Repeat convention presenter Brian Michael started repairing instruments at Gryphon Stringed Instruments in 2002 and still loves it today. He makes custom electric guitars under the name Michael Guitars, and plays guitar in a San Jose band called Careless Hearts.
▪ bio current as of 2015
2025
AL#155 p.46
Alex Glasser Brian Michael
▪ Brian and Alex know the ropes. Around the repair shop, and in the GAL Convention spotlight. They teamed up in 2011 to present an info-packed tag-team workshop on guitar repair projects, and came back for an encore in 2014. Then, after a nine-year hiatus, they got the band back together for an appearance at our final Convention in 2023. Mentions Frank Ford. This is part one of their presentation. Look for part two in AL#156.
2025
AL#156 p.64
Alex Glasser Brian Michael
▪ Long ago, Brian and Alex worked together under the legendary Frank Ford in the Gryphon Guitars repair department. Brian still works there. Alex is on his own at Iron Horse Instruments. They presented demo workshops at GAL Conventions in 2011, 2014, and at our final Convention in 2023. This is part two of their 2023 presentation. Part one was in AL#155.
2016
AL#126 p.22
Alex Glasser Brian Michael
▪ Brian and Alex cover a number of interesting repair projects including crack repair and finish touchup on satin-finished guitars, cracked heel blocks, magnets, steamers, and even using a parked car as a neck heater. From their 2014 GAL Convention workshop.
2015
AL#124 p.48
Brian Michael Alex Glasser
▪ Even when an off-the-shelf OEM bridge is available, it might not be the best choice for an older guitar. Brian shows us his method of making a matching Martin-style bridge from the broken original. Alex goes a step further and reproduces a failed bridge from a Gibson SJ-200, which is complicated by pearl inlay and cutout wings. From their 2014 GAL Convention workshop.
2013
AL#115 p.48
Brian Michael Alex Glasser
▪ Brian and Alex discuss details of various repair jobs, including split pegheads, a severed uke head, and guitar soundboard cracks. From their 2011 GAL convention lecture.
2009
AL#100 p.14
Brian Michael Alex Glasser
▪ Michael and Glasser on how to install a pickup system in an acoustic guitar using a Fishman Matrix blend. From their 2008 GAL convention workshop.