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| All Photos Credit: Ryan Huter/Guitar Center |
Guitar Center, the world’s largest musical instrument retailer, has redesigned its flagship Hollywood Store on Sunset Boulevard.
The iconic Hollywood store held an epic block party featuring a live concert by former student Anderson Paak and the induction of iconic drummer Sheila E. and the owners of DW Drums into the store’s RockWalk, marking the 33rd year of the event.
The newly remodeled store features a grand variety of musical instruments, including an interactive pedal display, a snare drum wall, interactive brand displays from Fender to Gibson. The store also features a standalone vintage guitar room featuring exclusive and rare vintage instruments. Music memorabilia aligns the store, including Eric Clapton’s “Blackie” Fender Stratocaster and 335, Johnny Cash’s Martin Guitar, Slash’s Les Paul Guitar, Keith Emerson’s Keyboard, Peter Criss’ s snare drums and Eddie Van Halen’s Frankenstein Guitar.
“Guitar Center’s $5 million dollar investment into our newly revitalized Hollywood flagship location transforms it into one of the largest musical instrument stores in the world, full of the greatest selection of music instruments, accessories, music memorabilia, state-of-the-art lessons facilities and more,” said Ron Japinga, Chief Executive Officer, Guitar Center. “Exemplifying our deep commitment and investment in the music industry, we are thrilled to unveil our reimagined flagship location to the public. The redesigned Hollywood store represents a renewal of our legacy which lies at the heart of L.A.’s music scene and celebrates the rebirth of an icon – the greatest music store on earth.”
Guitar Center has 290 current locations and in 2019 will open eight new locations, including a new Guitar Center locations in Hawaii and Alaska.
Guitar Center’s redesign also included a new mural for the full-block front of the store. Designed by street artists Amanda Lynn, Scott Marsh, and Patrick Griffith, the mural prominently features Jimi Hendrix, one of the greatest guitar players of all time, alongside an up-and-coming artist finding her sound, with a collage of musical instruments that symbolize bringing the community together in harmony.
“Everything about the mural has to do with movement and a lot of color, like in Jimi’s song ‘Bold as Love,’” said Janie Hendrix, President, and CEO of Experience and Authentic Hendrix, and the younger sister of Jimi Hendrix. “It just really feels, not only visually beautiful but as if you can feel the movement of the colors and can almost hear the sound. I really feel like Jimi’s music and lyrics are interpreted in this artwork.”
Guitar Center Hollywood store and studio hours:
Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
