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| Guitar Center: Arlington Heights |
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2375 S. Arlington Heights Rd.
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005
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847-439-4600
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Platinum Room Manager: Brad Kalmikoff
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Phone: 847-951-1882
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E-Mail: bkalmikoff@guitarcenter.com
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Brad Kalmikoff’s career with Guitar Center began in 2007 with a meteoric rise to sales preeminence from the start. In an organization with thousands of salespeople, being a consistent top performer month after month is an extraordinary achievement. The only way to accomplish that is through development of clientele, and the only way to develop clientele is through consistency and excellence. Brad lives and breathes Guitar Center, and maintains his store’s new and used stock with a surgical focus. “I don’t take time off,” Brad says. “My inventory is my baby.” A tireless work ethic and an unwavering commitment to the customer satisfaction are the bedrock of his sales success. A drummer by training, his guitar product knowledge is nonetheless at a level with the best in the industry. Brad cites his lack of specific association with any equipment prejudice as an asset, in that he presents equipment in terms of each piece of gear’s particular strengths rather than in terms of his own preferences. If you want something done right, ask a busy person to do it. Brad is a busy person.
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| Guitar Center: Atlanta |
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1485 Northeast Expressway
Atlanta, Georgia 30329
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404-320-7253
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Platinum Room Manager: Justin Gagnon
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Phone: 404-320-7253
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E-Mail: Justin.Gagnon@guitarcenter.com
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Justin Gagnon began with Guitar Center in 2011, although his journey with music had already been an amazing adventure. After successfully touring as a player, Justin completing his training in Phoenix before going on to work as an audio engineer in Nashville. His experience there included several gold and platinum album projects. Justin finds managing the Platinum Room in Atlanta the place where he can tie all his experience together and really help people be creative and make music. As Justin says, “I remember buying my first guitar, it was a little stressful but nothing compares to the bond that I felt when I finally found the guitar I was looking for.” Justin enjoys helping everyone no matter where they are on their own gear search, from those wanting to start playing, to those looking to upgrade gear, and of course the player looking for the custom shop guitar or bass of their dreams.
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Platinum Manager Picks At This Store
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| Guitar Center: Boston |
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1255 Boylston St.
Boston, Massachusetts 02215
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617-247-1389
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Platinum Room Manager: Larry Reed
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Phone: 832-374-9996
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E-Mail: lreed@guitarcenter.com
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Larry Reed has worked with Guitar Center since 2005. Starting in the Boston location, Larry transferred to Natick as Sales Manager, then back to Boston to manage the Platinum Room when it opened its new location. He holds a Bachelor of Science in physics and loves to work with handcrafted instruments, unusually intimate with the properties at work in tone generation. An avid recreational player himself, Larry owns a “one of each” collection of Platinum Room guitars—a Fender Custom Shop Esquire, a Gibson Les Paul Standard, a Paul Reed Smith and several high-end acoustics. His knowledge is distributed across all brands with a particular concentration in vintage instruments. Larry grew up in a family that had a taste for antiques, and he remains a collector of antique art and curios. His favorite part of being a Platinum Manager is helping customers find the unique piece that they are looking for. He has developed a steady clientele of professionals and enthusiastic hobbyists, and prides himself on keeping track of his customers’ artistic pursuits and aspirations.
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| Guitar Center: Carle Place |
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111 Old Country Road
Carle Place, New York 11514
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516-248-2020
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Platinum Room Manager: Matthew Walbroehl
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Phone: 516-350-7654
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E-Mail: matthew.walbroehl@guitarcenter.com
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Matt Walbroehl has been with Guitar Center since 2007, helping everyone from the youngster getting a starter pack to the vet in search of the next new thing. Coming from a production and recording background, and having been a musician from a young age, he has a vast knowledge of musical equipment. After obtaining his degree in recording, he ran a studio for 6 years before starting work with Guitar Center. Here in the Platinum Room, he is able to apply his understanding of tone and product knowledge to find each musician the perfect piece for his or her needs.
