MUSICIAN’S FRIEND CHOOSES MICROSOFT AXAPTA FOR MULTI-CHANNEL RETAIL FROM JUNCTION SOLUTIONS

World’s Largest Direct Marketer of Music Products Gearing Up for Growth

Lincolnshire, IL - November 28, 2005 -Junction Solutions, a leading provider of vertical industry focused enterprise software and services based on Microsoft Axapta, today announced that Musician’s Friend, the largest direct response retailer of musical instruments in the world, has chosen the Microsoft Axapta for Multi-Channel Retail solution as its enterprise platform to support its growth strategy.

Musician’s Friend, a wholly owned subsidiary of Guitar Center, Inc. (Nasdaq:GTRC), offers over 36,000 products to amateur and professional musicians via mail order catalogs and on its website at www.musiciansfriend.com. Since founded in 1983, the company has grown rapidly to become the world’s largest direct marketer of music gear.

After reviewing other solutions, Musician’s Friend chose the Microsoft Axapta for Multi-Channel Retail solution from Junction Solutions based on its proven track record in the multi-channel retail industry and for its flexible, modular architecture which makes it easy to “turn on” new features as the company grows and changes. The solution also supports Musician’s Friend’s international plans for managing multi-currency transactions and multi-language requirements. The solution includes additional functionality utilizing Junction’s RetailQuadware (RQW) Business Intelligence solution, of which Musician’s Friend is already a customer.

“We considered products from several alternative vendors before deciding on the Microsoft Axapta for Multi-Channel Retail solution from Junction Solutions,” said Robert Eastman, Chief Executive Officer of Musician’s Friend. “The need to select a provider with a proven track record was as important to us as software functionality and Junction’s reputation as well as our past experience with them has been very positive. Musician’s Friend is continuing on its growth track, and this new software solution provides us with the support we need as we expand, particularly as the Company begins to service customers outside the U.S.”

“We are pleased to extend our relationship with Junction Solutions and are confident our decision to invest in this Microsoft platform is the right solution for Musician’s Friend long-term growth,” said D.J. Buell, Vice President of Information Technology at Musician’s Friend. “We will be able to seamlessly apply customer level enhancements over time while continuing on an upgrade path. The Microsoft platform assures easy interoperability and a low risk, low total cost of ownership solution and Junction Solutions has the right software and services to make that platform work for us.”

“Musician’s Friend is an outstanding company with a great brand name and focus - musicians all over look forward to receiving their catalog and their web shopping experience has no peer in their industry,” said Brian Carpizo, President and CEO at Junction Solutions and a longtime Musician’s Friend customer. “We are proud to serve Musician’s Friend and look forward to helping them scale their operations to the next level.”

About Junction Solutions
Junction Solutions delivers comprehensive enterprise applications that enable companies to achieve profitable growth by streamlining processes, improving operational efficiency and building tighter connections with their customers and suppliers. Our industry-specific features for multi-channel retailers, integrated with Microsoft Axapta’s flexible and proven ERP applications, give customers proven return on investment and lower total cost of ownership. As a Gold Certified Microsoft Business Partner, we combine business process know-how with comprehensive services for a high-value, low-risk implementation. For more information, visit our web site at http://www.junctionsolutions.com.

About Guitar Center
Guitar Center is the nation’s leading retailer of guitars, amplifiers, percussion instruments, keyboards, live-sound/DJ and recording equipment. The Company presently operates 157 Guitar Center stores, with 124 stores in 50 major markets and 33 stores in secondary markets across the U.S. In addition, the Company’s Music & Arts division operates 79 retail locations and eight educational support centers specializing in band instruments for sale and rental, serving thousands of teachers, band directors, college professors and students. Guitar Center is also the largest direct response retailer of musical instruments in the U.S. through its wholly owned subsidiary, Musician’s Friend, Inc., and its catalog and web site, www.musiciansfriend.com. More information on Guitar Center can be found by visiting the Company’s web site at www.guitarcenter.com.

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Contact Information:
Nicole Fitzmaurice
Director of Marketing
(847) 947-7950 x1013
nfitzmaurice@junctionsolutions.com