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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>As Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 8, 2001  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><B> Registration No.&nbsp;333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549  </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>FORM S-8<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
Under<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933  </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>GUITAR CENTER,&nbsp;INC.<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Delaware</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>95-4600862</B></FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>(State or other jurisdiction of<BR>
incorporation or organization)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification No.)<BR></FONT>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>5795 Lindero Canyon Road<BR>
Westlake Village, California 91362  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>(Address of Principal Executive Offices including Zip Code) </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>GUITAR CENTER,&nbsp;INC.<BR>
AMENDED 1997 EQUITY PARTICIPATION PLAN<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Full title of the Plan) </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Bruce Ross</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>Copy to:</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Executive Vice President</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Anthony J. Richmond, Esq.</B></FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><B>and Chief Financial Officer</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Latham &amp; Watkins</B></FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Guitar Center, Inc.</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><B>135 Commonwealth Drive</B></FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><B>5795 Lindero Canyon Road</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Menlo Park, California 94025</B></FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Westlake Village, California 91362</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><B>(650) 328-4600</B></FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><B>(818) 735-8800</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>
(Name and address, including zip code, and telephone<BR>
number, including area code, of agent for service) </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE  </B></FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="36%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title of Securities to be Registered</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount of Shares to be Registered(1)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share(2)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(3)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount of Registration Fee</B></FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="36%"><FONT SIZE=2>Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>1,000,000</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$17.47</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$17,470,000</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$4,368</FONT></TD>
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<DL compact>
<DT><FONT SIZE=2>(1)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>This
registration statement shall also cover any additional shares of common stock which become issuable under the Guitar Center,&nbsp;Inc. Amended 1997 Equity Participation Plan
(the "Plan") by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other similar transaction effected without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the number of the
outstanding shares of common stock of Guitar Center,&nbsp;Inc. (the "Company").
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>(2)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Estimated
solely for the purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule&nbsp;457(c) for the 1,000,000 shares registered hereunder (the average ($17.47) of the high
($17.70) and low ($17.23) prices for the Company's Common Stock reported by the Nasdaq National Market on June 4, 2001).
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>(3)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Estimated
solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule&nbsp;457 of the Securities Act. </FONT>
<BR>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>Proposed
sales to take place as soon after the effective date of the Registration Statement as options granted under the Plan are exercised. </FONT></P>

</DD></DL>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>Total
Pages 7<BR>
Exhibit Index on Page 5 </FONT></P>

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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>REGISTRATION OF ADDITIONAL SECURITIES    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Guitar Center, Inc. (the "Company") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission the following Registration Statements on Form S-8 relating to shares of
the Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), to be offered and sold under the Plan, and the contents of such prior Registration Statements are incorporated by reference
in this Registration Statement: (1)&nbsp;Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed April&nbsp;30, 1997 (File No.&nbsp;333-26257); (2)&nbsp;Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed October 8,
1999 (File No. 333-88675); and (3)&nbsp;Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed June 15, 2000 (File No.&nbsp;333-39364). The Registrant is hereby registering an additional 1,000,000 shares of
Common Stock issuable under the Plan, none of which has been issued as of the date of this Registration Statement. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 8.&nbsp;&nbsp;Exhibits  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;See Index to Exhibits on Page 5. </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>2</FONT></P>

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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>SIGNATURES    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements
for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Westlake Village, State of California,
on this 6th&nbsp;day of June, 2001. </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN=3><FONT SIZE=2>GUITAR CENTER, INC.<BR>
a Delaware corporation</FONT></TD>
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&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
By:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>BRUCE ROSS</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Bruce Ross<BR></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2><I>Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</I></FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Larry Thomas, Marty Albertson and Bruce Ross, and each or any of them, his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. </FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="33%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Date</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
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<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>LARRY THOMAS</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Larry Thomas</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>June 6, 2001</FONT></TD>
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/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>MARTY ALBERTSON</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Marty Albertson</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Co-Chief Executive Officer, President and Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
June 6, 2001</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>BRUCE ROSS</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Bruce Ross</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer<BR>
(Principal Financial Officer)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
June 6, 2001</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>3</FONT></P>

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/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>ERICK MASON</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Erick Mason</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Senior Vice President, Finance<BR>
(Principal Accounting Officer)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
June 6, 2001</FONT></TD>
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/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>STEVEN BURGE</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Steven Burge</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
June 6, 2001</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><BR><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> David Ferguson</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
June&nbsp;&nbsp;, 2001</FONT></TD>
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/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>HARVEY KIBEL</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Harvey Kibel</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
June 6, 2001</FONT></TD>
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/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>PETER STARRETT</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Peter Starrett</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
June 6, 2001</FONT></TD>
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/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JEFFREY WALKER</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Jeffrey Walker</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
June 6, 2001</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>4</FONT></P>