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| Guitar Center: Chicago |
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2633 North Halsted
Chicago, Illinois 60614
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773-248 2808
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Platinum Room Manager: David Pudlo
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Phone: 312-835-6328
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E-Mail: david.pudlo@guitarcenter.com
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David Pudlo was born and raised in Chicago and is an adamant Cubs fan. He started playing guitar in the seventh grade, and – just like most teenagers in the early nineties – grew up rocking Nirvana and Alice in Chains riffs. Once in high school, David started to learn the cello, which enhanced his guitar-playing prowess. David began his Guitar Center career in April of 2001. For the past ten years, he has enjoyed successfully pairing clients with their perfect musical match. When David isn't playing guitar, he is playing with Linux because, in his words, he likes computers that work.
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| Guitar Center: Cincinnati |
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640 Kemper Commons Circle
Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
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513-671-4555
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Platinum Room Manager: Ron Lucas
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Phone: 513- 214-8623
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E-Mail: ronald.lucas@guitarcenter.com
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Ron Lucas began his Guitar Center career in 1998. A native of Cincinnati, he has been the area’s source for all things electric, from tube amps to anything with six strings, since the store’s grand opening. His expertise ranges from a vast knowledge of vintage guitars and amps to a detailed familiarity with contemporary builders like Paul Reed Smith. He is additionally an avid Gibson, Fender and Hamer fan, but almost anything with a maple top and a burst will catch his attention. Ron’s personal goal is to find the right piece of gear for every customer. Having been committed to this kind of musician to instrument matchmaking for more than a decade, he has developed long-lasting and trusting relationships throughout the Cincinnati metropolitan area and across the country. Some of you might know him as “GCRon” from the many guitar-oriented message board sites he contributes to. His deep technical knowledge combined with his superior customer service makes him an ideal Platinum Room manager.
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Platinum Manager Picks At This Store
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| Guitar Center: Concord |
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1280 Willow Pass Rd., Ste. A
Concord, California 94520
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925-363-7770
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Platinum Room Manager: Sonny Saucedo
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Phone: 925-979-8618
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E-Mail: Sonny.Saucedo@guitarcenter.com
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Sonny Saucedo has been playing guitar for 14 years. He has an impressive collection which includes some of his favorites, such as; his Fender Standard Stratocaster, Gibson SG Menace, BC Rich STIII and a custom built Japanese Acoustic. He joined the Guitar Center Concord team in October 2006 where he worked his way up from Assistant Manager to Platinum Room Manager. With his vast knowledge of stringed- instruments and his tenacious ways, Sonny is able to find “the special” instrument for his clients. In October of 2011, Sonny and his family were adorned with their first child. He promises to always provide for them and continues to share the dream of music with them and many others.
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| Guitar Center: Edina |
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3650 Hazelton Rd.
Edina, Minnesota 55435
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952-929-1680
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Platinum Room Manager: Adam Grath
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Phone: 952-715-1005
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E-Mail: agrath@guitarcenter.com
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Adam Grath began his career with Guitar Center in 1999, and as much as almost any other associate, Adam has guitars and guitar playing in his DNA. He was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, just a few miles from the Parsons Street factory where his preferred electric guitar, the Gibson Les Paul, were being produced. He has gigged extensively across the Midwest and has also established strong credits as a stage manager and live audio engineer, having piloted a sound reinforcement company that worked with numerous national recording artists including SRV and BB King. He has even logged countless hours as a recording engineer. While literate in vintage instruments, his chief professional orientation as a retailer lies with Guitar Center’s current top-of-the-line vendors. He is expert in Gibson, but possesses fluency in numerous other brands, notably within the Taylor guitar line, his acoustic brand of choice. He hasn’t met many high-end Fenders he doesn’t like and he prides himself on selecting and recommending instruments that have that “something extra” some instruments seem to possess.
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Platinum Manager Picks At This Store
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| Guitar Center: Englewood |
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9647 E. County Line Rd.
Englewood, Colorado 80112
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303-858-0858
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Platinum Room Manager: Glenn Esparza
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Phone: 303-483-3547
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E-Mail: Glenn.Esparza@guitarcenter.com
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Originally from Los Angeles, Glenn Esparza has spent most of his life in Denver as a professional bassist and guitarist. On tour in some way or another since 1987, Glenn decided to lend his talents to Guitar Center beginning in 2010.
A true tube amp guy, Glenn’s specialties are non-master volume Marshall and Vox amps as well as anything tweed. Although he appreciates all great guitars, he gravitates toward classics from Fender and Rickenbacker as well as his all-time favorite, the Gibson Les Paul.
