soix: The detestable drum machines are taking over anyway. 

Gibson Les Paul's will NOT be 1/2 price nor will a Marshall list at BLOWOUT pricing.

From a Guitarworld.com article

"Sweetwater generates revenue out of two distribution centres that rival what Guitar Center produces from over 300 stores”: Music Trades editor explains why Sam Ash and other guitar retailers can’t compete with online stores"

  How Guitar Center keeps its  store open is a mystery.

They have been a money loser for decades.

Just the very name - "Guitar Center" - is old school. I mean, I've given them thousands of dollars over the years, but I feel the age of guitar-oriented music is and has been on the wane for a while. Coupled with the large-volume low pricing of Sweetwater and MusiciansFriend and, as @tablejockey points out, I'm surprised these stores are still around. 

Guitar Center bought Musician’s Friend about four years ago, which is probably keeping them alive.

the company line is that retail rents were too high, but i surmise the real reason for their sad demise is that never fully embraced online sales--their used inventory was always a fraction of guitar center or sweetwater. it's sad, in any event--nice people.