Preston Thompson, the unfortunately recently departed founder of the now world famous Thompson guitar company, has had his guitars seen on stage in the hands of everyone from Billy Strings (known for his hot rodded Brazilian rosewood dreadnought replete with switches and magnetic soundhole pickup) to, originally back in the day, Colorado local legend and Hot Rize guitarist Charles Sawtelle, who was an early adopter of Preston’s work.

This 000-12 fret, a very Norman Blake style guitar, was built in 2023, and though the company is now without its founder, this guitar reflects the intent of the company to keep the quality coming now nearly 6 years after their patriarch’s death.

With a “Master Grade” Adirondack spruce top (and Adirondack pre-war style braces), lovely sinker mahogany back and sides, and a longer 25.4” scale, this guitar has a more dread-like clarity that’s not often found on 000 guitars, and you can see in this one why the 000-12 fret has long since been favored by flatpicking legend Norman Blake.

The neck, with its 1 ¾ nut, is a comfortable soft V profile, evoking a blend between the vintage Martin necks of the pre 1934 body shift, and a more modern V interpretation. The 2 5/16 bridge spacing also gives a slightly more modern feel.

Condition wise, this instrument is near mint, with barely any signs of play wear. Only one or two small marks on the headstock betray that this isn’t a “new” instrument, though it essentially is.

Comes with the original Harpoon case.