Me-MJ

made

Meadow

I began making carbon guitars in Jan./09. They are made in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

Dating Meadow guitars

The label shows a serial number, date of manufacture and is signed. It is located on the lower bout and is sealed into the epoxy and would be impossible to remove. [Source and images: Mike Pawson, Meadow Guitars, email 29/10/2012]

Mean Gene

1988-1990

Mean Gene made 30 custom guitars made between 1988 and 1990.

http://finetunedinstruments.com/

Mean Street Custom Guitars

1998 to present

Michael Floyd makes reasonable priced custom guitars channeling the spirit of Eddie van Halen in Pensacola, Florida USA.

Meazzi

Meazzi Brothers = FRAtelli MEaZzi. Meazzi was a popular label based in Milan, Italy, producing and distributing a range of instruments and drums.  Four phases of production:

Post WWII production in Sicily a Framez brand.

From around 1957 production of guitars and double basses like Framez and Meazzi, with and without Wandrè.

1962 - guitars by Panati in Stradella (PV)

1963 - 1969 Hollywood series.

After 1969 Meazzi continues to distribute entry-level acoustic guitars using Asian ? Japan manufacture. [Source: Fetish Guitars ]

Image eBay:

Medallion

Medallion guitars, Made in Japan

Images eBay:

Jeffrey Medlin

2006-

Jeffrey Medlin, luthier Mt Dora Florida, USA. Making guitars fulltime since 2012

Image eBay:

Megas Guitars

1989 to present

Luthier Ted Megas, date of manufacture on label inside. Portland, Oregon (formerly San Francisco).

Dating Megas guitars

http://www.ducksdeluxe.com/megas.html

Meinel & Herold

1893-?

Meinel and Herold, Klingenthal / Saxony, Germany, founded: 1893. A distributor and possibly a manufacturer of instruments including violins, accordions, harmonicas and guitars.

History of Meinel and Herold

http://www.fetishguitars.com/index/misc_de.html

http://www.musikkeller.com/d/meinel.html

Image of page from 1910 Meinel & Herold logo eBay - [click thumbnail for large version]:

Meisterwerkstallin

Found one only example with this brand name on ebay - apparently made 1974.

Melancon

Gerard Melancon is the owner operator of a small, American guitar making company located in Thibodaux, south Louisiana, USA.

Dating Melancon guitars

Use the Melancon guitars registry lookup to find your guitar's specifications

Image courtesy of Lucidology - the Gear Page:

Mello

current

John F Mello, Kensington, California, USA

http://www.johnfmello.com/interview_main.html

Mellowtone

Image Mellowtone guitar made by Kasuga ? 1960s

Melo

current

Josep Melo, luthier, Sabadell, Spain

Images eBay:

Melobar

1967 to present

In 1967 Walt Smith, one of the original patent holders on the Steel guitar,  teamed up with Semie Mosely of Mosrite guitars to build his patented tilt-neck Melobar stand-up steel guitar. The Smith family make slide and steel guitars.  ? around 2007 Melobar was purchased by Black Canyon Guitar which specialised in selling small luthier instruments.

Images 1965 Mosrite Melobar, designed by Walt Smith and built by Semie Mosely. Serial No. 022 North Coast Guitars Australia

MeloDuende

2009 to present

The MeloDuende (Aluminium guitars) project is born in a studio/workshop into a precision engine shop, located near Dijon in Burgundy. [Source: Jeremy Sachoux et Sebastien Dreyer. MeloDuende Guitars, 6 rue Fevret. 21140 Semur en Auxoisemail, email 19/4/2010]

Dating MeloDuende guitars.

The serial number is engrave inside the body.  Example:

The serial number is M37D112009.
M =model
D= day

followed by month and year.
The first Meloduende number is M01D041996.

http://www.fetishguitars.com/index/melody70.html

European

Melody

Japan

Images eBay:

Melody King

Images eBay:

Melofonic

Melofonic guitars - Made in USA 1930s,40s

Image eBay

Melville Guitars

1988 to present

"I have been building guitars under my own name since 1988. I worked with Chris Kinman for about 6 years (91 to 97) doing repairs and, under C.K's instruction, made the occasional electric under the Kinman name. The acoustics were my own thing and were not connected to Chris Kinman in any way. Naturally working with C.K doing repairs enabled me to refine my skills as a builder. I built a few 'Melville's' each year for various people astime permitted.

