Guitar Making | cardiffborn | Activity https://guitarmaking.co.uk/members/jonathan-auckland/activity/ Activity feed for cardiffborn. Thu, 07 May 2026 20:27:22 +0100 https://buddypress.org/?v= en-GB 30 hourly 2 69babfff521ef4b6de14f9ff862f3ec5 cardiffborn replied to the topic "First Acoustic Build Complete" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/155768/ Wed, 12 Apr 2023 19:44:54 +0100 I was passing by, having not been here for a while, and just had to check out all the builds (especially acoustics). I must admit that I was gobsmacked (really impressed) by your guitar. You’ve done a brilliant job here…   Read more»

]]> 06409dbbdb78c70ff78e8a44f0509bc8 cardiffborn replied to the topic "Hello evryone." - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/26676/ Sun, 17 Jan 2021 12:12:09 +0000 Hi, and a warm welcome from down South. This is a brilliant place for expert advice and support. When things don’t go the way you expected you will discover many others who have been down that road. Sometimes you just have…   Read more»

]]> 859b49b02c423e07dd9205d773a14d6e cardiffborn replied to the topic "A workshop was born" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/26675/ Sun, 17 Jan 2021 12:03:23 +0000 Brilliant! I’ve kept sawdust in old coffee jars just in case. That’s why there’s not a lot of space left. Oh and I have an area just for clamps. There’s a story about clamps but my memory fails me at…   Read more»

]]> 600ffb533bd96192555e84b67e391161 cardiffborn replied to the topic "Another Okie" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/25219/ Thu, 07 Jan 2021 12:02:08 +0000 Hi from me too.  Looks like you’ve come to the right place. I built an acoustic a while back and learned a lot from the on-line course. Best present ever. Mind you, I did have to make some clamps. Mark…   Read more»

]]> bd5c218a0cd274fd5b91a7472c0526da cardiffborn replied to the topic "Hello from Cambs UK" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/25218/ Thu, 07 Jan 2021 11:51:09 +0000 and a warm welcome from me as well. I took a while to actually get started but then got a tad obsessed…. thankfully I’m not over that yet. Enjoy the community… there’s a lot of support here and Mark has…   Read more»

]]> 46c3a1715ebc56d7707c082cbdd9a328 cardiffborn replied to the topic "1st Livestream of the Year - SAT 9th Jan!" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/25216/ Thu, 07 Jan 2021 11:44:18 +0000 and a Happy New Year to everyone, especially Mark and Carol, and to you too (though you were included in the ‘everyone’ anyway). By the way, what day is Saturday? I’ve lost track somehow.  All the best for 2021 and…   Read more»

]]> ae07ab45d305fae3bab4d702533ef13b cardiffborn replied to the topic "Newbie" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/15643/ Mon, 09 Nov 2020 13:31:57 +0000 Hi 
and welcome from a wet and windy walk back from my shed. 
Yes, don’t forget the pictures. I really wish I had taken more when building my guitar
all the best
Jonathan

]]> 1ae1cefa48955df0cb59f045cc8211e2 cardiffborn replied to the topic "Hello from Texas" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/15642/ Mon, 09 Nov 2020 13:27:05 +0000 Hi and a warm welcome from me as well I’ve popped back in to the ‘GM Virtual Workshop” having been in my shed for a while. Mark’s videos are brilliant and helped me build a guitar that works….. and you…   Read more»

]]> 635e7eb201c6b853a74839b3ca0771b6 cardiffborn replied to the topic "Hi from Somerset UK" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/15641/ Mon, 09 Nov 2020 13:19:32 +0000 Hi and welcome This is the place to be if you are interested in guitars and craft skills. It’s also a safe place to make mistakes as there are people willing to help. I’ve built one guitar and have gained…   Read more»

