MJ Franks OMD Bearclaw/Malaysian Blackwood #16-224 - Used  From Franks

Mike Franks passion for building traditional style acoustic guitars is a natural progression of his life-long love of fine woodworking. He has spent most of his life relentlessly perfecting his skills as a craftsman. Past endeavors have included professional antiques restoration, woodcarving, furniture building and the restoration of classic cars and boats. An avid pilot, Mike constructed his first full-sized airplane almost entirely of wood.

Mike fell in love with Bluegrass Music at an early age and scoured flea markets and second hand stores in his native Ohio for repairable or restorable fiddles, guitars and mandolins. After repairing and refurbishing the instruments, Mike sold or gave them to his musician friends. In later years after building his first guitar, Mike spent time apprenticing with a Master Luthier and Inlay Artist and began building guitars professionally. Mike continues to consult and spend time with other accomplished Luthiers acquiring and perfecting his skills.

An engineer by trade, Mike constructs his instruments with the belief that fine, repeatable acoustics have everything to do with solid design, choice materials and exacting construction. That is not to say that appearances are not important. To say that Mike is anal regarding the fit and finish of his instruments is an understatement. His selection of materials is as painstaking as his building style. Old-Growth Brazilian Rosewood and Master Grade Adirondack Spruce are favorites as well as Mahogany, Spruce and Koa. Mike builds about 10 steel strings and an occasional Resonator guitar per year. A majority of his customers are professional musicians.

Mike lives in Rochester Hills, Michigan with his wife Debbie and 2 teenage children. He is an instrument rated pilot and enjoys flying, bluegrass music, the Michigan outdoors and time spent with his family.