DEAR BILL

Bill, you’re celebrating 37 years since Conklin Guitars was founded. What was the spark that lit the fire back in 1984?

My inspiration to get into guitar and bass building was fueled by everything that was going on at that time, combined with my love of art and music. All the triggers were firing together—bands like Van Halen were hitting the scene, ads were coming out for new guitar companies like Dean and Tobias, and my friends and I were starting to get into playing. At some point I began creating designs for wild, original guitar ideas. It was the late Seventies. I was young, I