contractor to install the system into the customer’s workspace, ensuring that all components are fully integrated and functional.

“The launch of this initiative brings GC Pro to the next level of customer service, one that recalls the era when all major audio systems were sold with full commissioning and installation available,” observed GC Pro Director Rick Plushner. “With this added service, GC Pro has become our customers’ partner in making their dreams a reality.”

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About Guitar Center Professional / Guitar Center
Guitar Center Professional is the outside sales division of Guitar Center that focuses on the needs of professional users. Its clientele includes recording studios, audio engineers, producers, recording and touring musicians, live sound venues, post production facilities and more. Emphasizing extraordinary individualized service via local account managers, GC Pro offers expert consultation and a comprehensive selection of the world’s finest equipment for music and audio professionals. More information on GC Pro can be found by visiting www.gcpro.com.

Guitar Center is the leading United States retailer of guitars, amplifiers, percussion instruments, keyboards and pro-audio and recording equipment. Our retail store subsidiary presently operates more than 200 Guitar Center stores across the U.S. In addition, our Music & Arts division operates more than 100 stores specializing in band instruments for sale and rental, serving teachers, band directors, college professors and students. We are also the largest direct response retailer of musical instruments in the United States through our wholly owned subsidiary, Musician’s Friend, Inc., and its catalog and Web site, www.musiciansfriend.com. More information on Guitar Center can be found by visiting the Company’s Web site at www.guitarcenter.com.

The Guitar Center logo is a registered trademark of Guitar Center, Inc. Other brand or product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

MEDIA CONTACT: Robert Clyne, Clyne Media, Inc. at (615) 662-1616


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