The Silver Lake Musicians Co-Op is:
Musicians serving musicians serving their community
The concept of our co-op is based on the “Pay it Forward” philosophy. We will support local musicians in many, many ways which will allow them to better perform, record, rehearse, create, and conduct business. Those musicians are, then, expected not only to “pay it forward” to other musicians but also use their musical skills to serve their community.
It’s basically a BARTER SYSTEM OF GOODWILL.
Building around that core belief, the Co-Op has taken great pride in forming the “Pay it Forward Band”, a group of more than 40 musicians who perform for the sick and elderly in nursing homes and convalescent homes all over Los Angeles County. The band is an effort borne out of the successful ensemble that performed for 9 nursing homes, and others, last Christmas. Visit the Pay It Forward page to find out more about this innovative and ambitious project. Look for other Co-Op projects in our NEWS section.
The Co-Op has also linked bands up with community events and hooked musicians up with each other. But in the local music community the hookups that the Co-Op are most known for are the SERVICES that we have negotiated for on behalf of local musicians.
The Co-Op has become a badly needed source for musicians who find it difficult to afford services that are essential to their craft. Many musicians in need of affordable repair, maintenance, and information have found the SLM Co-Op invaluable.
In keeping with the spirit of what a Co-Op typically is, we have negotiated special rates with technicians who work on guitars, amps, other musical instruments and even computers. We have guaranteed work to local techs (essentially putting them on retainer), in order to ask for a lower rate. As it turns out, musicians are typically paying half or even a third of what shops charge for the same work. And some people say our techs do even better work than the top shops. They get the work done quicker too.
We have also negotiated for the elimination of a minimum bench charge, an arrangement that is saving musicians A LOT of money on their repairs. The minimum bench charge is that charge that almost all shops charge that makes it possible for them to charge for 45 to 60 minutes of tech time, even if something only takes 10-15 minutes to fix (which is not unusual).
Our techs are very nice people and they usually waive “rush charges”. They have hand delivered guitars/amps and gone on emergency service calls for about the same charge as having a pizza delivered. They have even taken in equipment in lieu of cash payment.
The Co-Op is hooking up musicians in other ways. Examples of other hookups would be:
Ever had an emergency that none of your friends could help with? We have driven a guitar player to a gig, teched an amp that fell down 2 hours before a show, loaned a local band mikes and cables, loaned guitars, stored a road case full of gear for a couple of weeks ….. we help out whenever and wherever we can.
Our members include a professional computer geek who does website design/maintenance and computer repair. He will not only charge less than the going rate for his services but will barter as well.
A few of the Co-OP members teach guitar, slide, bass, keyboard and drums. They are offering Co-Op pricing as well.
One of members has provided a hookup in the printing industry. His hookup prints handbills, flyers and business cards for a fraction of the cost of most shops. YES, we checked this guy out and his prices and the quality of his service are for real!
A music gear wholesaler in business for over 30 years is offering our members special deals on cables, strings, cases and other necessities. He even has access to items that are hard to find. Additionally, we have hookups at the major music retail chains due to long associations cultivated by many of our members.
We have hooked musicians up with referrals to a sound engineer, entertainment lawyer, equipment brokers, educators who teach Pro Tools/Cubase/Sonar, a professional who relics guitars,….and the list goes on.
And, of course, we have hooked up musicians with other musicians. There are more and BIGGER plans in the works that include music education, a music festival, and reopening the shop so that musicians have a place to jam and share IDEAS on how to use music to change the world…… one community at a time.
Membership in the Co-Op remains free…. EXCEPT for the cost of committing to help others. It also means that the Co-OP will one day call upon you to help your community by offering your skills for the greater good.
JOIN US! The idea is that by EXPANDING this network of musicians and other professionals that we will be able to offer even more. AND we will be able to ACCOMPLISH more for our community, our City, and beyond.
