This is a beautiful Preston Thompson dreadnought DMA acoustic guitar, built near the end of the master luthier’s career. It features a striking sunburst finish that beautifully highlights the classic materials and vintage-inspired craftsmanship Thompson was renowned for.
About Preston Thompson
Preston Thompson (1956–2019) was a highly respected American guitar maker known for his handmade, pre-war vintage-style acoustic instruments. An avid bluegrass fan, he studied lutherie in the 1970s at Charles Fox’s School of the Guitar Research & Design Center in Vermont—one of the earliest dedicated guitar-making schools in North America. He later honed his skills in Nashville’s bluegrass scene and gained recognition in the 1980s through collaborations with players like Charles Sawtelle (of Hot Rize) and Peter Rowan. Thompson meticulously studied and measured golden-era instruments, creating guitars prized for their authentic tone, projection, and playability. He continued lutherie until his passing away in 2019.
Guitar Specifications
• Model: Dreadnought DMA (Dreadnought Mahogany Adirondack)
• Top: Adirondack Spruce (with pre-war style scalloped bracing for excellent volume and responsiveness)
• Back & Sides: Mahogany
• Finish: Sunburst (a warm, vintage-style burst that accentuates the wood grain and gives the guitar a timeless, aged aesthetic)
• Neck: One-piece mahogany with a comfortable modified V profile
• Nut Width: 1¾ inches (44.5 mm) — ideal for fingerstyle and flatpicking alike
• Bridge Spacing: 2 5/16 inches (58.7 mm) at the saddle — providing balanced string feel and excellent playability
• Other Features: Tortoise binding, classic rosette and purfling details, ebony fingerboard and bridge, solid headstock with Thompson mother-of-pearl logo inlay, and overall construction that captures the power and clarity of pre-war dreadnoughts while remaining responsive for modern players.
This late-career example is in excellent condition, showing minimal signs of play and retaining the rich, dynamic tone Thompson guitars are celebrated for—loud, projecting bass with clear trebles and a lively midrange that works equally well for rhythm, flatpicking, or vocal accompaniment.
Note that while the guitar is in outstanding shape, it does not include the original case.
Whether you’re a collector seeking a fine example of Thompson’s work or a player looking for a responsive, vintage-voiced dreadnought with modern playability, this sunburst DMA represents the culmination of a lifetime dedicated to building exceptional acoustic guitars.
Demo Video: https://youtu.be/rmAgLh-guJ8?si=dVWZaHkNNLY3EzW9
This is a beautiful Preston Thompson dreadnought DMA acoustic guitar, built near the end of the master luthier’s career. It features a striking sunburst finish that beautifully highlights the classic materials and vintage-inspired craftsmanship Thompson was renowned for.
About Preston Thompson
Preston Thompson (1956–2019) was a highly respected American guitar maker known for his handmade, pre-war vintage-style acoustic instruments. An avid bluegrass fan, he studied lutherie in the 1970s at Charles Fox’s School of the Guitar Research & Design Center in Vermont—one of the earliest dedicated guitar-making schools in North America. He later honed his skills in Nashville’s bluegrass scene and gained recognition in the 1980s through collaborations with players like Charles Sawtelle (of Hot Rize) and Peter Rowan. Thompson meticulously studied and measured golden-era instruments, creating guitars prized for their authentic tone, projection, and playability. He continued lutherie until his passing away in 2019.
Guitar Specifications
• Model: Dreadnought DMA (Dreadnought Mahogany Adirondack)
• Top: Adirondack Spruce (with pre-war style scalloped bracing for excellent volume and responsiveness)
• Back & Sides: Mahogany
• Finish: Sunburst (a warm, vintage-style burst that accentuates the wood grain and gives the guitar a timeless, aged aesthetic)
• Neck: One-piece mahogany with a comfortable modified V profile
• Nut Width: 1¾ inches (44.5 mm) — ideal for fingerstyle and flatpicking alike
• Bridge Spacing: 2 5/16 inches (58.7 mm) at the saddle — providing balanced string feel and excellent playability
• Other Features: Tortoise binding, classic rosette and purfling details, ebony fingerboard and bridge, solid headstock with Thompson mother-of-pearl logo inlay, and overall construction that captures the power and clarity of pre-war dreadnoughts while remaining responsive for modern players.
This late-career example is in excellent condition, showing minimal signs of play and retaining the rich, dynamic tone Thompson guitars are celebrated for—loud, projecting bass with clear trebles and a lively midrange that works equally well for rhythm, flatpicking, or vocal accompaniment.
Note that while the guitar is in outstanding shape, it does not include the original case.
Whether you’re a collector seeking a fine example of Thompson’s work or a player looking for a responsive, vintage-voiced dreadnought with modern playability, this sunburst DMA represents the culmination of a lifetime dedicated to building exceptional acoustic guitars.
Demo Video: https://youtu.be/rmAgLh-guJ8?si=dVWZaHkNNLY3EzW9
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