I worked from home until 2002 when I moved into the premises at Milton.

Dating Melville guitars

Each one will have a label inside the sound-hole which has the serial number, date of completion and the name of who it was built for if it was a custom order.

My most popular model is my 000/OM style.

A friend of mine recently did a rough calculation that over the last 20 years I have probably repaired, handled and inspected well over 9000 guitars.

To date there has only ever been one available second hand ( a dreadnought) which was to make way for a more 'up-spec' model (a 000/OM) for the same owner. The trade in was sold almost immediately." [Source:  Chris Melville, email 12/8/2008 ]
Custom hand made acoustics. Milton, Queensland, Australia

Memphis

1970s-80s. Memphis guitars ? Imported to US by Kaman?

Image below courtesy Lang Atwater, email 3/4/2013

Claudio Meneghelli

current

Switzerland

Images courtesy of Classic Guitar:

Menestrel

"The Menestrel was a separate line, built in the same factory where Seagulls are built. Serial# 8938 was made in 1985" [Source: Michel, Godin Guitars, email 23/10/2008]

Michael Menkevich

1970 to present

Etkins Park, Pennsylvania. USA

http://www.maui.net/~rtadaki/menkevich.html

Mensfeld

Apparently Mensfeld worked for Parker at some stage.

http://meatexz.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=809

Image USA Mensfeld Iron Cross guitar eBay:

Terje Mentyjærvi

1999 to present

Electric guitars. Nøtterøy, near Tønsberg, Norway

Mercurio

2003-2005

Luthier Peter Mercurio. Electric guitars featuring interchangeable pick up system. Chanhassen, Minnesota, USA

Mercurio bio at Musicians Hotline

Pics

Images Boston Guitar Works:

Mercury

Following from Mercuryguitars.com on Wayback Machine.

Mercury Guitars were made in Berkeley California, USA. Web site was up 1998-2000.

Model specs

ARTEMIS [ Picture left]
24 5/8" scale length
alder body
single coil pick-ups
one piece bridge
eco-groovy finish
maple neck
granadillo fingerboard
color choices- peach, mint, or black

EL GRANDE
26.1" scale length
mahogany and maple body
hand -wound pick-ups
fully adjustable bridge
maple neck
ebony fingerboard
mojo tone chambers
bound fingerboard and body
color choices-bursted black or toast brown
she's the "more to love" Mercury
Prices

Artemis- $960 w/ hardshell case
El Grande- $1920 w/ hardshell case

Mercury Guitar Company

This Mercury Guitar Co guitar from ebay was apparently made around 1993-94.  Reportedly less than 20 made. Most of the neck, body and parts were handmade including the pickups.

Merlin

Merlin brand. Made in Japan. ? made by Teisco

Images 1960s Merlin electric guitar eBay:

Mermer Guitars

1983 to present

Luthier Richard Mermer, Sebastian, Florida, USA

Merrill and Company

1998 to present

Merrill Brothers are Jim and Dave Merrill. Williamsburg, Virginia.

Image Folkway Music, Merrill

Image 2009 Merrill & Co

David Merrin

current

David Merrin, luthier Olney, Buckinghamshire

David Merrin Bio

Images courtesy of Classic Guitar:

Merson

see Univox

Luis Feu de Mesquita

Greenwood, Ontario Canada

Interview

Mesrobian

1995 to present

Carl Mesrobian, premium archtops. Salem, Massachusetts, USA

Image Archtop.com

Messenger

1968-1971

Musicraft Inc. started in 1967 by Bert Casey and Arnold Curtis, at 156 Montgomery Street, San Francisco.  Intending to expand Messenger production, Casey and Curtis relocated to Astoria, Oregon, in 1968, but the company quickly disappeared.  Aluminium neck guitars and also some amplifiers have the Messenger brand.

Messenger Guitars story at Guitar Player

http://www.fetishguitars.com/html/misc/usa/messenger.html

http://www.myrareguitars.com/emessenger.html

Tribute models are being released by Eastwood Guitars.

