I own two Doolin guitars - a classical and a steel string - both double-cutaway, 24-fret instruments. Each is built to my specifications.  They are magnificent!

     For more than a decade, I had looked for someone to build my dream guitar.  I found good luthiers, but I needed a great one, as I wanted the perfect instrument for me.  Then I found Mike Doolin, and he handcrafted not just one but two guitars, each producing the quality of sound I want without compromising either aesthetics or ease of playing.  Whether I’m recording in a studio or performing live, my Doolin guitars have  the bright, yet warm, sound I want. 

     Mike Doolin builds his guitars from the finest tone woods and designs them  with a unique bracing system, which allows for a longer neck.  His superb craftsmanship gives his instruments the ability to maintain consistency of tone in all registers, producing a harp-like sound in the upper register while allowing the bass response to remain warm and rich.  With my Doolin guitar, I am able to perform a wider range of music than I found possible with any other acoustic guitar.  

     My classical guitar has a 1-7/8-inch custom-width neck, smaller than standard,  which makes it easier  for me to play; my hands are small and the narrower neck brings the strings closer together.  The double cutaway, which gives a Doolin guitar its distinctive look, allows me full access to the 24th fret.  The electronics on both guitars are superb - Doolin uses the b-band pick-up system - which delivers a pure rich sound with no distortion or drop off.

     In addition to being a recording artist, I also teach the guitar, and with my two Doolins, I can show my students a wide range of styles - classical and rock, electric and acoustic, upbeat and mellow.  The sound is so pure that I have decided to re-record my album, Where the Mountains Touch the Sky, with a Doolin guitar.

     These radical double cutaways have several unique aspects, including a pinless bridge and saddle system, which allows me to change the strings easily, and a construction that permits fast action.  What I get is a guitar that is comfortable in my hands, easy to hold, beautiful to look at, and, best of all, sounds spectacular!