Terrible news. I had the pleasure of talking to mike in person once. What a genuinely nice guy. Sad news indeed. RIP Mike!
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Condolences Tony. I know you knew him well. I'd only met him a few times at NAMM shows, really a great guy. So sorry to hear this.
Numb as well. There's a lot of guitar and bass greats lining up at St Peters Gate to meet Mike right now.
Sad to hear the horrible news.
I met Mike a few hears back when I had him work on one of my basses. I waited there as he did his work and ended up there many hours.
He was a genuinely warm-hearted person who treated me like a friend. I decided that day that one day I would own one of his basses. I haven't yet, but will.
I met Mike a few hears back when I had him work on one of my basses. I waited there as he did his work and ended up there many hours.
He was a genuinely warm-hearted person who treated me like a friend. I decided that day that one day I would own one of his basses. I haven't yet, but will.
Shocked and extremely saddened to hear of Mike's passing. I was lucky enough to live only a couple hours from Mike's shop and have been visiting it for the last 30 years. I've owned 7 Mike Lull basses and currently have 3. Very fine instruments made by a very exceptional man! Rest in Peace, Mike.
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I need to include this Bluesman Vintage DeVille as one of my Lull basses. When I got this bass, it was a barely playable mess. I sent it to Mike and told him to make it right. And did he ever! It says Bluesman Vintage on the headstock, but it has the heart of a Lull!
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Tonight gig with one of the last builds I got from him.
this is beautiful Tony.
I obtained a TC4 a couple years ago and has been my nonstop main bass since I received it.
I don't imagine ever parting with it.
I don't subscribe to Facebook, couldn't find any other confirmation online, so I called the shop and Paul confirmed.
Mike did a bunch of mods (pups, electronics, controls, bridge, paint, fretwork) last year on my Mustang (over there in my Avatar) when I had to move to a shortscale because of hand issues. The beauties he made cost more than I could afford. He never gave me any grief about having to work on my Fender, just beautiful workmanship, sound, and .... playability? I had it down there again in December for finishing touches. It's my regular instrument now. People ask about it whenever I have it out, and I've had a couple of offers, but have suggested they go to Bellevue and buy one from the guy who made mine look and sound so good.
Two days ago my sister-in-law was telling me she'd taken her cello (she's an excellent player) to some guy in Seattle whom she trusted, and we talked about how important it is to have someone you know and trust handle the musical instruments we love.
And I told her I knew exactly that kind of person and shop in Bellevue, who was passionate about working on electric basses in particular, and made some of the most wonderful basses in the world, and how blessed I felt that he was within an hour's drive.
I did not know him well, but I know his work, and will miss him, his craftsmanship, and his easygoing way with this one grateful old bass player.
Gonna think of Mike the next time I'm in a thunderstorm digging the Big Bass Player in the sky, knowing that Mike Lull is helping Him get some damn thump in that thing.
Mike did a bunch of mods (pups, electronics, controls, bridge, paint, fretwork) last year on my Mustang (over there in my Avatar) when I had to move to a shortscale because of hand issues. The beauties he made cost more than I could afford. He never gave me any grief about having to work on my Fender, just beautiful workmanship, sound, and .... playability? I had it down there again in December for finishing touches. It's my regular instrument now. People ask about it whenever I have it out, and I've had a couple of offers, but have suggested they go to Bellevue and buy one from the guy who made mine look and sound so good.
Two days ago my sister-in-law was telling me she'd taken her cello (she's an excellent player) to some guy in Seattle whom she trusted, and we talked about how important it is to have someone you know and trust handle the musical instruments we love.
And I told her I knew exactly that kind of person and shop in Bellevue, who was passionate about working on electric basses in particular, and made some of the most wonderful basses in the world, and how blessed I felt that he was within an hour's drive.
I did not know him well, but I know his work, and will miss him, his craftsmanship, and his easygoing way with this one grateful old bass player.
Gonna think of Mike the next time I'm in a thunderstorm digging the Big Bass Player in the sky, knowing that Mike Lull is helping Him get some damn thump in that thing.
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- Aug 21, 2003
- 11,621
- 18,706
- Disclosures
- A-Designs Mike Lull GK Tsunami Cables GHS Strings RMI Basswitch Nordstrand Pickups Darkglass
Proud to rejoin the club today - just so sad about Mike's passing.
In 2014 I met Mike when visiting Seattle, visiting from the UK. I just can't speak highly enough of how warm and welcoming he was, it was an awesome visit, perfect.
In 2015 I bought a PJ4, and stupidly sold it to fund a very special vintage Fender - though it turned out not to be one of my best moves. Thankfully I was lucky enough to correct that mistake today and get that same beautiful PJ4 back. It won't be sold again, not a chance.
Rest in peace Mike, God bless you, your family and the guys at the store.
