LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 7, 2025--
Guitar Center, the largest musical instrument retailer in the U.S., has launched Rig Advisor, becoming the first music retailer to introduce an AI-powered shopping assistant directly onto the store floor. Now live in locations nationwide, Rig Advisor is a mobile-based tool that helps customers discover, compare, and explore gear in real time by prioritizing products available at that specific store location. It enhances the in-store experience by giving musicians an easy way to navigate options and make more confident decisions, whether they’re browsing solo or working with a store expert.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250807067996/en/
“Rig Advisor is like having a professional gear consultant in the palm of your hand, delivering lightning-fast answers as you explore our music stores,” said Gabe Dalporto, CEO of Guitar Center. “It will turn our stores into tech-powered music hubs where creativity, curiosity, and inspiration lead the way.”
Rig Advisor was designed to transform music retail into a more inspiring and intuitive experience, whether you are just getting started or building your next professional rig. This revolutionary tool simplifies the gear journey with a friendly interface that keeps things clear and engaging. Customers scan a QR code in-store, type in an artist, song, tone, or gear-related question, and Rig Advisor delivers instant recommendations based on what is in stock at that specific location.
Built for musicians at every level, from first-time players to seasoned pros, Rig Advisor offers a streamlined way to explore, compare, and understand products that are available in-store. Key features include:
Unlike traditional e-commerce filters or backend tools, Rig Advisor was built specifically for the in-store experience, putting inspiration, education, and creativity front and center to help musicians shop with confidence.
Rig Advisor is available now at Guitar Center stores nationwide. Explore the experience at: https://rigadvisor.guitarcenter.com/
About Guitar Center:
Guitar Center is the leading retailer of musical instruments, lessons, repairs and rentals in the U.S. With more than 300 stores across the U.S. and one of the top direct sales websites in the industry, Guitar Center has helped people make music for more than 60 years. Guitar Center also provides customers with various musician-based services, including Guitar Center Lessons, where musicians of all ages and skill levels can learn to play a variety of instruments in many music genres, GC Repairs, an on-site maintenance and repairs service, and GC Rentals, a program offering easy rentals of instruments and other sound reinforcement gear. Additionally, Guitar Center’s sister brands include Music & Arts, which operates more than 250 stores specializing in band & orchestral instruments for sale and rental, serving teachers, band directors, college professors, parents and students, and Musician’s Friend, a leading direct marketer of musical instruments in the United States. For more information about Guitar Center, please visit guitarcenter.com.
Rig Advisor delivers real-time in-store recommendations, artist-inspired tone matching, and simplified gear guidance for musicians at every level. (Photo: Guitar Center)
GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — Hwang In-beom scored a goal and set up another as South Korea rallied to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1 in the second match of the 2026 World Cup on Thursday night.
After a lackluster first half in which both teams were jeered as they left the field, the Czech Republic took the lead in the 59th minute on a header by captain Ladislav Krejci after a long throw-in into the penalty area.
South Korea equalized in the 67th, when Hwang scored after faking a shot with a nifty move to clear two Czech players. The midfielder who plays for Dutch club Feyenoord then made the cross from the right flank for Oh Hyeon-gyu's decisive strike in the 80th in a match played in front of hundreds of empty seats at Guadalajara Stadium.
The South Korean squad celebrated with its fans behind one of the goals after the final whistle. Players later posed for a photo with the fans behind them.
“It was our first game and a very difficult one,” South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo said. “The win itself makes me happy, but what’s even more positive is that our boys won by not giving up. I knew that we were more than capable of winning, so at 1-1, I told the boys to keep playing the way we’ve been playing.”
It was South Korea's first opening World Cup win since it beat Greece in 2010 in South Africa. South Korea beat European opponent in the tournament for a third straight time, following wins over Portugal in 2022 and Germany in 2018.
Let by star forward Son Heung-min, South Korea controlled possession and outshot the Czechs, who were making their first World Cup appearance since 2006. The Koreans, ranked 25th by FIFA, had most of the significant scoring chances against the 38th-ranked Czechs but failed to capitalize early.
Son was looking to become South Korea’s top goal scorer at the World Cup and the Asian player with the most goals in the tournament. The 33-year-old former Tottenham star, who now plays for Los Angeles FC of Major League Soccer, entered Thursday having scored three goals over three prior World Cups.
Appearing in his fourth World Cup, Son had a couple of good opportunities to add to his tally but missed wide in the first half and had a close-range shot saved in the second.
The Czechs thought they had retaken the lead with another set piece in the 77th, but Tomas Soucek was ruled offside on his header.
Czech Republic coach Miroslav Koubek said “probably the better team won.” But he said his team could have had a better outcome if it weren’t for “some mistakes.”
“We played very well, it could have been a draw and we could have won as well,” Koubek said.
The announced attendance was 44,985 at the 45,664-capacity Guadalajara Stadium, a crowd that included FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Sections in the middle of the stands had many unoccupied seats and there were other empty seats scattered across the stadium.
South Korea is making its 11th straight World Cup appearance and 12th overall, the most of any Asian country. Its best result was a fourth-place finish at the tournament it co-hosted with Japan in 2002. Since then, the South Koreans have never gone beyond the round of 16.
In the other Group A match on Thursday, co-host Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 in the tournament opener in Mexico City.
AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
Fans look on during the World Cup Group A soccer match between South Korea and Czechia in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
South Korea players celebrate after the World Cup Group A soccer match between South Korea and Czechia in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Czechia's Ladislav Krejci reacts after scoring against South Korea in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
South Korea's Hwang In-beom gestures to the crowd as he is substituted during the World Cup Group A soccer match between South Korea and Czechia in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
South Korea's Hwang In-beom, right, shoots and scores a goal against Czechia goalkeeper Matej Kovar during the World Cup Group A soccer match between South Korea and Czechia in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
