Fender vs Gibson: Battle of the Employee Guitars
Comparing two of the most unique guitars we've had in the shop; one Fender, one Gibson - both employee builds, both '60s, both one-of-a-kind.
Mike & Mike’s Guitar Blog
Welcome to the Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar blog! We're Seattle, WA-based and specialize in vintage gear preservation, curation, and restoration. Subscribe for gear history, service/repair technique breakdowns, noteworthy instruments, and more.
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Latest posts
Addendum: The Accidental Brilliance of the Maestro Vibrola VMB-1-2
A broken vibrato is right twice a pitch.
Maestros & Side-Pulls & Bigsbys, oh my!
The development and timeline of Gibson's various vibratos in the '60s
We have the Mustangs and we're voting YES
A close-up look at Ben Gibbard's altered '70s Mustangs from Death Cab for Cutie & The Postal Service
Back in Time: Never Before Seen Images of the C.F. Martin Factory
A trip back in time to 1978, via a trove of never-before-seen photos courtesy of Tokai Gakki.
Bluegrass in Japan
How America's liveliest genre of roots music found a second life on the slopes of Mt. Fuji
To Bleach or Not to Bleach (Your Nuts)
Either way, we're boned.
Nobuhiro Mine: Guitar Guru and Surf Legend
Yamaha, Roland, Guyatone and a look at one of the Japanese guitar industry's (relatively) unsung heroes.
Queens of Tone: Abby Ybarra
Explore the extraordinary career of Abigail Ybarra, known as the "Queen of Tone," who handcrafted pickups for Fender's most iconic guitars. Discover how her meticulous craftsmanship and dedication shaped the legendary Stratocaster sound loved by guitarists worldwide.
Queens of Tone: Maricela Juarez
Explore the remarkable career of Maricela "MJ" Juarez, the mastermind behind iconic pickups for guitar legends like Billy Gibbons, Slash, and Eric Clapton. Discover her journey from an unlikely start to becoming the head of the Seymour Duncan Custom Shop, celebrated for her meticulous craftsmanship and deep personal connection with clients.