Mike Lipe Guitars Master Builder Of The Ibanez Artist Shop

[glip22]

Not a name I knew and then I read his experience and credentials. A one man shop and some very unique stuff. Mango tops.Special Neck joint. Humbucker Magnets split to match the middle and neck on SSH configurations. Split to outer humbucker coil to give authentic strat tones. Rig_Talk likes boutique. This guy hand built Curt Cobain's Starfield guitar on display. He was teh Master Builder for the Ibanez Artist Custom shop where Vai, Satrianni, Gilbert put him through hell trying to satisfy them But he did. Not a name I have seen or heard around here. I spoke with him today and what a nice guy as well.
http://www.lipeguitars.com/html/index.html
About Mike:

Mike Lipe is one of the most respected names on the Los Angeles music scene. He has been playing guitar for over 36 years, and has had more than 25 years experience building and customizing guitars for some of the biggest names in music.

Starting in the mid 70's, working in a music store, Mike learned the demanding craft of woodworking and finishing from an old violin maker. After eight years at the music store Mike left to work for guitar manufacturer "MIGHTY MITE". In 1989 Mike went into business for himself and became L.A.'s original "Guitar Doctor". After six years of building and customizing guitars for some of L.A.'s most respected musicians, Mike's business was purchased by IBANEZ in 1995. At IBANEZ Mike helped to create a custom guitar shop on the West Coast where he was a master builder of fine guitars for IBANEZ endorsers throughout the United States. After leaving IBANEZ, Mike went to YAMAHA. Here he worked on the assembly and quality control of the "PACIFICA" line of guitars for two years.

Mike worked for HOFNER (known as music group) , FENDER warranty service center for World Music in Santa Clarita C.A and is on his own as LIPE GUITARS U.S.A. Is now doing warranty service in the USA for "ZEMAITIS GUITARS"

Guitars that are hand built, by a master.

ARTISTS:

Steve Vai
Joe Satriani
Brian May(Queen)
Carlos Santana
Randy Rhoads(Ozzy Osborne)
Jason Backer(David Lee Roth)
Paul Gilbert(Mr. Big)
Richie Kotzen(Mr.Big/Poison)
Reb Beach(Whitesnake/Winger)
Dough Aldrich(Whitesnake/Dio)
Andy Timmons
Blues Saraceno(Jack Bruce/Poison)
Alex Skolnick(Testament)
Jennifer Batten(Michael Jackson/Jeff Beck)
Rudy Sarzo(Ozzy Osborne/Whitesnake/Dio)
Rocky George(Suicidal Tendencies)
Tracy Guns(LA Guns)
Michael Angelo Batio
Sting
Paul Stanley ( Kiss)
Kurt Kobain (Nirvana)
John Fogerty
David Bowie
Martin Barre (Jethro Tull)
Scott Henderson
Frank Gambale
Otis Rush
Tommy Shannon (Stevie Ray Vaughan)
Coco Montoya(The Bluesbreakers/Albert Collins)
Charlie Sexton
Steve Hunter (Lou Reed)
Jimmy Vavino
Mark Karan
Bob Gross
W.C Clark
Ivo Stan

 

[glip22]

Lots of Ibanez, Vai, Satch, Gilbert fans here and no one know of Mike

 

[fek]

I can't say I did know of him. Pretty cool read. Thanks.

 

[glip22]

I can't say I did know of him. Pretty cool read. Thanks.

I always knew allot of the pros were not playing exactly what was produced. Now I know for sure. These guys wee playing hand carved guitars made by Mike himself. Pretty cool to be able to get one now. I am sure there are design copyrights on the stuff he did for all these Artists with Ibanez. But if someone wanted something similar, he can build it for you with a few differences to negate the copyright laws. If you wanted a guitar like Vai, or Satch actually played, he can do it. Pretty cool. Give him a call. Alot of fun to talk to. He seems to be one of those guys that's been around for a long time and known only by the pros for the most part. His guitars are well priced considering his options. No CNC. All hand carved, When you pick it up it has that handmade vibe and resonates, rings out. Perfect finish and fret work. I am not affiliated in any way. I just think hes a cool find. I knew nothing about him.

