Guitar Making | jamesalexandermcmillan | Activity https://guitarmaking.co.uk/members/jamesalexandermcmillan/activity/ Activity feed for jamesalexandermcmillan. Thu, 07 May 2026 18:19:09 +0100 https://buddypress.org/?v= en-GB 30 hourly 2 221e5efd7d9ec3fb55a4940b86cb08aa jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "Repair fret slot cutted in wrong position" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/117669/ Thu, 20 Jan 2022 16:15:06 +0000 Or: cut the next slot where it should be then remove wood between the slots with a router to the depth of the slots and patch the gap with a piece of ebony and epoxy and sand the patch to…   Read more»

]]> 13163bc32f2bc253f9acabcd79032f1b jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "The most challenging build and the hard part is finally done. The 335!" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/100781/ Fri, 20 Aug 2021 07:25:50 +0100

Stunning. More details please. Jim

]]> f58208ad09a9274cbe9e1247b779b23f jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "Pattern stock to pattern" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/69039/ Mon, 19 Apr 2021 20:39:45 +0100 …also tear out depends on the grain at the pointy bits. Better to go with the grain rather than against I would think.  I like the rd artist shape that’s a bit less pointy than an explorer but I gave…   Read more»

]]> e20d6bc0a8d97be137ab2edc536e16a7 jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "Meet Twin Pines “Astelle and Astro" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/50913/ Thu, 18 Mar 2021 22:06:42 +0000 Love them. Are they an addition to an already sizeable herd of guitars or do you do a cull from time to time?  Ive started giving my experiments away to friends. I will only keep ones that I am particularly…   Read more»

]]> 5386075ea0aeeb479e8b4b91ee739799 jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "Any advice on hand applied topcoat methodology?" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/41421/ Fri, 05 Mar 2021 17:08:20 +0000 Cheers. Never tried heating the paint first. Sounds like a good tip. I’ll try with the next one (a yellow bass with a musician pickup). paint always runs somewhere normally with anything but a very light coat resulting in sanding almost…   Read more»

]]> 220939595de2d076e10cb4fbc64f9e39 jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "Any advice on hand applied topcoat methodology?" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/41358/ Fri, 05 Mar 2021 13:08:31 +0000 i have tried rattle cans. As someone said above little and often with light sanding between coats is essential. I love making guitars and now have a pile that need finishing. I avoid finishing as a) I’m not good at it…   Read more»

]]> 1352298e463acebfb2988716cabc8107 jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "Triton Planer Thicknesser TPT125" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/34406/ Thu, 18 Feb 2021 18:47:03 +0000 I’ve got a triton thicknesser. It is handy for recycling wood for guitar use. The most annoying thing is it’s max width is 13”. This is right on the limit or even below the limit for many guitars. everything above is…   Read more»

]]> 89825f4118982d6c455a3bc7ee74d9be jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "🎶🎸 Your Favourite Song In This Moment 🎸🎶" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/31555/ Sun, 07 Feb 2021 15:52:32 +0000 Nothing to do with rugby result (stupid game anyway) The stay at home choir singing caledonia is a tearjerker.
you.be/WrcP4thgbC4
 

]]> 8edebac3dcac23f492220f6ef0410be5 jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "🎶🎸 Your Favourite Song In This Moment 🎸🎶" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/31554/ Sun, 07 Feb 2021 15:44:56 +0000 I saw Frank Zappa at the Apollo in Glasgow back in the day. We sneaked in for nothing. One of my favourite concerts ever.

]]> 044401f79321834da1dab877bb92813b jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "1st Livestream of the Year - SAT 9th Jan!" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/25076/ Wed, 06 Jan 2021 13:21:43 +0000 Happy new year Mark, Carol, Lewis & Fiona. All the best. Hoping to meet up in the new year. We’ve got ideas already!
Keep safe
 
Jim

]]> de9f814830de92989b9a7361f09ad11c jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "Nearly There!" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/22311/ Wed, 16 Dec 2020 19:08:12 +0000 Caught the taster later. Had to work today again. Retirement isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be sometimes. Really looking forward to the finishing course. I love green and blue stained guitars. if you can’t do a raffle how about…   Read more»

