
NK Forster guitar bouzouki – handmade, versatile, distinctive
The NK Forster guitar bouzouki blends the tone and playability of a Forster acoustic guitar with the percussive character of a Forster Irish bouzouki. It’s a versatile instrument with a rich, distinctive voice. It’s the best of both worlds.
It’s also one of my most popular builds.
For nearly over a decade, most players went for the GZ-HO model. It’s based on the old Howe-Orme design and features a cylinder-top soundboard – arched along the centre to resist string tension, and reinforced with an X-brace.
More recently, some players have gone for the GZ-SS. This version uses a Sobell-style soundboard. The result is similar, but the tone is a little heavier, with less presence than the HO.
Both are great – it just depends on the sound you’re after. I’m always happy to talk it through.
You can have 8 or 10 strings – it’s up to you.
Every instrument is built by hand, using top-quality materials and years of experience. Whether you’re backing fiddles and banjos, playing rhythmically, or just exploring new sounds, the guitar bouzouki is a powerful and expressive instrument.
On stage, in the studio, or at home – they’re made to last, and made to be played.
Material
Soundboard – mature seasoned European spruce or Western red cedar.
Back and sides – there are many options - mahogany, maple, figured mahogany, wenge, ziricote or figured bubinga.
Neck - New Guinea rosewood, Fiji mahogany.
Fretboard - fine Sri Lanka ebony or ancient bog oak.
Bridge - rocklite ebano.
Hardware
Tuners - Gold Gotoh 510.
Frets - hand polished Evo gold frets.
Nut and saddle - hand polished bone.Dimensions
body width: 395mm 15 1/2″
body depth: 120mm 4.7″
scale: 24.75″ or 650mm or custom
nut: 36mm or custom
tuning: GDAE, GDAD, ADAD or similar