Mike Doolin
An exceptionally innovative force in the Pacific Northwest acoustic community, Portland-based luthier and guitarist Mike Doolin is revered for pushing the boundaries of modern acoustic and harp guitar design. Blending a background as a highly experienced professional musician with a deep, scientific approach to engineering, Doolin founded Doolin Guitars in 1995 and spent over fifteen years crafting highly sought-after, handmade custom instruments.
Known for trailblazing ergonomic and structural innovations—such as his signature double-cutaway body styles, adjustable neck joints, and pinless bridges—Doolin’s instruments have been prized by world-class recording artists, including Esperanza Spalding, John Stowell, and Muriel Anderson. Alongside his mastercraft builds, Doolin is a widely published author and educator for the Guild of American Luthiers, sharing his expertise on advanced acoustic topics globally. Though he retired from full-time, professional commission building to return to his first love of performing jazz guitar, Doolin’s pioneering contributions to contemporary luthiery continue to be celebrated by collectors and musicians alike.
