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Custom Dreadnaughty for Ian Durham

Custom Dreadnaughty for Ian Durham

by | Oct 8, 2013 | , , , , , ,

Whoever lays his hand on me to govern me is a usurper and a tyrant, and I declare him my enemy!

This was always going to be a tricky build for me as I know Ian very well. He is a very good friend and great musician, but also has a reputation as a bit of a perfectionist. In fact he was originally going to build it himself on our course but thought if he made a mistake he would never forgive himself, so he decided I should build it instead, which made me happy as it just happens to be my job!

Ian is a massive Levellers fan so asked me to inlay the headstock with their logo – He follows the band all over the place and met them recently back stage where he asked if it was OK and they said yes. I wouldn’t normally do this as it is probably a breach of copyright but as he had express permission from the band themselves I figured it was OK…

Ian came for a design session at the workshop to confirm the details of the build. This can just as easily be done over the phone or email – but you might just find what you are looking for already made for you in the Bailey Shop!

Custom Build Left Handed Neck Thru Electric Guitar – Part 1

Custom Build Left Handed Neck Thru Electric Guitar – Part 1

by | Oct 7, 2013 | , ,

 Part 1| Part 2| Part 3| Part 4

Allan came on our 1 day Design Your Own Guitar course last year and I helped him draw this guitar which he then commissioned me to make. Not everyone wants to build their own which is good news for me – it does get a little frustrating at times running the courses, as I am watching other people building when I really want to get at it myself! It is always a happy time when a custom job comes in.

The design was inspired by this custom guitar I made for Simon Bradley, which was in turn based on the Bailey Exotica, but this one is left handed with quite a few custom options. Allan designed the body and headstock shape to be a little more pointy as he liked it.

The guitar will have a quilted maple cap with a deep carve, a Floyd Rose Trem and Fernandes Sustainer.  It will have a custom inlay on the 12th fret and be sprayed with a full gloss nitro cellulose cherry burst with a matching cherry coloured strip up the back (good luck Billy!).

Starting the Neck

The neck was laminated from Maple with two black pinstripes – while the glue was drying I made the Fretboard. I like to do this early on so I can use it to mark out.

After the glue dries the block was planed flat to make the neck blank before routing the truss rod, then the neck could then be roughed out on the bandsaw.

Neck Thru with Full Cap

If it was to be a simple neck thru with body wings then I would Glue the Fretboard next but this was to have a cap which covered the whole front of the guitar – there are two ways to do this…

1. Glue the fretboard and fit the cap around it – it is very difficult to get the cap to fit perfectly around all  three sides of the Fretboard. Any small gaps look terrible so I prefer not to do this.

2. Glue the cap on first – the cap is fitted so it extends under the fretboard by about 4-5mm – any slight gaps are hidden when the fretboard is glued on top

Either way a massive chunk of the neck ‘stick’ has to be cut away for the cap to fit into and this also incorporates an angle so the strings will arrive at the right height for the bridge during the setup process later on.

As you can see I went for the preferred option – this also means that I have to make the body before finishing the neck. As the fretboard is not fitted yet I cannot carve the neck, install the dots, or frets as I normally would with a simple thru neck.

Making the Body

Before I glued the body wings I cut them roughly to shape – it can be awkward to get into the cutaways with the bandsaw after the event. I kept the offcuts to use as ‘cauls’ (shaped blocks used for clamping awkward shapes).

Next the cap is fitted and then the body can be routed for pickups controls etc. There was nothing stopping me from installing the truss rod so I did that before finishing the routing. The final picture is the body clamped up and ready for carving – I could glue the fretboard now at any point but I thought it would be easier to carve without worrying about damaging the fretboard.

Next in Part 2

Carving the top and completing the neck

Design Your Own Guitar| Build Your Own Courses| The Bailey Range| Buy a Bailey Guitar Online

New Words Added to Dictionary

New Words Added to Dictionary

by | Oct 6, 2013 | ,

For your own safety I am recommending that you all add these immediately to your spell checker.

