Guitar Center Inc. Replaces Previous Shelf Registration Statement

Guitar Center, Inc. (Nasdaq:GTRC), today announced that
it has replaced its previous $150 million shelf registration statement
with an automatic shelf registration on Form S-3 filed with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission. The replaced registration
statement benefits from new SEC rules available to well-known seasoned
issuers, which streamline and accelerate the Company's access to
capital markets.
   This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell, or the
solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sales of these
securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sales
would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the
securities laws of any state.

   About Guitar Center

   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 190 Guitar Center stores across the United States. In
addition, our Music & Arts division operates more than 90 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.