Mike Lipe began building guitars in the mid 1970s while working at Killeen Music,^{[citation needed]} a music store in Burbank, CA.^{[citation needed]} Eight years later, Lipe left to work for guitar manufacturer Mighty Mite.^{[citation needed]} In 1983, he started his own business and became L.A.'s original Guitar Doctor. ^{[citation needed]}After six years of building and customizing guitars for some of the most respected musicians in Los Angeles, Lipe's business was purchased by Ibanez in 1989.^{[citation needed]} While with Ibanez, Lipe was chosen among many other expert luthiers to create a custom guitar shop on the West Coast of the United States, in which he was the master builder of electric guitars for several prominent guitarists such as Joe Satriani and Steve Vai.^{[citation needed]} After leaving Ibanez, Mike began working for Yamaha, where he stayed for two years.^{[citation needed]} Over the next several years, Lipe worked for several prominent guitar manufacturers including Hofner and Fender.^{[citation needed]} During this time, Mike Lipe created and customized guitars for various internationally renowned electric guitarists and bassists.^{[citation needed]}

Owner and Master Luthier of "Lipe Guitars USA" - founded in 2000.^{[citation needed]} Located in Los Angeles County, California.^{[citation needed]}

• Mike Lipe Interview - NAMM Oral History Library (2016)