RIP Mike Lull

[RocketMusic]

Oh, my gosh. Mike Lull has passed away. I'm so sorry to hear it. He was a great luthier, but more importantly he was a super, super human being.

Here's what the folks at Mike Lull Guitarworks had to say:

"It is with tremendous sadness that we share that our great leader and company’s founder, Mike Lull, unexpectedly passed away on the 12th of February, 2020.

Mike was a visionary and inspiration for the Music community, and he left his indelible mark on every instrument he ever touched and every customer he ever helped. In fact, Mike never considered anyone “customers”, they were all his friends.

Mike’s dedicated staff and family will be carrying on his legacy as this is what Mike wanted.

If you would like to send your condolences, feel free to reach out at [email protected] or stop by the shop at any time."

 

[ENDEENDEA]

Shocked,,,!!!!
Rest In Peace Kind Sir , You Will Be Greatly Missed.

 

[zon5string]

 

[bassicmike]

How sad.

RIP, creator of great basses.

 

[bdgotoh]

So incredibly sad, Mike was my favorite bass luthier of all time.

RIP Mike

 

[drumsnbass]

I just heard this! So sad.

mike was a prince of a guy!

Here with a Kubicki he helped me get refinished and re-built.

 

[John Isenhart]

Living in Bellevue near his shop, I actually got to meet and geek out on bass with him. Such a great guy and I'm really sad to hear this. I'm told that the shop and his family will be carrying on with the great work.
Such an icon in the area and nationally with those wonderful basses.

 

[BassManKK]

He was a really nice guy and a truly great Luthier. He had a passion for his work and for his clients. Like John I got to hang out in the shop with Mike, while he refretted my 35 year old Fodera, and talk bass with him for hours.

This is really sad news.

 

[direwolf333]

RIP Mike Lull

 

[MarTONEbass]

RIP, Mike.

Huge bummer. I never met him but he did fantastic work. I wish I still had that M5....

 

[RocketMusic]

Man, I'm still shaken up by this, but I do have some encouraging news to report on the Lull front.

I've currently got 2 custom builds on order with them, and both customers have said that they want to move forward with the builds. And then today, I just took a new order for another custom build!

So at least from my little corner of the world, it appears that folks are going to continue to seek out these instruments. I really hope that continues to be the case. There's a great operation in place out there, and all of the guys involved deserve a share of the stellar reputation that Mike enjoyed. Mike leaves some big shoes to fill, and I look forward to them getting that figured out.

Thanks to each of you who is staying the course with the orders!

 

[dedpool1052]

Was quite saddened to hear about this.
Mike did various work for me from '08 - '16.
Most notably, the overhaul of my Fender.
Black & tort, to gloss Kerry green & white pearloid. And a set of his T-bass pickups, this thing is a beast.
Had considered re-finishing it again, but after Mike's passing, having anyone other than him do it, just seems "wrong".
This beauty is staying just the way it is.

 

[RocketMusic]

Was quite saddened to hear about this.
Mike did various work for me from '08 - '16.
Most notably, the overhaul of my Fender.
Black & tort, to gloss Kerry green & white pearloid. And a set of his T-bass pickups, this thing is a beast.
Had considered re-finishing it again, but after Mike's passing, having anyone other than him do it, just seems "wrong".
This beauty is staying just the way it is.

That's a cool bass!

I've actually got a '75 Fender P that I'm having refinished right now by a guy out in Washington state that Paul @ Lull recommended. It's currently Natural with a Maple board and a black pickguard. Being in a Pink Floyd tribute band, I decided to have it refinished in gloss black to cop the Roger Waters vibe. I never play the Fender because my Lull P4 is just the perfect P bass for me... but maybe with the Fender in black, I'll at least start using it for the Pink Floyd gigs.

 

[Bogun]

Nice article in the Seattle Times about Mike today:
Mike Lull, the boss of bass guitars for bands like Heart, Cheap Trick and Pearl Jam, dies at 66

Man oh man will he be missed.

 

[TimBosby]

I just learned of Mike Lull's passing today. The man was a genius and made some incredible instruments. Gone too soon. My sincere condolences to all who knew him.

 

[crankypants]

Mike Lull Custom Guitars

 

[jibass]

from Mike's website:

MEMORIAL POSTPONED!
Regretfully, after much consideration and feedback from friends of Mike’s who are not able to attend due to public concerns surrounding the Coronavirus outbreak, we feel it is best to postpone the previous scheduled celebration of Mike’s life at this time. We look forward to having you join us at a future memorial where ALL who want to join us will be able to attend.
(Please check back for rescheduled Memorial this Spring)

 

[RocketMusic]

I just had a nice long chat with Spencer Lull, Mike's son. He is taking the bull by the horns, and they've got both sides of their business (Mike Lull brand instruments as well as repairs) going again. He says they have about 140 bodies in stock, and they're doing their best to match those bodies up with open orders and get instruments shipping again.

I recall Mike mentioning to me years ago that he had achieved his long term goal when they were shipping one Lull instrument per day. That was as big as he wanted to get, and he was tickled that demand had reached that point. Hopefully Spencer and the guys can get back to that pace sometime soon!

I've got two folks waiting on custom builds, and I'd be happy to get more builds going if anyone out there has something in mind!

 

[bdgotoh]

Spencer and the gang in the shop are getting things done! This was my first Lull from Greg and I'm already thinking of another order.

 

[RocketMusic]

Spencer and the gang in the shop are getting things done! This was my first Lull from Greg and I'm already thinking of another order.

View attachment 3908935

Thanks and congrats, Brad! She's a beaut!