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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>
EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE 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>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<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>
</TR>
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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>
</TR>
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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>500,000</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>$8,735,000</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$2,184</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. Employee Stock Purchase 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) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), for the
500,000 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 9<BR>
Exhibit Index on Page 7 </FONT></P>

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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>PART I<BR>  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The information called for in Part&nbsp;I of Form&nbsp;S-8 is not being filed with or included in this Form&nbsp;S-8 (by
incorporation by reference or otherwise) in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). </FONT></P>

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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>PART II<BR>  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 3. </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</I></B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
following documents which we filed with the Commission are incorporated by reference into this registration statement: </FONT></P>

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<DT><FONT SIZE=2>(a)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Our
Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K (File No.&nbsp;000-22207), as filed with the Commission on March&nbsp;15, 2001;
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>(b)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Our
Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q (File No.&nbsp;000-22207), as filed with the Commission on May&nbsp;9, 2001; and
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>(c)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>The
description of Common Stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;8-A (File No.&nbsp;000-22207), as filed with the Commission on
March&nbsp;6, 1997, including any subsequent amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. </FONT></DD></DL>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In
addition, all documents which we file pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this registration statement and prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all
securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part of this registration statement from the date of the filing of such documents. Any statement
contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a
statement contained in this registration statement, or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement, modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 4. </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Description of Securities.</I></B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not
Applicable. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 5. </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Named Experts.</I></B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not
Applicable. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 6. </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</I></B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Our
Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware General Corporation Law we will indemnify and advance indemnification expenses on
behalf of all of our directors and officers, and will indemnify such other persons as may be required by statute, or our Amended and Restated Bylaws. A director will not be personally liable to us or
our stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of his fiduciary duty as a director, to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law. The provision has no effect on any
non-monetary remedies that may be available to us or our stockholders, nor does it relieve us or our directors from compliance with federal or state securities laws. Our Restated
Certificate of Incorporation also permits us (i)&nbsp;to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any director or officer, or such other person as may be </FONT></P>

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

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permitted by statute or our Amended and Restated Bylaws, against any liability which may be asserted against any such person, and (ii)&nbsp;enter into contracts providing for the indemnification of
any director, officer or other person to the full extent permitted by Delaware law. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Our
Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that we shall indemnify, in the manner and to the fullest extent permitted by law, any person (or estate of any person) who was or is a party
or is threatened to
be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether or not in the right of the corporation, and whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or
otherwise, by reason of the fact that such person is a director or officer of our company, and at the discretion of the Board of Directors may indemnify any person (or the estate of any person) who is
such a party or threatened to be made such a party by reason of the fact that such person is or was an employee or agent of our company or is or was serving at our request as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including employee benefit plans). We may also purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any such
person against any liability which may be asserted against him and may enter into contracts providing for the indemnification of such person to the full extent permitted by law. To the full extent
permitted by law, such indemnification shall includes expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement, and, in the manner provided by law, any such expenses may
be paid by us in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding. This indemnification does not limit our right to indemnify any other person for any such expenses to the full
extent permitted by law, nor is it exclusive of any other rights to which any person seeking indemnification for us may be entitled under any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors
or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 7. </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Exemption from Registration Claimed.</I></B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not
Applicable. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 8. </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Exhibits.</I></B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;See
Index to Exhibits on Page 7. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 9. </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Undertakings.</I></B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: </FONT></P>

<UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;To
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement; </FONT></P>

<UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i)&nbsp;&nbsp;To
include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii)&nbsp;To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule&nbsp;424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than
20&nbsp;percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii)&nbsp;To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement; </FONT></P>

</UL>
</UL>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>3</FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2><I>provided, however</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i)&nbsp;and (a)(1)(ii)&nbsp;do not apply if the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or
Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement. </FONT></P>

<UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;That,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial </FONT><FONT SIZE=2><I>bona fide</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>
offering thereof. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;To
remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering. </FONT></P>

</UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report
pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section&nbsp;15(d) of the
Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(h)&nbsp;Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In
the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the
registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant
will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>4</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 of 1933, the registrant, Guitar Center,&nbsp;Inc., a Delaware corporation, certifies that it has
reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form&nbsp;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 COLSPAN=3><FONT SIZE=2>GUITAR CENTER,&nbsp;INC.</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="47%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&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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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below does hereby constitute and appoint Larry Thomas, Marty Albertson and Bruce
Ross, and each of them, with full power of substitution and resubstitutions and full power to act without the other, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents to
act for him or her in his or her name, place or stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this registration statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 (including
post-effective amendments) and to file such amendments, together with exhibits and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting to each
attorney-in-fact and agent 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 as he
or she might or could do in person, and ratifying and confirming all that the attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his or her 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 of 1933, 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>
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<TH WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Date</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
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&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>
</TR>
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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>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/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>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<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>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>5</FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/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>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/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>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<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>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/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>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/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>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/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>
</TR>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>6</FONT></P>

