Michael Conklin has been a lifelong lover of music.  Having grown up on a farm, in a tiny (I mean TINY.  They recently had the whole town carpeted) Oregon town, he taught himself guitar and other instruments and read a LOT back in the days before self curated entertainment.

After obtaining a business degree from the University of Oregon, he entered into the world of commodity, grains, produce, currency,  futures, and options trading and thrived there for nearly three decades.  During part of his career (frankly, the most distasteful part) he served as the CEO of a $60 million dollar grain/pulse/feed trading company.

Despite his professional career, he developed a keen interest in the art of Lutherie.  He developed his craft over the next 20 years as a side hustle and has now entered the field full time.

He owes most of his knowledge to The-School-Of-Hard-Knocks and, more importantly, Master Guitar Builder William Cumpiano of Northampton, MA.  The master's writings and one-on-one guidance nurtured what was once only a seed into a blossoming  25 year endless pursuit of perfection. He does not expect to build the perfect guitar, but he sure as hell is trying.

Retired from the commodity trade, he and his spoiled dog (Maggie) and one-smug-cat (Patrick Swayze) is also the proud dad of three grown children who are each pursuing what they want to pursue.

Which, is parenting perfection.  If you ask me...

Mike is enjoying a quiet life in the spectacular Pacific Northwest.  There is no better place to be.

Mike enjoys books, film, cooking, video games (although there is no time for THAT like there used to be) guitar building, guitar design, repair and  teaching others to build their dream. instrument and even how to play them.

He is currently pursuing sailing, backpacking/camping, Spanish and music theory (guess it's time to actually learn it).  He believes the brain is like a muscle: use it or lose it.

Mike is an extrovert with people he knows.  He talks too loud but is a laugh riot with people he loves and trusts.  He is quite a bit more guarded with strangers. Strangers can be spooky.

"...a bit strange, but quite likeable" - Anonymous

He dislikes the self-important (hello Karen), guitar finishing, lima beans and cleaning up dog poop.