The story of Bryn in the UK, who owns an NK Forster A model mandolin
“I’d been playing mandolin for a few years when I started thinking about having one made for me. My first mandolin was a low-to-mid range factory model — enjoyable to play, and I’d even had it tweaked by a local luthier. I wasn’t unhappy with it, but I thought it might be nice to have something a bit more special. I also play violin and already owned a handmade one by Tim Phillips, so the mandolin wasn’t my first hand-crafted instrument.
At the time, I was living and working in Dubai, though my long-term home is near Hexham in Northumberland. I knew about Stefan Sobell’s work and I think I discovered Nigel through that connection. He’d moved to Australia by then, and I’d been subscribed to his newsletter for about a year when I saw he was making a batch of mandolins. I got in touch, and it all went from there. I’d also done some Googling, read reviews, and seen videos of players like Ian Stephenson demonstrating his instruments.
I didn’t have a fixed idea of what I wanted. I just wanted something that looked and sounded good and had a strong reputation. I didn’t feel experienced enough to judge the finer points by watching YouTube clips — they always sound good in the hands of a pro. So I relied on what I could learn from research and reviews.
“Straight away, the volume and sustain really stood out. My old factory-made mandolin suddenly sounded flat and tinny by comparison.”
When the mandolin arrived in Dubai, it was beautifully packed in a wooden crate — which I later reused for the return trip to the UK. Straight away, the volume and sustain really stood out. My old factory-made mandolin suddenly sounded flat and tinny by comparison. That said, it did take a bit of adjustment. The new one had a slightly wider fingerboard, so I had to adapt how I played some chords.
Over time, it’s continued to impress. It looks fantastic, and I’ve had other musicians recognise it and ask about it. Sonically, there’s no comparison with my old mandolin. It really suits the British trad music I play, so it’s still a great fit.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. It’s a beautiful instrument, both in sound and appearance — much more full and resonant than my previous mandolin. In fact, it’s a better instrument than my playing deserves. But knowing the mandolin itself isn’t holding me back helps me focus on improving.”
Bryn told me, ‘I just wish I had done it sooner.’ If you’ve been putting off commissioning your own mandolin, maybe now is the right time to start the conversation. Use the form below. Click “I’m a player” and let’s get started.