Guitar Center Overview

  • Year Founded
  • 1964

Year Founded

  • Status
  • Private

  • Employees
  • 10,000

Employees

  • Latest Deal Type
  • Debt

  • Financing Rounds
  • 18

  • Investments
  • 7

Guitar Center General Information

Description

Retailer of musical instruments intended to make them more easily accessible to people. The company offers a wide selection of guitars, basses, keyboards, drums and percussion as well as offers studio gear, live sound and lighting equipment, enabling clients to get products from leading brands and low prices.

Contact Information

Formerly Known As
Organ Center, The Vox Center, Guitar Center Management Co Inc
Ownership Status
Privately Held (backing)
Financing Status
Private Equity-Backed
Corporate Office
  • 5795 Lindero Canyon Road
  • Westlake Village, CA 91362
  • United States
+1 (866)
Primary Industry
Specialty Retail
Other Industries
Internet Retail
Recreational Goods
Corporate Office
  • 5795 Lindero Canyon Road
  • Westlake Village, CA 91362
  • United States
+1 (866)

Guitar Center Timeline

2022202320242025
Financing RoundCaptured Employee CountEstimated Employee Growth

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Guitar Center Valuation & Funding

Deal Type Date Amount Valuation/
EBITDA
Post-Val Status Debt

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Guitar Center Comparisons

Description
Primary
Industry
HQ Location
Employees
Total Raised
Post Valuation
Last
Financing
Details
Retailer of musical instruments intended to make them more easily accessible to people. The company offers a wide select
Specialty Retail
Westlake Village, CA
10,000 As of 2025

Oxnard, CA
 

Menomonee Falls, WI
 
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Guitar Center Competitors (8)

One of Guitar Center’s 8 competitors is Drum Workshop, a Corporate Backed or Acquired company based in Oxnard, CA.

Company Name Financing Status Location Employees Total Raised Last Financing Date/Type Last Financing Amount
Drum Workshop Corporate Backed or Acquired Oxnard, CA
Cascio Music Corporate Backed or Acquired Menomonee Falls, WI
Sam Ash Music Corporation New York, NY
Professional Music Technology Formerly PE-Backed Liverpool, United Kingdom
Musician's Friend Corporation Westlake Village, CA
You’re viewing 5 of 8 competitors. Get the full list »

Guitar Center Patents

Guitar Center Recent Patent Activity

Publication ID Patent Title Status First Filing Date Technology (CPC) Citations
US-12254856-B1 Electronic hi-hat cymbal Active 11-Mar-2024
US-D973763-S1 Pedalboard Active 23-Jun-2021
US-D973129-S1 Pedalboard Active 23-Jun-2021
US-D978234-S1 Pedalboard Active 23-Jun-2021
US-D992021-S1 Pedalboard Active 23-Jun-2021
To view Guitar Center’s complete patent history, request access »

Guitar Center Signals

Growth Rate

Weekly
Growth
Weekly Growth

Size Multiple

Median
Size Multiple

Key Data Points

Similarweb Unique Visitors

Majestic Referring Domains

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Guitar Center Investors

Investor Name Investor Type Holding Investor Since Participating Rounds Contact Info

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Guitar Center Investments & Acquisitions (7)

Guitar Center’s most recent deal was a Buyout/LBO with Tunnel Vision Technology. The deal was made on 16-Jan-2019.

Company Name Deal Date Deal Type Deal Size Industry Lead Partner
Tunnel Vision Technology 16-Jan-2019 Buyout/LBO Electronics (B2C)
Audio Visual Design Group 22-Dec-2017 Buyout/LBO Electronics (B2C)
Victor's House of Music 01-Feb-2007 Merger/Acquisition Specialty Retail
Woodwind & Brasswind 01-Feb-2007 Merger/Acquisition Internet Retail
Hermes (Four Stores in Texas) 22-May-2006 Corporate Asset Purchase Buildings and Property
You’re viewing 5 of 7 investments and acquisitions. Get the full list »

Guitar Center Affiliates

Subsidiaries (2)

Name Industry Location Year Founded
Audio Visual Design Group Freemont, CA 1996
Music & Arts Center Frederick, MD 1952

Guitar Center FAQs

  • When was Guitar Center founded?

    Guitar Center was founded in 1964.

  • Where is Guitar Center headquartered?

    Guitar Center is headquartered in Westlake Village, CA.

  • What is the size of Guitar Center?

    Guitar Center has 10,000 total employees.

  • What industry is Guitar Center in?

    Guitar Center’s primary industry is Specialty Retail.

  • Is Guitar Center a private or public company?

    Guitar Center is a Private company.

  • What is Guitar Center’s current revenue?

    The current revenue for Guitar Center is .

  • How much funding has Guitar Center raised over time?

    Guitar Center has raised $1.72B.

  • Who are Guitar Center’s investors?

    Brigade Capital Management, The Carlyle Group, and Ares Management have invested in Guitar Center.

  • Who are Guitar Center’s competitors?

    Drum Workshop, Cascio Music, Sam Ash Music, Professional Music Technology, and Musician's Friend are some of the 8 competitors of Guitar Center.

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