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Build your own Guitar – Live Stream Experiment – Update

Build your own Guitar – Live Stream Experiment – Update

by | Apr 11, 2013 | ,

They think its all over…it is now!

Luis came all the way from Brazil and became our first student to completely build his guitar live on air- the first one made in our 15th year.

We have never broadcast live from the workshop before…it was a five day experiment using a free service called Ustream. I would like to do more of this type of thing- it was a lot of fun. Despite the variable quality of the ‘stream’ and the lack of audio we had over 550 views from all over the world including Brazil, California, Canada, Holland, France, London, Birmingham, Liverpool, …and Ayr!

We tried to get audio to work on the live feed but alas our broadband speed is not up to it…I am looking into options of how we can improve this for future broadcasts… As every one really wanted to hear the guitar, I recorded some video with another camera – I will edit and upload it ASAP – keep you informed 🙂

Meanwhile here are some pics to enjoy!

Luis was on the Build your own First Guitar course so he completely made his guitar from scratch in the five days.

The others are all making acoustics. This takes longer so they need to return for more visits. Graham is making a Moonshiner with Mahogany back and sides he spent all week finishing off his top plate, back and sides and we planned to get the body glued together by day 4 but in the end he stayed an extra day so we didn’t have to rush. Kevin is making a Bootlegger and chose Snakewood for his binding. He had already made the body last time he came so set about binding it with Snakewood. He also decided to bind the fretboard so it is going to be another stunner! Luis, Graham and Kevin made up the ‘hard core’ of this course and we were joined by a different person each day to make up the fourth place.  Workshop days are all arranged by our resident genius Carol who makes getting everyone together in one place all at the same time look at lot easier than it is.

 How it happened…

Day 1 We were joined by Nelson who is making a Rosewood Dreadnought style guitar – he installed a Ziricote rosette and starting gluing on the flat braces to his soundboard.

Day 2 John is making a classical – it is the first time anyone has wanted to make one on the course and so far it is looking really good. He has a Cocobolo rosette and also glued on the flat braces.

Day 3 Steve came to start his acoustic with a cutaway. His rosette is Cocobolo – from the same piece of ‘offcut’ as John’s. Steve chose Lacewood for his back and sides which looks awesome – didn’t get any pics of it though…I’ll make sure to do that next time.

Day 4 Nelson returns! He now has all the flat braces glued on.

Day 5 Graham stayed on an extra day to get his back glued on which he duly did while Luis finished assembling and setting up his new guitar.

PRIZE DRAW – Bailey Kithara Archtop Guitar – worth £5000

PRIZE DRAW – Bailey Kithara Archtop Guitar – worth £5000

by | Apr 6, 2013 | ,

It’s our 15th Anniversary Prize Draw!

To celebrate and say thanks for supporting us through the first 15 years we are giving away one of our top of the range Kithara Archtop guitars to one lucky customer.

Win ANY Bailey Kithara Archtop Guitar!

For one year every £9.99 you spend with Bailey Guitars will get you 1 entry ticket to the prize draw. We are a small company – we have a limited number of customers so that means if you buy a guitar you really have a very good chance. You could be adding another top of the line Bailey to the collection! …Please read below for the Complete RULES.

UPDATE: Win ANY Bailey Guitar! – Prize Draw Rules

Due to popular demand we have opened up the prize to include ANY guitar from the Bailey online shop – as long as it is in stock!

Live from the Bailey Workshop!

Live from the Bailey Workshop!

by | Apr 5, 2013 | ,

Welcome to Bailey World!

TUES 9th Update

As part of our 15th Anniversary celebrations we will be broadcasting live from the workshop – a rare peek at what happens on our courses…from 10am onwards – please leave a comment! Today is Luis from BRAZIL’s last day here  – he spent  the weekend building his Bandsman from scratch and the final assembly day started at 10. We also have Graham T from Aberdeen hoping to get his acoustic body glued to create the soundbox. Thanks to  Kevin McK from Warwickshire, and Nelson from Glasgow, John B from Troon and Steve D from Stranraer for letting us watch while they work over the last 4 days.