Bailify

Bai·li·fy  (bl-f)

tr.v. bai·li·fied, bai·li·fy·ing, bai·li·fies

1. To produce Bailey Power on or in (a guitar or other musical instrument).
2.
a. To set up or equip (a guitar, for example) for the use of Bailey power.

b. To provide with Bailey power.
c. Music To amplify (music) by means of a Bailey guitar or other Bailey instrument.
3. To thrill, startle greatly, or shock: a powerful performance that Bailefied the audience.
bai·li·fi·cation (-f-kshn) n.
bai·li·fier n.
bai·li·fia·ble adj.
bai·li·fying·ly adv.

Baileyfication

Noun

1. Baileyfication – the activity of thrilling or markedly exciting some person or group activating, energizing, activation – the activity of causing to have (a) Bailey Guitar(s), Uke(s) or any other Bailey Instruments.
2. Baileyfication – the act of providing Bailey Guitars; “the Baileyfication of rural Tennessee”

Baileyfier

One who bestows the power of Bailey. Mark Bailey is the chief Baileyfier but this is only possible due to the whole Bailey team who are all capable ‘Baileyfiers’.

Adjective

Baileyfiable

Any musical instrument in need of work eg. a proper set up; “Not all guitars can, or will, be Baileyfied”

Baili-itus

Name given to virus caused by contact with Bailey Guitars. Main symptoms include ‘Bailey Face’, bank withdrawal effects and heightened ability to spot flaws in other guitars.

Bailey Face

Symptom of Baili-itus which manifests as an aching grin that cannot even be removed with a brick. Effects do wear of eventually but sufferers are often found to have purposefully re-infected themselves, sometimes repeatably over many years. This has led scientists to wonder if the so called ‘Bailey-itis’ is indeed a virus or psychological addiction.

If you or any of your friends are affected by any of the issues raised in this blog and you would just like to chat to someone about it, please contact our help line

Custom Bootlegger Acoustic Guitar – CA-16 – For Mandy Green

Custom Bootlegger Acoustic Guitar – CA-16 – For Mandy Green

by | Oct 5, 2013 | , , , , ,

Bootlegger with Bling!

Mandy Green from Stranraer is an accomplished guitar player, seasoned gigger, and one of the chief organisers of ParkFest and the Stranraer Guitar Club. Park Fest is an annual music event which takes place in Stranraer. The aim is not just to raise the roof, but also some money for a really good cause which actually saves lives – the RNLI and Stranraer’s own lifeboat and crew.

We first met Mandy at one of our open mic nights in Ayr – and were impressed by her powerful voice and great acoustic playing style. After a few more path crossings,  she contacted us to see if we would do a display at the Festival. We decided to sponsor the first “Young Guns” night  – 5 excellent local young bands opening the tent on the Fri night. What Mandy and the crew are doing down there is inspiring, and so we ended up donating a guitar shaped prize for the raffle – you can read about that here – and thought that was a great end to the story.

But happily Mandy contacted us again-  this time with ideas to commission a custom acoustic guitar. Over the years she has played many guitars, but has found it difficult to find one that played as well as it sounds, and that she liked the look of….

Mandy wasn’t entirely sure what she wanted at first but made up her mind soon after playing my own Bootlegger Acoustic. She came for a Design Session so we both knew exactly what the spec would be, but the end result is often a pleasant surprise. I particularly enjoy doing all the fiddly bits and Mandy gave me plenty of those to keep me happy. She visited several times during the build to check up on progress and the spec got more blingy every time! Throughout the process I updated her photo album on Facebook so she could stay up to date.

The Soundboard, Fretboard and Headstock are all bound with Rosewood and Abalone and there is a Custom Headstock Inlay to Compliment the obligatory Bailey Logo- both in Mother of Pearl. The Rosette was first made with Ziricote and then a second ring of Abalone was inlaid into it.

Mandy designed her own inlays for the fretboard position markers and headstock – something she used to draw on her pencil case at school!

