" If "I wanted my own shape, specific pickups and wiring, speciality woods, particular transfers for the headstock, a sunburst finish, ebony fingerboard, locking strap studs ...and I got everything single thing I wanted - it was brilliant !"

Can I Do It?  

What can I make?

what's it cost?

What do they look like?

What do they sound like?

how do I start

About Baileys

Links

FAQs

Contact Us 

home

What Can I Make ?

Anything – although it may take longer than the normal course days for some specs. Have a look at the gallery to see what has been produced. Below are some of the options you can consider - and there are plenty. Want something that is no longer made, or is a rarity? Something unusual ?  Every one is unique. 

If you want to try out a few ideas, have a look at this web site, which allows you to select a body shape, then try out colours, woods, hardware etc to see what they look like:- www.nymphusa.com/tele/

NECKS

Fingerboard

There are any number of hardwoods you can use - most common are ebony, rosewood or maple. It has to be hard as this gets all the wear - but snakewood, lacewood, paduak and other exotics will be fine, if available. The stock is continually changing, and you can always visit before your course starts to choose wood which Mark will then keep for you.

Frets 

22 or 24, as you fancy. Remember that this does affect the tone, because it moves the neck pickup, and changes the dominant harmonics that the pick up will get. And you can choose narrow or jumbo sized frets - up to you.

Markers 

It is possible to move away from the easy round markers, but it does add time and therefore cost. It can be a tricky task to make the exact shape on the neck to receive a bird, a plane or whatever, but it can be done. 

Top Nut 

I recommend Graphtec nuts.

Headstock shape

Anything, as long as there is enough wood to be sure of taking the strain of a rock guitarist in full flight ! Mark will advise on what's possible.

BODIES

Shape

Your imagination can run riot - and have a look at the gallery to see what people have made. Pointy, violin, or traditional. 

Woods  

Wood affects tone - so this decision is influenced by the sound you are looking for. Different weight and density will produce different sounds, and thickness also plays a part, though beware building something that will feel like a breeze block slung around your neck after the first half an hour of a gig. Mark can talk you through the options with that dream sound in mind - and make sure you get it.

Caps  

A plain wood will look superb - it's a beautiful material. You can add a cap - such as a flamed maple - which will provide a more dramatic look, as well as adding a top edge to the sound for most woods.

They have a range available from the traditional maples to things like wenge, paduak, and others. For many choosing the wood is almost the most exciting part (playing the first chord is unsurpassed as THE best moment) and do browse through the gallery to see just what amazing woods there are. 

Scratchplates

He can produce these, though most builders seem to prefer to let the wood show.

FINISHES

Liberon Oil

Simple, but effective, and lets the wood breathe, so many feel this maximises the response of the guitar. Easy to deal with small repairs too, as you can sand out a small mark and then re-apply oil.

Nitrocellulose

This is more expensive, and takes some time, but you can have a professional spray finish applied. It takes a lot of coats, and sanding down, but the end results are spectacular. See the Gallery for proof ! Mark can add a sunburst, or a plain colour, exactly as you choose.

HARDWARE

One small point - we supply all the hardware for the guitars that are built - but we have access to all major suppliers and if it can be bought we will get it for you. if you choose a foreign supplier, make sure we have time to get it for you before you come. 

Pickups 

Single coil, stacked, humbuckers, mini-humbuckers - in any combination. Coil tapped - no problem. Out of phase, active, passive - everything is available. Piezos are also available if you want to add an acoustic sound to the range of your guitar.

Bridges

Wrapover, piezos, stop tails, trems, locking trems - you choose it ! 

Anything Else

You imagine it - and usually we can buy it or make it. The aim is to help you build your dream guitar exactly as you imagined it.

 Dream it, design it - then build it with