]]> 93d2c0935d5158497f53b8d7efd608d2 cardiffborn replied to the topic "Hello," - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/15640/ Mon, 09 Nov 2020 13:14:56 +0000 Hi Steve Welcome. I managed to retire and built a shed….. Then I built some clamps, because you can never have too many clamps, and then I watched 222 videos and built a guitar.Mark said that anyone can build a…   Read more»

]]> a50ff14ddcc0075915879898242f74a2 cardiffborn replied to the topic "Good morning from sunny Hampshire" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/4527/ Thu, 13 Aug 2020 10:14:49 +0100 Hi from sunny Dorset Clamps… you can never have too many clamps… I made clamps because Mark said I needed them, and actually you do need clamps. Welcome and I hope you are keeping safe. There are other things to…   Read more»

]]> 9c5eb6fd7c553d5f4ecf17c4bfb68094 cardiffborn replied to the topic "Hi from Worcester!" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/4526/ Thu, 13 Aug 2020 10:06:40 +0100 and a “Hi” from down south in sunny Wimborne. It took me a while to make all the clamps but I got there in the end. Making the Bailey Bootlegger was a doddle owing to the brilliant videos and community…   Read more»

]]> ae401802fea6f4e0769fe08ea3af7678 cardiffborn replied to the topic "New bloke on the block!" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/2470/ Sat, 15 Feb 2020 12:08:37 +0000 and a welcome from down south.  This is definitely the place to be and there are loads of people willing to help. My first build is something of which I am very proud, but it certainly wouldn’t have happened without…   Read more»

]]> a6f37297d70fda79ddbc7647b8a6f0dc cardiffborn liked forum post "New bloke on the block!" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/2469/ Sat, 15 Feb 2020 12:01:54 +0000 a3ccea898946de3b3eeb22a9af300d8b cardiffborn replied to the topic "Composite/Double Tops" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/2184/ Tue, 17 Dec 2019 14:01:39 +0000 It’s raining again so I’m ‘catching up’ on the amazing builds from everyone.I was thinking about what you said with regards to resonant frequency cancellation and then got a bit sidetracked. I was trying to remember what one needed to…   Read more»

]]> 68f25d02e8f0fb4a844865e1e30d1456 cardiffborn replied to the topic "Arthur - the sort of Bandsman" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/2183/ Tue, 17 Dec 2019 13:24:15 +0000 @frocesterbillWith dimensions I really agree on this point.I’ve just binned a whole load of Post-its with various important dimensions scribbled over them. I’ve also got bits of wood with my aide-memoirs, ( how much I need to remove and finished…   Read more»

]]> 3da29b9090836bb852830d6aef48c0b1 cardiffborn replied to the topic "Composite/Double Tops" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/2153/ Sat, 07 Dec 2019 12:46:12 +0000 This is really interesting, though I really have absolutely no advice to offer here. Having spent some time reading about the flame resistant properties of  a synthetic aromatic polyamide polymer, I am going to refrain from any puerile jokes……. I’ve just…   Read more»

]]> 7d97d62ba54fea6d3cd167e7d381ac8e cardiffborn replied to the topic "Arthur - the sort of Bandsman" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/2125/ Fri, 29 Nov 2019 18:02:49 +0000 Hi BillMany thanks for posting these pics. I do find it interesting to see other people’s builds, and their very tidy workshops. So the more the merrier please.I was rather timorous and didn’t upload anything until I had finished my…   Read more»

]]> e2f34e217632c310484c9c2f076e961c cardiffborn replied to the topic "Guitar Build Diary/Blog" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/2075/ Wed, 06 Nov 2019 13:06:14 +0000 Brilliant… Many thanks for that. I am reminded of the classic Billy Connolly story.Yes, I know it’s not about guitar making per se, however, there are many ancillary activities pertinent to H&S in the workshop that need discusing now and…   Read more»

]]> 5ed09aa7c90d26eee4df0af6a4ad3e0f cardiffborn replied to the topic "Guitar Build Diary/Blog" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/2069/ Tue, 05 Nov 2019 11:42:56 +0000 @frocesterbillThat’s a tricky one.There’s the coefficient of apparent contraction due to extreme cold, various variable thresholds (pressure, pain and efficacy) and the perceived political pantomime when caught in the act. (just deny everything)Not to be recommended.