 

[garey77]

Sweet!

 

[bigdaddyd]

Lots of Ibanez, Vai, Satch, Gilbert fans here and no one know of Mike

Speak for yourself.

 

[glip22]

Lots of Ibanez, Vai, Satch, Gilbert fans here and no one know of Mike

Speak for yourself.

Never said I was a fan did I? Lots of them on Rig_Talk. Hes also hand built guitars for these guys. If you don't like any of them, you don't like music.

Steve Vai
Joe Satriani
Brian May(Queen)
Carlos Santana
Randy Rhoads(Ozzy Osborne)
Jason Backer(David Lee Roth)
Paul Gilbert(Mr. Big)
Richie Kotzen(Mr.Big/Poison)
Reb Beach(Whitesnake/Winger)
Dough Aldrich(Whitesnake/Dio)
Andy Timmons
Blues Saraceno(Jack Bruce/Poison)
Alex Skolnick(Testament)
Jennifer Batten(Michael Jackson/Jeff Beck)
Rudy Sarzo(Ozzy Osborne/Whitesnake/Dio)
Rocky George(Suicidal Tendencies)
Tracy Guns(LA Guns)
Michael Angelo Batio
Sting
Paul Stanley ( Kiss)
Kurt Kobain (Nirvana)
John Fogerty
David Bowie
Martin Barre (Jethro Tull)
Scott Henderson
Frank Gambale
Otis Rush
Tommy Shannon (Stevie Ray Vaughan)
Coco Montoya(The Bluesbreakers/Albert Collins)
Charlie Sexton
Steve Hunter (Lou Reed)
Jimmy Vavino
Mark Karan
Bob Gross
W.C Clark

 

[glip22]

You guys should check him out. Even if just to talk. Hes got allot of Artist stories. These guys will not just play anything for sure. He can tell you who was the hardest to satisfy and why. Cool stuff.

Case Ave. Ibanez Endorser Shop
The Ibanez custom shop on Case Ave. was entirely for Endorsers and R&D. The Case Ave. Ibanez shop had a small team featuring three main people, master builders Michael Lipe & Mace Bailey along with Artist Relations Chris Kelly from Texas. The guitars produced here were made exclusively for the Ibanez endorsed artist, none would be resold or made for customers or dealers. They built nearly everything that was on MTV with a reign from 1989-1994. It should be noted that the Case Ave. employees were paid directly from Japan.
The duties of the Case Ave shop were crystal clear... build custom guitars for the endorsee to their liking. They did everything from making the bodies, necks and doing the paint. Once completed, they were also responsible for the upkeep of the artist's guitars, ensuring they would meet their demands with use. If this were not enough, they were also responsible for research and development. This ranged from making the prototypes and modifications for many new Ibanez models, especially the Starfield Project. For example the Burnt Stained Blue JEM was born in the Case Ave shop. In addition, most of Ibanez color samples came from Case Ave.
There were some unsubstantiated reports that the H&S Shop (Ibanez Shop for Customers) was a joint effort between Fender Japan (Hartfield) and Hoshino (Starfield) to assemble and paint guitars in CA. Regardless, it is estimated that H&S had around 12 or 15 workers, maybe less.
It should be noted that for the most part, the two Ibanez Custom Shops (H&S and Case Ave) did not work together. There were times when the shops would would help each other however. For example, when one shp needed wood or more frequently for parts. It should be noted that the Case Ave shop was hired by H&S to paint a run of vintage sunburst RG's or Starfields. This was because the master builder at Case Ave had the most experience in painting.

 

[Mailman1971]

Very cool!!! Sounds like a helluva axe!!!

 

[bigdaddyd]

Lots of Ibanez, Vai, Satch, Gilbert fans here and no one know of Mike

Speak for yourself.

Never said I was a fan did I? Lots of them on Rig_Talk. Hes also hand built guitars for these guys. If you don't like any of them, you don't like music.

