Welcome to Tim Forster Guitars. I’m proud to share the work of some of the UK’s most talented guitar builders — beautiful instruments made with real care, character, and attention to detail.
All our in-stock guitars are available to order online, safely packed, fully insured, and delivered straight to your door.
Want to try something out in person? You’re very welcome to visit our by-appointment Demo Room in Northampton.
Just click on the logos below to explore current stock from our builder partners, plus a selection of quality pre-owned guitars.
Neil Ivison has spent over 20 years in the world of guitars — as a guitarist, touring tech, and stage manager for artists including The 1975. He also found success on stage with his own band, The Stone Mountain Sinners, whose 2018 album Tones of Home received critical acclaim.
In 2018, Neil stepped away from international touring to found Ivison Guitars — a premium repair and luthiery workshop that quickly earned a global reputation. Today, his guitars are crafted for discerning players and continue to appear on some of the world’s biggest stages in the hands of internationally recognised artists.
Damian’s journey into guitar building began in the woodwork shop at the British Aerospace factory at the historic Brooklands airfield and racetrack in Weybridge. Surrounded by British engineering and motorsport heritage, he developed a deep respect for craftsmanship — and a drive to keep making things the right way, here in England.
A lifelong guitar obsessive, Damian honed his skills at one of London’s top guitar repair shops, guided by respected luthiers Charlie Chandler and Paul Herman.
Years spent with Golden Era instruments — full of character and quirks — continue to inspire the guitars he builds today: soulful, individual, and built to be played.
Ben Crowe cut his teeth building guitars in a garage in Chichester, while studying historical stringed instruments at the renowned West Dean College. But the early music scene proved a little too straight-laced — so Ben went his own way, chasing a vision for bold, fully custom electric guitars.
In 2005, he launched Crimson Guitars, and never looked back. What began as a one-man workshop has grown into one of the UK’s most distinctive guitar brands, fuelled by a global community of builders and players. With a YouTube channel reaching over 300,000 subscribers, Ben’s mission is simple: push boundaries, share the craft, and build guitars that break the mould.
Matt Oram founded Fidelity Guitars in 2017, leaving behind a career in marketing to chase a long-standing obsession that started at 16 — the moment he picked up his uncle’s black-and-white Hohner Strat. With no formal woodworking background, Matt taught himself the craft through YouTube, forums, and sheer persistence.
Since then, Fidelity has grown into one of the UK’s most distinctive boutique guitar brands. Matt’s designs take cues from the quirky charm of ’60s and ’70s catalogue guitars — Kay, Silvertone, Teisco — but reimagined with modern reliability and pro-level playability. Built for working musicians, these are instruments with attitude, character, and serious craft behind the cool.
