Anybody know this luthier?

[Uke]

A friend of mine just sold her now deceased husband's 1951 Gibson J-185. Before going to the buyer somewhere in Illinois, it will be sent to a luthier in Mass (I think), named T.J. Thompson. Any of you folks familiar with him?

 

[SFIV1967]

According to Fretboard Journal: "He’s arguably the world’s preeminent expert on repairing vintage Martin Guitars. He also builds his own, exquisite reproductions of Golden Era Martins and is the guy behind Proluthiertools.com, where he offers specialized tools and reproduction bridges for fellow luthiers working on vintage acoustics. "

A Visit to Guitar Repair Guru TJ Thompson - Fretboard Journal

Ah, the sleepy little burg of West Concord, Mass. and its Revolutionary War overtones -- first shot fired and all that. Perhaps you’re thinking there might be a sign advertising Thompson Guitars… fuggedaboudit. The primary sign by the entrance to the old warehouse on Bradford Street where TJ...

www.fretboardjournal.com

TJ Thompson Guitars - Pro Luthier Tools

TJ Thompson is a professional guitar luthier providing specialty repair tools, guitar parts, and authentic Martin and belly bridges.

proluthiertools.com

TJ Thompson Guitars (@tj_thompson_guitars) • Instagram photos and videos

5,035 Followers, 496 Following, 121 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from TJ Thompson Guitars (@tj_thompson_guitars)

www.instagram.com

Ralf

 

[chazmo]

A friend of mine just sold her now deceased husband's 1951 Gibson J-185. Before going to the buyer somewhere in Illinois, it will be sent to a luthier in Mass (I think), named T.J. Thompson. Any of you folks familiar with him?

I'm not. @walrus @wileypickett @Bill Ashton ??

 

[GGJaguar]

Yeah, as Ralf mentioned, he's very well known for his Martin clones. I've overheard a couple of luthiers say that TJ Thompson has "out-Martined Martin" with his guitars.

 

[Uke]

According to Fretboard Journal: "He’s arguably the world’s preeminent expert on repairing vintage Martin Guitars. He also builds his own, exquisite reproductions of Golden Era Martins and is the guy behind Proluthiertools.com, where he offers specialized tools and reproduction bridges for fellow luthiers working on vintage acoustics. "

A Visit to Guitar Repair Guru TJ Thompson - Fretboard Journal

Ah, the sleepy little burg of West Concord, Mass. and its Revolutionary War overtones -- first shot fired and all that. Perhaps you’re thinking there might be a sign advertising Thompson Guitars… fuggedaboudit. The primary sign by the entrance to the old warehouse on Bradford Street where TJ...

www.fretboardjournal.com

TJ Thompson Guitars - Pro Luthier Tools

TJ Thompson is a professional guitar luthier providing specialty repair tools, guitar parts, and authentic Martin and belly bridges.

proluthiertools.com

TJ Thompson Guitars (@tj_thompson_guitars) • Instagram photos and videos

5,035 Followers, 496 Following, 121 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from TJ Thompson Guitars (@tj_thompson_guitars)

www.instagram.com

Ralf

Thanks so much, Ralf! This is really a special guitar with lots of memories and emotions tied to it. Nice to know it's going to a good Doc!

 

[chazmo]

@Uke He's in West Concord, MA which is not that far from where a few of us live... If you need anything (or have more opinions to share) let us know. If nothing else, us massholes can always use another competent luthier to work with!

 

[wileypickett]

I'm not. @walrus @wileypickett @Bill Ashton ??

Don't know him, but sounds like he knows his onions.

 

[walrus]

Nope. Don't get out to West Concord much! Obviously sounds like he know what he's doing, though!

 

[Uke]

@Uke He's in West Concord, MA which is not that far from where a few of us live... If you need anything (or have more opinions to share) let us know. If nothing else, us massholes can always use another competent luthier to work with!

Thanks Chazmo. I think Ralf's got it covered up in post #2 above. I appreciate your interest. Sounds like the guy is relatively famous.

 

[Uke]

According to Fretboard Journal: "He’s arguably the world’s preeminent expert on repairing vintage Martin Guitars. He also builds his own, exquisite reproductions of Golden Era Martins and is the guy behind Proluthiertools.com, where he offers specialized tools and reproduction bridges for fellow luthiers working on vintage acoustics. "

A Visit to Guitar Repair Guru TJ Thompson - Fretboard Journal

Ah, the sleepy little burg of West Concord, Mass. and its Revolutionary War overtones -- first shot fired and all that. Perhaps you’re thinking there might be a sign advertising Thompson Guitars… fuggedaboudit. The primary sign by the entrance to the old warehouse on Bradford Street where TJ...

www.fretboardjournal.com

TJ Thompson Guitars - Pro Luthier Tools

TJ Thompson is a professional guitar luthier providing specialty repair tools, guitar parts, and authentic Martin and belly bridges.

proluthiertools.com

TJ Thompson Guitars (@tj_thompson_guitars) • Instagram photos and videos

5,035 Followers, 496 Following, 121 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from TJ Thompson Guitars (@tj_thompson_guitars)

www.instagram.com

Ralf

He sounds like a very meticulous, almost OCD sort of guy -- exactly who you would want to work on your guitar!

 

[chazmo]

I appreciate your interest. Sounds like the guy is relatively famous.

Well, I'm a little surprised that those of us who live here don't know him. Self-promotion and all... But I'm sure it'll be fine. Where are you located, and have you consulted with Tom Jacobs in Florida first? Just sayin'

 

[wileypickett]

Wait-a-doggone-minute! I have used him!

A few years back a Cambridge-based luthier botched a fret job I'd brought him. A friend who I complained to recommended T.J. to me. He was the only local luthier who has a Plek machine. (I was a bit skeptical, but I came away a believer -- the guitar was perfect after being Plek'd.)

The reason none of us know him is because he's a snob when it comes to Guilds -- he won't work on them! He limits the jobs he'll take strictly to Martins, Gibsons and boutique makers. (The guitar I brough him was a Goodall.)

In spite of looking down his nose at Guilds, his rep is well-deserved -- he does excellent work.

 

[Uke]

Well, I'm a little surprised that those of us who live here don't know him. Self-promotion and all... But I'm sure it'll be fine. Where are you located, and have you consulted with Tom Jacobs in Florida first? Just sayin'

No I didn't contact Tom (who is about an hour away from me), basically because it was a Gibson and not a Guild. Thanks for reminding me, though, since I need to talk with Tom about one of my Guilds. Edit. Now, as I remember, Tom HAS seen this guitar, but my friend said he evidently did't want to take it on. It will need a custom made repro bridge, neck reset, and a belly bulge reduction. I guess the buyer really knew where to send it.

 

[Bill Ashton]

I think I know who you are talking about, on road from Stow to Acton to Concord? Seen his small sign at end
of drive, perhaps?

There are two Thompsons that make guitars, the well know Northwest coast luthier, and then another closer to
the east, always has pieces showing at Kaufman Kamp...

Thats all I gots...

 

[geoguy]

That man has an amazing shop, as shown in the video that Ralf posted!

 

[SFIV1967]

I think I know who you are talking about, on road from Stow to Acton to Concord?
Seen his small sign at end of drive, perhaps?

Yes, next on 62 in Maynard, between Stow and Concord.



Ralf