Guitar Center to Sell Direct on GuitarCenter.com; Nation's Largest Music Equipment Retailer Launches Enhanced Web Site with Gra

Guitar Center (NASDAQ:GTRC) today announced that, for
the first time, consumers will be able to purchase their music
equipment directly from GuitarCenter.com. Previously the Web site was
primarily a location and event finder with added value services. Now
consumers have the ability to search, compare and buy from one of the
largest selections of guitars, basses, amps, keyboards, drums, pro
audio, DJ, lighting and accessories, according to Richard Pidanick
vice president of GuitarCenter.com.
   "Our vision is to turn Guitar Center into a world class
multi-channel retailer that better understands and serves the musician
community across all purchase occasions," said Pidanick. "The new site
offers all the same functionality and content as before, but the
enhanced e-commerce component gives our customer base a larger
selection to choose from, along with in-depth search capabilities and
a product comparison engine."
   In conjunction with the revamped site launch, Guitar Center is
hosting a 100-hour grand opening celebration starting June 28. All
consumers who make a purchase during the first 100 hours will be
entered in a sweepstakes to win $1000. Additionally, Guitar Center
will provide its first 1,000 online customers with free,
limited-edition t-shirts, and free shipping is available on all orders
over $49 with no restrictions. Also included in the launch will be
grand opening deals, including:

   --  Buy 1 pair of Drummer's Choice drumsticks, get 11 free 

   --  Buy 2 sets of Musician's Choice strings, get 10 free

   --  Buy 1 set of Musician's Choice bass strings, get 5 free

   --  Buy 3 Dynamic Mics for only $49.99

   To receive more information or schedule interviews regarding
Guitar Center, please contact Formula at 310-578-7050.

   About Guitar Center

   Guitar Center is the leading United States retailer of guitars,
basses, amplifiers, percussion instruments, keyboards and pro-audio
and recording equipment. Our retail store subsidiary presently
operates 183 Guitar Center stores across the United States. In
addition, our Music & Arts division operates 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.