Instructor

Some 40 years ago, Neil’s fascination was captured by a “taterbug” mandolin hanging on the wall of his college professor. And, as he put it, he was powerless to resist copying it. Soon to follow were several “flatiron” mandolins and other instruments. He was hooked. In 2001, he built his first carved instrument and became possessed. After studying and playing mandolins, from the classic Gibson oval holes and Loars to their modern copies, he fell in awe of the beauty and complexity of the art form begun by Orville Gibson in the late 1800s — the arch-top A and F-style mandolin. Over the years, Neil has built many other instruments on request, including acoustic steel-string guitars, electric guitars, resophonic guitars and ukuleles. He has used local woods and collaborated with local luthiers wherever he has lived — Indiana, Uganda, Michigan, Texas, and Tanzania. He and his wife, Christy, moved to Tacoma in 2024 to be near their two children and two granddaughters. Neil was introduced to BARN by a customer, and it has led to a number of great collaborations! Check out his website: MillerAcoustics.com