Highlights of Glenn’s career include recognition as one of the country’s top ten unsigned artists by Yamaha, and later working with Jerry Joseph and Little Women. Besides recording two albums and touring with Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Aquarium Rescue Unit, and Los Lobos, Joseph and Esparza wrote the song “Climb to Safety,” which appeared on the Widespread Panic album 'Til the Medicine Takes.
After Little Women, Glenn played bass and guitar with Sherri Jackson, recording three albums and playing The Further Festival, Lilith Fair, and Woodstock ’99. The band also toured nationally with Joan Osborne, The Black Crowes, John Hiatt, Ben Harper, Hot Tuna, and The BoDeans.
Since 2003, Glenn has played guitar in several major label showcases. Most recently, Glenn can be seen with Chute 9.
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Platinum Manager Picks At This Store
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| Guitar Center: Hallandale |
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1101 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd.
Hallandale, Florida 33009
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954-456-7890
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Platinum Room Manager: Eric Austin
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Phone: (954) 290-2134
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E-Mail: Eric.Austin@guitarcenter.com
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Miami native Eric Austin brought his passion for music to Guitar Center in October of 2010. His ambition and natural rapport with all types of customers helped him grow through the ranks of Department Manager and proudly take the helm of the Hallandale, FL Platinum Room in 2012.
Eric's knowledge of instruments, tone, and craftsmanship makes him the trustworthy go-to person for all customers with discerning taste for Platinum and Vintage guitars, basses, amps and effects. As a well-respected vocalist and guitarist in the southeast, Eric has not only fronted his own band, he has also played alongside John Hammond Jr., opened for Joan Jett, and has toured extensively up and down the East Coast.
After a long absence from South Florida, Eric is happy to be back in his hometown helping customers find "the one" with "the tone." Sharing the excitement of fine instruments to be played and or enjoyed is what Eric is all about. For novices and seasoned pros alike, Eric is a quality source for all the important musical additions.
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| Guitar Center: Hollywood |
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7425 Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood, California 90046
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323-874-1060
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Platinum Room Manager: Allan Clarke
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Phone: 714-504-8596
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E-Mail: aclarke@guitarcenter.com
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Allan Clarke is among the most knowledgeable guitar experts in the Guitar Center chain as well as the entire country. With more than two decades in musical instrument retail, there isn’t much in the world of guitars that Allan hasn’t seen. Stellar instruments that have graced the Fountain Valley GC walls in years past include a 1955 Gibson Les Paul Gold Top and a Brazilian rosewood Martin D-50. The classics aside, boutique is Allan’s true dojo. Driskill, Baker, Suhr, Tom Anderson, Collings, Olsen, acoustic or electric, if it is a limited edition fine instrument, Allan knows it well. Allan’s reverence for guitars is reflected in his philosophy of regarding fine instruments as "functional art." Says Allan, “Many modern and contemporary guitars are definitely works of art. Since these art forms also serve as musical instruments that are meant to be played, I think the phrase "functional art" is very appropriate.”
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Platinum Manager Picks At This Store
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| Guitar Center: Houston |
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8390 Westheimer Road
Houston, Texas 77063
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713-952-9070
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Platinum Room Manager: Jeff Mikel
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Phone: 832-655-3063
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E-Mail: jmikel@guitarcenter.com
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Jeff Mikel joined Guitar Center in 1994, and by 1997 he was the company’s guitar trainer for the West Coast by virtue of both his deep guitar knowledge and excellent communication skills. In this capacity, he traveled extensively and interacted with store personnel, improving guitar associates’ knowledge, presentation and merchandising skills. After seven years as a successful General Manager of the Bakersfield, Calif. store, Jeff began to specialize in vintage acquisition and sales. From 2006 through 2009, Jeff attended dozens of guitar shows and assisted in expanding Guitar Center’s inventory of vintage and collectible instruments and amplifiers. His vintage knowledge rivals the industry’s best, and much of his business results from a vast library of contacts across Texas and the US for whom he, in his own words, “bird dogs” the world’s finest instruments for collectors and players whose tastes he knows well. His history with the company speaks for itself, and it behooves any serious player or collector of fine stringed instruments to become part of Jeff’s circle.