]]> e87143ead245ba9f6870a89a7b6c5ccf cardiffborn replied to the topic "Guitar Build Diary/Blog" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/2062/ Mon, 04 Nov 2019 23:12:36 +0000 I have to agree with all that’s been said about appropriate ‘pacing’, comestible sampling and beverage top-ups. I was going to mention something about the inverse ratio of bladder retention against age and the need to be aware of distance…   Read more»

]]> 1fe178d626458ca6a7179bee73765e1f cardiffborn replied to the topic "Looking after a Baily Bootlegger" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/2061/ Mon, 04 Nov 2019 23:02:32 +0000 Thanks for that. I’ve got the lemon oil from the original build and, to be honest with you, the body is still pretty pristine.yeah, gloss and nuther level for a lot later.

]]> e78f311087a3028d2b0a7b4680a0f118 cardiffborn posted a new topic "Looking after a Baily Bootlegger" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/2029/ Sun, 03 Nov 2019 15:24:32 +0000 The finish on my first acoustic build is matt, as per the instructions. It’s nothing like the shine on my Collings but I really like it. However, I wonder whether I should be thinking about looking after the wood, or…   Read more»

]]> 69ce7b5e90018288829d9ef61d9b3e63 cardiffborn replied to the topic "Guitar Build Diary/Blog" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1974/ Thu, 17 Oct 2019 19:10:48 +0100 Hi and welcome from the Shed in the rain.I found that the making of all the necessary bits stoped me from jumping in at the deep end with both feet. I finished my first acoustic build recently and couldn’t have…   Read more»

]]> 253cf40303a0cf79505e8aeb68578873 cardiffborn replied to the topic "Vacuum Press Masterclass - coming soon!" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1941/ Sat, 12 Oct 2019 10:26:32 +0100 Now it makes sense….Bagpress, wood, guitars and some really neat clamps. It all fits together quite nicely.It looks interestinggood luck

]]> 3c224ff57ed809993562a9e611366ab9 cardiffborn replied to the topic "Hi from Coaley" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1908/ Mon, 07 Oct 2019 11:08:46 +0100 And a welcome from down south, in my shed in the rain. 

]]> c61220e4269014d188052bf7514ad1c2 cardiffborn replied to the topic "you can never have too many clamps for a First Build." - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1866/ Tue, 01 Oct 2019 11:26:32 +0100 No fears Mark, I’m with you all the way.It’s my first guitar and I’m amazed that I managed to build something that actually plays. The “wanting to go into depth’ comes from my love of learning and a desire to…   Read more»

]]> 4e483cec6973ecf889310f2f772a420e cardiffborn replied to the topic "compensate your nuts" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1847/ Mon, 30 Sep 2019 10:40:37 +0100 I seem to be here nowhttp://www.setitupbetter.comhttp://www.fretnotguitarrepair.com/repair/acoustic-guitar/intonation-correction.phpThis is something for the next build.  

]]> 9d6619221ab4115becaa717b01fc8b30 cardiffborn replied to the topic "you can never have too many clamps for a First Build." - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1846/ Mon, 30 Sep 2019 09:45:53 +0100 yes I do seem to recall a Forum discussion over this one…..If I really push down on the bottom E I can get an extra quarter-tone (12th fret) so  I don’t push down there! One forgets that one uses this…   Read more»

]]> bb7771102b04462cb9c8623b1666ed73 cardiffborn replied to the topic "Maccaferri Concert Model (nylon strung)" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1844/ Sun, 29 Sep 2019 16:05:47 +0100 Vacuum clamp…… now that’s something I hadn’t thought of.  Was the pump a medical one? I tried various pumps for a record-cleaner project. That must be a serious bit of kit.Using cauls is one thing but the vacuum is a…   Read more»

