Official Luthiers Forum!

Dear All, Just to let you know I have been posting a few shots films on YouTube showing me at work. Some of the stuff will be familiar ground to most of you, but it may be new to some. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/Nkforster

http://www.nkforsterguitars.com

Nigel,

You will be pleased to know that I bent my first set of sides recently, after watching, more than a few times, your video of side bending . I am happy to be able to say, "Thanks!" Oh, they turned out quite nicely, if I say so myself.

Nigel,

Welcome to the OLF!

I have been aware of your youtube vids for a while now, and find them informative and incredibly compatible with my method of building.

Saw your guitars at Cheltenham last year too, enjoyed seeing Gareth Pearson shred on an NK Forster, and was not just impressed by the technique, but the tone!

All the best.
Sam.

I can't watch the videos here at work but.... wow! That is awesome, I can't wait to get home and watch a few of these. Thanks!

_________________
Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils - Louis Hector Berlioz

Chansen / C hansen / C. Hansen / Christian Hansen - not a handle.

Christian

Right - multipiece backs - I have no problem with them - given the choice between a 5 piece quarter sawn back and a 2 piece slab, I would choose the former although many folk would not. As long as you are confident about your joins I would go for the better wood every time. And the days of good quality 2 piecr backs in Rosewood are coming to an end - the quality of Indian is going right down. Younger trees are being felled and to make the width they are being cut off the quarter - the worst of both worlds.

The Angled 2nd brace - if this brace goes straight across the waist it will be too stiff and a dip can develop when the back swells (I build very dry) So it is partially to allow a little more movement which can help avoid distortion and splitting, also by making it more flexible (longer and lower) the bass response seems to be improved.

Finally, I scrape the binding then seal with glue and scrape again to fill small gaps but mailnly to prevent Rosewood dust from dirtying up the white during final sanding.

Hope this all helps.

Nigel

http://www.nkforsterguitars.com

Hey Nigel,
I done been watching your vids on YouTube for many months now. I didn't know you be here on the Forum!

Cool Bro, keep the vids rollin'

You're Awesome

Thanks for Sharing your trade!

_________________
"After forty-nine years of violin building, I have decided that the search for a varnish is similar to the fox hunt. The fun is in the hunt."
Jack Batts Maker and Repairer of Fine Violins

nigel,
the videos and posts are much appreciated. thanks for sharing.
phil

Nigel,

Very enjoyable stuff.


I'm curious to know the humidity levels that you build at. Thanks,

Cal

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Remember, there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers!

I build normally around 20-35% This is lower than most I believe. And the heating is always on.

Thanks Nigel,

I've been struggling to keep my shop humidity at around 40-45% while I believe it would normally range from about 20 to 30% in this part of BC. Thank you again for this post, as I believe I will start building dryer than I have been.

Other than the angled 2nd back brace, would there be any other major changes that you've made to compensate for the dryer humidity?

Cal

_________________
Remember, there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers!

None. Wood can stand expansion far better than contraction.

Have just posted some more side bending clips for you all.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Nkforster

http://www.nkforsterguitars.com