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Platinum Manager Picks At This Store
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| Guitar Center: Las Vegas |
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6587 S. Las Vegas Blvd. STE B172
Las Vegas, Nevada 89119
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702-450-2260
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Platinum Room Manager: Eric Zaveta
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Phone: 702-250-4995
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E-Mail: ezaveta@guitarcenter.com
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Originally from Montana, Eric Zaveta moved to Las Vegas in 2006 and quickly established himself as a leading authority on guitars. As a major international tourist destination, Las Vegas offers Eric the chance to help people from all over the world find the guitar of their dreams. His Platinum Room always has a great selection of high-end, vintage, and one-of-a-kind collectible guitars and amplifiers. His favorite personal guitar is a 2008 Anniversary Edition Gibson 1958 Les Paul Reissue flame top, aged by Tom Murphy.
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| Guitar Center: Manchester |
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120-B Hale Rd.
Manchester, Connecticut 06040
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860-648-3900
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Platinum Room Manager: Chris Oliphant
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Phone: 860-819 5613
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E-Mail: Christopher.Oliphant@guitarcenter.com
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Chris Oliphant started with Guitar Center in 2001, moving through multiple promotions over the years from Guitar Department Manager, Assistant Store Manager, and finally Platinum Room Manager. Throughout his time at this location, he has been established as a trusted advocate of the local music scene. The local respect that Chris enjoys is an asset that can only be acquired through consistency and sustained integrity. Plus, Chris himself has also been an avid guitar collector and player for over 15 years. An aficionado in all things PRS, he has visited the factory numerous times and maintains a close relationship with Paul Reed Smith, as well as with many of the PRS luthiers. He is careful not to pigeonhole himself as a one-trick PRS pony, however, and is likewise an expert in Gibson and Fender USA Custom Shop guitars. His vintage knowledge is at a professional level as well, having completed an intensive vintage seminar with National Vintage Sales Manager Jack Hetherington. Chris additionally owns and operates a recording studio in Manchester that records a wide variety of projects, from hip-hop to rock to rhythm and blues and more. His personable nature, deep technical knowledge, and dedication to furtherance of the arts make Chris an asset to his local music community and to anyone who wishes to discover or enhance their guitar sound.
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Platinum Manager Picks At This Store
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| Guitar Center: Manhattan |
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25 W. 14th Street
Manhattan, New York 10011
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212-463-7500
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Platinum Room Manager: Robert Tennant
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Phone: 917- 509-7397
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E-Mail: rtennant@guitarcenter.com
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Robb Tennant has been with Guitar Center since 2008, and has been playing music since he could make a sound. He grew up in a musical family, with his parents performing around Cincinnati, and there was always music in the house. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Composition from The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and he continues to write and perform in and around New York. Guitar has always been a big part of Robb's life, from the first chords his Dad showed him on his 1966 Martin D-18, to the lessons he currently teaches, and to the dream guitars he has the privilege of helping his customers find every day. The Manhattan store boasts the second largest selection of vintage guitars and amps of any store in the Guitar Center chain, and the mix of high-end stringed instruments in the Platinum Room, which he very much helped to curate, reflects his understanding of the breadth and variety that makes up the guitar marketplace of New York City.
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Platinum Manager Picks At This Store
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| Guitar Center: Nashville |
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721 Thompson Lane
Nashville, Tennessee 37204
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615-297-7770
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Platinum Room Manager: Tony Higbee
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Phone: (615) 499-0432
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E-Mail: thigbee@guitarcenter.com
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Tony Higbee joined Guitar Center for the grand opening of the Nashville store in 2003, after spending a year with the Gibson guitar company. His time at Gibson, in conjunction with his lifelong love of Gibson instruments, has made him an expert in that area. The Nashville store also maintains a strong relationship with several boutique brands including Tom Anderson and James Trussant. In amps, Nashville is consistently among the top Bogner dealers in the chain. While Nashville remains the country music capitol of the world, Tony stresses that there is a vibrant scene for rock and other music styles as well. “All the major labels have offices here, and you can drive to Atlanta or New York in three hours, so Nashville is a logical place for any musician to live.” By virtue of its culture and traditions, Nashville is naturally a hotbed of vintage guitar and amplifier trading. Whatever your musical equipment preferences, Nashville is the place to satisfy them, and Tony is the man to help you.
