New Celtic Mandolin Model

[nkforster]

It seems some Celtic players just can't settle for a Mandolin if it isn't shaped like an onion. So this is for them. This is the first "Celtic" shaped Mandolin I've made since leaving the Sobell workshop.

The top is Sitka Spruce, the back and sides are fine Quilted American Sugar Maple, the neck is my 1908 vintage Cuban Mahogany and the fretboard and Bridge are Sri Lankan Ebony. I tried several bridges before I settled on this one - the hollowed design of Ebony brings out the best both treble and bass. The treble is bright without being thin, and the bass is full without being muddy. It should cope well in any session.

Despite the instrument being loud and full, I have to say it does not sound as different from my "A" Model (the one shaped like a Shallot) as I thought it might. But this may be down to the fact that whilst the materials and shape may be different, the arching, thicknessing and bracing are very similar. If I had to say what the main difference is, it is not so much tonally but in the sustain dept. where this little feller is pretty impressive.

http://www.nkforsterguitars.com/mandolins

[DougC]

Really nice looking mandolin. Are there more pictures? Is that tailpiece unique? Sure wish I could hear it. Thanks.

[nkforster]

Yes, that's one of my new tailpieces. I go for a heavy brass one on this model and a lighter version on the A model I make.

Ian Stephenson should be recording a video with this Mandolin soon for us all.

Nigel

http://nkforsterguitars.com/mandolins

[Tim2723]

Very nice! How deep is the body? For me, a 'Celtic' mandolin must not only be onion-shaped but oversized as well.

[CES]

Man, beautiful work!! Can't wait to hear Ian playing it...

[Aran]

Beautiful looking mandolin

[Rick Back]

Gorgeous, beautiful work. What is the scale length and why is the 1st fret so close to the nut?

[jim_n_virginia]

Really nice! I like how you did a very light yellow to orange burst on the top very nice. Also I dig that tailpiece too. Bet it rings out!

[nkforster]

The fret near the nut is a zero fret - hope that clears that one up!

I know many folk like deep Celtic Mandolins, and I will do this if folk insist, but I prefer shallow ones. The depth at the tail on this little feller is 47mm.

http://www.nkforsterguitars.com/mandolins

[JEStanek]

Very nice looking mandolin, Nigel.

Jamie

[Lee Callicutt]

Very nice, indeed.

[Jill McAuley]

Stunning! I can't wait to hear Ian's clips of it - the perfect combination: lovely playing and a lovely mandolin!

Cheers,
Jill

[bmac]

I would agree that it is a stunning instrument. It is designed with economy; elegant simplicity.

[eadg145]

Wow! I am not a "Celtic player" (yet), but I find this mandolin to be crazy beautiful! Really really attractive to me. I like every feature.

Nice work!

cheers,

David

[nkforster]

And the otherside is pretty too!

Nigel

http://www.nkforsterguitars.com/mandolins

[Steve L]

What a beautiful instrument!

[Jim DeSalvio]

Nigel,

Beautiful work. I bet it sounds fantastic. One question, on the soundhole position. Compared to other oval hole instruments, the position of the soundhole seems "higher" on the top than I would expect to see. How do you decide where to position this?

[nkforster]

If you can make the upper area strong and solid then there is no reason not to have the soundhole as far from the tail as possible.

http://www.nkforsterguitars.com/mandolins

[Jill McAuley]

It just gets better and better - that back is gorgeous! Having a serious MAS attack over this one!!!

Cheers,
Jill

[Ed Goist]

Nigel:
Absolutely stunning! You mention that the bracing on this mandolin is similar to that used on your other As, but I could not find reference to your bracing on your site. What type of bracing do you employ on your As, and do you use spruce for the bracing material? Again, congratulations on making a magnificent looking instrument!

[nkforster]

There is a Spruce X brace which meets under the bridge. I played a really special Gilchrist which was made like this, and thought I would try it out some time ago, it works really well. For all the years I was bracing Mandolin tops for Sobell we had the X join as high as possible, but I much prefer the sound this way. Mind the arching and thicknessing are not very Sobell like either, but other areas of construction have more in common.

In short, my mandolin designs are a fusion of what I've build in the past, what I've played that impressed me and a couple of other little ideas which had been at the back of my mind for some time.


http://www.nkforsterguitars.com/mandolins

[nkforster]

Here you all are. This is the underside of one of my "A" Models, but it isn't greatly different.

The picture is from the book I hope to have out by the end of the year which consists of a few essays by yours truly and some wonderful pictures by local photograher Dave Best. The working titile was taken by the designer from a quote from one of my essays when I try to describe what I try to negotiate between for a living -

Between the ideal and the possible.

http://www.nkforsterguitars.com/mandolins

[hank]

SWEET Nigel, the back side of your new youngin almost made me blush.

[Steve-o]

Oh my, that mando is definately a looker. Lovely quilt on the back. Can't wait to hear sound clips.

[Paul Kotapish]

Gorgeous! Now where did I put that lottery ticket?