Interviews
We spoke with Nigel Forster.
1_ What inspired you to start making musical instruments?
As soon as I started playing the guitar at 13, I became interested in how they were made.
2_What instruments do you play yourself?
I play guitar – I have a lovely battered 1957 Fender Musicmaster, the simplest guitar they ever made. I play my own guitars before they get sent out, so I don't need an acoustic.
3_ What are you favourite materials to work with?
Tops – Good stiff European spruce...I have allsorts...Swiss, German, Czech, Slovenian and Italian. Back and sides – Good Rio is still the best for my instruments, however Indian Rosewood makes a great guitar. I built a Sycamore parlor guitar and it has the most lovely dignified, homely sound,
it is not as bold as Indian or as regal as Brazilian but it truly stands its ground with any guitar of any timber. Mind you it has a wonderful top.
For necks I am currently using Cuban Mahogany - this stuff was felled in Jamaica around 1908. Wonderful wood. Fingerboards and bridges – Ebony. I have found Sri Lanka ebony the densest and most stable that is being offered.
4_Construction or Wood. Which is most important in a finished instrument?
Design. Good wood can be ruined by insensitive craftsmanship, or by bad design. Design is the greatest factor, and should be discussed far more by players than which rosewood is the best.
Choice of timber will certainly help colour the sound, but design is what gives sound it's shape and power. Fine instruments come from a combination of thoughtful design, great craftsmanship and finally, wonderful timber.
5_What music do you listen to?
Everything! Reggae, Jazz, Soul, Country, Electronica, Folk, Latin... I love music.
6_ Where did you learn to make instruments?
I began my apprenticeship with Stefan Sobell in Jan 1988. Apart from a couple of years away in 1990 & 1991, I was his there until I left in Nov 2003.
7_ Which other luthiers work do you admire and why?
Torres, Hauser. The most beautiful instrument I have ever seen is a tired 1930's Hauser in a museum in Rome. So simple and dignified. Currently other than Stefan, I cannot get excited by any of the work being done today. The best guitar is still
to be made – but many makers seem content to look backwards and as a result they produce similar instruments.
I look in magazines now there are so many luthiers, so many guitars being made, so many copies, and I struggle to tell them apart...
8_ Pick five words that describe your work / instruments.
Sound different from anything else.
9_What do you think sets your work apart from others?
My non-conformist training. I'm so glad I was taught by
Stefan rather than anybody else – I learned how to build
and assess my work by building Sobells. The new work is my development of the work I was doing when I left.
10_What ambitions do you still have to fulfill?
To keep on producing and developing my instruments.
11_ What pick up systems seem to work best for your instruments?
I have to admit I like none of them. I am still experimenting.
A couple of good professional musician friends are both recommending soundhole pickups. I have yet to try one.
I am not a fan of undersaddle pickups. Not only do they sound little like a guitar, they damage the acoustic sound.
I can't wait until someone cracks it. I'm open to new ideas.
12_ Do you follow construction "rules" or have you developed your own methods of construction?
For many years I built as I was taught, but in the last few I began developing my own methods of building which
were gradually incorporated into Sobells. The instruments certainly improved.
In order to asses your work it helps if you build in a consistent manner. Then when you make a change you are in the best position to judge the effect. Many decisions I make quickly and instinctively, and when you handle timber all day long for many years you begin to understand it. I decide by feel. But the time to glue two pieces together is a matter of science. You cannot ignore the hygroscopic nature of the materials. It is a mistake to force timber against its will.