Dreadnought
Preston Thompson Dreadnought models are all crafted to produce the tone and volume that the dreadnought guitar was originally designed to achieve. These are powerful instruments that, when needed, stand up to the volume of a mandolin, fiddle and banjo. They have the bass response that provides an almost full orchestral backing to vocals. Their mid-range response and bright trebles take flatpicking and lead playing to new levels of achievement.
These are traditional instruments and all models are based on the famous 1937 Herringbone Dreadnought, owned by the late, great Charles Sawtelle of the award winning bluegrass band, Hot Rize. All feature Red spruce (Adirondack) tops chosen for tap tone and stiffness, advanced X brace placement, hand graduated top thickness, pre-war hand carved scalloped braces, nitro-cellulose lacquer finishes and time tested design features such as dovetail neck joints.
It’s all about sound, and that is what the Thompson Dreadnought specializes in. Regardless of the model – mahogany, East Indian rosewood, Honduran rosewood or Brazilian rosewood, Thompson Dreadnoughts are built with the finest woods, materials and craftsmanship to deliver that sought after pre-war sound and playing feel.
Tops
- Adirondack Spruce
- Sitka Spruce
- Lutz Spruce
- Engleman Spruce
- European Spruce
- Mahogany
- Port Orford Cedar
- Koa
Back and Sides
- Shipwreck/Salvaged Brazilian
- 5A Brazilian
- East Indian Indian Rosewood
- Madagascar Rosewood
- Mahogany
- Oregon Myrtlewood
- Maple
- Koa
- Sinker/Cuban Mahogany
Headstock
- Solid (paddle)
- Slotted (non 12 Fret)
- Torch Inlay
- Regency Torch Inlay
- Custom Torch Inlays
- Custom Inlays
- Bound Headstock
- Back Overlay
Neck Profiles
- Nut Width/Profile Options – see this page
Fingerboard
- Fingerboard Binding – Ivoroid, Tortoise Shell or Wood
- Diamonds and Squares
- Regency Markers
- Snowflake Inlay (45 Style)
- Mystic Snowflakes
- 1930’s Style Dots
- Custom Inlays
Bridge
- Belly Bridge
- Inlaid Belly Bridge with Snowflake
- Old Style Rectangle
- Pyramid Bridge
- Drop in Saddle
- Through Saddle
Bridge Pins
- Ivoroid Pins
- Bone Pins
- Ebony Pins
- Various Dot Inlays
Rosettes
- Abalone 3 ring
- Abalone single ring
- 3 Ring 28 Style
- 3 Ring 18 Style
- Custom Rosette
Binding and Trim
- Grained Ivoroid
- Tortoise Celluloid
- Wood Binding/Purfling
- Herringbone Purfling
- BWBW Purfling
- Custom Rope Purfling
Back Strips
- Ebony Backstrip
- Zig Zag Backstrip
- Chevron Backstrip
- Multi-Colored Backstrip
Pick Guard
- Tortoise Pick Guard
- Greven Pick Guard
Bracing
- Adirondack Spruce
- Sitka Spruce
- Tongue Brace
Tuners
- Nickel Waverly
- Gold Waverly
- 3-on-a-plate Bronze
- Waverly Slothead
- Ivoroid Buttons
- Ebony Buttons
- Relic Waverly
Finish
- Gloss Nitro-Cellulose
- Satin Nitro-Cellulose
- Sunburst Top
- Shaded/Toner Top
- Custom Color Options
- Stressed Sunburst
*This is a partial list of options available. Just about any custom option may be possible. Not all options are available for all models. Please contact us to discuss your choices.
Prices vary depending upon appointments:
- Click HERE for current prices on all models and toneswoods
*This is a partial list of wood options available. View our Model Style Guide for the complete list or contact us to discuss your choices.
