Allan Clarke
Platinum Room Manager

I love my job...

With the better part of 2 decades worth of experience in Music Retail, I've seen such a vast variety of guitar gear pass my way. I take great pride in my knowledge of Highend Boutique, New, and Used guitar equipment. I've worked with GC for more than 10 years, and have great confidence in my ability to take great care of my customers, and get them what they want. There's nothing like the smile on someone's face, when they get their dream guitar.

My first musical memory is of watching Ray Charles, and Buddy Rich, playing music with 'the Muppets'..., and it had such a huge influence on me.... At 7 years old, I asked my parents for a guitar, but I got a Drumset instead. After a number of years fumbling around with drums, at 14, I finally saved up for my very first guitar, a Kramer Focus 1000 in white. Yup, I thought I was gonna be Eddie Van Halen. Soon after, a great friend of mine expanded my musical listening expereince, by exposing me to Frank Zappa, Tom Waits, Tin machine, Stanley Jorden, Tuck Andres, Bartok, Larry Carlton, Robert Fripp, Al D'Meola, Michael Hedges, and a whole bunch of other stuff most teenagers weren't listening to... While other kids were listening to Zepplin, and Iron maiden, I was listing to "Joe's Garage" and the Hampton Greese Band... So basically I'm a little different.
 
I got my first job in a music store in about '92. I went into a Daddy's Junky Music store in Massachusetts, where I'm originally from. After watching the salesman fumble about, I thought, "I can do that better then him..." So I applied for a job. I started working in the warehouse, but was soon promoted to sales, after the District Manager realized I was selling more than their salespeople... In a short time I was promoted to Assistant Manager, then Store Manager, then I was moved to a bigger store, as Store Manager... After 6+ years, I parted ways with Daddy's, in 1999 I moved on to Guitar Center, moving to San Diego, and really pursuing the building of our Highend Guitar Market...2002 GC asked me to move to Orange County, CA to open 'the Certified Reserve Collection' which was the forerunner to 'the Platinum Division' now across 20+ GC location...
 
I've been to the PRS Factory, Gibson USA & Custom Shop, the Taylor Factory, Mesa Boogie, Fender & Fender Custom Shop, I've sold gear to world famous musicians, actors, athletes, and other celebrities,
 
It's been more than 25 years since I first picked up a guitar, more than 20 years since I started selling guitars, and I have to say, my love and passion for the instrument is stronger than ever.... As I originally said, I love what i do...
 
Just think, all of this stems from seeing Ray Charles singing "It's Not Easy Being Green" with Kermit the Frog, and Buddy Rich in a drum duel with Animal... Just awesome...
 
Feel free to contact me, and let me help you realize your musical dream...

Here's one of my favorite guitars. I bought mine 3 years ago Click the link to buy one of your own...
Fender Eric Johnson Strat

I love a great Les Paul, and this is what I'd love to own...
1959 Les Paul

This is the amp I've owned for more than 15 years... To me, it's the best rock/blues amp head built today.
Soldanp SLO100

My main Overdrive pedal of choice...
Fulltone OCD

Allan Clarke
Platinum Guitar Manager
Guitar Center, Hollywood, CA
714-504-8596
aclarke@guitarcenter.com