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I regularly play melody on fretted instruments in traditional music sessions in Scotland. I had already tried a few other tenor guitars in sessions, but they just weren’t loud enough and didn’t have the projection or tone I was looking for. It was difficult to find a tenor guitar that was good enough for me to take to those sessions. I wanted a tenor as I love the guitar sound, but wanted a GDAE-tuned instrument.
I first came across Nigel’s work from a YouTube video — Tom Kimber’s, called something like The Best Tenor Guitar in the World — and gave it a watch. Tom’s a fantastic player, but the guitar really sang to me.
What really drew me to Nigel’s instruments is their elegant simplicity. There’s nothing flashy about them, but the craftsmanship is outstanding. They’re beautifully made, with a quiet confidence in the design and build that really appeals to me.
One of the most important things for me was volume. The instrument had to be loud enough to hold its own in traditional music sessions, where quieter instruments can easily get lost. It was immediately clear that Nigel understood this and took it seriously.
I also wanted a tone that could cut through the mix — not just volume for its own sake, but clarity and presence. Nigel suggested the Tom Kimber design, which features a slightly arched top and more pronounced midrange. This helps the instrument project better and gives it a voice that can stand out in a group setting without being overpowering.
At the same time, I wanted a classic, understated tone — nothing too showy or overly distinctive. I was looking for something clean, warm, and well-balanced. I didn’t want anything that would draw too much attention to itself — just a beautiful, honest sound that would sit naturally with other instruments.
Communication with Nigel was excellent throughout. He kept in touch regularly with updates, questions, and suggestions about the build, and he really took my individual needs into account at every stage. Everything went very smoothly, and by the end of the process, I felt completely confident in my decision to place the order.
I can honestly say that the finished instrument has delivered everything I hoped for — and more. It has exceeded my expectations in every way, both in tone and quality.
“Communication with Nigel was excellent throughout… By the end of the process, I felt completely confident in my decision. The finished instrument has delivered everything I hoped for — and more.”
I selected the European spruce top because I wanted an instrument that would develop character and tone over time. I believe European spruce is one of the best tonewoods out there, and I know it’ll keep improving for years to come.
I’ve been playing the tenor almost every day and attending sessions at least once a week. I think I’ve had it for around six months now, and I can already hear it developing a truly incredible tone. It’s opening up beautifully. It’s delivering everything I hoped for, and I believe its sound will continue to improve and mature over time.
I had been considering the budget for Nigel’s guitars and mandolins for over two years before I finally decided to place the order. I knew commissioning a custom instrument was a big commitment and a significant investment. I hadn’t done anything like it before, so it felt like a major step.
In the end, I’m really glad I went ahead with it, because I believe the tenor guitar is worth every penny. Given the craftsmanship, resources, and skill involved, I feel confident that the investment was truly worth it.
Over the years, I’ve owned and played many mandolins, tenor banjos, tenor guitars, and guitars. However, with this particular instrument, I’m sure it’ll never be sold. I think that says a lot about how much it means to me.
I want to say a huge thank you to Nigel for everything he’s done. His dedication, skill, and support have made all the difference, and I’m truly grateful.
Andrew said his tenor guitar ‘has exceeded my expectations in every way.’ If you’ve been weighing up the investment or wondering whether the process really delivers, maybe now is the time to start the conversation about your own instrument. Click below and we can start.