Steve McCreary is the GM of Collings Guitars and Mandolins and one of the most respected members of the musical instrument industry. Since joining Collings in 1992, he’s helped helm the Austin, Texas-based company’s growth into mandolins, electric guitars, and – most recently – their more affordable Waterloo line of instruments.

During this lengthy interview, we hear about Steve’s unique background (he’s a former stonemason), what it was like to work with the late Bill Collings (a larger-than-life character) and how the company is navigating the COVID crisis through 2020 and beyond. We also talk about Collings’ ongoing collaboration with guitarist Julian Lage, hear about the ’70s and ’80s Austin music scene, and a lot more

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Fretboard Journal#46 just mailed and our next issue will be out in early December 2020. Subscribers also get subscriber-only perks.

Previous Collings Interviews from the Fretboard Journal

Bill Collings on the Fretboard Journal Podcast (link)

Bruce VanWart, Collings’ first employee, on the Fretboard Journal Podcast (link)

Our tribute to Bill Collings in the Fretboard Journal magazine (link)

The Fretboard Journal Podcast is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars and Mono Cases. See our previous podcast guests here.

Above: Steve McCreary at Collings Guitars’ Austin, Texas factory, taken by Alex Rueb.