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Mike Forrester • Luthier

  • Home
  • Bio
  • Contact
  • Testimonials
  • Photo Journal
    • Forrester Kustoms "The Brave" - 2012
    • '63 Fender Stratocaster Headstock Restoration
    • Rickenbacker 4001 Bass Resto Mod
    • Pavel Bass Headstock Repair
    • Martin 12-string Headstock Repair
    • 1962 Fender Bass VI Restoration
    • Red Hamer 'Vector' Flying Vee
    • Telecaster Thinline
    • Gibson Les Paul Goldtop Refinish
    • 1956 Fender Stratocaster Refret
    • 59 Les Paul R.I. Headstock Repair1
    • Les Paul Classic Inlay Swap
    • Custom Mahogany Archtop Armrest
    • 1967 Rickenbacker 4001S Restoration
    • Collings Acoustic Headstock Repair
    • Gibson LG0 Acoustic Bridge Replacement
    • Dean Camo Vee
    • '62 Reissue Fender Strat Relic Job
    • Custom Tele
  • Products & Services
  • Guestbook
Forrester Kustoms custom-built 'Brave' doublecut - Everything you need, but nothing to get in the way of awesome tone and playability.

Forrester Kustoms custom-built 'Brave' doublecut - Everything you need, but nothing to get in the way of awesome tone and playability.

I used Honduras Mahogany for the neck and back, and bookmatched an awesome piece of figured maple for the front. The finish is nitrocellulose lacquer, and the stains are custom mixed for each individual shade.

I used Honduras Mahogany for the neck and back, and bookmatched an awesome piece of figured maple for the front. The finish is nitrocellulose lacquer, and the stains are custom mixed for each individual shade.

The pickguard was cut from a choice piece of Tortoid hand-cast acrylic.  Every detail is addressed, including hand polishing the edge of the new pickguard.

The pickguard was cut from a choice piece of Tortoid hand-cast acrylic. Every detail is addressed, including hand polishing the edge of the new pickguard.

The aluminum and brass wraparound bridge is from Jason Schroeder.  Jason makes THE finest wraparound on the planet.

The aluminum and brass wraparound bridge is from Jason Schroeder. Jason makes THE finest wraparound on the planet.

The one and only pickup on this particular 'Brave' is a Gibson Tony Iommi signature model humbucker.  Incredibly articulate, especially when rolled back for cleaner tones, but full and gloriously overdriven when rolled to 10.

The one and only pickup on this particular 'Brave' is a Gibson Tony Iommi signature model humbucker. Incredibly articulate, especially when rolled back for cleaner tones, but full and gloriously overdriven when rolled to 10.

The Brave's headstock features direct string-pull, a rosewood veneer, and an ebony and mother-of-pearl 'F' monogram.

The Brave's headstock features direct string-pull, a rosewood veneer, and an ebony and mother-of-pearl 'F' monogram.

The Brave is the first model from Forrester Kustoms to feature the new direct-pull headstock and 'F' monogram.

The Brave is the first model from Forrester Kustoms to feature the new direct-pull headstock and 'F' monogram.

A 12" radius rosewood fingerboard, and flawlessly-dressed medium/tall frets offer silky smooth playability and precise intonation.

A 12" radius rosewood fingerboard, and flawlessly-dressed medium/tall frets offer silky smooth playability and precise intonation.

The hand-shaped Honduras mahogany neck features a symetrical chunky 'V' profile from the volute down to the heel transition.  The sunburst lacquer finish is carried over from the beautiful maple top.

The hand-shaped Honduras mahogany neck features a symetrical chunky 'V' profile from the volute down to the heel transition. The sunburst lacquer finish is carried over from the beautiful maple top.

This Brave doublecut is a joy to play, and the tone is perfectly balanced, clean or overdriven.

This Brave doublecut is a joy to play, and the tone is perfectly balanced, clean or overdriven.

The Brave's maple top is slightly arched and radiused where the player's arm rests.  A welcome feature on ANY guitar.

The Brave's maple top is slightly arched and radiused where the player's arm rests. A welcome feature on ANY guitar.

The Gotoh 510 tuning machine is one of THE smoothest, most precision machines in existence.

The Gotoh 510 tuning machine is one of THE smoothest, most precision machines in existence.

The neck heel is ergonomically rounded, and the mahogany back features a subtle sunburst around the edge.

The neck heel is ergonomically rounded, and the mahogany back features a subtle sunburst around the edge.

The Brave's body edges are gently radiused for an organic feel, the treble side cutaway is dished, and the neck heel is rounded to provide comfortable access to the higher frets.

The Brave's body edges are gently radiused for an organic feel, the treble side cutaway is dished, and the neck heel is rounded to provide comfortable access to the higher frets.

Forrester Kustoms 'Brave' doublecut.  Hand-made, one at a time, in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Forrester Kustoms 'Brave' doublecut. Hand-made, one at a time, in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

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