ACME Instruments

It’s been a little more than a week since the one and only Steve Melkisethian shuffled off this mortal coil. The photo here is a framed collage of sorts that has adorned my shop wall in various locations. There is an ‘Off the Wall’ article from an 80’s issue of Guitar Player show Steve deep in a hustle at an early NYC Vintage Guitar Show. Below that is some legal tender that was a holiday gift to Angela Instruments employees.

I’ve struggled to come up with the words for an adequate tribute. He was a titan in a game he helped pioneer, a devoted family man, a gifted storyteller(and photographer!), and loyal friend. He also kept the gear of the DC punk scene in better than working condition.

Last but not least he cajoled me into building my first tube amp, and inspired me to just start doing the stuff I dreamed of. Steve was a DIY Johnny Appleseed, and showed me you didn’t need extensive technical schooling or experience to be creative and even innovative.

Thanks for everything Steve!