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Platinum Manager Picks At This Store
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| Guitar Center: North Dallas |
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4519 LBJ Freeway
Farmers Branch, Texas 75244
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972-960-0011
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Platinum Room Manager: Robbie Gustin
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Phone: 817-909-7045
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E-Mail: rgustin@guitarcenter.com
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Robbie Gustin’s career with Guitar Center began in 1997 in the Dallas/Forth location, gaining experience in numerous positions before taking on the role of Platinum Room Manager. The Farmers Branch location remains one of the most successful of Guitar Center’s Platinum Rooms, largely due to Robbie’s relentless approach to customer service. “If someone calls and says, ‘I saw this purple polka-dot, hippo-looking guitar on David Letterman last night,’ I’ll find one for him,” Robbie said. His passion is unrivalled when it comes to helping people find that one-of-a-kind, investment-grade instrument. Firmly established in his professional, family, and musical life in the area, Robbie can be counted on to be the go-to guy for upper-end musical equipment the Dallas/Fort Worth area for many years to come. He has been involved with many bands in the area and is currently enjoying success with his band, Supernova Remnant. Robbie plays Mesa Boogie, Gibson, Paul Reed Smith, Bogner and Orange.
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Platinum Manager Picks At This Store
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| Guitar Center: North Portland |
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1147 Hayden Meadows Dr
Portland, Oregon 97217
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503-286-6327
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Platinum Room Manager: Jason "Jayden" Brown
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Phone: 971-313-3075
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E-Mail: Jason.Brown@guitarcenter.com
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Jayden Brown’s saga began in 2009 at the Guitar Center in Clackamas, OR. He is an avid guitar player and has a love and passion for anything that pertains to guitars. He’s toured all over the United States and has decided to take on a new role as the Platinum Manager of our newest Platinum location, North Portland. He does have a special place in his heart for Gibson, Fender and Taylor, yet is well versed and does sway towards other premium brands he carries in his striking new Platinum room. “It’s not easy! The temptations are everywhere!” The knowledge he possesses is immeasurable! Jayden is your “go to” guy for anything and everything that is premium.
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| Guitar Center: Oklahoma City |
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2940 NW 59th Street
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112
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405-810-9191
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Platinum Room Manager: Joe Sveum
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Phone: 405-627-4499
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E-Mail: joseph.sveum@guitarcenter.com
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Joe Sveum began his career with Guitar Center in 2005 as a guitar sales associate and quickly established himself as a leader in that role. While always committed to treating every customer with great care and respect, his lifelong passion for high-end guitars blossomed within the Guitar Center environment. He has established himself as a local authority on Gibson guitars, but additionally possesses a strong expertise in “pointy” guitars of the guitar hero era. He is a huge fan of ‘80s rock and Eddie Van Halen – if it has a Floyd Rose tremolo and carries a danger of poking your eye out, Joe is your go-to guy in Oklahoma City. He is an expert on vintage Jackson, Charvel, B.C. Rich and Ibanez guitars, and along with his own collection of custom shop Charvels, he plays a ’79 Gibson Les Paul Custom, usually through his Mesa Boogie MKV. When not at Guitar Center you can find Joe filling in with some of Oklahoma City’s best local bands.
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| Guitar Center: Orlando |
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12402 Orange Blossom Trail, Ste. 1
Orlando, Florida 32837
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407-251-6659
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Platinum Room Manager: Marcus Crespilho
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Phone: 407-702-9259
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E-Mail: Marcus.Crespilho@guitarcenter.com
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Born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Marcus Crespilho has lived, loved, and breathed music for as long as he can remember. A veteran in music retail, Marcus worked for the first five years of his career at a boutique guitar shop specializing in high-end and custom shop instruments. Since Marcus began working with Guitar Center in Orlando in 2005, he has dedicated himself to building a high end, custom shop clientele and culture in the store. Part of the opening team in the Orlando store, Marcus prides himself in having helped thousands of customers find their own unique, cool, high-end, and custom shop "pride and joy" instruments. Marcus is also consistently one of the top Guitar Center salespeople in the nation. Being multilingual (English, Portuguese, Spanish, and some French) has helped Marcus give the best customer service regardless of the language being spoken. When he is not selling high-end instruments, you can find Marcus playing with his touring band Fire At Will. Marcus has trained with PRS Guitars, Gibson USA, Gibson Custom Shop and Fender, getting to see first-hand the skill and attention to detail put into each instrument and making him comfortable fielding even highly technical questions regarding the instruments he sells. His love for playing music and performing is just as great as his love for connecting each of his customers to that one special instrument.
