Very sad to hear that - he inspired a generation...

That's sad news. I had that book, I never built anything out of it, but maybe one day I'll build an 8 string bass in tribute.

Is there any information on what happened? I can't find any mention, the last post on his facebook page from 11 days ago about the imminent release of the third edition of his classic book.

Is there any information on what happened?

I believe it was cancer.

He'd been struggling for a while, but had hoped to see the 3rd edition of his book finished and published.

Sadly, he didn't make it.

@tv1 It is a shame
I think I'll be buying that third edition, I don't know if he's leaving family behind that it will help, but the original was a part of the journey that brought me here to this forum right now, and I'd like to revisit that (I seem to have lost it in a move somewhere) and also see what he learned in the meantime.

@jonhodgson - you & me both (buying it). 

I'd registered a few months ago (his website, IIRC) to be informed when it's released.  From all that I'd heard, his contributions to the book were done, it's just the final prep work before publication.

The original edition (which I have) is really quite dated now, in terms of the illustrations (etc).  If that's all been updated, then the 3rd edition should serve as a lasting tribute to the man, and support many more generations of guitar builders through learning the craft.

Sad news.....

I bought the second edition of his book quite a while back.   It planted the idea about building guitars but it was only an idea until I found Bailey’s Guitars.

Sad that we didn't quite make the video interview we planned . It would have been a chuckle!

@eddie6string

Yeah that’s right! A shame it didn’t happen for you guys..

It’s sad about Melvyn but at least he’s no longer suffering, RIP MH

Incredibly sad news, I too have a second edition. I bought it years ago but never actually took the plunge into building a guitar. I was very unsure about having a go back then and it wasn’t until I found @markbailey online and the internet content had vastly improved (YouTube etc) that I finally got the courage to start cutting some wood. Melvyn’s book gave me some great information and a lot of knowledge needed for guitar building even though it took me a while to use it. 

We must carry on, in his name and for all of us, building guitars and leaving information in this community so others that follow can learn from our experiences and mistakes. He wrote a book, Mark Bailey made videos and put them on a website and look at our community now. It’s all part of the evolution of building guitars and we are all benefitting from it. For hundreds, maybe thousands of years people have learned from the previous generations hands on, then factories, books and magazines, and now we have a world wide digital platform to share that built up knowledge faster than ever before. I think a lot of us here owe a lot to Melvyn and his book, a time I remember before the digital age had truly arrived. He inspires me to contribute what information and “knowledge” (maybe😂) I have because it may inspire someone else. I think as a species we are better when we are together, better when we help each other, better when we learn from each other, that’s why people record their knowledge. If Melvyn hadn’t written his book, I may not have bought it and become more inspired to entertain the idea that it is possible to build something that I love. It’s just part of the story and we must continue that story. 

Fly high Melvyn and thank you. 

Boo 

I'd registered a few months ago (his website, IIRC) to be informed when it's released. 

Me too sad to hear of his passing. I hope they have a great bandsaw up there.

**3rd Edition from Melvyn**

Make your own electric guitar, 3rd edition is ready and available to order from Melvyn’s website, I got an email from Caroline this morning. 

Go get one. 

Here is the link to Melvyn’s website. 

https://www.melvynhiscock.com/  

Dang you guys are fast, I just saw the email and came here to post the same.

Long live Melvyn Hiscock!

Dang you guys are fast, I just saw the email and came here to post the same.

@mattbeels You have to get up earlier than that Matt. 😉 

You are an hour ahead of us too. 😆

@boo Oh I’m up early alright but I have other things to attend to before checking the ‘ole emails... 😘

@mattbeels I know, I’m just messing with ya! 😁✊

Ordered.

I think I'll have to build one of the instruments in tribute, don't know what I'll do with an 8 string bass though, haven't even learned to play a 4 string yet!

Ordered

@jonhodgson Yep, me too. I’ll be expanding my remit too.