Guitar Center opens prototype testing for its new in-house guitar brand
Players near Los Angeles can apply to test early Guitar Labs prototypes under NDA as the retailer moves its house-brand project into hands-on R&D.
· Edited by Peter Luha
Credit: Guitar World (via source)
Guitar Center has moved its planned in-house guitar brand into physical prototype testing. A September 10 Guitar World report, corroborated by Guitar.com and GuitarPlayer, says players can apply to test early instruments at the company's Westlake Village, California office in late September and early October.
The sessions are part of the retailer's Guitar Labs project. Participants are expected to sign a non-disclosure agreement and leave phones outside the testing area while giving hands-on feedback. The step matters because the project has moved beyond public idea gathering into actual prototype evaluation, giving players a rare look at how a large retailer is trying to build a proprietary guitar line around community feedback.
Why it matters
This is a concrete development in Guitar Center's attempt to become a guitar-brand owner, not just a retailer. The prototype phase will help determine whether the project becomes a meaningful new competitor in the accessible-guitar market.
From Guitar News to Guitar Progress
Discover it here. Learn how it works. Practice it until it's yours.
“Learn a simple melody by ear. Then transpose it to 3 other keys by ear. No looking anything up.”
Sources
- https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/guitar-center-guitar-prototype-testing-call(primary)
- https://guitar.com/news/gear-news/want-to-test-the-prototype-from-guitar-centers-new-in-house-guitar-brand-heres-how-you-can/
- https://www.guitarplayer.com/makers/guitar-center-in-house-brand-customer-testing
Related
Fender says Corona factory WARN notice covers holiday shutdown, not layoffs
The company says 533 employees were notified under a newly formalized process for its annual year-end quiet weeks and are expected back in the new year.
Josh Scott Is Opening a Nearly 400-Pedal Reverb Shop
The October 21 sale spans JHS prototypes, one-off builds, vintage pedals, amps, guitars, keys and artifacts from the JHS Show.
Fender rebuilds Fender.com around AI gear guidance and upcoming sound demos
The brand's new global platform combines products, editorial content and player services, with Ask Fender launching first in the US.
Paul Reed Smith joins Guitar Center’s RockWalk after five decades of guitar building
John Mayer inducted the PRS founder during Crossroads in Austin, placing a living instrument designer alongside RockWalk pioneers such as Les Paul, Jim Marshall and Robert Moog.