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Vintage inspired guitars handmade in England by Mike Bowes

M.B. Guitars was formed in 2020 by myself, Mike Bowes, a vintage guitar fanatic and luthier of 15+ years.

It was whilst I was training under the well known luthier Martin Sims (SimS Custom) that I saw a lot of vintage guitars coming through the workshop door for repairs, re spray work and set ups. I found myself working on some special projects over the years, working on vintage guitars and basses for the likes of Peter Frampton, Leo Lyons (Ten Years After), Norman Watt Roy (BlockHeads) to name a few. This is where my love for those classic 50's and 60's guitars started.

Over the years, I experimented with different ageing processes on my own guitars that I built to try to get an authentic looking guitar that sounded and felt like the originals, after seeing a lot of lower quality aged guitars that started appearing for sale on the market. My guitars were then sold on my website 'Operationstrat'.. (a nod to my favourite guitar!) and I received a lot of praise and positive feedback on how the guitars played, felt and looked.

I kicked things back off in 2020 with M.B. Guitars, which is dedicated to offering the very best handmade vintage inspired guitars based on the originals, built using original processes, and only the best components and parts available today.

My guitars offer an authentic look, feel and sound, which is built around the players needs.

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What makes them special

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See what customers are saying...

Tomo Fujita
I love that guitar very much! I was stunned by the details you are making… so light and amazing! I am really enjoy playing it. The front pickup is so great for jazz guitar! They are so well balanced. This guitar is so much fun to play, it is simply amazing! It sounds incredible!
Guido G.
I can’t put your guitar down. This neck is so great to play, it’s fat but very comfortable and my hands are small! The action and playability is just fantastic. Very nice dynamics from clean to crunch just by the right hand. If you dive a little harder into the strings, you get some nice compression in the sound. Very subtle, just like in the good old days. It really is a fantastic guitar and on the way to be my number one.
Jarret H.
I have had the pleasure of owning two of Mike’s guitar builds; a 63-S in Lake Placid Blue, as well as a 59-S Hardtail. Being fortunate to have owned actual vintage guitars, I can say that Mike’s attention to detail, quality woods, parts, appointments, and customer service are unmatched in the industry! His ageing work in particular is impeccable! If you are looking for an amazing vintage “S” or “T” style guitar that feels, looks, and plays like a vintage model, then look no further!
John C.
I received the guitar yesterday and played it just a bit. It is a superlative instrument. A little early to say, but I’m pretty sure it is my favourite strat ever (I currently own a ’56, a ’58, a ’60, a ’62, a ’66 and a ’69).  Might be time to sell some of those...
Michael M.
The guitar arrived and it’s really great. I love the way you did the color and relicing, but more importantly it sounds really really good. Thank you for the great build and customer service. I might have to get in line for a second in the near future. (HE DID!)
Chris L.
The guitar arrived earlier, and I really meant to let you know straight away, I haven't been able to put it down! It's insane! It looks, plays, and sounds amazing; really close to the real thing. The finish is incredible. I love the neck profile too - really nice amount of chunkiness, again, really authentic (...and that flame!) But the best thing is that you can tell how much love, care and respect has gone into the build.
P.J.
It has arrived indeed and it is glorious! The neck is just right for me. Your whole ageing work is just spot on, what we in Sweden call “Lagom”, and the mics are very well balanced. I’m fascinated by the middle pos right now because it just is very different. Remarkably clear with many highs. But all positions sound great in their own right.But wow, you do love your craft Mike, because the whole build and intonation just overflows with love and pride of craftsmanship. I’m, as I think you can tell, just infatuated with her. Thank you Mike, you are very good at this and I’m very happy I ordered a guitar from you.
J. Crimando
WOW!! Incredible guitar. Resonant and Alive! Voiced beautifully and the neck feels just great! Truly, I'm chuffed to bits! Simply cannot wait to get home from work tonight and spend hours playing this magnificent guitar. I'm blown away by how great your work is and just want to say thank you so much.
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About M.B. Guitars

In 2008 I started out with SimS Custom/Enfield Guitars where over the years I worked on vintage guitars and basses of Peter Frampton, Leo Lyons Ten Years After), Norman Watt Roy (BlockHeads) and Dave Swift (Jools Holland Band) to name a few.

In 2020 M.B. Guitars was created. Dedicated to offering handmade vintage correct replicas. After years of experimenting with ageing my own guitars, I've honed the process of creating authentic replicas. I combine original processes and the best components available today for an authentic look and sound, built on the player's needs.
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