Nigel Forster Gouzouki Build Thread

[timcasey55]

[nkforster]

Next - the insides are given a light sealer coat of lacquer. The sides are laminated from Indian rosewood, western red cedar with a modern manmade inert material between the two for mass and stiffness. I've been experimenting with different modern materials. To be honest, with so many timbers heading towards the endangered lists these are things we need to be thinking about.

[timcasey55]

[timcasey55]

[timcasey55]

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[nkforster]

So - bottom pic, you can see the arching in the top. The braces have to fit the arch or you have a problem. It gets glued on when the humidity is right - I never glue a critical (cross grained) process above 40%RH.

After that it goes in the carriage for binding.

n

[timcasey55]

[timcasey55]

[timcasey55]

[nkforster]

So, from the top down - I use cheap laminate trimmers, each one permanently set for a different depth of cut. That way I don't have to keep changing the bearings. I just swap router. The routers are dirt cheap - around £25! Google Aim Tools, UK and you'll find them. But considering they only have to work about 10 minutes a week each they are more than good enough for the job. I use an old adapted LMI jig for routing.

The body is sealed with shellac, and the channels are routed, the sides are trued and the channels routed again. Then the channels are cleaned up with a file and a sharp chisel. Routing around the Howe Orme hump is done free hand - the hump is too much for the binding jig to cope with.

The binding and purfling are bent together - this binding is an engineered ebony, similar to rocklite. Makes superb binding. I bend them by hand on the old bending iron. It's actually quicker than using the machine for this job.

n
http://www.nkforsterguitars.com/

[timcasey55]

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[timcasey55]

[timcasey55]

[timcasey55]

[nkforster]

This lot should be fairly self explanatory. Any questions, ask away.

n

[timcasey55]

[timcasey55]

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[timcasey55]

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[timcasey55]

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[timcasey55]

[timcasey55]

[timcasey55]

[Reinhardt]

Hi Nigel and all you bouzouki players out there. Justa quick update on the Forster second hand bouzouki I bought from Adam Rhodes of Barrule ( check out his bands theyre great!!). Had it out for its 3rd session last night with a piper friend of mine. His pipes are very loud but the bouzouki had no problem drowning him out!!! It just gets better and better the more I play it. i dont think Adam was playing it much lately so its really opening up on a daily basis. And believe it or not, this is one of Nigel's earlier bouzoukis which are quieter than the ones he makes now. I cant wait to get the cash together to order a Howe Orme Guitar Bouzouki from him.

I showed the bouzouki to Joe Foley last week. Joe is an old pal of mine and makes brilliant instruments himself. Joe was mightily impressed!! By the way, Joe has just built himself a round back greek style bouzouki for his own use. Fantastic instrument, totally different to the flat backs in sound. Brought back memories to me as I used to play a greek bouzouki for years until it fell apart, looks great on the wall now!!

Keep up the great thread Nigel. Fascinating to see the instrument taking shape. Is Adam's new bouzouki nearly finished?? Dont forget to post some photos and a video!!

John

[nkforster]

On with the neck...this one is Tim's.

Nigel
http://www.nkforsterguitars.com/inst...itar-bouzouki/

[timcasey55]

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