Nickel is the one-man show behind Flyway Guitars, Alton’s own guitar-making and restoration business. Started two years prior, the DIY luthier operates his business out of his home, where he has honed ...

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. As one of the world's most popular instruments, the electric guitar is the primary instrument of many musicians and songwriters nowadays.

Michael Nickel stands in his garage workshop in Alton on Oct. 24, 2025, where he handcrafts electric guitars as part of his business, Flyway Guitars. By day, Michael Nickel works a desk job in the ...