New to me Jimmy Foster 7-string

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

Ouch! I would miss it too. I still have both the Jimmy Foster and the Gibson Citation, both fine instruments. I will likely hang on to these for a long time to come.

Tony

There was a 15" Basin Street 7 string posted for sale here about 4 years ago that I tried hard to buy. The seller simply ignored multiple requests for pics and info, telling me he already had 2 buyers offerIng his asking price (which several.of us here thought was far too much) and that if I wanted it, I should hurry up and offer the same amount. I asked why he hadn't sold it to one of them already, but he didn't respond to that message for a year.

He then sent me a note asking if I was still interested, still asking the same amount. I politely declined.. Several weeks later, it was posted "for trade only". I really wanted that guitar and (during the first round of interactIon) offered to fly out to meet him at his local airport with cash to inspect it and agree on a price. I don't know if it ever sold, but that was either a potentially great one that got away or a scam (which I doubt, but it was one of those not-quite-right experiences).

Foster made great guitars and played them well. I'd love to have one, but it's too late now.

[tbeltrans]

I was very fortunate that I was able to buy mine locally and avoid all that hassle. What surprised me about these guitars is how easy they play, especially with the necessarily wider fretboard to accommodate 7 strings. Considering that Jimmy Foster himself played, he really knew how to build for what he liked to play.

Tony

There was a 15" Basin Street 7 string posted for sale here about 4 years ago that I tried hard to buy. The seller simply ignored multiple requests for pics and info, telling me he already had 2 buyers offerIng his asking price (which several.of us here thought was far too much) and that if I wanted it, I should hurry up and offer the same amount. I asked why he hadn't sold it to one of them already, but he didn't respond to that message for a year.

He then sent me a note asking if I was still interested, still asking the same amount. I politely declined.. Several weeks later, it was posted "for trade only". I really wanted that guitar and (during the first round of interactIon) offered to fly out to meet him at his local airport with cash to inspect it and agree on a price. I don't know if it ever sold, but that was either a potentially great one that got away or a scam (which I doubt, but it was one of those not-quite-right experiences).

Foster made great guitars and played them well. I'd love to have one, but it's too late now.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

Now I know I'm getting old. I thought I'd posted the story of the one that got away early in this thread. But I looked for that post before adding this morning's.....and I didn't see it. So now you can read it twice

I just read the whole thread while relaxing with a cappuccino on the patio of our hotel room, enjoying this trip's last breakfast in Arizona. We're on our way home in a few hours, assuming that ICE doesn't screw up the Phoenix airport - friends who arrived yesterday said they're all over the place carrying guns and wearing ballistic vests. All they have to do is trigger one dramatic confrontation and the airport will shut down.

In addition to finding that early post, I note with amusement and collegial joy that our forums document a fascinating sense of community. I now own and love the El Rey 7 that MarkM praised early in this thread. I bought it from Rustic, who bought it from Mark, who had traced its origin to Jeff Hale. There's still a pack of tapewounds in tbe case.

Next week, I'm picking up Rustic's Benedetto Bravo 7 that Bob made for Doug Neel in 2012 and that Rustic got from Chris Forshage, one of many forum members' favorite luthiers and the designer of my Tele 7. I sold the Tele7 to another forum member when I got the El Rey.

Small world!!

[stringmann]

I hope that many on this thread got to meet Jimmy and hear him play. What a wonderful guy and pro player...

[Sushi313]

Now I know I'm getting old. I thought I'd posted the story of the one that got away early in this thread. But I looked for that post before adding this morning's.....and I didn't see it. So now you can read it twice

I just read the whole thread while relaxing with a cappuccino on the patio of our hotel room, enjoying this trip's last breakfast in Arizona. We're on our way home in a few hours, assuming that ICE doesn't screw up the Phoenix airport - friends who arrived yesterday said they're all over the place carrying guns and wearing ballistic vests. All they have to do is trigger one dramatic confrontation and the airport will shut down.

In addition to finding that early post, I note with amusement and collegial joy that our forums document a fascinating sense of community. I now own and love the El Rey 7 that MarkM praised early in this thread. I bought it from Rustic, who bought it from Mark, who had traced its origin to Jeff Hale. There's still a pack of tapewounds in tbe case.

Next week, I'm picking up Rustic's Benedetto Bravo 7 that Bob made for Doug Neel in 2012 and that Rustic got from Chris Forshage, one of many forum members' favorite luthiers and the designer of my Tele 7. I sold the Tele7 to another forum member when I got the El Rey.

Small world!!

Could you please share pictures of your Bravo 7? I'd love to see it! I just started playing 7 string last October.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

Could you please share pictures of your Bravo 7? I'd love to see it! I just started playing 7 string last October.

I’m picking it up next Tuesday. Stay tuned.

[Sushi313]

I’m picking it up next Tuesday. Stay tuned.

Awesome! I can't wait! I am such a big fan of 7-string now. I have an Eastman AR403CE 7-string from 2012. So thankful to have it!

[jads57]

Love the idea of a 7 string with a low bass string. Just every time I’ve tried owning one, I think you need to commit to it only.
At least till you gain some mastery of it.

I grew up in the 1970’s in New Orleans,and met Jimmy Foster when he was doing refinishing and repairs. My guitar teacher Les Wise was good buddies with him.
Lovely guy and did a really nice Cherry Sunburst finish!