Company Profile
Guitar Center
Company Overview
Guitar Center is the world’s largest retailer of guitars, amplifiers, drums, keyboards, recording, live sound, DJ, and lighting equipment, with more than 260 stores across the U.S. 2014 marks the milestone 50th anniversary of the Guitar Center Brand as we continue to help people make music from coast to coast. In addition, the Music & Arts division operates more than 120 stores specializing in band & orchestral instruments for sale and rental, serving teachers, band directors, college professors, and students since 1952. With an unrivaled in-store experience and passionate commitment to making gear easy-to-buy, Guitar Center is all about enabling musicians and non-musicians alike to experience the almost indescribable joy that comes from playing an instrument. All we sell is the greatest feeling on earth.
Company History
The Guitar Center story began in 1959 when founder Wayne Mitchell purchased The Organ Center, a small appliance and home organ store, in Hollywood, California. In 1964, Joe Banaran, president of the Thomas Organ Company, approached Wayne in search of an outlet to sell a new line of guitars and amplifiers, called Vox. With the massive popularity of The Beatles, who were using Vox equipment, it had become evident that the future of musical instrument retailing lay in guitars and amps, not organs. Wayne saw the timing was right to seize this promising new retail opportunity and the new Guitar Center was born-stocked with Vox guitars and amplifiers.