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| Guitar Center: Phoenix |
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2750 West Peoria St.
Phoenix, Arizona 85029
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602-375-3800
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Platinum Room Manager: Brandon Meunier
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Phone: (602) 320-5387
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E-Mail: bmeunier@guitarcenter.com
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Brandon Meunier has been with Guitar Center since 2006. He is a top performing salesperson that has a passion for all guitars, but is specifically interested in Gibson Les Paul guitars. He obsesses over researching vintage instruments and the history behind guitars and amplifiers. Brandon owns quite a few cool guitars and amplifiers, but his current favorite guitar is a 1957 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop Reissue. For amplifiers, Brandon claims his 1965 Bassman head to be his favorite tone at the moment.
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Platinum Manager Picks At This Store
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| Guitar Center: Rockville |
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12401 Twinbrook Parkway
Rockville, Maryland 20852
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301-231-6100
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Platinum Room Manager: Robert Peters
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Phone: 301-609-2275
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E-Mail: Robert.Peters@guitarcenter.com
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Robert Peters joined Guitar Center in 2010, quickly establishing himself as the one to see for high-end and boutique gear. A natural fit for the Platinum Room Manager position, he worked his way through the ranks as Guitar Department Manager and Assistant Store Manager before taking the helm of the Rockville location’s Platinum Room in 2012. Robert is also an accomplished guitarist himself, starting out at seven years old. Playing guitar for most of his life, he has regularly been involved with bands around the Washington D.C. area, currently being seen as lead guitar in Black Dog Prowl. With his passion for both music and the gear that makes it, Robert makes the Platinum Room at Guitar Center Rockville into the D.C. area’s foremost authority on Vintage and Platinum guitars and amplifiers.
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Platinum Manager Picks At This Store
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| Guitar Center: Sacramento |
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2120 Alta Arden Expressway
Sacramento, California 95825
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916-922-2132
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Platinum Room Manager: Mike Parisi
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Phone: 916-207-8147
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E-Mail: mparisi@guitarcenter.com
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Joining the Sacramento store in 2006, Mike Parisi managed both Accessories and Guitar departments before he was promoted to Platinum Manager. Mike possesses extensive knowledge about American music; he is extremely passionate about high end and vintage stringed instruments. Mike has a strong work ethic and drive for superior customer service and experience. He is also a well-known drummer and an active working musician in the Sacramento area for the last 25 years.
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| Guitar Center: San Francisco |
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1645 Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco, California 94109
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415-409-0350
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Platinum Room Manager: Bill Phillips
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Phone: 415-500-5797
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E-Mail: william.phillips@guitarcenter.com
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As a native to San Francisco, music has always been an important part of Bill Phillip’s life. With the support of his parents, he started playing guitar when he was 13 years old. After a couple years they bought him his first “nice” guitar – a Fender American Strat Plus from Guitar Center. Shortly afterward, his high school band was opening up for the Stray Cats at The Stone on Broadway Street. Since then he has continued to follow his passion for music. While on his journey, Bill has played and recorded in many groups from rock to jazz to classical to world music and also obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in classical guitar at Humboldt State University. Bill is excited to be the Guitar Center Platinum Room Manager in his hometown of San Francisco and states, “This city is truly a special place with such beauty and diversity and our store on Van Ness Avenue is a reflection of that. It is an honor to work with so many talented people and to serve customers from all over the world.” Whether you're a professional musician, first time guitar buyer or collector, Bill is proud to offer you one of the largest and greatest collections of Platinum and Vintage guitars in the world.
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| Guitar Center: San Jose |
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3677 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Santa Clara, California 95051
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408-249-0455
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Platinum Room Manager: Mike Denke
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Phone: 408-220-3353
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E-Mail: mdenke@guitarcenter.com
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Mike Denke has more than three decades of music retail experience and in that time has seen plenty of wonderful collector pieces pass from his hands into the hands of delighted clients. Mike’s main goal and focus is to make the customer experience into a long-lasting friendship. He says, “There's nothing quite like seeing a customer’s eyes light up when they take home that perfect Platinum piece to start, or add to their collection.” Mike prides himself on his knowledge of vintage instruments and his love of getting people the perfect instrument or amp to fulfill their needs.
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| Guitar Center: Seattle |
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530 Westlake Ave.
