Press Release s44

PRESS RELEASE Contact: Neilson/Clyne Tel: (615) 662-1616 Fax: (615) 662-1636

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GC PRO HELPS LEGENDARY PRODUCER DAVID KERSHENBAUM LAUNCH NEW REBEL YELL STUDIOS IN FULL VOICE

— GC Pro supplies a turnkey digital recording environment featuring the SSL AWS 900 console and a powerful Digidesign Pro Tools system —

— Thanks to the depth of GC Pro’s expertise and inventory, Kershenbaum describes his new facility as “world class — I can do anything here that I can do at any studio, and I never have to leave my own room” —

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA, April 19, 2005 — Guitar Center, Inc. (Nasdaq: GTRC), America’s leading musical instrument and professional audio retailer, has well established its dedicated professional audio division, GC Pro, as the ultimate solution for pro audio technology. Confirming this status, GC Pro was the resource that legendary producer and record executive David Kershenbaum turned to when he decided to create a new studio for himself. The facility, Rebel Yell Studios, located in the Hollywood Hills, was completely equipped by GC Pro, including the two SSL AWS 900 digital audio consoles that are at the heart of the studio, as well as a powerful Digidesign Pro Tools / Apple G5 recording system, extensive outboard gear and mastering-quality monitoring.

Building on his career as one of the industry's most respected producers, as well as a highly regarded A&R executive at A&M Records, David Kershenbaum has returned to his

•1• independent roots. The studio is part of Rebel Yell Music, Kershenbaum's new company, which takes artists all the way from development through distribution. In this venture, Kershenbaum will extend the same touch that created hugely successful careers for artists he has produced and worked with over four decades, including Cat Stevens, Peter Frampton, Joe Jackson, Janet Jackson, Duran Duran, Tracy Chapman and Bryan Adams, to name but a few.

David Kershenbaum not only knows music, he also knows studios and music technology — he’s gathered direct experience through ownership of facilities including the legendary Wally Heider’s and Studio 55. So when he decided to create his own new recording facility, Kershenbaum looked to GC Pro as the ultimate resource to equip it. Referring to the ongoing input he received from GC Pro’s veteran sales staff, Kershenbaum says, “We put together and organized and developed a system that to me is world class. I can do anything here that I can do at any studio, and I never have to leave my own room. I can operate it myself or I can bring an engineer in. It gives me all the flexibility to do any projects without any of the burden of a [commercial] studio.” …ends 343 words

About Guitar Center Guitar Center is the nation’s leading retailer of guitars, amplifiers, percussion instruments, keyboards and pro-audio and recording equipment. We presently operate 144 Guitar Center stores, with 119 stores in 47 major markets and 25 stores in secondary markets across the U.S. In addition, the American Music division operates 19 locations specializing in band instruments for sale and rental, serving thousands of teachers, band directors, college professors and students. Guitar Center is also the largest direct response retailer of musical instruments in the U.S. 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.

•2• For further information on Guitar Center, contact Tina Montano at (818) 735-8800 ext. 2285, or log onto www.guitarcenter.com.

•3•