2009 Thompson TP
Ted Thompson quietly built some of Canada’s finest steel string guitars over the course of a 45 year career. Hailing from Vernon, British Columbia, Thompson built more than 1000 instruments through the years as a self-taught luthier. Although he was contracted by Jean Larrivée to build that company’s truss rods for many years, Thompson remained one of a small-handful of Canadian builders who’s guitars are not genetic descendants of Jean Larrivée’s original designs. Ted Thompson sadly passed away in the spring of 2023.
The Thompson TP is a ‘Parlor’ model that measures 12” wide at the lower bout. It’s a very small guitar but is built lightly and features a long 25.6” scale, giving the instrument a surprisingly big sound. It’s meticulously built with a Sitka and rosewood body and a one-piece mahogany neck and is trimmed with maple bindings and koa and ebony purflings. Finished in gloss nitrocellulose lacquer throughout, and fitted with bone nut and saddle, ebony pins, Sperzel tuning machines, and an LR Baggs M1 pickup, this Thompson is tastefully appointed.
The neck has a low C carve with a 1-13/16” nut width and a 1st fret depth of .832”. The string spread at the saddle is 2-1/4”.
Expect a small guitar voice that’s bolder and more robust than you might expect. String balance obviously favours the trebles, but there is a pleasing underlying bass response across the entire register. It responds well to a light touch and is quite dynamic and sensitive to right hand technique.
In excellent condition, well set up, and very light on any kind of playwear.
With original hardshell case
The Thompson TP is a ‘Parlor’ model that measures 12” wide at the lower bout. It’s a very small guitar but is built lightly and features a long 25.6” scale, giving the instrument a surprisingly big sound. It’s meticulously built with a Sitka and rosewood body and a one-piece mahogany neck and is trimmed with maple bindings and koa and ebony purflings. Finished in gloss nitrocellulose lacquer throughout, and fitted with bone nut and saddle, ebony pins, Sperzel tuning machines, and an LR Baggs M1 pickup, this Thompson is tastefully appointed.
The neck has a low C carve with a 1-13/16” nut width and a 1st fret depth of .832”. The string spread at the saddle is 2-1/4”.
Expect a small guitar voice that’s bolder and more robust than you might expect. String balance obviously favours the trebles, but there is a pleasing underlying bass response across the entire register. It responds well to a light touch and is quite dynamic and sensitive to right hand technique.
In excellent condition, well set up, and very light on any kind of playwear.
With original hardshell case
