By FAITH STEWART
Michael Caveney launches successful 2nd act with unique
music store in Boring
Michael Caveney spent much of his career in computer logistics and software development. In 2013, approaching retirement, he and his wife, Christine, began brainstorming about projects that would combine hands-on craftsmanship with meaningful human connections. He knew he wanted to touch people, and touch things.
Though a musician himself—he played the saxophone—Michael wasn’t a guitarist. He was excited to soon have time to learn so he started looking around for a guitar to buy without spending a lot of money. He spotted an unusual Craigslist ad: a trade offer of a guitar for a chainsaw. Since he happened to have a spare chainsaw at home in his shop, he drove over to McMinnville and made the swap, only to bring his new guitar home and discover it didn’t work.
Undeterred, he had the guitar repaired, plugged it into an amp left behind when his stepson moved out, and began to play. It turned out that it was a really nice guitar after all. Soon after, a friend tried it out which led to “Hey, you want to sell this?” and a business was born. That moment sparked what would become Lorien Guitar Recovery.
It’s like a showroom and you can buy the wares
Starting small by selling online and at the weekend Farmers Market at Mt. Hood Community College, in 2022, Michael opened a store in Boring, at the corner of Dee Street ( Not “D” Street) and Highway 212. Today, the shop boasts an average of 300 guitars in-store, with another 300-400 in an off-site warehouse, many waiting to be refurbished and returned to the world.
“Saving the World, One Guitar at a Time”
The word “Recovery” is the heart of Lorien Guitar Recovery’s mission. “We’re taking things that are being thrown away or left in closets and getting them back into playability and into the hands of people who want to play,” he explains. What sets Lorien apart is its focus on reclaimed guitars. “If you look at our guitars — and there are beautiful guitars here in impeccable condition — 85-90% are used. However, 50-60% have never been owned by anyone.”
How is that possible? Well, many of Lorien’s guitars come from manufacturers and retailers who discard inventory that isn’t perfect. Some guitars have minor cosmetic blemishes, while others were returned by big retailers after not selling in time. Instead of sending them to landfills, companies like MIRC (Musical Instrument Reclamation Corporation) repair these instruments and distribute them to shops like Lorien. The store also takes trade-ins and consignments, and is a dealer for Nashville Guitar Works (a high quality brand that happens to be manufactured by a division of the same company mentioned above, MIRC).
Walking through Lorien Guitar Recovery is a rich sensory experience. The walls are lined with hundreds of stunning guitars, in every shape, color, and style imaginable. Alongside guitars, the shop also offers other stringed instruments, as well as wind and brass instruments, making it a go-to spot for students and musicians alike.
Whatís in a name
Lorien Guitar Recovery is named after a special place described in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” fantasy trilogy. Lothlórien, or Lorien, is a forest realm inhabited by the Elves, led by Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn. It is a place of beauty and tranquility. The name Lothlórien means “Dreamflower” and reflects its ethereal quality. Lorien Guitar Recovery aims to reflect many of these qualities.
Lost and Found
One of Michael’s most memorable stories involves a unique guitar called the Antonio Tsai Hand-Carved Dragon Telecaster. “A music teacher from Sandy High School brought this guitar to me,” Michael recalls. “I bought it, and for a year it sat in the shop, getting a lot of attention but not selling. It was a beautiful piece of art, but not for everyone.” One day, that same teacher came back into the store. “He said, ‘Oh, you still have my guitar!’ That got us talking, and I realized there had to be more to its history.”
A few weeks later, a man from Eugene who had never been to Boring before was in the area. He had heard of, and been curious about, Lorien Guitar, but decided he didn’t have time to stop. Still, when he actually drove past the store, on a whim he decided to go around the block and visit anyway. Caveney recalled, “He walked in, took one look at the guitar, and yelled, ‘Oh my God!’ I thought something was wrong, so I rushed out of my office. He looked at me and said, ‘That’s my guitar! I sold it 10 years ago, and I’ve always wondered what happened to it.’”
A Community Hub
Beyond selling instruments, Lorien has become a community gathering space. Musicians, students, and enthusiasts come to connect, trade stories, and find the perfect instrument to suit their needs.
Ron Preston, Secretary of both the Oregon Bluegrass Association and the Local #71 Grange on Bluff Road, was Michael’s first customer. Preston recalled his first business with Caveney and Lorien: “I had a broken left-handed guitar that needed work. The store wasn’t even officially open yet, but Michael opened the door for me anyway and said he could help. That’s the kind of person he is.” Ron’s network through the nonprofit Oregon Bluegrass Association as well as his involvement in bringing bluegrass concerts to the Grange on the second Saturday of every month, September through May, has brought many new customers to Lorien.
Can’t dance, canít read music, want to learn…
Another customer, Al Smith from Estacada, shared his journey: “Back when I was 13, I wanted to take guitar lessons but didn’t get to. A couple of years ago I decided I really wanted to learn. I went into a different large store three times, and not one person approached me. I found Lorien, walked in and met Michael. I told him, ‘I have no rhythm, I can’t dance, I can’t read music and I want to learn how to play.’ He said ‘Let’s do it!’ I now have five guitars from his store, and have probably been in to the store 30 to 40 times over the past 2 years. Michael’s a really bright guy who is interesting and does all the right stuff.”
Musician Lokie Thornton tells a similar story after starting to play guitar briefly in high school in Idaho. “There was really nowhere to learn so my guitar playing didn’t last long back then. The guitar went under the bed, forgotten. I love music and play more than a few instruments now. I had visited a few local stores here around Portland and no one was helpful. I drove through Boring past Michael’s store for a while and I finally had a chance to stop during the summer of 2023. It was a night and day difference… Michael’s knowledge is unparalleled. After we talked a while, he pointed me toward a red flame-bodied electric guitar on the discount rack. It had been refurbished completely, worth more than the price on the tag. My wife and both daughters now have instruments from Mike as well. His whole goal is to touch people with music — and he’s not about the money. It’s clear that Michael is sharing his gift with the world, and this speaks volumes to his character. I’ve watched him do the same with countless other people when I stop in regularly to just say ‘hi.’ If there were more people like Mike, this world would be a better place.”
Robert McGlothin, a teacher at Sandy High School noted, “Michael is a great guy. He has an enthusiasm for connecting people to music at whatever level they can access. From young beginners, to old beginners, he has something to offer everyone.”
A Personal Story of Resilience
Michael’s passion for Lorien Guitar Recovery is deeply personal. His wife, Christine, played a vital role in shaping the business’s vision. They dreamed of working side by side in the shop.
However, Christine was diagnosed with dementia, which now prevents her from participating. Michael shares, “We’re open four days a week because on those days, Christine has a full-time caregiver. The other three days, I take care of her.”
For Michael, Lorien Guitar Recovery isn’t just a business. It’s a way to stay connected to his community — and to his and Christine’s dream.
In fact, Michael’s connection to the business is a way of honoring his wife. Despite the challenges, he’s found that every interaction at Lorien, whether it’s helping a beginner pick up their first guitar or restoring a vintage model, feels like a tribute to their shared vision and the joy they both found in envisioning something meaningful together. The shop continues to serve as a bridge between the past and future of music, nurturing relationships with customers, and keeping their dream alive in every chord played within its walls. HVN