GTRC Guitar Center (MM)

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.