About Michael
Since 1973
Michael began working in a music store in Kirksville, MO, right out of high school. Though the town is relatively small, the presence of two colleges contributed to a thriving music scene. He was almost immediately drawn to the esthetics and sound of stringed instruments.
In 1973, Michael opened his own shop: Mike’s House of Strings and began repairing guitars, mandolins, fiddles, and banjos. It was there that he built his first mandolin, patterned after an F-style Gibson.
In 1978, he moved to Springfield and ventured into custom cabinet design and building which he did for 27 years; but he never got over his love for the creative process involved in instrument building and restoration and continued to do that as a “hobby.”
Once his family was raised and on their own, he retired from the building industry and turned his attention to full-time instrument work. Michael had always wanted to try his hand at building a guitar and was finally able to do so. He finished his first one in 2022 and has since built two more.
He’s had the opportunity to meet some great musicians and work on some beautiful instruments.