This 2007 Forster C in Brazilian Rosewood and German Spruce is one of the funnest guitars to play we have seen in a while. The offset soundhole might make us guitar nerds do a double take, but it is incredible how enveloping the sound is for the player. It is a different experience from the side soundport: the offset soundhole gives a truer representation of the whole tone of the guitar, rsulting in an exapansive voice with throaty projection. Nigel’s work is largely influenced by his time spent with legendary Luthier Stefan Sobell, and the heavily arched plates are a key feature of both builders’ work. If you are looking for bold bass and bright singing trebles, this guitar will make your heart sing.

We were a long time Sobell dealer for the U.S. and have known Nigel Forster for many years. It’s very exciting for us to see him on his own now and creating instruments with a unique and exquisite voice and styling to match. His treble strings are glorious and sing with a sustaining clarity remeniscent of the best old Sobells. Below there is a warm, rich bass that is all Nigel’s. He’s somehow managed the difficult task of making an instrument that can be as powerful or as gentle as a player needs, all without switching guitars. The rich green hues in the Brazilian Rosewood serves to prove this is very old and great sounding wood. All the guitars we see with those hues seem to sound special. Italian Spruce offers the best strength to weight ratio in the spruce family which results in superb clarity and headroom. If you are seeking an original voice for your music you’ll want to listen to the audio clip above.

If you’ve played or heard a Sobell guitar built during the 1990s or early part of this century chances are you’ve heard Nigel Forster’s work. For 15 years he was the sole apprentice in Stefan Sobell’s shop in England. If you’ve heard Martin Simpson’s music than you know that Sobell sound. Nigel’s guitars have that essence but he is making refinements and finding his very own voice that is equally unique and in some ways more american. This Model C is very special with big, bold bass notes and sweet rosewood trebles.

C. Fox was a production brand by Charles Fox in the 1990s, and this Sonoma model is an ideal representation of the quality of instrument offered by that label. Made from nicely striped Indian Rosewood and tight, fine-grained Spruce, this guitar has all the feel and sound that a fingerstylist is looking for. Could be a great recording guitar, with good clarity and presence overall. The red pinstripe appointments make this one a classy piece to set your heart a-beating!

The Fox Ergo is a masterpiece of guitar design. Charles incorporated a number of features to achieve both wonderful tone and extreme comfort and playability. The Ergo includes a wedge body, elevated fingerboard, compound cutaway and a low-mass/multi-layer top with unique bracing. The result is a larger size guitar that’s very easy to hold all day long. You can also play up to the very last fret with ease. The voice has tremendous power and projection and sublime clarity and balance. The Ergo is something very fresh and exciting in our world of guitars.

When people ask why Brazilian Rosewood is so coveted, guitars like this are our answer. Rich, full-bodied, charming midrange — this is an acoustic guitarist’s dream. European Spruce on top, minimalistic appointments, mammoth bone for the nut and saddle, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and bridge. This instrument lets all of the natural materials do the talking. And man, oh man, do they have a lot to say. There is no compromise with this guitar; it leaves nothing to be desired.

Other keywords/misspellings: Luthier, lutherie, bespoke, OM, ameritage, 643, fingerstyle, black pearl.

With a lively and opened up guitar in your hands, it feels like the sky’s the limit for what you can do, right? This 2005 Franklin OM fits that description to a T. From the soft V neck and slightly wider nut (1 13/16”), to the herringbone trim and gold Gotoh open gear tuners, this Franklin is as easy on the hands as it is on the eyes. It’s in excellent shape, with hardly a mark on her, and that’s especially impressive considering it’s almost 14 years old. This beauty comes in Indian Rosewood and Sitka Spruce, and is a steal of a deal if you’re looking for that Franklin tone without breaking the bank on a Brazilian Rosewood guitar. The top features a rear-shifted X brace, non-scalloped braces throughout, and an aged toner look that’s right at home in a vintage arsenal. This is an OM that lives up to its workhorse heritage, responding well to both picks and fingertips, and dips into altered tuning territory. We found it help tune well with the use of a capo, and the overall lightweight build (3lbs 14oz) meant we never got tired of playing this handsome Franklin.

Other keywords: nick kukich, orchestra model, IR, east indian rosewood, fingerstyle