Luis should be assembled, set up and playing by 6-ish tonight -watch this space !

SAT  6th UPDATE: (live stream expired)

Well that was fun! And successful! Thanks to everyone who looked in and for your comments which are spread far and wide over Facebook…

That went better than expected so we have decided to keep the cam on for the duration of the course…as long as everyone agrees…This experiment will run for 5 days ending on Tuesday 9th April – Any suggestions for improvements are welcome!

Cooper Stands – Now available from Bailey Guitars

Cooper Stands – Now available from Bailey Guitars

by | Mar 26, 2013 | ,

A Beautiful wooden (or recycled composite) stand that folds up and fits in your case.

Sturdy and good looking in a tiny package!

I discovered these at a show recently – The ones I used previously were always a problem just carting them about but I can carry 20 of these under one arm! Not only that but they are the best looking – The PRO-G and ECCO-G are for normal sized electrics, basses and acoustics and there is even a PRO-MINI version for my Ukes!

The Bailey Range has never looked so good! Here’s the bumf:

  • Uniquely superior design, built from top quality materials.
  • Versatile, compact and attractive.
  • Safe and secure.
  • Made from African Sapele or eco friendly recycled plastic
  • Securely supports a variety of instruments Acoustic, electric and bass guitar, ukulele, mandolin, violin and more!
  • Folds up to store in gig bags or most guitar cases.
  • Supplied with luxurious black velvity bag in sexy black cardboard package.
  • Ideal for a gift!
‘These are the best stands I have ever seen or used – Given a choice I would not want to put any of my instruments on anything else!’ – Mark Bailey
Jesus shops at Bailey Guitars – Actual Physical Evidence!

Jesus shops at Bailey Guitars – Actual Physical Evidence!

by | Mar 14, 2013 | ,

Yeah, I get a lot of these retired carpenter types…I didn’t even know he was a player.

If any of you are interested in what he bought by the way – it was our DVD – ‘Guitar Magic‘.

Despite the name there are no miracles in it but it is a great introduction to guitar making – I hope he likes it.

Build Your Own Uke – Part 1

Build Your Own Uke – Part 1

by | Mar 4, 2013 | , ,

…Build Your own Uke at the Bailey workshop…

Ellis, Fiona, Jamie and Peter are currently building their first Ukuleles on our brand new Build Your Own Uke course. We are now four days in and it will take another day and a half to complete them. Once they are all finished we will be able to confirm exactly how long the course will be, but it looks like it will be at least 5 days ! This is a great introduction to acoustic instrument making. There are no kits here, and as you will be building completely from scratch, by hand, there are many opportunities to upgrade and customise for those who want to spend a little more. You can choose your own wood and hardware for instance and add a pickup if desired.  The standard size will be Soprano with the option of different sizes which will also add extra cost. The girls are both making Concert Sized and the boys, Soprano. They are all using Indian Rosewood for the back and sides with Sitka Spruce for the soundboards, except Ellis who has chosen Cedar.

Don’t Forget!

We don’t just run courses…Have a look at our own unique range Uke’s all hand crafted here in the UK.

And Remember!

If you don’t see what you like we can build it for you – Contact us with your ideas.

Bailey Workshop Feature in Acoustic Magazine

Bailey Workshop Feature in Acoustic Magazine

by | Jan 20, 2013 | , ,

The Bailey Workshop is featured in issue 75, Feb 2013 Acoustic Magazine!

see pages 84-85 with a new full size ‘Bailey’ ad on Page 86.  Rush out and buy it now!!! Or subscribe online.

Also great to see Martin Taylor and Tommy Emmanuelle looking like a pair of cool dudes on the cover! And how serendipitous as it was Martin’s invitation to KIGF Fest where I first saw Tommy play and met Preston Reed for the first time which led on to us making his Signature Series Baritone and Jumbo guitars.

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