Nigel Forster Session King in classifieds

[bruce.b]

This is the first Session King I've seen for sale. Even though I'm not looking to buy another tenor guitar, I'd be tempted if the scale length was 22". It's way too long for me at 24.75. This is a chance to get one for an amazing price, if the scale works for you. It sounds incredible in the videos.

[pheffernan]

Between that one and a certain Herb Taylor archtop, the classifieds are currently safe for no one.

[Charles E.]

I wish the seller all the best but I wish people would show a picture of the entire instrument. I really don't care what the label looks like. As to the "tenor guitar" it is not a tenor, it is a plectrum guitar.

[pheffernan]

As to the "tenor guitar" it is not a tenor, it is a plectrum guitar.

Does that mean I can give myself permission to buy it? While it might be a bit short for a plectrum, it's the same scale as my Guild M20 and would probably shine in Chicago tuning.

P.S. More information on the mandolin in question: http://www.nkforsterguitars.com/blog...itar-for-sale/

[Charles E.]

Pheffernan, I guess I am a bit of a purist when it comes to tenor guitars. A lot of people think that just because a guitar has four strings, it is a tenor guitar. In my mind, since the tenor and plectrum guitars were designed as crossover instruments for four string banjo players, the same designations to scale length and tuning should follow. A tenor guitar has a scale length of 22 7/8 inches or less, when getting close to the 25 inch scale length it is a plectrum. Now I can see where this guitar would be useful tuned GDAE, The G string should be nice and strong, not flabby like a standard tenor. Perhaps it is a hybred? Any way it sounds great so play on.

[bruce.b]

Between that one and a certain Herb Taylor archtop, the classifieds are currently safe for no one.

True. Lots of great tenors to choose from. I love the Collings tenor also. It has a gorgeous tone. It's the golden age of stringed instrument builders. My next tenor, after I move, is going to be a Herb Taylor archtop, Sitka spruce top with figured maple sides. The scale will be just a bit longer than my current one, 22 inches. My Herb Taylor archtop, #205, is 21.25".

[Jill McAuley]

Aye, first thing I saw this morning was that ad for the Session King. I've drooled over those for ages, but that scale length would be way too long for me. Bruce, if I hadn't just sent a deposit off to Herb for a tenor build I'd be all over your arch top tenor - #174 was one of the guitars in his "sold" gallery that caught my eye when I was first contemplating getting the ball rolling for a build.

[bruce.b]

Hi Jill,
We are in the process of selling our house and trying to move across the country to the Portland, Oregon area. We might end up in a floating home on the river, in which case spac will be at a premium. I'm trying to clear out what I don't play every day, and I slightly prefer #205. If there is room I then might order a second tenor from Herb.

[pheffernan]

#174 is a beauty, Bruce. Do you know how it sustained the hairline cracks on the back? Did it suffer a drop on an endpin or some such trauma?

[bruce.b]

No, Herb never explained it to me. I'm quite sure it was never dropped. He said it had two small hairline cracks that start on the bottom edge that is cosmetic only since a brace runs across it. I took his word and a several hundred dollar reduction. It's amazingly loud, and when I got it i never played my other tenors and eventually sold them. I love the neck on his instruments and love the hybrid tone they get with the arched top and flat back. I believe the top is pressed, not carved, btw. I've never asked Herb how he makes them. anyone know?

[pheffernan]

The Session King ad describes the instrument as "ON HOLD." I'm wondering who snagged it.

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/113468#113468

[FatBear]

We are in the process of selling our house and trying to move across the country to the Portland, Oregon area. We might end up in a floating home on the river, in which case spac will be at a premium...

Hi Bruce,
Sent you a PM.

[pheffernan]

This is the first Session King I've seen for sale. Even though I'm not looking to buy another tenor guitar, I'd be tempted if the scale length was 22". It's way too long for me at 24.75. This is a chance to get one for an amazing price, if the scale works for you. It sounds incredible in the videos.

And this is the second: https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/122486#122486

[liestman]

My Session King is a 22" scale (not for sale) and has an amazing sound, playability and, well, just everything. I much prefer it to the one Collings and to several Herb Taylors that I have played (although all of those are incredible instruments - just personal preference here).

[nkforster]

Yep, this one is pretty recent. I thought it was great. I don't do soundports very often, but the owner has had one in every instrument he has had from me. And it does double up as a perfect icecream cone holder if you get peckish.

The owner has been a good customer over the years, but I get the impression he never keeps anything for long. Oh well.

Yes, the first one came up for sale for an all too common issue. The payment of medical bills. This has happened to a few customers of mine in the US, and it's awful. To have worked for years, paid your way, then to find yourself not being able to keep hold of stuff you hoped to enjoy...ach, there's something not right about that.

To all those who get "wound up" over the tenor gutar/plectrum guitar thing. Yes, you're right. this probaly is a plectrum guitar - both the tuning and the scale is different from what is normally considered a tenor guitar. I'll write a blog post about this.

Nigel
http://www.nkforsterguitars.com/inst.../tenor-guitar/

[bruce.b]

I’d love to play a Forster tenor. Are you teaching anywhere this summer, John?