I've been a customer of Mike at the co-op for about ten years. There's a bunch to say, I'll give three examples of Mike's integrity, graciousness and supportiveness. On my 30th birthday, I bought a thirty year old Yamaha from Mike - it called to me. Somebody had sold it to him, and he had fixed it up nicely. I played it unplugged for a few years and loved it. When I started playing plugged up, it had some issues, so i took it to the co-op for an operation. I expected to and was willing to pay for whatever needed done to get the pickup working properly. Mike remembered me buying the guitar and (after two years- with no promise or warrantee) insisted there would be no charge. Wow! I'm an unnoteworthy gigging musician, and sometimes I don't plan ahead. Mike will leave a pack of strings hidden for me to pay for later if I can't make it to him before 5. My friend Shelby told me today that Mike has come to the shop on Sunday- his only day off to help a musician for a gig. Wow! I had scooted in the door just before 5 yesterday for some strings. There was a young couple with maybe a 5 year old. It was literally 4:58. I had forgotten my wallet. Mike tossed me some strings on honor system, I played a cool new (used) j-45AG. I left at 5:05 - on a Saturday - Mike's only weekend night. He was patiently still helping this family with information about their first guitar. They had told him they weren't buying today, he didn't care. He wanted to accommodate and nurture new musicians. Holy crap! What a guy! What a shop! And.... Alvin Ords awesome sandwich shop is across the street. Icing on the cake! My name is Thieme Hall and I approve this message. read more

Mike always gives the best deal he can on his stuff. He also rents band equipment for local schools. Stop by and say hi.

This is one of my kids favorite places! "It looks small on the outside but it's really an awesome music museum on the inside"- says my 6yo who takes lessons from Mike every week along with my 11yo. Mike has always been kind and patient with my children. They also always have a great selection of instruments. read more

I used the Music Co-Op to purchase a new Fender American Pro II Stratocaster this summer. My experience with Mike and the Sweetwater folks was outstanding from start to finish. An absolutely perfect process. The guitar had to be shipped to my summer location (San Diego, CA) and Mike took the lead in ensuring that the instrument got to where it was supposed to go. It arrived in California with the shipping material fully intact. When I opened the hardshell case, I thought I heard a choir of angels singing arias over my shoulder. The guitar, in Dark Star paint with a maple neck, arrived in perfect shape. Not a scratch, not so much as a smudge on the finish. Just fantastic. I've been taking lessons from Mike for months, and I have found him to be an inspiring, highly motivational instructor. You put in the practice time, just like he says, using the techniques he demonstrates, and you will improve dramatically. The guy has changed how I listen to music, and has ignited a passion inside my noggin. Great dude, great store, great results. You cannot go wrong here. read more

I endured just one lesson with Mike, the proprietor, whose "my way or the highway" approach didn't work for me. He doesn't understand that a beginning adult student cannot master fundamentals such as string location, fret location, hand posture, neck angle, etc. in the first 30 minutes. He discouraged my asking questions. He stormed out of my lesson. An impatient, arrogant man. read more