Wide open, singing all the way to the back of the music hall, and looking the part of the road worn and road tested. This 2016 Slope Shoulder from the Pre-War Guitar Co. is exciting, easy to play, and just plain old fun. Mahogany back and sides with Torrefied Adirondack Spruce top, nitro finish, and a level three distress job to make it look the part of a proper vintage piece–add a round C neck and slim weight (under four pounds), and you’ve got a livewire itching to go.

Other keywords: allen shadd, fingerpicking, dreadnought, dreadnaught, shade top, sunburst, sun burst, 66002, relic’d

Masterpiece, indeed. Preston Thompson’s team has spent over a year and a half on No. 1 in their Masterpiece Series. This 45-style OM is a testament to steady hands, the finest tonewoods, and the patience required to execute so many minute details in such fine style (read: over 270 inches of inlaid Abalone). A gorgeous example of their “shipwreck” Brazilian Rosewood was used for the back and sides, and a Martin-style brown ‘burst Adirondack Spruce rests on top with Abalone trim and a Brazilian Rosewood belly bridge. Rounded block inlays of Brazilian Rosewood span between each and every gold EVO fret, with Myrtlewood edge bindings and Abalone ring position markers.
The headstock’s fern inlays offer a glimpse of what is to come when you turn the guitar over in your hands: curling up from the tailblock on the back are eight fern tendrils executed with Bronze Mother-Of-Pearl and Green Abalone. A simple strip of flamed Myrtlewood divides the fern in two.
For all that the visual presentation is flawless and elegant, it’s the voice of this Thompson Masterpiece that brings it all home. Smooth balance from E to e, powerful but restrained response to keep notes crisp and focused, and the sort of effortless playability that makes this a guitar which almost plays itself—it’s a wonder to get anything done with this guitar in the room.
The sheer number of hours that have gone into this Thompson is humbling, as is the setup, and especially the tone. The mantle of masterpiece rests easily on its shoulders.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, PKT, OM-45, 45-style, brazilain, abolane, abolone, shipwreck brazilian, adriondack, harptone

Wow, and wow. We’re struck by this one from our friends at Preston Thompson Guitars—it’s a real force of nature. One of our clients commissioned this build with us, and we’ve had such a blast collaborating with him and the PKT team. The voice is immense, and balanced, with striking clarity and power in the trebles and a bottom end that is rich and palpable. Pairing up handsomely with an articulate and even midrange to boot. And this isn’t surprising, given what we’ve heard from other Shipwreck builds—Thompson’s supply of Shipwreck Brazilian Rosewood is growing thin, while their extant guitars are growing in popularity (and tone as they open up). Adirondack Spruce on top with a well-executed 42-Style trim package throughout, gold Waverly tuners, and a K&K Pure Mini pickup. This D-SBA-42 has it all, and we’re so excited to put in the hands of someone who we know will cherish it. Interested in a build of your own? Give us a shout! We love working with folx on custom projects big and small.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, flatpicking, nick dauphinais, bluegrass, dreadnaught, preston thompson guitars, pkt guitars, oregon, blue grass, flatpicker

Brand new and raring to go! This Preston Thompson DBA-45 is as beautiful to the eyes as it is to the ears, and plays handsomely to boot. Lovely, chocolate-dark Brazilian Rosewood body with Adirondack Spruce on top, Mahogany neck plus 1 3/4” nut, and stunning 45-style appointments throughout. That’s over 240” of Abalone on the top, back, and sides! These elements take a tremendous amount of time and skill to make come together at such a high level of quality. To date, the Preston Thompson team has only made five other 45-style guitars before this one, so this is very special to say the least. It’s is what a Bluegrass cannon should be: powerful, articulate, and rewarding.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, flatpicking, bluegrass, dreadnaught, preston thompson guitars, pkt guitars, oregon, blue grass, flatpicker, 1867, allen shadd