To think that Bill couldn't even play a chord on the guitar. Thank you for your art and work. Every time I play my Collings I am blown away by the sound. You were the man. RIP
I love it - 'we put way too much time and thought into it; that's what we do, we don't know anything else'. Love how he honors the skill of his employees. If all the world approached life more like Collings Guitars builds guitars, this world would be so different!
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.
Would you be willing to sell the mahogany 000, maybe in 2-3 years? Would like to keep in touch if that might be a possibility down the road. Kind regards!
I have Martins and Taylor's. Yet I already see the quality built into Collins guitars.Been Playing for 53 years and have taught and sold many midrange guitars. Have learned that names don't always make great guitars but great guitars have Special woods, sound ,feel and craftsmanship built within. Definitely will check out Collings guitars!
The secret to building a great acoustic ... or even a hollow or semi-hollow, electric guitar, is in how well you incorporate a myriad of wooden parts to sound as one.
i heard a woman in oregon playin at a show and her ax was so much cooler than any acoustic i ever heard...i asked what kind of guitar it was...collings she said....i fornd one in a shop not far away played it and yes its the best i ever played...
Damn, I miss Bill Collings. I never met the man, but I have two of his instruments, and after hearing him talk in various contexts here I feel like I know him a bit, but even more so from playing his instruments... I hear the Waterloo line is presently on hold, and that breaks my heart, because I know how much that meant to Bill. I sure hope y'all can get that going again; the world was a better place with them hanging on the walls of the best guitar shops, ready to be taken home into the loving hands of new players... (This is mainly a rant because I really want to buy a WL-S Deluxe and can't find one...) :/
+survivor030406 - The Waterloo line is awesome! However, keep in mind the small body isn't for everyone. You can also find a lot of good used Collings on the Collings Forum. You don't find them under 2K (that would be a crime as they really hold their value - they ARE worth it) but you can find some in the $2,500 - $3,000 range that were initially more.
There is absolutely no reason that a guitar should cost thousands of dollars, I don't care the pedigree of a particular brand. There is no way near that muich in material and labor costs.
@@12babyapes59 take the Collins guitar, replace the name so that it says it's a Fred's guitar, put a $189 price tag in it and guitar snobs will say it's crap.
Well a 30k car will cost less than half of 30k in 5 years , but that 15k or 10k guitar will keep most of its value or it may increase, they are an investment .
Had 4.5 years working with Bill at his factory…
Better than a college experience.
RIP, Mr. Collings. Your legacy lives on.
To think that Bill couldn't even play a chord on the guitar. Thank you for your art and work. Every time I play my Collings I am blown away by the sound. You were the man. RIP
I love it - 'we put way too much time and thought into it; that's what we do, we don't know anything else'. Love how he honors the skill of his employees. If all the world approached life more like Collings Guitars builds guitars, this world would be so different!
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.
Would you be willing to sell the mahogany 000, maybe in 2-3 years? Would like to keep in touch if that might be a possibility down the road. Kind regards!
Nice story. Thanks for sharing.
I'm up on Austin let me know if you want to jam. Would love to see that guitar.
@@tomparker8748 Appreciate the thought, but this is now a valued family heirloom.
@@blackcanyonramblers all good brother
Bill brought something special to his guitars and the folks who play them!
love ya Bill! I worked at COLLINGS in the mid 90s and BILL IS GENIUS!
They are great guitars.
I have Martins and Taylor's. Yet I already see the quality built into Collins guitars.Been Playing for 53 years and have taught and sold many midrange guitars. Have learned that names don't always make great guitars but great guitars have Special woods, sound ,feel and craftsmanship built within. Definitely will check out Collings guitars!
had one till it disappeared and i wish i had it back great instrument and thanks for this video very well made
The secret to building a great acoustic ... or even a hollow or semi-hollow, electric guitar, is in how well you incorporate a myriad of wooden parts to sound as one.
We couldn't agree more!
"We put way too much time and thought into it. It's what we do. We don't know anything else." My favorite guitar!
My 2 favorite things are fine shotguns and fine guitars
Why does this have 200 dislikes? It’s brilliant
Blind people love Collings guitars too.
Enjoyed all these posted.
i heard a woman in oregon playin at a show and her ax was so much cooler than any acoustic i ever heard...i asked what kind of guitar it was...collings she said....i fornd one in a shop not far away played it and yes its the best i ever played...
Damn, I miss Bill Collings. I never met the man, but I have two of his instruments, and after hearing him talk in various contexts here I feel like I know him a bit, but even more so from playing his instruments... I hear the Waterloo line is presently on hold, and that breaks my heart, because I know how much that meant to Bill. I sure hope y'all can get that going again; the world was a better place with them hanging on the walls of the best guitar shops, ready to be taken home into the loving hands of new players... (This is mainly a rant because I really want to buy a WL-S Deluxe and can't find one...) :/
Wonderful guitars. I will add that a Collings mandolin is the best mandolin I’ve ever played.
These guitars cost more than my vehicle and that's tough. Such a beautiful instrument.
I am a 72 year old beginner and I can tell the difference in the tone and build quality,maybe some day I will own one 2:48
Are they still considered exceptional instruments in today's market?
I have a 2013 D2HA and it’s the best acoustic guitar I’ve ever played.
If you haven't played a Collings Guitar you haven't lived......RIP Bill!!!
Ricjames954 is he dead?
Thank you for sharing. I may sell my Martin and start saving
What songs did you use for the BG music?
I think I will set aside part of my retirement fund for a couple of these guitars! Absolutely incredible instruments!!
Why are there so many dislikes on this video?
Alot of competition..? Or too expensive for mere mortals..?
Make any guitars under $2k ?
Check out our new Waterloo line: ruclips.net/video/8bpL45-4LFw/видео.html
nice, thanks
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+survivor030406 - The Waterloo line is awesome! However, keep in mind the small body isn't for everyone. You can also find a lot of good used Collings on the Collings Forum. You don't find them under 2K (that would be a crime as they really hold their value - they ARE worth it) but you can find some in the $2,500 - $3,000 range that were initially more.
Collings Guitars buon Non vh .112i
Pricing is really high.....
check out ALLISON STRINGED INSTRUMENTS
But why does it cost like a cadillac
Restart the video
It’s said that collings and greenfield guitars stand above the rest
Expensive?
Un chingo buey
Weihnachten Wolfgang Petry
Apparently you are not familiar with Tony Rice!!!!!!!!!!!
"I didn't even know people made guitars",so who made them,the fairies? lol
God higher than family Thank you I was about to write the same. Cheers
Banjo
I did own a c10 and sold it to a real musician! way 'expensive!
Lovely if you're in the 2%.
There is absolutely no reason that a guitar should cost thousands of dollars, I don't care the pedigree of a particular brand. There is no way near that muich in material and labor costs.
Do you know anything about high end , Anything
@@12babyapes59 I know it's mostly a scam to appeal to people's vanity. There's no prestige in over paying for a guitar.
@@12babyapes59 take the Collins guitar, replace the name so that it says it's a Fred's guitar, put a $189 price tag in it and guitar snobs will say it's crap.
Well a 30k car will cost less than half of 30k in 5 years , but that 15k or 10k guitar will keep most of its value or it may increase, they are an investment .
@@gevansmd1 you really should stop. You obviously have no clue of what you are talking about.