Image Messenger Guy Flickr

Metcalf Guitars

2004 to present

Luthier Tim Metcalf, makes guitars in his home workshop, Greeneville TN USA. Tim is a 45 year old Engineer turned self-taught part-time Luthier. My first guitar was built loosely on the William C book and was such a hit with other musicians I just could not stop. Main interest is building bold dreadnought bluegrass guitars but dab into OM's, 00's, MJ's and whatever strikes a fancy. Building about 8 to 10 guitars a year for the last 4 years and loving every minute of it!

Dating Metcalf Guitars

Serial Number includes date code and are consecutive with the year followed by the sequence no. (example 0855 would be 2008 55th guitar)

[Source: Tim Metcalf, email Aug 2008]

Metoro

Metoro Ukuleles and guitars. Nagoya Gakki Seisakusho, Made in Japan

Images Yahoo:

Metropolitan

1995 to present

Retro stye electrics. Made in USA

Mewburn

1972 to present

Meyrick Guitars

2007 -

Richard Meyrick guitars, South Wales, United Kingdom

"I have been making guitars under 'Richard Meyrick Guitars' since 2007. I have a workshop just outside Usk, a town in South East Wales, UK.

Dating Meyrick guitars

I sign and date the underside of the soundboard as well as having the month of manufacture on the label. I don't use serial numbers as I find it simple enough to use the date and model name to identify guitars; so far I haven't made two of the same model guitar in one month.

I've attached a picture of the label I use and my headstock logo; not all my guitars have logos, but they do all have labels." [Source: Richard Meyrick, email 22/7/2010]

Miami

1920s

? Distributor Miami was a brand name used by distributor Henry Stadlmair c1925

see Stadlmair

Michas Custom Guitars

Chris Michas studied at the Roberto-Venn lutherie school in 2003. [Source: Roberto-Venn ]

Michaud Guitars is based in Northern Ontario, Canada. Father & son, Renaud & Philip make guitars & violins.

Micheletti

Rick Micheletti, Millets, California, USA

Leonardo Michelin-Salomon

Handmade classical guitars, Oslo, Norway

Micro Frets

1967-1974

2004-5

Founded by Ralph S Jones in Frederick. Produced less than 3,000 guitars and basses (20 different models) in Myersville, Maryland USA from 1967 to 1974. Brand was revived again in Frederick in 2004-5 by Will Meadors and Paul Rose.

http://microfrets.homestead.com/guitars.html

http://www.toneshed.com/documents/serialarchives.html

http://www.audiogrid.com/guitar/index.html

Images eBay:

Microfrets - Signature electric guitar - this model was made 1967 though 1969.  Note serial number on neckplate.

Rik Middleton

1994 to present

Image  Middleton:

L. MIDTTØMME

Norway

http://www.steinnes.net/gitar/index.html

Mid West Company

Image Mid West guitar from eBay:  Reportdly 1930s, faux painted to look like patterned wood. Tuning pegs made by Kluson Mfg Co, Chicago.

Migma guitars

http://meatexz.com/cheesyguitars/guitars_germany.html

http://jazzgitarren.k-server.org/othersddr.html

http://www.fetishguitars.com/index/misc_de.html

Migma Hollowbody http://www.wietsesguitars.nl/pagina5.html

Images German Migma Elektra Vibromatic ebay:

Mignon

Mignon guitar Made in USA ebay

Milburn

1990 to present

Luthiers Orville and Robert Limburn make custom classical guitars Sweet Home, Oregon, USA

Miles 2000

??

Images Miles 2000 guitar eBay:

Miller

1960s

by Egmond, The Netherlands

http://www.daisybelle.nl/nedgit.htm

Alastair Miller

Made in Canada

"Developed an interest in guitar building in 1993 when introduced to local Toronto luthier Joeseph Yanuziello.  After several years of odd jobs and traveling attended Sergei deJonge’s guitar making course in Oshawa, Canada and as a result was hired by Sergei to work for The deJonge Guitar Co. Worked with Sergei for a little under two years before venturing off to start own shop in Montreal where he spent a year developing his own brand.  At the end of the year went back to Toronto to open another shop. Spent the first year back in Toronto working alone, then had the pleasure of sharing my space for a year with fellow deJonge guitar co. apprentice Mark Kett." [Source: Wayback Machine]

Henri Miller

Henri Miller, luthier from Poussay, France

Images ebay

Ian Milne

Tauranga , New Zealand

Milton

Image Sakura

Minarik Guitars

current

Luthier M.E. Minarik solid and chamber bodies, Van Nuys, California, USA

Forum http://theguitarwall.com/forum/index.php?board=22.0

Minerva

1930s-1940s

Minerva guitars were distributed by T Eaton Co in Winnipeg Mb. Canada in the mid 1930's. Some appear to be made by Harmony per  http://harmony.demont.net/brands.php  [Image source]. This brand, however, also appeared to have models made by Arthur Hensel and the American Guitar Company [Guitarsite].

