On the Bench
Heavy Metal Paint Shop
April 18, 2011 | 
Author What a month for Rock N Roll in the Paint Shop!! Along with KK Downing of Judas Priest, Michael Wilton of Queensryche and John Levin of Dokken, last week got calls from CJ Pierce of Drowning Pool and James Young from Styx… both of whom have guitars on the way!!
Here is is posing with the blanks. And below, KK Downing’s artwork (no clear yet).
Posted in Completed Pieces, News and Events, On the Bench | 
Tags: Colorado, custom finish, custom paint, denver, dokken, drowning pool, electric, Judas priest, mike learn, queensryche, styx | 
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Custom 7-String Builds on the Bench
Mike is currently building 2 new custom-spec’d 7-String Flak Jackets. One righty, and one lefty. The lefty is for a return customer, Dave. The project is coming along quickly and he hasnt forgotten about the Left-hand mods even once yet!!
Stay tuned for updates on this project.
Posted in News and Events, On the Bench | Tags: 7 string, build, carved body, Colorado, custom, denver, electric, flak jacket, luthier, mike learn, neck-through | No Comments »
Rudy’s RR – BASKET CASE to ROCKER!!
This RR was sent to us by a repeat customer. It was a “Basket Case” abandoned project that he picked up and sent to Mike to transform. Check it out!!
Posted in Completed Pieces, News and Events, On the Bench, Restoration and Repair | Tags: Colorado, custom finish, custom paint, denver, electric, luthier, mike learn | No Comments »
CELLO Restoration Project
Here is a project that is a little different than Mike’s normal fare…. he is doing a full restoration on a Classic John Juzek 1932 Stradavari Cello.
We picked this up via Craigslist while looking for a cello for Micah who has started orchestra this year in school. It has proven to be not only a challenge, but a great inspiration for Mike.
Underneath 5 layers of thick paint, Mike has discovered a beautifully figured curly maple back and sides with a spruce soundboard. He also found evidence of past restoration.
Additional cracks had to be filled and cleated. The sound post and finger board are missing and have to be made. Check out the progress!!
Posted in News and Events, On the Bench, Restoration and Repair | Tags: archtop, cello, Colorado, luthier, mike learn, refinish, repair, restoration | No Comments »
Mortal Sin 3D: The Treasure Hunter Custom – For Sale
“I really wanted to do something artistic with this guitar. I wanted to make a monster player out of the last few pieces of Koa that I had. This instrument certainly lives up to that expectation. I went a little overboard with the looks on this one, but sacrificed nothing regarding its smooth playability.”
SPECS:
- Alder body Mortal Sin 3D Carve
- Koa Neck Bolt-on
- 16″ radius Ebony 24 fret fingerboard with Jumbo Frets
- 25.5″ Scale Length
- R5 Nut
- Bridge Humbucker, Neck Single Coil
- Single Volume with Channel Switcher
- Chrome Floyd Rose Bridge
- Seymour Duncan SH4 JB Pickup
- Grover Chrome Tuners
- Treasure Hunter Custom Finish
This beauty is fresh off the bench and available for sale for just $2400 with case!!
Posted in Completed Pieces, Instruments for Sale, On the Bench | Tags: carved body, Colorado, custom, custom finish, custom guitar, custom paint, denver, for sale, mike learn, mortal sin | No Comments »
The Night Hunter – F.A.V. Style Custom Build FOR SALE
This is the latest custom build from the LearnGuitars Studio!! Built to be a shredder – a utilitarian “beat-the-snot-out-of-it-keep-it-simple” guitar. It has a ton of sustain, great playability and the looks to back it all up.
SPECS:
- 24 Fret F.A.V. (Full Access V) Style
- Maple neck-through, string-through body construction with Alder wings
- Bound Maple 16″ radius fret board with custom bullet hole inlays and Jumbo Frets
- 25.5″ Scale Length
- 1 3/4″ Nut width
- Single Humbucker
- Single Volume
- Tun-O-Matic Roller Bridge with Gibson string spread
- GHS High Output pick up (aka Dime-bucker – VERY HOT)
- Left-handed Headstock with Gotoh tuners and skull tuner knobs
- Custom BF109 Messerschmidt Night Hunter finish
This beauty is fresh off the bench and available for sale for just $1900 (no case)!!
Posted in Completed Pieces, Instruments for Sale, News and Events, On the Bench | Tags: Colorado, custom, custom finish, custom guitar, custom paint, denver, electric, FAV, for sale, full access, inlay, luthier, mike learn, neck-through, Warhawk | No Comments »
Flourescent Swirl Experiment
Break out the funk and bellbottoms and check out the newest LearnGuitar Experiments!! Mike is working on perfecting the really Old School Swirl technique. Check out the first batch fresh outta the bucket:
Posted in News and Events, On the Bench | Tags: Colorado, custom paint, mike learn, swirl paint | 1 Comment »