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<A NAME="toc_ka1844_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>INDEX TO EXHIBITS    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="93%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT><BR></TH>
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<TR BGCOLOR="#CCEEFF" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="6%"><FONT SIZE=2>5.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="93%"><FONT SIZE=2>Opinion of Latham&nbsp;&amp; Watkins.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="White" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="6%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="93%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of Latham&nbsp;&amp; Watkins (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1 hereto).</FONT></TD>
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<TR BGCOLOR="#CCEEFF" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="6%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="93%"><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="1%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="93%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Power of Attorney (included on page 5 of this Registration Statement).</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>7</FONT></P>

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<BR>
<P><br><A NAME="01BHL1844_1">QuickLinks</A><br></P><!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de1844_1">PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de1844_2">PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</A></FONT><BR>
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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_jc1844_1">SIGNATURES</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_jc1844_2">POWER OF ATTORNEY</A></FONT><BR>
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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ka1844_1">INDEX TO EXHIBITS</A></FONT><BR>
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[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "a2050964zs-8.htm", "description": "S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 32656}]
{"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": "333-62608", "film-number": "1657045"}, "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.
EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE 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
500,000
$17.47
$8,735,000
$2,184
(1)
This
registration statement shall also cover any additional shares of common stock which become issuable under the Guitar Center, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase 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) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), for the
500,000 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 9
Exhibit Index on Page 7
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
The information called for in Part I of Form S-8 is not being filed with or included in this Form S-8 (by
incorporation by reference or otherwise) in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission").
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3.
Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The
following documents which we filed with the Commission are incorporated by reference into this registration statement:
(a)
Our
Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 000-22207), as filed with the Commission on March 15, 2001;
(b)
Our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 000-22207), as filed with the Commission on May 9, 2001; and
(c)
The
description of Common Stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 000-22207), as filed with the Commission on
March 6, 1997, including any subsequent amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.
In
addition, all documents which we file pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this registration statement and prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all
securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part of this registration statement from the date of the filing of such documents. Any statement
contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a
statement contained in this registration statement, or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement, modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.
Item 4.
Description of Securities.
Not
Applicable.
Item 5.
Named Experts.
Not
Applicable.
Item 6.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Our
Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware General Corporation Law we will indemnify and advance indemnification expenses on
behalf of all of our directors and officers, and will indemnify such other persons as may be required by statute, or our Amended and Restated Bylaws. A director will not be personally liable to us or
our stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of his fiduciary duty as a director, to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law. The provision has no effect on any
non-monetary remedies that may be available to us or our stockholders, nor does it relieve us or our directors from compliance with federal or state securities laws. Our Restated
Certificate of Incorporation also permits us (i) to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any director or officer, or such other person as may be
2
permitted by statute or our Amended and Restated Bylaws, against any liability which may be asserted against any such person, and (ii) enter into contracts providing for the indemnification of
any director, officer or other person to the full extent permitted by Delaware law.
Our
Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that we shall indemnify, in the manner and to the fullest extent permitted by law, any person (or estate of any person) who was or is a party
or is threatened to
be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether or not in the right of the corporation, and whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or
otherwise, by reason of the fact that such person is a director or officer of our company, and at the discretion of the Board of Directors may indemnify any person (or the estate of any person) who is
such a party or threatened to be made such a party by reason of the fact that such person is or was an employee or agent of our company or is or was serving at our request as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including employee benefit plans). We may also purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any such
person against any liability which may be asserted against him and may enter into contracts providing for the indemnification of such person to the full extent permitted by law. To the full extent
permitted by law, such indemnification shall includes expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement, and, in the manner provided by law, any such expenses may
be paid by us in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding. This indemnification does not limit our right to indemnify any other person for any such expenses to the full
extent permitted by law, nor is it exclusive of any other rights to which any person seeking indemnification for us may be entitled under any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors
or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.
Item 7.
Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not
Applicable.
Item 8.
Exhibits.
See
Index to Exhibits on Page 7.
Item 9.
Undertakings.
(a) The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement;
(i)  To
include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii) To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than
20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement.
(iii) To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement;
3
provided, however
, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or
Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
(2) That,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide
offering thereof.
(3) To
remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
(b) The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report
pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(h) Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In
the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the
registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant
will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
4
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant, Guitar Center, Inc., a Delaware corporation, 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.
By:
/s/
BRUCE ROSS
Bruce Ross
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below does hereby constitute and appoint Larry Thomas, Marty Albertson and Bruce
Ross, and each of them, with full power of substitution and resubstitutions and full power to act without the other, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents to
act for him or her in his or her name, place or stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this registration statement on Form S-8 (including
post-effective amendments) and to file such amendments, together with exhibits and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting to each
attorney-in-fact and agent 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 as he
or she might or could do in person, and ratifying and confirming all that the attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to
be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, 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
5
/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
6
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 5 of this Registration Statement).
7
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PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SIGNATURES
POWER OF ATTORNEY
INDEX TO EXHIBITS