N K Forster Guitars

Back in stock - limited supplies:

Heavy duty Semi hemispherical fret end grinding tool The tool is in stock, but supply is limited.This first video is a brief demo of how the tool works.This video goes into more depth about how to use the toolFretboard prep:Before you even try semi-hemi fretting you need to learn how to prep and fret a...

My new “standard” model . The perfect size for a large case. I’ve made this one in Western red cedar and quarter sawn Victorian blackwood. Currently grain filled and sealed up. Not sure if I’m going to make this one satin or gloss. Satin is more affordable but gloss certainly looks nicer…

My new “standard” model Irish bouzouki. The perfect size for a large banjo case. I’ve made this one in Western red cedar and quarter sawn Victorian blackwood. Currently grain filled and sealed up. Not sure if I’m going to make this one satin or gloss. Satin is more affordable but gloss certainly looks nicer…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGdUSU3Sg7w

Lonely Waltz Original tune composed and performed by Espen Wensaas.Celtic Mandolin by NK Forster and Duet Concertina by Wheatstone.Recorded in Knapstad, Norway on the 22n...

This was the first solid body I made. All mahogany. With a heavy relic finish and a usually when I make a guitar for myself someone comes along and makes me an offer I can’t really refuse, and this was one such occasion. But the guitar went to a nice Scottish chap who owns several of my instruments. We called the one the Oddball Junior.

If you want to see a bit of a workshop tour and listen to me gassing on about the guitar business, have a listen to this interview from a couple of years ago.

Nigel Forster - IanHatesGuitars Nigel Forster does more than just make guitars. Throughout his life, Nigel has focused on strengthening his mind in order to help him deal with the stresses ...

Some of the other I’ve made over the years. When I was still in England I knew a Feller who was an expert at making “relic” finishes. He sprayed two of these. They looked great. Like the tunes were already in them.

https://youtu.be/lfdn8vz3VLc?si=XToZa1lQn5rXx39f

Farewell to the Gold played on 2024 Forster guizouki I'm really enjoying myself getting to know this new toy. It's so lovely!

Lily and Qiu were both ill last week. So I didn’t get in the workshop much. This week I’ve got whatever bug it is, so I’m lying in bed scrolling through old IG posts. Came across the I made a year or two back. Bonny things. And not so expensive for a handmade item. Get in touch if you’d like one. I really enjoy making them.

Lily and Qiu were both ill last week. So I didn’t get in the workshop much. This week I’ve got whatever it is, so I’m lying in bed scrolling through old IG posts. Came across the I made a year or two back. Bonny things. And not so expensive for a handmade item. Get in touch if you’d like one. I really enjoy making them.

https://youtu.be/Ojx66KGycM4?si=erPwQiXaaRjshmWj

Unboxing 2024 Nigel Forster guitar bodied bouzouki I just got this, I had to go back to work pretty quick but I will definitely have more videos of this instrument very soon! It's exquisite and I can't wait t...

on its way to the USA.

On its way to the USA…

Bubinga…

Trying to work out how many more guitars I have to make and sell to get posher seats next time…

I plan to be back in England in a couple of weeks. The old Selmer guitar is still for sale. Yet to have a serious offer for it. If you’d like to try it, let me know.

I’ll be back in England in a couple of weeks. If anyone wants to come and try this guitar, let me know.

Secrets of the 1947 Selmer Maccaferri Guitar Revealed Discover the secrets of this 1947 Selmer Maccaferri guitar in this video, including its history, unique features, and sound. Plus, find out how you can own t...

New fretboard radius cutter. Comes with a free pair of brown disposable trousers. .

A few back from the sprayers today. The gloss ones will sit for a week prior to flatting off and polishing. The satin one will be ready to put together tomorrow.

The wenge/Adirondack 10 string guitar bouzouki. I don't often make instruments with herringbone purfling, but I do like them. Takes me back to my yoof. For much of the 90s when I was working for Stefan it was the only purfling we used.

are just like buses. None for ages then three come at once. This one is another 10 string. Will be off to the USA is a few weeks. I’ve just done the final buff. Next I’ll get the bridge on.

Guitar bouzoukis are just like buses. None for ages then three come at once. This one is another 10 string. Will be off to the USA is a few weeks. I’ve just done the final buff. Next I’ll get the bridge on.

The latest guitar bouzouki, heading out down to Sydney today. One of the nicest sounding gzoukis I’ve made. Torrefied Sitka top, arched and braced like the 90s Sobell design. Highly figured flame Victorian blackwood back and sides.

Tom Kimber has another video out. Featuring his Tom Kimber tonor guitar. Take a look.

New Tune, New Tuning I came up with this one trying to remember an old time tune I'd heard before, but having to make up a lot of new phrases as I didn't know the name of it. The...

More from David Sasso and Kaite Murray.

That’s Right Too / Mick O’Connor’s / The Primrose Lass (Reels) Katie Murray - fiddleDavid Sasso - citternThat's Right Too, by Liz CarrollMick O'Connor's, by Mick O'ConnorThe Primrose Lass, tradBest Video Film and Cultura...

Recently discovered the music of David Sasso. He owns an old instrument of mine. Well worth working your way through his Youtube channel. I'll be posting a few videos of his here this week.

The Laurel Tree (Reel) / My Former Wife (Jig) / Johnny Leary's (Jig) Katie Murray - fiddleDavid Sasso - citternBest Video Film and Cultural CenterMay 6, 2021

This week I’ll be finishing off instruments. A wenge 10 string guitar bouzouki to put together and a blackwood/Sitka tenor guitar.
And doing the final set up in a guitar bouzouki I strung up a few weeks ago.

The only woodwork will be carving the neck, fretting, final sanding and grain filling this Irish bouzouki. Then it’ll be off to the sprayers along with a Tom Kimber tenor guitar.

Looking forward to hearing this bouzouki. It’s the first spruce top one for a while. I’ve made a few structural changes in line with the recent redwood topped instruments.

Just waiting for someone to order a cedar topped one - I’ve some really nice Western red cedar tops already roughed out to the appropriate thickness and arching. I’ve not made a cedar top bouzouki or OM for twenty years, yet in the 90s we made so many of them.

So far in thirty odd years of guitar making I’ve never inlaid anything fancier than a pearl dot. And whenever anyone asks for something else I usually politely decline.

But then a couple of years ago I started to use dyed maple burls for rosettes. So I thought it might be nice as a fretboard marker. Looks nice - dyed green maple and black bog oak.

This is for a bouzouki in European spruce and Indian rosewood. A classic combination if ever there was one.