As I've seen a lot, and chatted to a few, of the names here during Mark's excellent online sessions, I thought I'd join and introduce myself.

tv1010101 - Tony.

My first Bailey course was a few years ago - 2007 if I remember correctly.  I took ages to decide to do the course, based on my complete incompetence with anything vaguely practical and woodworkery.  Despite all the assurances from Mark and Carol before I booked, I just didn't believe that I could do it.

Of course, Mark made sure that I could - and did - and my first build Bailey course guitar still plays really well - though the original "Hot Slag" pickups are long since gone, and the strangely pointed headstock mad-design has been refined too.

Since then I've been back a couple of times, and I'd be back many more times if I could.  It's not just the building a guitar bit - it's the spending a week with "mates" (because everyone on every course I've done quickly become mates) doing something that we all enjoy in a great environment with an excellent teacher and the rest of the team (some of whom, sadly, I'll not get to meet again).

That first course was a life-changer for me.  It proved that I could do woodwork, if I had the tools and the knowledge (and confidence) to use them properly for the right jobs.  I've now got my own workshop (full of more tools than I ever knew existed) and have built more guitars than I need.  And I've currently got another 3 in the build process. 

My wife, spotting this new opportunity, has also had me building furniture, doors and solid wood worktops.  

I've put some pics of some of the guitars in the other section of the forum (but not bothered with the furniture, doors or worktops!).

See you at the next workshop-Wednesday or Saturday or Sunday special ...