I’ve always been drawn to traditional music, and in that world, it’s quite normal to commission your own instrument once you reach a certain understanding of your playing. What drew me to Nigel’s work was his design sensibility and willingness to experiment. I already owned a Howe-Orme guitar and appreciated its sound table design — Nigel was the first luthier I came across who not only had an interest in Howe-Orme but had also made thoughtful improvements on the original idea. I got very excited when I saw his work — and how clearly he presented it.
There’s a quality to his approach that stood out right away: an open mind, a fearlessness to explore new ideas or refine old ones. A true craftsman.
For me, an instrument is ultimately a tool — but an important one. I wanted something harmonically rich yet focused in tone, dependable, and a joy to play. And that’s exactly what I got.
“What’s hard today is finding a luthier who isn’t full of gimmicks — someone you can trust. Nigel is a breath of fresh air. A true craftsman. A pleasure to work with.”
Working with Nigel was a pleasure from start to finish. He thought carefully about my ideas, gave valuable feedback, and kept in touch throughout the build. The whole process was a great learning experience.
When the guitar bouzouki arrived, I had a performance that same evening. My wife unpacked it — and praised the packing job for 20 minutes! I tuned it up and used it that night. It felt like an old friend. I was immediately comfortable with it — simply satisfied, which rarely happens with new instruments. It was as if I’d owned it for 20 years.
What stands out most is the combination of harmonic richness and clarity, great playability, and elegant simplicity. It’s the closest to perfect I’ve experienced in an instrument.
Would I recommend Nigel? Absolutely. In my opinion, he’s at the very top. Of course, there’s a lot of noise out there — a lot of “guitar porn,” a lot of fashion. It’s all maya. Instruments shouldn’t be symbols of wealth — they’re tools for making music. And a good instrument becomes a mirror of your thoughts, your dreams, and your ability.
What’s hard today is finding a luthier who isn’t full of gimmicks — someone you can trust. Nigel is a breath of fresh air. A true craftsman. A pleasure to work with.
You only need one good instrument. Get yourself a Forster, then be honest with yourself and find out where you really are on the instrument. You don’t need another one — you just need to develop yourself.
I’m full of gratitude for having Nigel’s instruments. They serve me well.
Instruments shouldn’t be fashion statements. They’re tools for making music. If you’ve been looking for a luthier you can really trust, maybe now is the time to start the conversation.