Lance McCollum (1958 - 2009) was born in Southern California and showed an early aptitude from making things: from welding BMX bikes, designing jewelry to shaping surfboads. He made his first guitar from a Martin kit under the guidance of a local luthier and then went on to make approximately 250 guitars. Players of his instruments include Roger Hodgson of Supertramp, Martin Barre of Jethro Tull, Winfield Champion Todd Hallawell, and Mark Mancina and Doug Smith.

McCollum's specialty was guitars with “piano-like” tone. He was also well known for unusual instruments such as baritone, harp, and double-neck guitars. His “interwoven” rosettes were simple yet elegant and became his trademark.