Welcome to my website…. I would like you to consider this site to be your personal tour of the work that I do, and hopefully serve as an introduction to the world of custom engraving. For me, engraving and other forms of adornment has the power to elevate relatively ordinary items into the realm of high art, and the entire concept is really compelling to me.
Thanks so much for stopping by to take a look, and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Mike Morgan ~ Engraver
All of the work I do is especially designed for my clients, and each engraving is wholly unique. While there may be similarities, I do not repeat, reuse or recycle any of my designs from customer to customer.
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“In my 30 years of building drums, I’ve been fortunate enough to work with artists of many different genres, from Daniel Johnstone, to James Trussart and James Michels, to John Aldridge. Each of these has taken their art form and, by virtue of their own individuality, shaped into something that cannot really be defined as mere “engraving”. Indeed, their names define their work and Mike Morgan is one of the best examples of this that I can think of. His work is sublime, even when applied to the commonality of a 6.5 x 14” drum shell. He just has that rare ability to read a canvas before he ever lifts a graver to it.”
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I sent Mike a naked brass 6.5 X 14” A&F drum. To him, it was a blank canvas. I say to him, Surprise me, ’ and he did. It came back a masterpiece. What I love so much about this engraving pattern is that I think each person sees something different when they gaze upon it. It evokes something primal in each of us. It’s almost kaleidoscopic. From my perspective, I see an Asian man’s face with a long, curled mustache looking back at me. Mike is truly a master at incision engraving and his creativity seemingly knows no bounds
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“In addition to working with Mike professionally on engraving for Trick’s drums, I have become close friends with Mike and let me say in addition to his impressive engraving skills Mike is also a profoundly talented drummer as well as a brilliant engineer and critical thinker. Mike Morgan resides firmly in the asset column of humanity and the arts.”
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“Mike’s work is great! When I look at the A&F brass drum he engraved, the pattern just reminds me of all things spring, like blossoming flowers and baseball!”
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“I’ve known Mike Morgan for almost 25 years. He is a stickler for perfection and a pioneer in machine assisted hand engraving on Drums. If I was a bit more precise, we’d be twins (although I would be the prettier one).”
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One of things I love most about engraved drums, firearms, knives, rings, watches or anything, is that you are adding ornamentation to what would otherwise be ordinary garden variety objects. The simple addition of this esthetic embellishment increases the likelihood of these items being around for centuries. It could get discovered 50, 60, 70 years later; many engraved items are discovered centuries later! You know those objects are special the second you look at one. It just resonates that somebody put so much extra effort into it. Now there is a desire is to maintain or restore and preserve it, not to part it out or send it to a landfill. Any engraved items, especially modern ones, can last for hundreds of years.
By adding ornamentation, it’s no longer about a simple item, but more so an idea and esthetic. It becomes instantly more precious. Ornamentation is about taking an object that is relatively commonplace and turning it into something that someone, unknown to us and hasn’t even been born yet, will look at in 100 years and immediately cherish.
I specialize in incision style hand engraving. I am available to work on Musical Instruments, Firearms, Personal Effects, and Architectural Details, as well as framed art pieces. I will work directly with consumers, as well as large and small manufacturers.
Working in the area of consumer product design, I have manufactured and commercialized dozens of products resulting in sales which have exceed 5 million dollars in the last decade. I can help bring scaleability expertise to your team.
I have nearly 50 years of professional experience. Proficient at Drum Kit, Orchestral Percussion, Mallets, Mandolin and Highland Bagpipes. I am available for sessions and substitutions on short notice.
Having worked with the Office of Naval Research and the U.S. Department of Energy, I am experienced in Project Management, Team Building, Business to Business Outreach, Conference/Event Design & Execution, and market research. I also have extensive experience with custom created Focus Groups and new product marketability research.
Don’t hesitate to contact me.
I would be happy to discuss your project or answer any questions you may have about ordering a custom engraving. Please use this form to reach-out to me so we can arrange for a no-obligation consultation.