The Laboratory is an independent music store that opened this year in Blackwood N.J. They feature musical instrument sales and rentals (and accessories), music lessons for all ages, and repair services as well!
The are located in the Wawa shopping center at the corner of Somerdale Rd and Chews Landing Road. Directly across from Chews Landing Fire Hall.
The store features guitars, amps, pedals, synths, keyboards, recording and sound gear, microphones, and drum gear. Literally everything you need to take your music experience to the next level!
They also offer an online store, and any order of $29 is shipped free to the continental US. Details
The Laboratory: Independent Store With An Amazing Selection and Prices
The Laboratory is locally owned and managed by musicians! People who love music and performing so much, they wanted to help others in their own dreams of creating and performing music.
I recently caught up with owners Aaron and Farrah Barbarics, as well as store manager Stefan Hojnacki. The team gave me a tour and overview of the new store, as well as a walk-through of their adjacent music lesson space.
All three are musicians themselves, involved in several area bands and music events in South Jersey.
Aaron is the founder of the Laboratory and has been a guitar player for over 20 years. He has a lifetime of experience in the music retail business and previously operated a Lab location in Deptford for 10 years!
Stefan has been with The Laboratory since 2010 and as Aaron says…. “he is our MVP”. Stefan is also an instructor who teaches guitar and ukulele.
There is a LOT of music instrument knowledge with the core team, with decades of instrument sales experience… and also playing the instruments!
Which has enabled Aaron and Stefan to put together a really impressive product selection which covers all your musical needs with top brands at the best prices… without the cavernous size of a warehouse store.
I had a great time with The Laboratory team during my visit. Aaron, Stefan and Farrah are super nice people who know an incredible amount about the music instrument business and more. If you have any questions at all about a product, a problem, an equipment need for a gig, or even a repair… check in with them and I know they’ll be happy to offer help and suggestions.
Their goal is to get to know their customers, and offer them the best advice and customer service… while also offering an amazing musical instrument purchase experience.
From picks to pedals, sound gear to guitars… the Laboratory has it all!
The back wall is reserved for guitars… electric, acoustic, bass. And yes, even a nice selection of ukeles!
You can find something for an entry level player all the way up to high-end equipment used by touring pros… such as guitars from Ethereal and Knaggs!
A wide selection of Marshall amps line the center aisle of the store as well as other brands. You can pick up a smaller practice amp or go all the way up to amps to power your next large outdoor performance.
Keyboards and synths are on display as well as live and recording sound equipment… mixers, speakers and more.
And of course the full menu of smaller consumable items including drum sticks, guitar strings and picks are available as well as cables.
Don’t forget to check out the selection of guitar pedals. I mean seriously, a guitarist can always use one more pedal!
Music Instrument Lessons at The Laboratory
The Laboratory has taken on multiple suites at the shopping center and one store dow`n is the music lesson space.
The suite has been divided into several private lesson rooms.
Absolutely if you are taking lessons in a more portable instrument such as a guitar, you’re going to bring your own along… and they have amplifiers set-up for you to use.
And for larger instruments such as drums or keyboards, they are available in the private lesson rooms.
Currently the Laboratory website lists four different instructors covering; Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Ukulele, Upright Bass, Piano and Keyboard, Drums and Trumpet
They are adding additional instructors and instruments all the time, so be sure to reach out to the Laboratory if you have any questions.
Rentals – Everything!
Every piece of gear is available to rent. That’s right. Any guitar, pedal, amp, cymbal, snare drum, synth, bass, whatever. We have low rates for a weekend or a week
The Laboratory Website
That really says it all!
Well except for costs.. but that can vary widely depending on equipment and for how long the equipment is needed.
Because of those nuances the Laboratory does require that rental requests are handled in-person at the store.
The Laboratory team can also provide the full live sound setup and professional audio technicians for your next event.
Links and Location
The Laboratory
12 Somerdale Rd
Blackwood, NJ