Guitar Center, led by CEO Gabe Dalporto, a former nuclear engineer, narrowly avoided bankruptcy in late 2020 when it filed for Chapter 11 protection. During the pandemic, the retailer made the mistake of focusing on beginners with inexpensive instruments at the expense of its core serious musician customer base. It has now reversed course, shifting its assortment from 75% beginner-focused to 75% serious musician-focused. This strategy is paying off, with ten consecutive quarters of sales growth and revenue reaching $2.6 billion in 2025, up 4% year-over-year. As part of its turnaround, Guitar Center is also transforming its stores into community hubs, including dropping its unofficial in-store ban on playing “Stairway to Heaven” and hosting events like open mic nights and a national drum competition.
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