Seattle, Washington 98109
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206-287-9100
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Platinum Room Manager: Michael Beens
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Phone: 206-962-9160
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E-Mail: Michael.Beens@guitarcenter.com
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Michael Beens began his Guitar Center career in 2008, a journey that led him through five stores in three states before taking the helm of Seattle’s Platinum Room. Beens passion for music started young, as he received his first electric guitar at age 11. Michael has played all different genres of music over the years, starting in punk and metal bands, with a temporary foray into the pop scene, and is now playing lead guitar for a folk/alternative country band, which he calls "drinking music." A passionate aficionado for all things Martin and Gibson, Michael also has an especially soft spot in his heart for beat up Teles and weird old amps. "It's cool if you walk in wanting a D28, but if you're a singer with a softer voice, I'm going to put a D35 in your hands.” Michaels says as he speaks to the great pride he takes in getting the right gear into a client’s hands, “We've got to find the one that sings right back to you. That's my job."
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| Guitar Center: Sherman Oaks |
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14209 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, California 91423
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818-990-8332
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Platinum Room Manager: Jourdan Jaacovi
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Phone: 818-665-5498
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E-Mail: JourdanI.Jaacovi@guitarcenter.com
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Born and raised in Los Angeles, Jourdan Jaacovi has surrounded himself with guitars since age 10. From custom built Fender Stratocasters to modified Les Pauls, Jourdan knows the ins and outs of these most sacred electric guitars. He joined the Guitar Center family in early 2009 and has never looked back. Rising through the ranks, he has become one of the foremost authorities on what’s hot in the electric guitar world. The Tele, Strat, and Les Paul are some models that are his specialty, but his love of guitars and tube amplifiers has brought his attention to all high-quality makes and models. As Platinum Manager in Sherman Oaks, California, he brings his expertise and love of these amazing guitars and amps to the artists, collectors and players of this magical city.
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| Guitar Center: Southfield |
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29555 Northwestern Hwy.
Southfield, Michigan 48034
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248-354-8075
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Platinum Room Manager: Scott Dailey
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Phone: 248-354-8075
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E-Mail: scottdailey@guitarcenter.com
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Scott Dailey has been with Guitar Center since 2002. He loves music, musicians, guitars and his work. Warm and engaging, Scott gives his customers the best of both worlds with a passion for the finest high-end new guitars as well as vintage guitars like the ones he has collected over the years. Scott is also an excellent and well-known guitarist, songwriter and vocalist, performing in Nashville, Toronto, New York City, Chicago, London, and Italy. A lifelong guitarist and huge music aficionado, Scott is currently in a popular Detroit band with Carolyn Striho. Scott’s enthusiasm, knowledge and passion for guitars and people continue to delight customers from the very beginner to the pro player. A brilliant, positive artist, Scott Dailey continues to shine at Guitar Center as a musician, fan and guitar collector, year after year, and continues to garner a growing base of friends, fans, and customers.
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| Guitar Center: Towson |
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1524 E. Joppa Rd.
Towson, Maryland 21286
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410-821-5200
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Platinum Room Manager: Ryan Fowler
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Phone: 410-821-5200
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E-Mail: ryan.fowler@guitarcenter.com
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A veteran in the music industry, Ryan has been selling high-end instruments for more than a decade. He has established himself as the "go-to" guy among both professional players and collectors in the greater Baltimore area and has a reputation for his in-depth knowledge and willingness to go the extra mile for his clients. He has owned many vintage and boutique guitars, amplifiers, and effect pedals over the years, and this hands-on personal experience allows him to help his clients find the perfect instrument time and time again. Ryan is endorsed by Paul Reed Smith guitars and can be seen playing up and down the east coast with "The Kelly Bell Band" at any of their 150-plus shows a year.
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Platinum Manager Picks At This Store
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| Guitar Center: West LA |
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10831 West Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, California 90064
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310-475-0637
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Platinum Room Manager: Travis Taherkhani
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Phone: 310-780-7750
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E-Mail: ttaherkhani@guitarcenter.com
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Travis has been with Guitar Center since 2006. Known as the go to guy for high end guitars, he was an integral part of the birth of the Hollywood Platinum scene. Travis has been playing guitar for 13 years. He loves how such a deceivingly simple object can transfer so much emotion and be such a cultural driving force of our times.
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