Gibson Backstage Heroes: Mike “Sarge” Cole, handcrafting your guitars for 39 years

Since 1987, Mike “Sarge” Cole has helped bring thousands of Gibson guitars to life, including yours.

Now, hear his story in the latest episode of Backstage Heroes, a new Gibson TV series shining a light on some of the longest-serving artisans at Gibson craftories in Nashville, Tennessee, and Bozeman, Montana.

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Mike “Sarge” Cole first joined Gibson in August 1987, beginning on the neck line, sanding the backs of pegheads and shaping heels on acoustic guitars. At the time, banjos, acoustic guitars, and electric guitars were all being built under one roof in Nashville, allowing Sarge to learn nearly every stage of the guitar-making process.

Over the decades, Sarge worked his way through the fingerboard line, branched out into other departments, and eventually reached final assembly, learning not only how Gibson guitars are built but also how each job affects the next in the process. Today, he works across repair, R&D, and the neck line, passing that knowledge on to the next generation of Gibson craftspeople.

Sarge explains why understanding the entire guitar-making process creates a greater sense of ownership and pride, and why every piece being worked on is more than simply wood—it is something being handed from one craftsperson to another on its journey to becoming your finished Gibson guitar.

He also reflects on the relationship between Gibson and Nashville, the artists and musicians who have passed through Music City, and one of the proudest and most emotional moments of his career: seeing the entire Gibson team come together to honor a longtime employee with his 40th anniversary guitar.

Sarge’s story is a reminder that the people behind the guitars are the heart and soul of Gibson, and what makes Gibson so special.

#GibsonTV #BackstageHeroes #Handcrafted

???? Related Videos To Watch Next:

▶Watch Handcrafted in Nashville, TN | Chapter I: Wood: https://youtu.be/sKLex9vQcmw
▶Watch Inside The Neck Line at Gibson USA | The Process S1 EP6: https://youtu.be/K5RzXCNnBvk
▶Watch Gibson TV's The Process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrWaZKKsthk&list=PL7qLGYJiRJ1iUMsYbI8Bze69xQhanONzn

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