What was the last treat you bought yourself?<\/p>\n
It literally arrived this morning \u2013 a medieval instrument called a psaltery. It\u2019s a bit like a dulcimer or zither, a kind of V shape you hold and pluck. That\u2019s the sort of thing that I buy.<\/p>\n
Pluck of the draw: a traditional psaltery in action. Photograph: Alla Chesnokova\/Getty<\/p>\n
Plucked psaltery with padded case<\/p>\n
\u00a3350 at the Early Music Shop<\/a>Where do you buy your food?<\/p>\n Some of it online, but we\u2019re lucky where we are in west London, with a great greengrocer, butcher, fishmonger, a little Korean store and a Thai shop called Sriracha supermarket, where I can get spices from.<\/p>\n What\u2019s the best present you\u2019ve given?<\/p>\n A Gibson Les Paul guitar to my godson. It was brilliant seeing someone really immerse themselves in playing it. I think giving a musical instrument is a great present generally.<\/p>\n String of good ideas: Keith Richards with a Gibson Les Paul, the type of guitar Bill Bailey chose for his godson. Photograph: David Redfern\/RedfernsShop Les Paul electric guitars at Gibson<\/a>Shop Gibson Les Paul guitars at Gear4music<\/a>\u2026 and what\u2019s the best present you\u2019ve received?<\/p>\n That was a guitar as well, from my wife as a birthday present. I was doing a standup residency in the West End, and there was a bit in the show where I would pick up an electric guitar and start playing it. Unbeknown to me, in the interval, she colluded with the crew to switch the standard guitar for a rare vintage white Gibson. I went [to pick it up] in the second half and thought: \u201cWait, what\u2019s this?\u201d Then I noticed there was a bow tied around the neck. I was completely overwhelmed; it was a brilliant way to have it delivered. It almost completely derailed the gig.<\/p>\n Birthday surprise: a vintage white Les Paul, similar to the one Bailey found on stage mid-show. Photograph: titoslack\/GettyWhat\u2019s your favourite online store?<\/p>\n A music store called Thomann. They sell all kinds of interesting instruments, but also accessories, guitar leads and all the extra stuff you need when you\u2019re playing or writing music at home.<\/p>\n Shop music gear at Thomann<\/a>What\u2019s your favourite bricks-and-mortar shop?<\/p>\n I buy a lot of outdoor stuff \u2013 boots, camping equipment \u2013 from Cotswold Outdoor in Kensington. I recently bought a LifeStraw, which apparently you can stick in almost any water source and it will filter it into drinking water. I haven\u2019t tested it in rivers, but it might be a life-saver in an apocalypse.<\/p>\n LifeStraw water filter bottle<\/p>\n \u00a348.95 at Cotswold Outdoor<\/a>What\u2019s the gadget you use most often?<\/p>\n A Chemex coffee system, a simple glass flask and filters. It makes the best-tasting coffee.<\/p>\n Chemex coffee maker<\/p>\n \u00a334.99 at Coffee Friend<\/a>\u00a344 at Amazon<\/a>What\u2019s the purchase you regret the most?<\/p>\n It was a semi-computerised accordion. It weighed an absolute ton, so it was impractical to play on stage because I could only hold it for very short periods, and it was festooned with cables and things trailing from it. In the end, it sat in the cupboard and gathered dust until I bought a much lighter one.<\/p>\n What item do you buy on repeat?<\/p>\n Big hiking socks \u2013 I do a lot of walking, so you work your way through them.<\/p>\n skip past newsletter promotion<\/a><\/p>\n Sign up to The Filter<\/p>\n Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian\u2019s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link.<\/p>\n after newsletter promotion<\/p>\n Walk this way: lots of hiking calls for a steady stream of socks. Photograph: SimpleImages\/GettyShop hiking socks at Cotswold Outdoor<\/a>Where do you buy your underwear?<\/p>\n The last lot I bought was from TK Maxx \u2013 a bargain.<\/p>\n Shop men\u2019s underwear at TK Maxx<\/a>What would you buy with \u00a320 \u2013 and \u00a3200?<\/p>\n \u00a320: I would probably buy a multipack of socks. For \u00a3200, art materials for my dad because he paints a lot and brushes, oils, acrylics and paper are not cheap \u2013 we go to Chiswick Arts & Crafts.<\/p>\n Brush with greatness: Bailey would spend \u00a3200 on art materials as a present for his dad. Photograph: Guido Mieth\/GettyShop supplies at Chiswick Arts & Crafts<\/a>What\u2019s your \u2018saved search\u2019 on eBay\/Vinted?<\/p>\n I don\u2019t have one, but I buy secondhand furniture from eBay.<\/p>\n What\u2019s your greatest vintage find?<\/p>\n A Turkish saz, a long-necked lute. I love those instruments that, on the face of it, seem pretty simple and limited, but then you get to know them, and you realise you can play all kinds of things.<\/p>\n Saz you like it: a Turkish long-necked lute was a standout find. Photograph: UCG\/GettyWhat\u2019s your biggest splurge?<\/p>\n Day to day, I love a decent coffee. It\u2019s become something of a ritual.<\/p>\n Worth a shot: good coffee is money well spent. Photograph: Guido Mieth\/GettyHow do you make your coffee at home?<\/p>\n I bought a little Krups coffee grinder a few years ago, which I use with the Chemex.<\/p>\n Krups coffee grinder<\/p>\n \u00a318.76 at Amazon<\/a>And what everyday item do you scrimp on?<\/p>\n I drink more coffee, so probably teabags. I get a big multipack from the Co-op or cash-and-carry, because we have lots of people coming around all the time; you can\u2019t be too precious about the teabags in our house.<\/p>\n Any old brew: just keep the tea coming. Photograph: RapidEye\/GettyShop tea at Co-op<\/a><\/p>\n Bill Bailey\u2019s Vaudevillean is touring from 5 November to 13 December, then will be at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from 16 December 2026 to 6 February 2027. Tickets are on sale now<\/a><\/p>\n For more, read How I Shop with Tom Daley<\/a> and Jonathan Van Ness<\/a><\/p>\n Don\u2019t buy anything until you\u2019ve read the Filter, the Guardian\u2019s home for truly independent product reviews and recommendations. Whether you\u2019re after rigorous tests or shopping inspiration, affordable gifts or advice on how to make your belongings last longer, we\u2019re here to help you make smarter, more sustainable choices.<\/p>\n The Filter is packed with trustworthy buying advice on everything from coffee machines to hiking boots, mascara to secateurs. So visit us today and start buying better and smarter, and wasting less.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1792775410_694_379.jpg\")
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