Custom, Handcrafted, and Curated Vintage
Stringed Instruments & Parts.
We specialize in beautifully handcrafted stringed instruments and parts, including custom mandolin and guitar builds and inlays. We also buy and sell certified vintage stringed instruments and components and offer all-inclusive courses in banjo and mandolin assembly.
Welcome to
Things with Strings.
With more than 30 years of experience, luthier, David Foster prides himself on building beautifully handcrafted stringed instruments and parts. Through Foster Mandolin & Guitar Co., we provide custom instrument builds and inlay services (featuring names, designs, and anything you can place an inlay in). Our custom guitar builds include Dreadnought, 000, OM, L00, etc. and we offer custom Loar spec mandolins in F and A styles. Our Doozy line features instruments handcrafted using Tennessee-sourced materials. Our certified vintage collection includes beloved antique instruments and parts. We are also excited to now offer camps in instrument assembly and inlay.
Meet the Craftsman.
David Foster, Luthier
A musician since childhood and dentist by profession, Dr. David Foster has always had a natural talent and passion for working with his hands. David combined this with more than 30 years of woodworking experience to launch his lifelong dream and labor of love - Foster Mandolin & Guitar Co. - in 2020.
He has since launched Doozy, a line of instruments using Tennessee-sourced materials, and continues to deal in vintage instruments and parts - a hobby he adopted more than 35 years ago. Whether vintage or crafted with his own hands, each piece featured on Things With Strings comes with David's seal of approval.
Learn more about
Our Brands + Collections.
Foster Mandolin & Guitar Co. offers custom, handcrafted mandolin & guitar builds, as well as custom inlay services.
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Our Doozy line features custom, handcrafted mandolin & guitar builds - all made with locally-sourced materials and components.
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Our vintage collection includes a curated
assortment of beloved antiques, including pre-war instruments and parts.
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I have been trying forever to have a truss rod cover made to look like the one on Mother Maybelle Carter’s old Gibson guitar. Dave hit the nail right on the head with the replica he made for me. I couldn’t be more proud and it couldn’t be better. Thanks a lot!
-Logan H.
Take a look
Shop Coming Soon.
Did you know we offer handcrafted custom orders? Inquire today.
Contact Us.
Get in Touch.
Our shop is located at 3045 Henley Way, Spring Hill, TN 37174.
Have a question or need more information? Want to register for one of our upcoming instrument assembly camps? Let us know by completing the contact form below, or email us at [email protected].
Registration now open!
Banjo & Mandolin
Assembly & Inlay Camps
We are so excited to announce the schedule for our upcoming 2025 camps! These courses, designed for all skill levels, include Banjo Assembly, Mandolin Assembly, Intro to Inlay, and Intermediate-Advanced Instrument Inlay. Registration is now open! Learn more and register today.