]]> 3bfff9508f90eccd41874398eaa1ff81 jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "Meet Pinky Swear" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/22030/ Sun, 13 Dec 2020 17:44:28 +0000 I’m not a fan either but if a tele is good enough for Albert Lee, Andy summers and jimmy page….
yours looks very nice. Hope she was delighted 

]]> 23fbea907640fd560bd3d0479834b8e5 jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "ES335" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/19873/ Thu, 03 Dec 2020 20:57:15 +0000 I agree. I just want to try the process. 40 years ago I had an epiphone casino guitar that had major feedback problems but was great to play. If I could make something approaching that I would be happy. Not…   Read more»

]]> 1369c4d99ad88a86f8256785dde54a1c jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "Quantity vs Quality - FIGHT!!" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/19866/ Thu, 03 Dec 2020 20:50:26 +0000 The livestreams with the side comments are more like what the in person courses are like. A lot of hard work, learning and fun. A bit like I’m a celebrity! We all learned from each other on the BYO guitar…   Read more»

]]> 86fa86bf26462e08b00e8e195fc06b36 jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "Cheap or free woods" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/19865/ Thu, 03 Dec 2020 20:35:01 +0000 So far, beside “proper stuff”, I have used: two 50 year old teak shelves. I was told that it was too oily to use for a guitar. I made a body by glueing strips together. I made two necks using…   Read more»

]]> 364a705aaf6a7db8a56b18d3af8ec514 jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "My first build" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/16449/ Sun, 15 Nov 2020 11:23:31 +0000 The half fretted guitar looks fantastic. I had only really thought about a bass but nut end for chords mainly and dusty end for single notes does lend itself to a guitar like this. I’ve got a precision type neck and…   Read more»

]]> 70bc0c08e008c2575fddf562069f8a1d jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "My 7th build" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/15976/ Thu, 12 Nov 2020 19:48:42 +0000 I said flippantly on the livestream yesterday about a ridiculously complex guitar. Seriously has anyone ever made, or seen, a bass (or even a guitar) that was fretted for the first 12 frets and fretless thereafter. I love the high…   Read more»

]]> e0350bc533202329f4cbb4075fae080b jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "Favourite bass player" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/15534/ Sat, 07 Nov 2020 14:19:14 +0000 I remember seeing Mark King on the Tube in the 80s. Fast, rhythmic and very tuneful.
https://youtu.be/N0HdBs2rN2M

]]> 2bc2ca5faf96012947a3d0e237c16e3e jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "🎶🎸 Your Favourite Song In This Moment 🎸🎶" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/15493/ Fri, 06 Nov 2020 17:18:48 +0000 Sunshine on leith. Stay with me baby. Helter skelter. Layla. Chelsea girl. I rest my case. 

]]> 6daeb2084385d914a4b46015e9f2b603 jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "“Blue Jean” a Semi Holllwbody Bandsman Build" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/15177/ Mon, 02 Nov 2020 19:43:39 +0000 If you will forgive the tmesis: it is absofuckinlutely beautiful. One for generations to appreciate. Well done.

]]> d175b0ed708607e6261fc951134a16fb jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "🎶🎸 Your Favourite Song In This Moment 🎸🎶" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/14911/ Thu, 29 Oct 2020 10:12:29 +0000 Better than God only knows? I think you’re mistaken sir. 🙂

]]> 01137385c6b1636f4692edd8221816bf jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "So that’s how you do it!" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/14012/ Sat, 17 Oct 2020 15:25:15 +0100 Never even considered making veneers. Another great idea I’ll have to try. 

]]> 7517879f2cd2d6750c9f3b0787c28562 jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "Update 1pm - NOT LIVE!!" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/11702/ Sat, 26 Sep 2020 21:41:50 +0100 Carol/Mark I think I’m kind of booked for next year for me and Jono to make a guitar each. How do I book? Should I just make two bookings for the flexible guitar making course? Happy to pay a deposit…   Read more»

]]> c72f89eb5d36a1bfa681e62b640e0f8e jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "Teak" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/4804/ Tue, 18 Aug 2020 07:23:20 +0100 I heard this as well but the wood I had was over 40 years old and well dried. It was very hard though. 