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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>INDEX TO EXHIBITS    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="6%"><FONT SIZE=2>5.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="91%"><FONT SIZE=2>Opinion of Latham&nbsp;&amp; Watkins.</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="6%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="91%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of Latham&nbsp;&amp; Watkins (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1 hereto).</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="6%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="91%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of Independent Accountants.</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="6%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
24.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="91%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Power of Attorney (included on page 3 of this Registration Statement).</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>5</FONT></P>

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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de1845_1">REGISTRATION OF ADDITIONAL SECURITIES</A></FONT><BR>
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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_jc1845_1">SIGNATURES</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_jc1845_2">POWER OF ATTORNEY</A></FONT><BR>
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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ka1845_1">INDEX TO EXHIBITS</A></FONT><BR>
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[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "a2050966zs-8.htm", "description": "S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 21238}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "GUITAR CENTER INC", "cik": "0001021113", "assigned-sic": "5731", "irs-number": "954600862", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-62610", "film-number": "1657049"}, "business-address": {"street1": "5155 CLARETON DR", "city": "AGOURA HILLS", "state": "CA", "zip": "91301", "phone": "8187358800"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "5155 CLARETON DR", "city": "AGOURA HILLS", "state": "CA", "zip": "91301"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "GUITAR CENTER MANAGEMENT CO INC", "date-changed": "19960816"}}
Prepared by MERRILL CORPORATION
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As Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 8, 2001
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
GUITAR CENTER, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
95-4600862
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
5795 Lindero Canyon Road
Westlake Village, California 91362
(Address of Principal Executive Offices including Zip Code)
GUITAR CENTER, INC.
AMENDED 1997 EQUITY PARTICIPATION PLAN
(Full title of the Plan)
Bruce Ross
Copy to:
Executive Vice President
Anthony J. Richmond, Esq.
and Chief Financial Officer
Latham & Watkins
Guitar Center, Inc.
135 Commonwealth Drive
5795 Lindero Canyon Road
Menlo Park, California 94025
Westlake Village, California 91362
(650) 328-4600
(818) 735-8800
(Name and address, including zip code, and telephone
number, including area code, of agent for service)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Securities to be Registered
Amount of Shares to be Registered(1)
Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share(2)
Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(3)
Amount of Registration Fee
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
1,000,000
$17.47
$17,470,000
$4,368
(1)
This
registration statement shall also cover any additional shares of common stock which become issuable under the Guitar Center, Inc. Amended 1997 Equity Participation Plan
(the "Plan") by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other similar transaction effected without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the number of the
outstanding shares of common stock of Guitar Center, Inc. (the "Company").
(2)
Estimated
solely for the purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) for the 1,000,000 shares registered hereunder (the average ($17.47) of the high
($17.70) and low ($17.23) prices for the Company's Common Stock reported by the Nasdaq National Market on June 4, 2001).
(3)
Estimated
solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457 of the Securities Act.
Proposed
sales to take place as soon after the effective date of the Registration Statement as options granted under the Plan are exercised.
Total
Pages 7
Exhibit Index on Page 5
REGISTRATION OF ADDITIONAL SECURITIES
Guitar Center, Inc. (the "Company") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission the following Registration Statements on Form S-8 relating to shares of
the Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), to be offered and sold under the Plan, and the contents of such prior Registration Statements are incorporated by reference
in this Registration Statement: (1) Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed April 30, 1997 (File No. 333-26257); (2) Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed October 8,
1999 (File No. 333-88675); and (3) Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed June 15, 2000 (File No. 333-39364). The Registrant is hereby registering an additional 1,000,000 shares of
Common Stock issuable under the Plan, none of which has been issued as of the date of this Registration Statement.
Item 8.  Exhibits
See Index to Exhibits on Page 5.
2
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements
for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Westlake Village, State of California,
on this 6th day of June, 2001.
GUITAR CENTER, INC.
a Delaware corporation
By:
/s/
BRUCE ROSS
Bruce Ross
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Larry Thomas, Marty Albertson and Bruce Ross, and each or any of them, his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/
LARRY THOMAS
Larry Thomas
Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
June 6, 2001
/s/
MARTY ALBERTSON
Marty Albertson
Co-Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
June 6, 2001
/s/
BRUCE ROSS
Bruce Ross
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
June 6, 2001
3
/s/
ERICK MASON
Erick Mason
Senior Vice President, Finance
(Principal Accounting Officer)
June 6, 2001
/s/
STEVEN BURGE
Steven Burge
Director
June 6, 2001
David Ferguson
Director
June  , 2001
/s/
HARVEY KIBEL
Harvey Kibel
Director
June 6, 2001
/s/
PETER STARRETT
Peter Starrett
Director
June 6, 2001
/s/
JEFFREY WALKER
Jeffrey Walker
Director
June 6, 2001
4
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
5.1
Opinion of Latham & Watkins.
23.1
Consent of Latham & Watkins (included in Exhibit 5.1 hereto).
23.2
Consent of Independent Accountants.
24.1
Power of Attorney (included on page 3 of this Registration Statement).
5
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REGISTRATION OF ADDITIONAL SECURITIES
SIGNATURES
POWER OF ATTORNEY
INDEX TO EXHIBITS