MEET THE DUDEs
THE Tone King
Co-Owner
Since posting his first online gear content in 2006,
The Tone King (TK), has grown to be one of the best known, OG personalities in the online guitar community. TK’s encyclopedic knowledge of '80s hard rock music, extensive collection of '80s hard rock gear and over 15 years of online gear reviews, interviews and manufacturer collaborations, inspired him to join forces with BGC partner Luka Skalabrin to fill a glaring gap in the '80s-inspired gear market; U.S.-made, custom shop-quality instruments with true-to-era details that are accessible to a wider variety of players. Can you guess what his favorite band is?
Luka Skalabrin
Co-Owner
Luka is highly-regarded graphic artist and designer from Croatia who, like The Tone King, is a bonafide hard rock guitar fanatic. Luka's artistic skills and vision infuse every Badlands Guitar Company product with the spirit and vibe of the '80s Sunset Strip, bringing BGC customers the same high level of custom artistry that set '80s hard rock electric guitars apart from nearly every other instrument that preceded them.
Phillip McKnight
Co-Owner
Phillip McKnight is known for his expertise and insight in the business of gear and guitars. After owning and managing an independent guitar shop in the Phoenix, Ariz., metro area for a number of years, McKnight established his YouTube platform, sharing secrets about guitar maintenance, setups, production, product reviews, and the industry as a whole. As part of Badlands Guitar Company, McKnight plays a key role in helping BGC produce a superior, custom-shop level instrument that honors the sound and style of the Sunset Strip.
Co-Owner
Brian Olexy has been a professional communicator for over a decade and an amatuer guitar player for three decades. He has been developing content for TheToneKing.com since 2014. His passion is writing music and performing live any chance he's afforded to. He counts Steve Clark, Phil Collen, Steve Vai, and Izzy Stradlin as some of his earliest guitar influences.