Mirabella

1997 to present

Cristian Mirabella, custom archtops, flat tops, hollow and solid electrics, Babylon, New York, USA

Mirada

Nothing known about this brand, Help needed

Images eBay:

Mirage Guitar Works

1979-2006

Mirage Guitar Works.

Way back, while he was still in high school Paul Gobat began tinkering with guitars. Not just your average garage band thing, but actually working to see how the instruments worked, how they played, and how to make them better.

Being a crack student in Design Engineering at his local technical school, it didn’t take long before Paul saw that there was a long way to go before the guitar was the way he thought a guitar should be. So, using the woodworking and metalworking skills taught to him by his toolmaker father, he began to experiment and refine what has turned out to be a lifelong passion.

His first production guitar was sold in 1979. The Mirage Mindbender featured a cast polyester body and specially designed pickups along with a very carefully shaped neck for optimal playability. By 1982 Paul had built nearly 1000 units which garnered the attention of Guitar Player Magazine who featured the instrument in its May 1982 issue. Suddenly, many famous artists began to embrace the company and demanded that Paul put more of his many ideas into production.

Now, after all these years Mirage has been transformed into a company that offers a range of premium acoustic and electric guitars once reserved for the professional at startingly reasonable prices. Compare Mirage guitars, feature to feature, with those by any other company. You'll agree that Mirage offers the best workmanship and the greatest value available. [Source:Waybackmachine]

Only 50 guitars of the same model were produced at one time with electric models limited to 500 guitars in a series. The acoustic series- since they are so labor intensive to design and prototype- were ongoing models with an occasional deletion or addition to the line.

The acoustic versions included the B series (D style solid spruce/solid mahogany w/abalone, 6 or 12, cutaway or full bodied), C series (jumbo solid spruce/tiger maple w/abalone, 6 or 12, cutaway or full bodied), F series (F style solid spruce/indian rosewood w/wood binding, 6 or 12, cutaway or full body), G series (solid cedar top, sycamore back and sides, bolt neck, full body only), E series (solid sycamore top, sapele back and sides, bolt neck, full body only), and the F612 (6/12 doubleneck, solid spruce top, indian rosewood back and sides, bolt necks, cutaway only). The B, C, and F were also available with electrics. All included hard cases except the doubleneck which had a gig bag.

The electrics included the Beram 1 (H/H 6 string), Beram 2 (S/S/H 6 string), and Beram 12 (H/H 12 string); the Biggs 1 (H/H 6 string), Biggs 2 (H/H/H 6 string), and Biggs 3 (soap/soap 6 string); and the Ervin (S/S/H 6 string). All included hard cases.

In 2006 there was a catastrophic fire that destroyed the factory, warehouse, and all the tooling.  [Source: Paul Gobat, Mirage Guitar Works LLC Harmony Central]

Images [Geoff Shaw, Liverpool UK email 2/9/2011]

Mirage

1974-

Made in the USA. Earliest Mirage guitar was built in 1974.

Mister Peters

see Mr Peters

Mitchel

Mitchel with one L guitar. Made in USA stamped in sound hole.

Images eBay:

Mitchell

1963-?

Images Mitchell Jet guitar eBay:

Mitchell

current

Mithell is a Guitar Center house brand. [Source: WikiAnswers]

Image eBay:

Bill Mitchell

1979 to present

Riegelsville, Pennsylvania, USA since 2002. Not sure where before that.

Mitre

1983-1985

Mitre guitars were solid guitars made in Aldenville or East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, USA from 1983 to 1985. [Source: Vintage Guitar Price Guide ]

1985 Mitre guitar ad from eBay

Image left Demont Guitars

MJ Guitar Engineering

1993 to present

Mark Johnson. MJ Guitar Engineering is located in Belgrade, MT about 90 miles north of beautiful Yellowstone Park