Up for sale is my guitar-bodied octave mandolin built in 2015 by Nigel Forster. Nigel was Stefan Sobell’s apprentice for 13 years. He has been building on his own since 2004, and has developed an amazing style all his own.The back and sides are Indian Rosewood. The top is European Spruce. The neck is Mahogany, and the fingerboard is Ebony. It is fitted with lovely gold-plated open-gear Hipshot tuning machines, which are among my favorites of all the machines on the market today. They are smooth in action and don’t slip at all. The nut and saddle are both bone, and the instrument has a “zero fret”, which has the added plus that the open fretted strings sound the same. For those occasions when you need to amplify, it has a built-in microphone and preamp, the L. R. Baggs Lyric System, which is a perfect match for this particular instrument.As is Nigel’s style these days, the back and sides are very thick and heavy. His approach, as he explained it to me, is that a very heavy, rigid back and side set reflects the sound back to the top and forward to the listener. He is certainly on to something, because this thing is very loud and dynamic, quick and punchy, detailed and sweet, in a way that other bouzoukis and octave mandolins just are not able to replicate.The back is flat, but the top has a bent arch to it, known as a “cylinder top”. This design was originally patented by the Howe Orme company, whose guitars were actually built by Vega in Boston. After Howe Orme went out of business, Vega started building guitars and mandolins using this “cylinder top” design. Nigel is one of a very few modern builders to build in this style. The bend allows for a thin, responsive top to be very rigid and strong without excessive bracing, thus making for a very loud and responsive instrument.Why am I selling it? I have two other Nigel Forster octave mandolins, and this one is a bit redundant, so it must go. I’m working hard to get down to a manageable number of fine instruments. (I know, I know, first world problems.)The scale length is 22”. The fingerboard is 1.32” wide at the nut. The string spacing at the bridge is 1.61”. The action at the 12th fret is a perfect 2/32” on all strings. The lower bout is 15 3/8”, the upper bout is 11” and the waits is 8 ¾”. The body is 3 ½” deep at the heel and 4 1/8” deep at the end pin. As stated above, it is, by design, unusually heavy for an acoustic instrument, weighing in at 7 pounds, 9 ounces, or 3.44 Kg. It took me a few days to get used to this, but the sound is well worth it.The neck is straight as can be with less than 1/64" relief. There are no high frets, buzzes, dips or twists. It is in perfect playing condition with great action, fast, smooth frets and absolutely no issues at all.Condition-wise, I would rate this a “Near Mint”. There are two spots of inexplicable “gray” tinge on the top wood. One is on the bass side of the center bulge, at the bottom (endblock) area, the other is on the bass side bridge end corner of the pickguard. They don’t come off with rubbing, and the one near the endblock comes and goes with changes in lighting angle, so I think it might be related to the cut and bend of the top wood.To hear a sound clip I recorded of this amazing GBOM, please click . I used two microphones set about 18” apart, in front of the instrument. There are no effects. To get the best possible idea of the instrument’s sound and “presence”, I recommend listening with headphones or very good speakers.  The recording was done at my desk, and does not do justice to the instrument, but it gives you an idea of the ballpark we are talking about. Please forgive the playing. I’m having some arthritis issues in my left pinky.This comes with its original case, which is an upper-line Hiscox model.TERMS, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: Buyer pays selling price plus shipping and insurance. I typically ship with USPS or FedEx, though other arrangements can be made at the buyer's request. No fee is charged for packing or handling. I will gladly ship anywhere in the world, but beware, international shipping charges can be steep, and the buyer is responsible for all duties, taxes, VAT, brokerage and storage fees on their end. Please contact me with any questions.