]]> 8fc51bf080c4fc8a8d1c1ce907eba441 jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "First Build - Electric Guitar" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/4643/ Sun, 16 Aug 2020 10:05:56 +0100 This will become a fanned fret, single coil, amplified acoustic thing soon
 04CDD537-F083-43E6-803D-4F2F6D67F850.jpeg

]]> dada46a9a9c8819821ee43ffc34a289e jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "Reader's wood" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/4642/ Sun, 16 Aug 2020 10:02:29 +0100 Will look something like this eventually
 22D1F41B-F1BC-4856-A961-D69EE4672250.jpeg

]]> 1ff43f897ed4b8ef4a18ed3f1e18a638 jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "Reader's wood" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/4641/ Sun, 16 Aug 2020 10:01:19 +0100 Seemed like a good idea at the time so I’ll have to finish it now. Started with a perfectly good tele copy and bits of the 100 year old door…
 E1DEAB14-8854-4A98-8E45-11A57693463F.jpeg

]]> 979da79dbb303e6122596959f25eb8ef jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "Body shapes from a dining room table" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/4535/ Thu, 13 Aug 2020 21:42:52 +0100 I made a few body shapes using my own templates. They will be around 27mm thick so i will have to double up or put a cap on to bring a body up to thickness. This is more of my…   Read more»

]]> a1758dc05dc1af8e66987cb764a3ee13 jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "semi acoustic body" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/4534/ Thu, 13 Aug 2020 21:38:58 +0100 Not finished this guitar yet. Made of a 100 year old door! I made two guitar shapes, hollowed out both (top of one and bottom of the other) and cut slots on the top one and access hole on the…   Read more»

]]> 65e7862a2de749d7144f5352a7072099 jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "first guitar" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/4533/ Thu, 13 Aug 2020 21:34:25 +0100 first guitar I made after completing the course with Mark last year. The guitar from the course was stunning and is on the forum somewhere (the one with buckeye burl top. This guitar was made using an old teak shelf….   Read more»

]]> e6c293892ae7683d077e2dafe7728bbc jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "my bandsaw" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/4532/ Thu, 13 Aug 2020 21:29:04 +0100 cost £30. works fine. attached to a dust extractor.
On top is my first attempt at a scarf joint.
 Bandsaw-scarf.png

]]> 200fd4adec24a1332e51243fc7fd3eea jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "non oscillating sander..." - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/4531/ Thu, 13 Aug 2020 21:27:24 +0100 Made this with a few bits of scrap, an old drill and a drill holder. The cylinders were made from the results of cutting holes in chipboard and pushing an old screwdriver through the centre holes  Drill-sander.png

]]> 69719588f8b93d0d3718364022cdd398 jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "fretwork bender using bearings from toys" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/4530/ Thu, 13 Aug 2020 21:25:03 +0100 Saw this on Youtube and made it in a few minutes works well..
 fretwire-bender.png

]]> 42f0c1f8aee963769de0e161d70c471d jamesalexandermcmillan replied to the topic "What would you like to see next?" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/3235/ Sat, 13 Jun 2020 09:21:10 +0100 What abut
binding an electric guitar body (or neck)?
recovering from mistakes/ faults in the wood
strange requests that you have made for someone 
problems with a double neck
Jim
 

]]> e0931e5917668f5e9a0f44fc462ac27d jamesalexandermcmillan posted an update: Almost completed my custom guitar Just final day to […] https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1553/ Mon, 02 Sep 2019 12:09:31 +0100 Almost completed my custom guitar Just final day to go.
Fantastic experience. What Mark doesn’t know about guitars isn’t worth knowing. A couple of times i started a wee chat with “see that think you said I shouldn’t do…” but Mark calmly knew how to fix it.
Carol was always cool calm and collected, Fiona’s catering was a joy and Lewis supplied…[Read more]

]]> 0 49cb188d84cbb3726e49e9f68f45c90f jamesalexandermcmillan became a registered member https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1551/ Mon, 02 Sep 2019 11:54:59 +0100 0