]]> d9e01c0a1159a2daf85ae9ffa7492437 cardiffborn replied to the topic "you can never have too many clamps for a First Build." - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1843/ Sun, 29 Sep 2019 14:47:32 +0100 The location of the bridge took some time to achieve. I kept measuring, twice, then measuring again, then looked on the Internet, measured again, had copious mugs of tea, measured again, thought about it, checked my ruler, measured again, read…   Read more»

]]> f96cae28ad83a339db839170e33c4ee2 cardiffborn replied to the topic "you can never have too many clamps for a First Build." - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1842/ Sun, 29 Sep 2019 14:27:52 +0100 I can’t remember how long it took, but is was definitely longer than Mark. Now I had to make the bridge. Here I am becoming somewhat obsessive about getting it right. I have a few nice guitars and they all have…   Read more»

]]> 8d58aa8a2b7b2f05aa05d93339870fb0 cardiffborn replied to the topic "you can never have too many clamps for a First Build." - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1841/ Sun, 29 Sep 2019 13:59:42 +0100 Fretboard?Ive bought the fretboard already cut, so I really don’t have to do that for myself. However, I failed to realise that I had to sand, shape and contour it….. by hand.OK so I have acquired various rulers of varyious…   Read more»

]]> aa6f47dd27592122404cce1122d70e48 cardiffborn replied to the topic "you can never have too many clamps for a First Build." - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1840/ Sun, 29 Sep 2019 12:34:27 +0100 At this point I am feeling quite pleased and sense that it’s not going to be long now.

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]]> 49a8e82c81f806e16b2afa37e3b66c5a cardiffborn replied to the topic "you can never have too many clamps for a First Build." - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1839/ Sun, 29 Sep 2019 12:29:44 +0100 The fretboard needs to be secure, so the big clamps get used. On one hand I have made clamps out of wood in order to protect the body, and then I use these beasts to glue the fretboard, They worked…   Read more»

]]> 8ed24df1dc1a20caf5e8be135318bb65 cardiffborn replied to the topic "you can never have too many clamps for a First Build." - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1838/ Sun, 29 Sep 2019 12:23:35 +0100 I get a feeling that Mark managed to cut his tyre in one continuous strip. I may be wrong, but that’s the sort of wizardry of which he is capable. I used bostik and that seemed to work ok.

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I’m begining…   Read more»

]]> ff0a07906270acea6e20ff0bd21a2c98 cardiffborn replied to the topic "you can never have too many clamps for a First Build." - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1833/ Sat, 28 Sep 2019 18:06:44 +0100 This is when I felt it was getting serious

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It’s now beginnig to take shape.The next stage involved sourcing some rubber strips. I didn’t realise that Mark used old tyres and was disappointed that Screwfix ignored my request for some rubber…   Read more»

]]> 15d5065ccabfa8d3737eb7b6f46f1e12 cardiffborn replied to the topic "This is what they were made for" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1830/ Sat, 28 Sep 2019 10:36:31 +0100 Maybe I should have cleared some space for myself to be able to move around.

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]]> 560d698f9e1036b92d257af45ac6502f cardiffborn replied to the topic "you can never have too many clamps for a First Build." - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1829/ Sat, 28 Sep 2019 10:30:05 +0100 I think that this was the stage when I thought that I might actually be getting somewhere. All those bits of wood were beginning to take shape. Though I still felt that playing it was far off in in distant…   Read more»

]]> e055dfe3991cac9d8015045355b076cc cardiffborn replied to the topic "you can never have too many clamps for a First Build." - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1828/ Sat, 28 Sep 2019 10:13:58 +0100 Those are great clamps…. and I really wish I had seen those when looking for alternatives to the really expensive ones from Stewmac et al.I did a lot of reading about what other people were using and there were Super…   Read more»

]]> f7db4d6e9b4b31c7843096e15497af3a cardiffborn replied to the topic "Now this rings a bell.... Clampanology and never too many clamps" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1820/ Fri, 27 Sep 2019 10:29:16 +0100 It became clear that, even though people laughed at my clamps, you do need a lot of clamps for some photographs.

