Belgian Hilko Nackaerts studied luthiery at ILSA in 1994 before starting work as a guitar tech. He ended up touring internationally with K’s Choice, Axelle Red, Fishbone, Night of the Proms, Chris Rea, The Blue Nile, Simple Minds and Nile Rodgers. Hilko Guitars was established in 2004.
The first Hilko model, was the ‘HC’, a hollowbody Tele style guitar with an acoustic guitar body and bent sides. This model was used by Charlie Burchill of Simple Minds. Since then Nackaerts has been making guitars for a various pro guitarists while also touring for several months each year as a guitar tech.

Source: Hilko Guitars facebook page