Minarik Super Custom Series electric guitars are made in the USA. Minark also have a more affordable Studio X-treme Series, which is made overseas.

Source: Minarik Guitars website (23 May 2018)

Source: Minarik catalogs 2006 - 2017

Ralph S. Jones created the Micro-Frets brand in the 1960's.Ralph was an engineer and introduced some unique features on these orginal models:

Metropolitan Guitars is an Alamo Music Products retro electric guitar brand introduced around 1996. The Metropolitan Tanglewood is based on the National Glenwood map-shaped electric and the other Metropolitan models have a similar retro style. Metropolitan guitars were handmade in Houston and cost from $1695 to $3195 depending on model and options.

Source: Metropolitan Guitars website (10 May 2018)

Michael Dolan has been building custom basses and guitars in Sonoma County, California since 1977. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts from Sonoma State University, he went to work for a prestigious bass and guitar manufacturer where he learned the craft of fine instrument design and construction. Dolan and his staff build guitars and basses in all styles and designs, including: solid-body, arch-top, acoustic, neck-through, bolt-on, set-neck, and headless instruments. They also perform repairs and provide custom painting services. Custom necks and bodies, built to your specifications, are also available.

Source: Michael Dolan Custom Guitars website (24 March 2017)

Carl Mesrobian worked in the computer industry but was always playing music and working with wood in his spare time. He completed the furniture and cabinetmaking program at the North Bennet Street Industrial School in Boston, he opened his own workshop in Fort Point Channel, Boston. He then spent many years designing and making custom furniture, restoring fine antiques, and creating reproductions. He was also repairing guitars at this time which led him to making his first two archtop guitars. After attending Dick Boak's (of Martin) guitarmaking class Mesrobian was also encouraged by Bob Benedetto, and became a full time guitar maker specialising in archtop guitars.

Source: Mesrobian Guitars website (30 April 2018)

Mel-O-Bar instruments were made by the Smith Guitar Company (founded by Walt Smith in.the 1960s) . They were lap steel instruments mounted on a guitar body that could be played whist worn on a strap like a conventional guitar. This meant the fingerboard needed to be tilted at around 45 degrees to the body. Walt had five sons; four of which were involved in the business. Ted Smith the youngest son took over Melobar after Walt's death in 1991 and started Smith Family Music which carried on making Melobar guitars until around 2011.

Source: Melobar's Basement Genius. Guitar Player Magazine Sept. 1991

Source: Melobar website (Archived 2005)

Gerard Melancon was a professional guitar player before starting Melancon Guitars in Thibodaux, Louisiana as a custom electric guitar maker specialising in strat & tele style models.

Source: Melancon Guitars website (28 March 2018)

Stephen McSwain had been building guitars for several years in his spare time, before finally establishing McSwain Guitars in 1996 in a Los Angeles garage. McSwain is now a full time custom electric guitar manufacturer, making a limited number of guitars each year.

​Source: McSwain Guitars website (23 March 2018)

John McHugh is a luthier and a performing musician. As one of the few musicians that also designs and builds his own acoustic instruments, he has the chance to really refine his guitar designs.

Starting out as a self taught guitarist, John began making instruments seriously in 1978. His career as a builder took him away from performing, as most of his creative energy went into the guitars he was building. By 1998 John decided to devote more time to recording and performing: in 1998 he recorded "It's about time" and in 2002 he recorded "Songs in the Key of Wood".

His live repetoire includes both his own compositions and a variety of cover tunes spanning 40 years. Accompanied by a 2, 3, or 4 piece band he performs at a variety of venues and occasions.