In 1971 Eaton lived in Tempe, Arizona, where he was trying to sell guitars he had built. He met John Roberts, a luthier from Phoenix, who would later found the Roberto-Venn school. His interaction with Roberts sparked his interest in building guitars, and a short while later he built a guitar in Roberts' shop.[3] Eaton went on to complete an MBA at Stanford University in 1975. He returned to Tempe after this, and accepted a position as instructor at the newly established Roberto-Venn school.[3] He designed his first harp guitar in 1976, which he called a 26-string guitar. Based on a standard guitar design, it had extra strings stretched over the body.[3] Many of his instruments have been featured in museums, including the Hollywood Bowl Museum.[2] The instruments he designs, builds and plays include unique instruments like the "koto harp guitar," and the double-necked "o'ele 'n strings".[4] He is based in Phoenix, Arizona.[4] The "o'ele 'n strings" have two sets of strings over a carved and engraved body, inspired by an armoire.[3]
Eaton has released 16 recordings on the Canyon Records label, including several with collaborators. Four of these are with members of the "William Eaton ensemble," which he leads.[2] He has been nominated for four Grammy awards.[2] Eaton has collaborated for more than 25 years with Native American flutist Carlos Nakai.[5] The music they write is often inspired by the culture and landscape of the southwestern United States, and has been described as "haunting, highly resonant, and [original]."[4]
