Couch Guitar Straps
 | |
| Industry | Apparel and Consumer Goods |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1999 |
Number of employees | 5 |
| Website | www.couchguitarstraps.com |
Couch Guitar Straps is a company that designs, manufactures and sells guitar straps. It is located in Signal Hill, California. The products are described as vegan, on account of the type of materials they are constructed from.
History
The company was started by musician Daniel Perkins in his Long Beach apartment and later garage in the late 1990s and early 2000s.[1] Perkins wished to have a company that would fit the lifestyle of a musician.[1] In 2006 Perkins' business became a full-time venture.[2] The company primarily makes vegan guitar straps, belts, and wallets. It uses vegan, animal-products-free construction materials such as automotive and upholstery vinyls, including some vintage found or "deadstock" fabrics.[1][3] As company that manufactures its products in the United States, Couch has tried to incorporate this into their branding.[2]
In 2008, the company hoped that their annual sales would reach $150,000.[2] Couch primarily sells its products through its web store, and also sells wholesale to more than 100 retail stores worldwide. The factory ships orders to the United States and to over 30 countries worldwide. Couch was featured in June 2010 "Go Global"[4] issue of Success Magazine about the international component to their business.
Production
Couch bases its production at its 2,500-square-foot (230 m2) facility in Signal Hill, California with 5 employees who work to design, manufacture, and ship their products. Additional production is done by subcontractors in downtown Los Angeles, and the surrounding areas of East LA and Vernon. Couch identifies its in-house manufacturing employees as being guitar players and designers, and identifies itself in its newsletters, packing materials and many product descriptions as a "sweatshop free" company, a term originally credited to US clothing manufacturer American Apparel. The company has rehearsal space which can be used by bands in the evenings.[1]
NAMM
Couch is an exhibiting member of the NAMM Show (National Association of Music Merchants). In 2009, the socially conscious nature of the company was commented upon by one of the panel members at a Best In Show discussion.[5] The following year the company were included in a Wired.com feature on the "Best New Gear" that showcased ten highlights of the 2010 NAMM show.[3]
Use by artists
Nels Cline of Wilco appears in a photograph of the May 2010 Issue[6]:1 of Premier Guitar magazine wearing a Couch Guitar Strap on his 1959 Fender Jazzmaster, and mentions “I’ve had neck and shoulder problems, and the Couch strap is vinyl so it seems to be a little more comfy.[6]:3 Other artists who have purchased or worn Couch Guitar Straps include Tommy Kessler of Blondie who uses the Dark Red Skullphone guitar strap on tour.[7][8]Beck, Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio,[9] touring members of Keith Urban's band, Mastodon, Man or Astroman?,[10] Scott Crouse of Earth Crisis,[10] Eric Wilson of Sublime,[10] Tegan & Sara,[9] Nicki Monninger of Silversun Pickups,[9] John Cale of Velvet Underground, Mike Gordon of Phish, Kathy Valentine of The Go-Go's, Lou Barlow of Sebadoh and Dinosaur Jr., Rick Jeschke Deliz of Ha*Ash, Nick Valensi of The Strokes, Jon Brion, Matt Costa,[9] Supernova, T.S.O.L. and Perkins' band The New Fidelity. Singer and bass player Tyson Ritter of platinum selling All American Rejects appears on Season 2 Episode 3[11] of Fox Television's House MD as a fictitious rock star wearing his guitar with a Couch Strap in a photo shoot. Hugh Laurie, the actor who plays "House", was given a Couch Strap as for his 51st birthday present in June 2010 by Vince Duque, an Assistant Producer on the show. Couch provided all white straps to match similar all white Vox Amplifiers and Gibson Guitars for the guitar players in the Green Light video[12] by R&B Artist Beyoncé.
Collaborations
Couch has produced design collaborations with Fox Racing, Man or Astroman?, street and gallery artist Skullphone, i am 8-bit, and Social Studies Designs.
Philanthropy
Couch donated a guitar strap to PETA in 2009 for a giveaway.[13] Couch is listed on PETA's "Shopping Guide To Compassionate Clothing an Accessories"[14] Couch is a member, contributor, or donor to PETA (People For Ethical Treatment of Animals), Farm Sanctuary, and ARME (Animal Rights Media Education), as well as the Surfrider Foundation and Schools of Rock Nationwide.
References
- 1 2 3 4 Benson, Kristina (17 March 2011). "The Secret Day Jobs of Indie Musicians". www.laweekly.com. LA Weekly. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
- 1 2 3 Torres., Nichole L. (December 2008). "I Can Be Made In America". Entrepreneur Magazine. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
- 1 2 Calore, Michael. "Gallery: Best New Gear for Musicians, Fans". www.wired.com. Wired. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
- ↑ Rieva Lesonsky. http://www.successmagazine.com/taking-your-business-global/PARAMS/article/1053/channel/22 ,Success Magazine, June 2010, Taking Your Business Global.
- ↑ "Best In Show Highlights Top Products At NAMM". Music Inc Magazine. January 18, 2009. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
- 1 2 Erikson., Anne (April 15, 2010). "Interview: Nels Cline". Premier Guitar. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
- ↑ Couch Guitar Straps. http://www.couchguitarstraps.com/blog/?tag=tommy-kessler , Artist Page, photograph.
- ↑ The Official Gear Page of Tommy Kessler.http://www.tommykessler.com/#!gear , Artist Page, photograph.
- 1 2 3 4 Couch Guitar Straps. http://www.couchguitarstraps.com/artists.html , Artist Page, photograph.
- 1 2 3 Couch Guitar Straps. http://www.couchguitarstraps.com/blog/ , Blog, photograph.
- ↑ Fox Television, House, Season 2, Episode 3, "Fetal Position".
- ↑ Sony Entertainment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOXvqkC3W4M , Green Light, Beyonce.
- ↑ "'Win It' Wednesday: Vegan Guitar Strap". www.peta.org. PETA. September 23, 2009. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
- ↑ "PETA's Shopping Guide to Compassionate Clothing and Accessories: Vegan Companies". www.peta.org. PETA. Retrieved June 19, 2016.