loved artists. Standout pieces included Eric Clapton’s famed “Blackie” Stratocaster. This was followed by a hands-on guitar lesson inside the store’s Vintage Room led by Grammy Award-winning guitarist, educator and founding member of Velvet Revolver, Dave Kushner, Guitar Center’s new senior director of music education experience. Guests played their first riffs on the Guitar Center-exclusive Taylor GS Mini-e Rosewood Sunset Blvd Acoustic-Electric Guitar, a special-edition model designed in collaboration with Guitar Center and inspired by the Hollywood Flag- ship itself, as attendees learned the funda- mentals of guitar playing before tackling the riff to Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.” Midway through the session, Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo made a surprise appearance. Playing his Guitar Center-exclusive Godin A4 Robert Trujillo Yellow Flame Acoustic-Electric Bass, he joined the group for the riff ahead of the instrument’s launch on Sept. 26. The event underscored Guitar Center’s mis- sion to inspire and connect musicians at every level by combining hands-on education with unforgettable experiences. {guitarcenter.com}
Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo (standing) surprises attendees during a guitar lesson at the Hollywood flagship location of Guitar Center on Sept. 25. Metallica Bassist Surprises Guests at Guitar Center Event
O n Sept. 25, Guitar Center held a special event at its Hollywood flagship store that highlighted the brand’s enhanced in-store experience through an immersive guided tour, a guitar lesson and a surprise appear- ance by Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo. The morning began with a guided tour led by Guitar Center CEO Gabe Dalporto, who highlighted the many enhancements he
has driven across stores nationwide. Guests toured the Hollywood flagship store, trying out the latest gear along the way. The tour also stopped at Guitar Center’s RockWalk, where guests learned its history and viewed the handprints cemented at the store’s en- tryway. Inside, they discovered the flagship doubles as a living gallery of music history, filled with legendary memorabilia from be-
26 I MUSIC INC. I NOVEMBER 2025
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