I don't have one (I can't afford one!) but I've played one and it was a really nice guitar, apparently they have volume of a Sobel but without the attack that some Sobels have (I've never played a Sobel though, but I can say Nigel's guitars sound nice under a pick).
One of my teachers is getting one delivered in about 6 weeks, so if you give me an email sometime around then I'll let you know what it's like.
I have a friend (here in the US) who bought an instrument from NF and found that it needed quite a bit of work when it arrived, and not just the stuff that a trans-Atlantic journey would cause. It's a very handsome instrument and now that it's had some hundreds of dollars-worth of structural repairs, it plays in tune and sounds very nice. NOT a Sobell sound, by the way, very different. I think I'd call it much more agressive.
stv
The Culchies' CD, "Bruscar Bán" is available
from the wonderful folks at OssianUSA.com.
My friend has one and really likes it - it is the mahogany Model E shown under March 06 on the N Forster blog site. Not sure if he is a member on this site but feel free to email me through the site and I will pass any questions/messages on.
I'm the friend to whom stv referred. I own the flat-top pin bridge cittern pictured on the Bouzouki Family page of Nigel's web site. It's a beautiful instrument with great tone. Because this one is a flat-top pin bridge, it tends toward a guitar sound -- nice sustain more than the resonance of a carved top. It's great for melody playing and even better for accompaniment. It's not a Sobell -- given my experience with carved-top Sobells (I believe Stefan did make some flat-top zouks, but I've never played one...), this instrument is really a different beast.
I have heard good reports on his guitars from others, though I have not seen one myself. I did have some technical issues with my particular instrument on arrival (fall '05), some of which i found a bit disconcerting for an instrument in this price range (email me for details if you care). I have since had these repaired and am happy with the resulting instrument. Nigel was fair to deal with in the process.
I would be curious to play one of his carved-top citterns. I would consider buying another instrument from Nigel, but given the distance (US) and my first experience I would recommend opting for a brief trial period -- a good rule in general when you're buying from afar from a builder you're not familiar with.
new to this list, but I know Nigel and I think he has his own sound, which is a lot more modern than Stefan's and certainly more aggressive. It's a close approximation to a Sobell though in the grand scheme of things, but I don't particularly feel Stefan's stuff, as nice as it is, is the best thing out there.
Just a note to ljw - a chap owns a guitar/bouzouki of mine near Belfast, and a lady in Co. Mayo is due to take delivery of an 8 string Arch top Zouk very soon. Get in touch with me, and I'll put you all in touch with each other.
Yes, I had terrible problems right at the start with a batch of two way truss rods I bought from the States. The problems didn't surface for some time, and it cost me quite a bit to put it all right. But I did. Needless to say, I stay well away from welded nut truss rods now, and have had no problems since. Touch wood.
I should have a stand at Celtic Connections again in the new year, but not sure what dates yet. Will be unvailing two new models - the Mahogany and Spruce ES guitar and the new top of the range Model 3 Cittern, designed with help from Old Blind Dogs, Aaron Jones.
nigel forster- luthier
nigel forster- luthier
hi...just wondering if anyone has any info on this luthiers' instruments.. anyone have one?
thanks
# Posted on October 19th 2006 by ljw
Re: nigel forster- luthier
I don't have one (I can't afford one!) but I've played one and it was a really nice guitar, apparently they have volume of a Sobel but without the attack that some Sobels have (I've never played a Sobel though, but I can say Nigel's guitars sound nice under a pick).
One of my teachers is getting one delivered in about 6 weeks, so if you give me an email sometime around then I'll let you know what it's like.
Andy
# Posted on October 19th 2006 by Andy V
Re: nigel forster- luthier
Try a look at Dream Guitars' website, here:
http://www.dreamguitars.com/index.htm
I have a friend (here in the US) who bought an instrument from NF and found that it needed quite a bit of work when it arrived, and not just the stuff that a trans-Atlantic journey would cause. It's a very handsome instrument and now that it's had some hundreds of dollars-worth of structural repairs, it plays in tune and sounds very nice. NOT a Sobell sound, by the way, very different. I think I'd call it much more agressive.
stv
The Culchies' CD, "Bruscar Bán" is available
from the wonderful folks at OssianUSA.com.
# Posted on October 20th 2006 by stv culchie
Re: nigel forster- luthier
My friend has one and really likes it - it is the mahogany Model E shown under March 06 on the N Forster blog site. Not sure if he is a member on this site but feel free to email me through the site and I will pass any questions/messages on.
Cheers,
Al
# Posted on October 21st 2006 by ginjaninja
Re: nigel forster- luthier
I'm the friend to whom stv referred. I own the flat-top pin bridge cittern pictured on the Bouzouki Family page of Nigel's web site. It's a beautiful instrument with great tone. Because this one is a flat-top pin bridge, it tends toward a guitar sound -- nice sustain more than the resonance of a carved top. It's great for melody playing and even better for accompaniment. It's not a Sobell -- given my experience with carved-top Sobells (I believe Stefan did make some flat-top zouks, but I've never played one...), this instrument is really a different beast.
I have heard good reports on his guitars from others, though I have not seen one myself. I did have some technical issues with my particular instrument on arrival (fall '05), some of which i found a bit disconcerting for an instrument in this price range (email me for details if you care). I have since had these repaired and am happy with the resulting instrument. Nigel was fair to deal with in the process.
I would be curious to play one of his carved-top citterns. I would consider buying another instrument from Nigel, but given the distance (US) and my first experience I would recommend opting for a brief trial period -- a good rule in general when you're buying from afar from a builder you're not familiar with.
Randy
# Posted on October 22nd 2006 by rclepper
Re: nigel forster- luthier
Hi all,
new to this list, but I know Nigel and I think he has his own sound, which is a lot more modern than Stefan's and certainly more aggressive. It's a close approximation to a Sobell though in the grand scheme of things, but I don't particularly feel Stefan's stuff, as nice as it is, is the best thing out there.
Warmest regards,
Terence
# Posted on December 13th 2006 by pakhan
Re: nigel forster- luthier
Hello, its me! Merry Christmas.
Just a note to ljw - a chap owns a guitar/bouzouki of mine near Belfast, and a lady in Co. Mayo is due to take delivery of an 8 string Arch top Zouk very soon. Get in touch with me, and I'll put you all in touch with each other.
Yes, I had terrible problems right at the start with a batch of two way truss rods I bought from the States. The problems didn't surface for some time, and it cost me quite a bit to put it all right. But I did. Needless to say, I stay well away from welded nut truss rods now, and have had no problems since. Touch wood.
I should have a stand at Celtic Connections again in the new year, but not sure what dates yet. Will be unvailing two new models - the Mahogany and Spruce ES guitar and the new top of the range Model 3 Cittern, designed with help from Old Blind Dogs, Aaron Jones.
Right, back to wrapping presents...
All the best,
Nigel
# Posted on December 22nd 2006 by NKForster