Steve Vai
Joe Satriani
Brian May(Queen)
Carlos Santana
Randy Rhoads(Ozzy Osborne)
Jason Backer(David Lee Roth)
Paul Gilbert(Mr. Big)
Richie Kotzen(Mr.Big/Poison)
Reb Beach(Whitesnake/Winger)
Dough Aldrich(Whitesnake/Dio)
Andy Timmons
Blues Saraceno(Jack Bruce/Poison)
Alex Skolnick(Testament)
Jennifer Batten(Michael Jackson/Jeff Beck)
Rudy Sarzo(Ozzy Osborne/Whitesnake/Dio)
Rocky George(Suicidal Tendencies)
Tracy Guns(LA Guns)
Michael Angelo Batio
Sting
Paul Stanley ( Kiss)
Kurt Kobain (Nirvana)
John Fogerty
David Bowie
Martin Barre (Jethro Tull)
Scott Henderson
Frank Gambale
Otis Rush
Tommy Shannon (Stevie Ray Vaughan)
Coco Montoya(The Bluesbreakers/Albert Collins)
Charlie Sexton
Steve Hunter (Lou Reed)
Jimmy Vavino
Mark Karan
Bob Gross
W.C Clark

I think you misunderstood. You said no one has heard of him. I have heard of him before your post.

 

[stephen sawall]

Interesting read ....

 

[jcmlespaul]

thank you for posting!

 

[NOE_1942]

Mike is a personal friend of mine. Great guy. Despite all his credentials and every reason in the book to be a snob.... he's not. nicest most laid back guy you'll ever meet. Aside from building some amazing looking/playing instruments.... He'll work on your 6k dollar PRS or your $150 Squier with the same quality and attention to detail.

 

[rupe]

I've heard of him and his namesake guitars...never knew his resume though

 

[glip22]

Mike is a personal friend of mine. Great guy. Despite all his credentials and every reason in the book to be a snob.... he's not. nicest most laid back guy you'll ever meet. Aside from building some amazing looking/playing instruments.... He'll work on your 6k dollar PRS or your $150 Squier with the same quality and attention to detail.

Same impression I got of him. When we spoke it felt like I had known him for years.

 

[Devin]

Yep Mike is a very cool guy, and he designed one of my favorite guitars ever.....the Starfield Cabriolet <3

I emailed him and sent him pics of my guitar and he actually remembered it, and spoke with me about it.


Mine was handmade by another Ibanez legend (Mace Bailey) in the LA Custom shop

As far as I know, Mace and Mike were pretty much the only two guys running the LA Custom Shop around that time (1990-1992)

Bad pic, but you can see the "LA Custom Shop Mace Bailey" on the back of the headstock

 

[glip22]

Yep Mike is a very cool guy, and he designed one of my favorite guitars ever.....the Starfield Cabriolet <3

I emailed him and sent him pics of my guitar and he actually remembered it, and spoke with me about it.


Mine was handmade by another Ibanez legend (Mace Bailey) in the LA Custom shop

As far as I know, Mace and Mike were pretty much the only two guys running the LA Custom Shop around that time (1990-1992)

Bad pic, but you can see the "LA Custom Shop Mace Bailey" on the back of the headstock

He and Mace ran the Ibanez Artist shop. The Starfield he built for Curt Cobain is on display at Guitar Center Walk Of Fame. I here the Starfields were excellent guitars. Nice. Ritchie Kotzen owned or owns one of these also.

 

[Devin]

He and Mace ran the Ibanez Artist shop. The Starfield he built for Curt Cobain is on display at Guitar Center Walk Of Fame. I here the Starfields were excellent guitars. Nice. Ritchie Kotzen owned or owns one of these also.

Yep, and I am a massive Kotzen fanboy (see my avatar?) . He actually inspired me to start playing guitar so I wanted a Starfield Cabriolet ever since. As I'm sure you know, they are quite difficult to find.

So when I stumbled across this handmade LACS version, I nearly shit my pants. The wallet came out instantly


It is indeed an amazing guitar!!!

 

[glip22]

 

[enginecrafters]

I have a ibanez mace bailey la custom shop 93 whats it worth strat style cream color see through with a killer maple neck seymour pickups but not a via model?