Meet Mike Ingold
Ingold Audio Design Co.
Mike Ingold’s love of music, woodworking and fabrication have finally all come together in a new business venture with the opening of Ingold Audio Design Co. earlier this year.
Born and raised in the Detroit metro area, Ingold received a BFA from Grand Valley State University and a MFA degree from Kendall College of Art and Design. For the last 10 years, Ingold as been working as a Professor of Art and Design and the Wood Shop Technician for the University of Tampa while continuing to design, build, and modify guitars in his spare time.
While professionally Ingold’s focus has been seated in the field of Art and Design, specifically woodworking, he has been playing, recording, modifying, building, and collecting guitars since he was in middle-school.
In his free time from work, Ingold can always be found tinkering with his guitar gear; swapping out hardware, modifying circuits, experimenting with signal path, all in search of the (un-gettable) “perfect” sound.
METRO: What made you decide to open your own business?
INGOLD: Historically, I had always seen my interest in guitar as a hobby or side-project, but a few years ago I began posting images of the things I was working on in some guitar forums online. To my surprise, my work received a ton of positive feedback and interest. Designing and building guitars combines all of my interests and skill-sets into one perfect endeavor.
M: What inspires you and why did you want to make guitars?
I: Having been educated in the field of art and design, I have always been inspired by artists who take risks and operate outside the boundaries of popularity and acceptance. I have an immense respect for those who aren’t afraid to push the avant guard and question the norm. My favorite artist is Marcel Duchamp, who pioneered the idea that art can be anything that the artist says is art. For me, the guitar has always been a symbol of experimentation, rebellion, and freedom.
M: How long does it take to make a guitar?
I: I am a one-man show and every part of every instrument that comes out of my shop has been touched by me. It is faster to work in small production runs of three or four instruments at a time, but speed is not necessarily the ultimate goal. I actually prefer it when I get one-off custom orders so I can really focus on one guitar at a time and make it a singularly perfect object. Production can take as little as a week or as long as six weeks.
M: What is your favorite type of music?
I: I tend to lean into musicians and groups that have an experimental component to their sound, which can be true of music in many different genres.
M: Where is the best place to watch live music in Tampa Bay?
I: Our city is lucky to have a ton of great music venues, and I’m lucky enough to know a few of the amazing folks who help run them. I love what’s happening at the Floridian Social Club (formerly the State Theater) in St. Pete right now. Jannus is always a great place to see a show. My favorite place to both see and play music in Tampa has to be Crowbar in Ybor.
M: What do you like to do in your free time?
B: I’m a family man who loves spending time with my fiancé and our three kids. We are all movie-buffs, so we do a lot of family movie nights and still love going to the theater when we can. Aside from family, it’s all music. I am always playing in at least one, if not several bands in the Tampa Bay area. My next gig will be at Hooch and Hive on Mother’s day, where some local musicians and I will be playing a cover set of Depeche Mode’s greatest hits for all the moms.
— By Ronda M. Parag
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