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Guitar Center Launches First-Ever In-Store AI Shopping Assistant in Music Retail, Transforming How Musicians Discover Gear

News

Guitar Center Launches First-Ever In-Store AI Shopping Assistant in Music Retail, Transforming How Musicians Discover Gear
News

News

Guitar Center Launches First-Ever In-Store AI Shopping Assistant in Music Retail, Transforming How Musicians Discover Gear

2025-08-08 01:33 Last Updated At:01:41

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)

Rig Advisor delivers real-time in-store recommendations, artist-inspired tone matching, and simplified gear guidance for musicians at every level. (Photo: Guitar Center)

MIAMI (AP) — Anfernee Simons scored 18 of his season-high 39 points in the fourth quarter, Jaylen Brown added 27 and the Boston Celtics trailed most of the way before rallying to beat the Miami Heat 119-114 on Thursday night.

Sam Hauser added 17 points for the Celtics, who outscored Miami 36-21 in the fourth quarter and won after facing as much as a 19-point deficit. It was their second-biggest comeback win of the season, after coming from 20 down to beat Indiana on Dec. 22.

Simons had the second highest-scoring game for a reserve this season — Utah's Brice Sensabaugh had 43 on Wednesday night in a loss to Chicago — and became the fourth Celtics player in the last 50 years to score at least 39 off the bench. The others: Larry Bird, Todd Day and Payton Pritchard.

Norman Powell scored 26 points for Miami, which got 22 points apiece from Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. Andrew Wiggins added 16 for the Heat.

Simons had 11 consecutive Boston points in the fourth quarter to chip away at what was left of the Miami edge, and then Hauser got an open 3-pointer with 5:21 left to give the Celtics their first lead since the opening minute of the game.

The lead changed hands twice more, before Brown's 3-pointer with 4:05 remaining put Boston on top for good.

Miami started the game on a 28-9 run, putting the Celtics in a most unusual early position.

That 19-point margin — only about seven minutes into the game — matched the biggest first-quarter deficit the Celtics faced in a 304-game span since trailing Indiana by 20 early on in a game on Dec. 21, 2022. Boston also trailed Milwaukee by 19 in the first quarter on April 9, 2024.

The Heat played without starting point guard Davion Mitchell (left shoulder contusion) and sixth man Jaime Jaquez Jr. (left knee soreness).

Celtics: At Atlanta on Saturday night.

Heat: Host Oklahoma City on Saturday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons, center, is defended by Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons, center, is defended by Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons (4) comes under pressure from Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons (4) comes under pressure from Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons (4) goes for the basket defended by Miami Heat center Kel'el Ware, obscured, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons (4) goes for the basket defended by Miami Heat center Kel'el Ware, obscured, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami Heat guard Norman Powell (24) reacts after making a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami Heat guard Norman Powell (24) reacts after making a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra watches from courtside during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra watches from courtside during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

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