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However, I was not finished yet with the building of useful things. Having watched Mark’s lesson on how an expert…   Read more»

]]> f0a31a48dee973e4ccb0027f65b4a31f cardiffborn replied to the topic "you can never have too many clamps for a First Build." - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1814/ Thu, 26 Sep 2019 14:42:08 +0100 Yes, I looked for cheap steel bars, then aluminium and decided to use oak in the end.Two reasons…. I had been given the seasoned oak and one design (for violins) seemed to suggest wood rather than metal to ensure no…   Read more»

]]> afdcb5770ace47461b3b763a3d5bdca9 cardiffborn replied to the topic "Measure twice, maybe more, then cut once, but use the right mark, right Mark?" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1812/ Thu, 26 Sep 2019 11:49:56 +0100 I didn’t get round to photographing the neck after the first bout of cutting. I think I stumbled in to the house and made a coffee instead. Tricky business this sawing of a main bit of wood.Then I got a…   Read more»

]]> e78fc82c275e57337447d3fe0d344b3a cardiffborn replied to the topic "Roseline build progress" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1798/ Wed, 25 Sep 2019 10:13:48 +0100 @syntholaboI think I need to pay more attention to what’s under my nose. I didn’t see the “NEXT” button and missed pages 2/3 of your build. Only myself to blame.Once I got started I became a bit obsessive and bored…   Read more»

]]> f00405c527bceacba0819909973dc526 cardiffborn replied to the topic "Roseline build progress" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1796/ Wed, 25 Sep 2019 09:08:24 +0100 @syntholaboHiI have to say that I’m really impressed with your workshop and extra-‘specials’ tools, and clamps. Did you make these after build 01? More to the point, how long was it between the completion of 01 and the commencement of…   Read more»

]]> 735ba218b55096c0c83c4c662a52bbbe cardiffborn replied to the topic "you can never have too many clamps for a First Build." - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1789/ Tue, 24 Sep 2019 19:42:51 +0100 @syntholabooh I do like that quotation! Copyright? 

]]> 42fc5fdb30eda3bf70bbe00e23f481a2 cardiffborn replied to the topic "you can never have too many clamps for a First Build." - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1787/ Tue, 24 Sep 2019 18:07:48 +0100 @syntholabooh no way did it hit it first time. I have a thin 100cm rule and it was a real nightmare trying to get the 2mm. At times it was way over and then after a small bit of work…   Read more»

]]> 7bc172ffb2239d6b42b87897b0ca45cc cardiffborn replied to the topic "is this Chapter One?" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1785/ Tue, 24 Sep 2019 16:34:01 +0100 I was going to record every stage but got a bit sidetracked. Still, I do have some photies which I will share. Oh, and there is the Diary of Disasters to experience.Just like Herb I was excited to open the…   Read more»

]]> aed7ba109744d450f9357e5c5f3d997b cardiffborn replied to the topic "you can never have too many clamps for a First Build." - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1784/ Tue, 24 Sep 2019 15:51:07 +0100 @syntholaboYes, I have to admit that I spent a great deal of time trying to get it right. My chisel aspirations outstripped my abilities. I got there in the end but had to re-do a barrel nut. The final pull…   Read more»

]]> d84d48da1bb7ef250c7a65c2333ada7e cardiffborn replied to the topic "you can never have too many clamps for a First Build." - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1780/ Tue, 24 Sep 2019 15:39:47 +0100 @darrenkingI think I sort of mentioned the role of a guitar chair but… Then was given a double stand for the Bailey Bootlegger and my Collings, so I can’t complain. Birthdays are great.

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