And most pertinently, thank you Mr Lull x
In 2014 I met Mike when visiting Seattle, visiting from the UK. I just can't speak highly enough of how warm and welcoming he was, it was an awesome visit, perfect.
In 2015 I bought a PJ4, and stupidly sold it to fund a very special vintage Fender - though it turned out not to be one of my best moves. Thankfully I was lucky enough to correct that mistake today and get that same beautiful PJ4 back. It won't be sold again, not a chance.
Rest in peace Mike, God bless you, your family and the guys at the store.
And most pertinently, thank you Mr Lull x
Yes it is sad.
I hear what you're saying about his PJ4. I have one that I manage to buy used. Our sound guy loves it at church and it's pretty much the only place that I play
I hear what you're saying about his PJ4. I have one that I manage to buy used. Our sound guy loves it at church and it's pretty much the only place that I play
Seattle Times had a lovely story celebrating Mike's life
Mike Lull, the boss of bass guitars for bands like Heart, Cheap Trick and Pearl Jam, dies at 66
Mike Lull, the boss of bass guitars for bands like Heart, Cheap Trick and Pearl Jam, dies at 66
- Aug 21, 2003
- 11,621
- 18,706
- Disclosures
- A-Designs Mike Lull GK Tsunami Cables GHS Strings RMI Basswitch Nordstrand Pickups Darkglass
*Important Message from Mike Lull's General Manager, Paul Schuster*
In this shared time of grieving for our friend and mentor Mike Lull, I have been asked on a daily basis the same question: is the shop staying open? I want to state in a public way that the answer is unequivocally, YES. In fact, we have great plans for the future of Mike Lull's Guitar Works and Custom Guitars.
Every great company has a great leader, and every great leader knows that building a top-rate brand is done by a team, not an individual alone. While the loss of Mike will be felt deeply every day, fortunately for all of us Mike was always incredibly generous with his knowledge and mentor-ship and saw it as his duty to teach others, especially while doing work under his name.
Mike Lull Guitar Works will continue onward in every aspect including our Luthier work and manufacturing of high-end custom guitars, all through the lens Mike showed us. We will also continue to be a local and family-owned business. It has long been planned that Mike's son, Spencer, would join the company someday. This plan now has been accelerated and Spencer will be moving from Florida back to Bellevue in March and joining our staff as the Director of Sales and Marketing. We are all excited about the addition of Spencer and his desire to continue building a legacy company.
I first met Mike in 1985 where like many folks, I was allowed to hang out at his shop for hours on end, day after day, just playing music and talking guitars. I became Mike's very first Luthier apprentice in 1988 for about two years before heading off to tour in bands for several years. I came back to work with Mike ten years ago as his General Manager and have enjoyed spending every day with him, furthering our cause together of great guitars, great friendships, and a great work ethic to provide the best quality service in this industry.
Mike was an absolute gem of a human and I am personally as committed as ever, along with our entire amazingly talented staff, to continuing Mike's legacy and making him proud of every instrument that leaves this shop, now and for generations to come.
Peace in music,
Paul Schuster
In this shared time of grieving for our friend and mentor Mike Lull, I have been asked on a daily basis the same question: is the shop staying open? I want to state in a public way that the answer is unequivocally, YES. In fact, we have great plans for the future of Mike Lull's Guitar Works and Custom Guitars.
Every great company has a great leader, and every great leader knows that building a top-rate brand is done by a team, not an individual alone. While the loss of Mike will be felt deeply every day, fortunately for all of us Mike was always incredibly generous with his knowledge and mentor-ship and saw it as his duty to teach others, especially while doing work under his name.
Mike Lull Guitar Works will continue onward in every aspect including our Luthier work and manufacturing of high-end custom guitars, all through the lens Mike showed us. We will also continue to be a local and family-owned business. It has long been planned that Mike's son, Spencer, would join the company someday. This plan now has been accelerated and Spencer will be moving from Florida back to Bellevue in March and joining our staff as the Director of Sales and Marketing. We are all excited about the addition of Spencer and his desire to continue building a legacy company.
I first met Mike in 1985 where like many folks, I was allowed to hang out at his shop for hours on end, day after day, just playing music and talking guitars. I became Mike's very first Luthier apprentice in 1988 for about two years before heading off to tour in bands for several years. I came back to work with Mike ten years ago as his General Manager and have enjoyed spending every day with him, furthering our cause together of great guitars, great friendships, and a great work ethic to provide the best quality service in this industry.
Mike was an absolute gem of a human and I am personally as committed as ever, along with our entire amazingly talented staff, to continuing Mike's legacy and making him proud of every instrument that leaves this shop, now and for generations to come.
Peace in music,
Paul Schuster
- Nov 12, 2006
- 2,224
- 1,699
- 52
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist:Ernie Ball / mike lull
Mike and Paul have an excellent team there. Mike passed along his magic to this crew... I'll still have my next beast built by lull to add to my others. I always considered Paul and mike as one.