The guitar has a full gloss UV finish.

Mandy spent a lot time thinking about her sound and opted for an LR Baggs Anthem pick up with soundhole control.

If you could have your own dream guitar made especially for you – what would you choose? Contact us with your ideas| Check out our Range| Buy Online.

Build Your Own Custom Guitar – Aug/Sept 2013

Build Your Own Custom Guitar – Aug/Sept 2013

by | Oct 4, 2013 | , ,

This course was slightly unusual in that instead of four builders working from scratch we only had David Pullar – the rest of the places were taken by our acoustic builders who are ongoing.
David made a carved top guitar with a scroll which really came out like no other- wait till you see the pics!
Nelson is making his first – an acoustic – he now has the binding glued on so he’ll be working on his neck next time.
Steve Dufton is making a lacewood acoustic with cut away – his own design.
Archtop Dave Fletcher started making an acoustic with a cut away to his own design – this is Dave’s 3rd guitars with us. His first was this stunning Archtop (hence his nickname) and his second was this equally awesome electric guitar – Can’t wait to see what he comes up with this time!
Steve McLean is making a 5 string bass which is his first build and I think he is going to pop with excitement…I popped a few years back myself…
John Graham is making a custom version of the Bailey Bootlegger for his son – it has a Cocobolo rosette and will have binding to match.
John Boyle is making a classical guitar – the first one ever to be built on the course – can’t wait to hear them all!!!!
Melisa Kelly Live at Troon in the Bailey Guitars Tent – Something to Shout About

Melisa Kelly Live at Troon in the Bailey Guitars Tent – Something to Shout About

by | Sep 13, 2013 | , , , , ,

 

Well, amongst others, Melisa Kelly gave us all ‘Somethin to Shout About’ (bet she’s not heard that one before..) Live@Troon in the Bailey Guitars Beach Tent last weekend. What a great show we had over the two days. The vid gives an idea of how good it really was. No special effects were added this is exactly how it looked through my eyes…( thanks to Dave Pullar’s box of special Scottish drinks, for that, and John Boyle!)

Melisa played her Bailey Sweet P and was accompanied by the amazing Isaac “Highland Hotclub” Sutherland using Stevie’s Custom Bailey Archtop, with Laura ‘The Voice’ Hyslop backing up the vocals.

Will make another post about all the fantastic acts when we have gone through all video and pics

Thanks part 1

In no particular order and apologies in advance if I missed anybody- BIG Thanks to all the Bailey Team and members of Acoustic Bliss who came down or did something to support us including:
Carol, Billy, Fiona, Jamie, KA Radio, The Wizard of Oz, Bill ‘the plug’, Moira “the organiser” McDonald for her impromptu tombola help, Sandra Don (our first aider/tombola asst), Ian Durham, Niamh (all the way from Fueta Ventura), Mike ‘The Stand’ McDonald, Duffy, Ian and Anita, Scot and his lad Matt Wilson, Moyra (forget me not) and Tom (mad as a fretless bass with a trem) Turner, Gordon, Steve, Eve, Isaac and Raffa (the Highland Hotclub), Mandy, The Stranraer Guitar Club (I’m sorry – I don’t know all your names but you are all fantastic!), John ‘bad boy’ Boyle, the security man from the ‘other tent’ who kindly didn’t beat me to a pulp when I raided their stage, the food stall who gave us what was left over at the end of the day, the Mckeands who kindly brought us even more lovely food, David Pullar (acting course salesman) and his partner Chelle (raffle ticket ripper), anyone who lent us/gave us, or carried anything heavy, and especially all of our customers – to those who bought anything from the stand and therefore entered into the 15th anniversary prize draw – good luck !

Bailey Guitars – Made to be Played

Bailey Beach Tent – Live@Troon 7/8th Sept

Bailey Beach Tent – Live@Troon 7/8th Sept

by | Aug 31, 2013 | ,

One week and counting….


