Bill Collings RIP

Obituaries and remembrances
of steel guitarists, their friends and families

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Drew Howard
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Location: 48854

Bill Collings RIP

Post by Drew Howard »

Master luthier 8/9/1948 – 7/14/2017

http://www.collingsguitars.com/
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Henry Nagle
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Joined: 8 Jan 2004 1:01 am
Location: Santa Rosa, California

Post by Henry Nagle »

Oh, I'm really sorry to hear this. I met him once when I showed up at the Collings factory for an impromptu tour. He was very gracious and friendly and I recall being amazed that he was so easy-going. He just seemed excited about guitars.
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Andy Volk
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Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Boston, MA

Post by Andy Volk »

His name is synonymous with high quality and he was someone who stayed passionate about his craft and the quality of his instruments.for his entire career. His guitars and mandolins will live on for generations.
Steel Guitar Books! Website: www.volkmediabooks.com
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Michael Johnstone
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Joined: 29 Oct 1998 1:01 am
Location: Sylmar,Ca. USA

Post by Michael Johnstone »

I've played his mandolins and they're second to none. Tricky instrument to build correctly. More like making a violin. Wow. World class luthier no doubt. I hope the company keeps going somehow.
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Robbie Bossert
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Joined: 5 Feb 2000 1:01 am
Location: WESCOSVILLE,PA,U.S.A.

Post by Robbie Bossert »

Ray Benson played one that Bill built for him in his memory last night at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside, PA... Sounded as beautiful as it looked..

RIP Bill..

Robbie
Emmons LeGrande III Pedal Steel. '54 Gibson lap steel, Peavey Nashville 1000, Nashville 400, Telecaster,Banjo, Peavey Power slide Lap Steels ,Effects, and other assorted crap.....
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Herb Steiner
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Post by Herb Steiner »

Michael Johnstone wrote:I've played his mandolins and they're second to none. Tricky instrument to build correctly. More like making a violin. Wow. World class luthier no doubt. I hope the company keeps going somehow.
Collings Guitars isn't a one-man shop like most steel luthiers. The company employed over 90 craftsmen, so if Bill had a financial and ownership chain of command succession in place, the company will carry on.

I don't know if it's been mentioned here, but Bob Taylor passed away recently as well, he the founder and honcho of Taylor Guitars. Again, a major producer of acoustic guitars.
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.

Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg?
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Jerry Jones
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Location: Franklin, Tenn.

Post by Jerry Jones »

Maybe a different Bob Taylor? I think guitar Bob is alive and well. It's been reported that succession plans are for Andy Powers to take a new leadership role in Taylor Guitars future.
Jerry Jones
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Herb Steiner
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Location: Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064

Post by Herb Steiner »

I thought for sure the article I read regarding Bob Taylor's death was about the guitar builder... perhaps it was another Bob T.
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.

Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg?
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Jim Cohen
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Location: Philadelphia, PA

Post by Jim Cohen »

Herb Steiner wrote:I thought for sure the article I read regarding Bob Taylor's death was about the guitar builder... perhaps it was another Bob T.
Prolly this one: http://tinyurl.com/y76amdt8
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