Author: Extroverting

Guitar Center has launched an AI-powered shopping assistant, available not online, but rather on the store floor. The mobile-based Rig Advisor is designed to give musicians an easy way to navigate store options and make more confident decisions, whether they’re browsing solo or working with a store expert.

The goal is to transform music retail into a more inspiring and intuitive experience, whether a customer is just getting started or building out a professional rig. Customers scan a QR code in store, type in an artist, song, tone or gear-related question, and Rig Advisor delivers instant recommendations based on what’s in stock at that specific location.

“Rig Advisor is like having a professional gear consultant in the palm of your hand, delivering lightning-fast answers as you explore our music stores,” said Gabe Dalporto, CEO of Guitar Center in a statement. “It will turn our stores into tech-powered music hubs where creativity, curiosity and inspiration lead the way.”

Built for musicians at every level, from first-time players to seasoned pros, Rig Advisor offers a streamlined way to explore, compare and understand the products in front of customers. Features include:

• Artist-inspired tones: Uncover gear and settings inspired by a favorite song or artist using intelligent pedal, amp and tone suggestions;
• Custom rig and setup planning: Build complete setups for recording, gigging, podcasting and more;
• Side-by-side comparisons: Compare similar gear to find the best fit;
• Multilingual support: Rig Advisor automatically responds in the language customers use without the need to adjust settings; and
• Learn while shopping: Rig Advisor simplifies complex gear concepts such as analog versus digital or tube versus solid-state, turning them into clear, actionable insights.