Here at Bailey we wanted to do some different and exciting stuff as part of our 15th year celebrations – and thanks to the live@Troon festival organisers we are starting September in style – with our very own Bailey Beach Tent at Troon Shore…our mobile exhibition with live music all day hosted by Acoustic Bliss – guitars, demos, live stage and more

The Bailey 15th anniversary Tent will be buzzing –
•    7 hours of live music each day, at least 50 acts over the 2 days
•    Bailey players and over 5 hours of Acoustic Bliss open mic slots   – no need to bring a guitar – just come along and give a Bailey a go
•    the best exhibition of our range of handcrafted acoustic and electric guitars in one place
•    guitar building demos & info each day
•    LIVE interviews & broadcasting by KA RADIO and live video streaming from Bailey Guitars
•    and a chance to win a £5000 Kithara Archtop guitar in our customer prize draw
•    free competition & instant win table, live and local CD sales
•    information about our custom guitars and internationally renowned Build Your Own courses – some great course guitars on display
and all of this is FREE ENTRY  —  STARTS 12-7pm Sat and Sunday

This year there will also be a Tenement TV live tent (with bar) showcasing great bands & original music, and… to create that real Festival feel… a mini market area with stalls selling all sorts of interesting bits and pieces

If you got a wide taste in music – you’ll love this… solo acoustic pickers, eclectic/bluesey duos, bands, wild jazz, folkey stuff old and new, and some amazing new young talent – you won’t want to leave. Come early ….don’t miss a thing…. (whatever the weather!)

Bailey at the Beach… it doesn’t get better than that

We don’t just do festivals….we make some great guitars too

Can’t make it ? Check out some of our work at AyrGuitar all year round – ask in store for more info

Build Your Own Custom Guitar Course – July 2013 – Update

Build Your Own Custom Guitar Course – July 2013 – Update

by | Aug 23, 2013 | ,

Highlights from the latest Bailey Custom BYO Course

Here at the Bailey workshop, the summer has flown by in a haze of heat and sawdust.

July and August are our Custom course months, when folk from across the globe descend on us to build their own, personally designed guitar.

This is our longest course, taking place over a week –  Sat to Sun (with the Wed off for a rest) but this means that the scope for creativity and customisation is much wider than on a standard BYO course – some awesomely original creations have taken shape on this course.

Four guys…four “from scratch” designs and four very different specs:  spectacular bookmatched caps, a two through necks, a set neck and a bolt on, custom inlays… 7.5 workshop days (8.5 for Tom and his fantastical wiring) 88 bowls of soup, a rake of supernoodles (long story) and boxes (and boxes)of choccy biscuits… all on the hottest days of the year here in South Ayrshire…

Steve “what a pair” Duncan, Aberdeen (BYO 314, 341); Mark “noodle” Shoebottom, Frankfurt (BYO 310, 342);  Paul “its not hot” Morley UAE (BYO 339) and Tom “Big Rob” Standen, London (BYO 340) devised and built their Custom guitars despite the heat.

Here are the results – and what results they are !

Thanks to all the guys for their patience, and a special thanks to Billy for going the extra 20 miles and working into the wee small hours to make some pretty special paint jobs happen. Apparently the sunrise that day was as spectacular!

Intro and outro music by Stevie P, main tune by Enrico – Thanks guys!

The NEXT CHAPTER

After a 13 year wait, Dave Pullar from Perth will finally be coming to build his dream electric guitar on next week’s course ,and ‘Archtop’ Dave Fletcher Newcastle (BYOJ 02, BYO 298) is coming back to start another epic instrument – this time an acoustic to add to his growing collection. Graham Taylor (BYO 304) will also be here doing another Bailey First..putting the finishing touches on one guitar whilst designing his next project.

If you think the Custom course looks like the one for you – check out the outline on the website – no dates set for next year as yet but they’ll be coming soon.

Jings, Crivens and help ma boab!

We don’t just run courses – we make our range of Bailey acoustic and electric models, Jazz archtops and Ukes. Any of our instruments are available in left hand (no extra charge ) and custom versions (extra charge).

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