I first met Bill Collings in Houston around 1979 or 1980 when I had a small guitar shop in the Montrose area. I also repaired instruments and got to know Bill when he came into my shop one day. I was also good friends with Rick Gordon, a Houston-based guitar player, and Bill had made an extraordinary acoustic for him. Shortly after seeing Rick's guitar, I ordered three guitars from Bill: two rosewood dreadnoughts and a mahogany 000. There was no Collings label or inlay on these guitars. I asked Bill to sign them so the signature could be seen in the soundhole, which he did. I sold the two dreadnoughts and kept the mahogany 000, which I play to this very day. Concidentally, in 1989, I bought a house between Dripping Springs and Oak Hill on a street call Rim Rock Trail. One day, I was driving around the other side of the street to go to the store and noticed an office warehouse with 'Collings' on the mailbox. Not believing it could be Collings' workshop, I stopped and went in and there was Bill. He gave me a quick tour of his (then) new digs. Bill would ride his motorcycle around Rim Rock Trail and, if I was outside working in the yard, he would stop and chat for a while. His newer factory is located across the street from Rim Rock Trail. Rest in peace, Bill. I feel honored to own an instrument that you made, personally, and I will always treasure your memory with every note I play.
Love this so much. RIP Bill. Such a huge loss, but so happy to see the collings brand still going strong and still making the highest quality instruments. It is Collings consistency that sets this company apart. And as if this short film couldn't get any better, they start picking Mississippi John Hurt's Candyman at the end.
I've seen Martin in Nazareth and Taylor in SD. and this is way more hands on work. Actually seems a bit primitive. The only thing is that all the design work was hashed out years ago by Martin and Gibson and all this is just refinements. Hats off to Orville, Loyd Loar, CF Martin and all his offspring. And the gentle Mississippi John Hurt.
Collings guitars are truly awesome... but they're priced so high that they dash the dreams of so many that would ever want to own one. It doesn't HAVE to be that way. I believe quality does not necessarily have to be sacrificed for real affordability. R.I.P. Bill.
I’m gonna guess that nobody at Collings dies w too much money in the bank. Thank you BC and RIP, and Thankyou to COLLINGS who carries on with a wonderful mission, and produces absolutely wonderful joy to this world.
@@American-Dragon I bought a Guild D-55. Unbelievably great sounding, great looking, and very well built guitar. Admittedly not too cheap, but a bargain compared to a Collings... and to my ears, sound every bit as good.
I first met Bill Collings in Houston around 1979 or 1980 when I had a small guitar shop in the Montrose area. I also repaired instruments and got to know Bill when he came into my shop one day. I was also good friends with Rick Gordon, a Houston-based guitar player, and Bill had made an extraordinary acoustic for him. Shortly after seeing Rick's guitar, I ordered three guitars from Bill: two rosewood dreadnoughts and a mahogany 000. There was no Collings label or inlay on these guitars. I asked Bill to sign them so the signature could be seen in the soundhole, which he did. I sold the two dreadnoughts and kept the mahogany 000, which I play to this very day.
Concidentally, in 1989, I bought a house between Dripping Springs and Oak Hill on a street call Rim Rock Trail. One day, I was driving around the other side of the street to go to the store and noticed an office warehouse with 'Collings' on the mailbox. Not believing it could be Collings' workshop, I stopped and went in and there was Bill. He gave me a quick tour of his (then) new digs. Bill would ride his motorcycle around Rim Rock Trail and, if I was outside working in the yard, he would stop and chat for a while. His newer factory is located across the street from Rim Rock Trail.
Rest in peace, Bill. I feel honored to own an instrument that you made, personally, and I will always treasure your memory with every note I play.
Great to have Bill Collings documented in this way.
Bill was the man! Collings guitars are amazing
Condolences to the Collings family on their loss. And encouragement to the factory to keep up the spirit of the man who wouldn't compromise too much.
RIP Bill.
a wonderful visit, thank you very much
RIP GENIUS!
NOW YOUR IN THE BIG SET UP ROOM IN THE SKY!
YOU TAUGHT ME A LOT, SIR!
I love that Sergio has a Legend of Zelda logo hat. That would look good on the bridge. Zelda themed Collings guitar would be quite sweet.
Love this so much. RIP Bill. Such a huge loss, but so happy to see the collings brand still going strong and still making the highest quality instruments. It is Collings consistency that sets this company apart. And as if this short film couldn't get any better, they start picking Mississippi John Hurt's Candyman at the end.
Oh, that's a bawdy tune. I can hear old John Hurt's gentle voice right now.
The best guitars and the best strings in my opinion.
I've seen Martin in Nazareth and Taylor in SD. and this is way more hands on work. Actually seems a bit primitive. The only thing is that all the design work was hashed out years ago by Martin and Gibson and all this is just refinements. Hats off to Orville, Loyd Loar, CF Martin and all his offspring. And the gentle Mississippi John Hurt.
I had no idea he'd passed. Is there a child of his going to take over operations?
cool
Collings guitars are truly awesome... but they're priced so high that they dash the dreams of so many that would ever want to own one. It doesn't HAVE to be that way. I believe quality does not necessarily have to be sacrificed for real affordability. R.I.P. Bill.
I’m gonna guess that nobody at Collings dies w too much money in the bank. Thank you BC and RIP, and Thankyou to COLLINGS who carries on with a wonderful mission, and produces absolutely wonderful joy to this world.
@@RS-ku9qc That might be true... but their guitars are STILL too dang expensive. Just like Santa Cruz, and Huss & Dalton, and others. It's plain fact.
Go used bro, or save up; you will love it more.
@@American-Dragon I bought a Guild D-55. Unbelievably great sounding, great looking, and very well built guitar. Admittedly not too cheap, but a bargain compared to a Collings... and to my ears, sound every bit as good.