Mullen pedal steel guitars.

• Author: Peterson, Eric
• Position: COLORADO COOL STUFF

Growing up in Eastern Colorado with his ear glued to country radio, Del Mullen started making steel guitars in the early 1970s for himself before going full-time with Mullen Guitar Co. by the end of the decade. Today Mullen makes about 100 guitars a year, selling to such big-name musicians as Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Robert Randolph and Carrie Underwood. "My granddad is a perfectionist," says Mullen's grandson Mike Mantey, the company's sales and production manager. "His whole thing is making the...