Guitar Center agrees to buy assets of The Woodwind & Brasswind

Guitar Center Inc., a multi-channel retailer of musical instruments and related products, has agreed to acquire the assets of direct merchant The Woodwind & Brasswind, which would operate as part of Guitar Center’s Musician’s Friend subsidiary, Guitar Center said.

“The acquisition of assets of The Woodwind & Brasswind, including the Woodwind and Brasswind and Music123 web sites, will enable us to further expand the already strong combo instrument business at Musician’s Friend as well as build out our direct response band and orchestra business,” says Marty Albertson, chairman and CEO of Guitar Center, No. 50 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide to Retail Web Sites.

The Woodwind & Brasswind, No. 317 in the Top 500 Guide, filed for bankruptcy protection in Indiana on November 21. The asset acquisition agreement is subject to several conditions, including bankruptcy court approval, and is also subject to being overbid at a bankruptcy auction expected to be conducted in January.

Guitar Center operates more than 90 stores in addition to MusiciansFriend.com, Music123.com and GuitarCenter.com.