The year now is 2022 and we make about 125 guitars a year – most of them custom with some standards thrown in-between. We love what we do and very proud to carry on the tradition of making guitars by hand and with a team of talented luthiers.
From the start Gareth Jenkins participated in making Thompson guitars and is still here sharing is his knowledge. We could not be more grateful for his years of dedication to the company.
Dan Stewart who was Preston’s business partner has since retired and I, Christine Funk, have taken on the role as CEO and also have a part in the business. I am grateful for our newest investor Jamey Hampton to continue to see the future ahead as we build guitars for the future generation with upcoming talented and inspired luthiers.
Original article published January 11, 2014
The Bend Bulletin stopped by our shop last year for a quick tour of our facility and to chat with Preston about his plans for expanding the business. They spoke with fellow team member, Gareth Jenkins on our unique approach to creating custom built guitars for each of our clients.
“We’ll build about 30 to 35 guitars over the coming year,” said Gareth Jenkins, a luthier from Portland who joined Thompson’s team this past fall. Because each guitar will be custom-made, “you get a relationship with the builders when you buy an instrument,” Jenkins said.
That relationship — which is built around a series of meetings designed to determine the buyer’s musical preferences and playing style — is part of the package Thompson sells with his instruments.
It’s also the source of a lot of fun that he and his fellow craftsmen are having in their new venture.
“Every person is different,” Jenkins said. “They all have different personalities, and that can be fun.”
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