FS: Jimmy Foster Basin St.

Bluewyatt · #1 01-20-2012, 09:39 AM

This hand built thinline archtop Jazz guitar by Jimmy Foster is as good as new. It has no dings or scratches and was purchased new in Dec. 2010. It has never been gigged with, and hasn't seen much playing time. The neck plays like a dream (shallow c) and the guitar has exceptional workmanship and tone. It has a 1 3/4" nut width. Jimmy Foster has sadly passed away this year so there will be no more of these treasured guitars. $3500
Specs:
Hand Split Carved Cedar Top with X bracing
15" Body Width
2" body depth
Select One Piece Mahogany back and sides
One Piece Mahogany neck joined at the 15th fret
Venetian Cutaway
Body Bound in Black Plastic Binding
Adjustable Steel Truss Rod
Solid Ebony Tailpiece, Pickguard, Bridge, Fingerboard, Headstock, Truss Rod Cover and Heel Cap
Beautifully Chamfered F Holes
Engraved Truss Rod Cover
Delicate Abalone Inlay on the 12th fret, headstock, and tailpiece
Custom Kent Armstrong Built In Pickup with Volume, Tone.
Gold Plated Tuners
High Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish
6-String Configuration
Cremona Burst

Bluewyatt · #2 01-24-2012, 03:24 PM

I'd love to put this in the hands of a player. I don't play jazz but I wouldn't hesitate to use this on a live gig for the singer/songwriter thing that I do. It plays as easily as anything I've handled, with the neck, light weight, and 15" lower bout. I would mention that the neck is thinner than I ever would have imagined - a very light and delicate feel. I'm not sure of the radius but it's a 1 3/4" nut width and a 25.5" scale. I'm using Thomastik- Infeld George Bensons, medium light roundwound (.012 -.053).

Tom Karol · #3 01-24-2012, 05:31 PM

What a beautiful guitar! Great dimensions and wood selection, too! Alas, I can't afford to sell my car in order to buy it. But someone should snap it up. Good luck!

Bluewyatt · #4 02-11-2012, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Karol

What a beautiful guitar! Great dimensions and wood selection, too! Alas, I can't afford to sell my car in order to buy it. But someone should snap it up. Good luck!

Thanks, Tom. Jimmy favored mahogany/cedar on his smaller archtops and the sound is sweet, even unplugged.

Bluewyatt · #5 05-22-2012, 08:21 AM

This wonderful guitar is still available. Thank you.

PTChristopher · #6 05-22-2012, 09:43 AM

Wow. I am surprised that this is still available.

This superbly designed guitar is really where it's at in terms of size, nut width, and superb craftsmanship.

Jim Soloway · #7 05-22-2012, 09:43 AM

Some killer specs on this guitar and from my conversations with Jimmy many years ago, I suspect it represents a lot of his favorite design elements. He was a great fan of mahogany sides and back and matching that up a cedar top is just brilliant. Love the size too.

PTChristopher · #8 05-22-2012, 11:47 AM

>>> He was a great fan of mahogany sides and back and matching that up a cedar top is just brilliant.

I love the shape and slightly lower bridge position (compared to traditional archtop design). This, plus the cedar top, hints at the character and punch of a nylon string design in a very modern small archtop.

What a great example of modern thinking in a jazz box. Tons of character in a rib-friendly guitar.

Makes you want to start building something this afternoon.

I hope we hear (in words and sounds) from the eventual new owner of this guitar.

Chris

kris · #9 05-22-2012, 01:03 PM

looks like very comfortable jazz box!

Bushwackbob · #10 05-22-2012, 01:50 PM

And I bet it is fairly light with the cedar top. Very beautiful guitar.

mark105 · #11 05-22-2012, 02:35 PM

Very nice

Bluewyatt · #12 05-22-2012, 09:03 PM

It's really a crime that a jazz player doesn't have this guitar. The neck is a very narrow C shape, in case you're not familiar with Jimmy Foster guitars, and if that is what you prefer. I am open to partial trades - try me. Thanks. Bat McGrath

Jim Soloway · #13 05-23-2012, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluewyatt

It's really a crime that a jazz player doesn't have this guitar. The neck is a very narrow C shape, in case you're not familiar with Jimmy Foster guitars, and if that is what you prefer. I am open to partial trades - try me. Thanks. Bat McGrath

It's not often that I say this, but I wish this was a guitar that I could afford to own. I've been quite haunted by it. I'll bet it sounds and plays just wonderfully.

Bluewyatt · #14 05-23-2012, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Soloway

It's not often that I say this, but I wish this was a guitar that I could afford to own. I've been quite haunted by it. I'll bet it sounds and plays just wonderfully.

It plays like a dream and does indeed sound sweet. If you're haunted by it, perhaps something will work itself out ;-) Even though this guitar will become a collector's piece (in my opinion), I'm not the type to have an instrument sitting around underappreciated. I'm sure it will find a home and I'm in no rush.

IbanezAS100 · #15 Yesterday, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PTChristopher

>>>

Makes you want to start building something this afternoon.

Chris

Well, maybe you should..and be sure to post pics if you do...your last build thread was great, very educational.

To the OP: What a beauty...I'd definitely be inquiring about shipping to the UK if I didn't have a semi with a very similar spec (15'' thinline, 2'' depth, ebony board, violin finish etc) on order! Best of luck with the sale!

bborzell · #16 Yesterday, 09:24 AM

This guitar looks to me to be the quintessential answer to the oft posted question, "Is it better to own several lesser priced guitars or just bite the bullet and buy "the" one?"

PTChristopher · #17 Yesterday, 12:37 PM

I am a poor historian. Was the Basin St. any sort of Hale Music exclusive or something?

>>> bite the bullet and buy "the" one?"

Or how about:

For the cost of many laminated fine archtops you could score the Basin St. then add your choice of an American Special Tele or an Epi 339 - and still have $$$ left. Then tell me what gig, anytime - anywhere, you would not be ready to attack in style.

Chris

Bluewyatt · #18 Yesterday, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PTChristopher

I am a poor historian. Was the Basin St. any sort of Hale Music exclusive or something?

>>> bite the bullet and buy "the" one?"

Or how about:

For the cost of many laminated fine archtops you could score the Basin St. then add your choice of an American Special Tele or an Epi 339 - and still have $$$ left. Then tell me what gig, anytime - anywhere, you would not be ready to attack in style.

Chris

I bought mine at SoundPure but I know what you mean. Other than buying them direct from Jimmy, I only found them at Hale Misic or SoundPure. It's a scary good, solid wood, handmade archtop at any price.

edh · #19 Yesterday, 08:07 PM

you said it has a narrow neck? Is the neck narrower than the 1 3/4" you mentioned at the nut? It looks like it gets exceptionally wider towards the bridge? Although it could just be the angle that the photo was taken. Is this a nylon string guitar?

Sorry for all the questions.

Bluewyatt · #20 Yesterday, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edh

you said it has a narrow neck? Is the neck narrower than the 1 3/4" you mentioned at the nut? It looks like it gets exceptionally wider towards the bridge? Although it could just be the angle that the photo was taken. Is this a nylon string guitar?

Sorry for all the questions.

I meant a thin profile (like a shallow C). The nut width is 1 3/4".
It's a steel string - I have Thomastik-Infeld George Benson flat wound strings on it.