Again within the Eighties, Scorching Rize guitarist Charles Sawtelle gave luthier Preston Thompson permission to entry and measure his huge assortment of uncommon prewar guitars, and thus started a collaboration that may deliver Thompson nice renown and respect within the acoustic guitar world. From his store in Oregon, Thompson constructed a global following and gathered a crew of artisans who proceed to construct fantastic acoustic devices to his specs even after his passing in 2019. And with luminaries like Molly Tuttle and Billy Strings having their very own signature fashions, Thompson guitars are actually seen within the arms of a brand new era of pickers.  

I lately had the chance to audition a PKT D-EIS, primarily based on a dreadnought Thompson in-built 1983 whereas nonetheless within the depths of constructing devices impressed by the Sawtelle assortment. It’s virtually ironic {that a} guitar is usually a duplicate of a reproduction, however that’s how genius works—greatness stands on the shoulders of giants who stood on the shoulders of giants. The PKT D-EIS delivers in spades on these two all-important qualities—tone and playability—all whereas being pleasing to the attention with its distinct but delicate design options.  

First Impressions 

After I first eliminated the PKT D-EIS from its deluxe hardshell case, the afternoon mild illuminated the crimson abalone of the highest trim, headstock emblem, and rosette, and I used to be immediately taken by the guitar’s elegantly easy magnificence. These detailed touches add a lovely visible twist to a standard dreadnought. Maple binding as a substitute of the standard ivoroid superbly frames the adjoining crimson abalone. The maple motif continues up the neck and headstock and creates a definite distinction to the darkish ebony of the fretboard and headstock veneer—a scheme that jogs my memory of the restrained magnificence of the early Nineteenth-century Biedermeier furnishings.  

This visible counterpoint continues to the highest of the guitar between the Sitka spruce high and the ebony bridge and abalone-studded bridge pins. Turning the guitar over, crimson abalone is once more highlighted within the again strip, framed by two beautiful items of Indian rosewood. Topped off with gold Waverly tuners and their butterbean buttons, the guitar is an absolute looker with out being overly flashy.  

Excellent Playability  

With a 25.4-inch scale size, 1-3/4-inch nut, and 2-5/16-inch string spacing, the PKT D-EIS feels very acquainted and simple to play. The tender V-shape of the Honduran mahogany neck supplied ample help for my left hand to comfortably help the fretting fingers. I’ve typically discovered dreadnought guitars to be stiff and fatiguing to play, however not so with this instrument. In actual fact, I discovered it troublesome, to say the least, to place down.  

Paradise of Tone 

From the primary second I performed the PKT D-EIS, the guitar revealed itself as an absolute paradise of tone. The notes are well-rounded with a full maintain whereas concurrently remaining very targeted on the front-end assault. After I performed the chromatic scale up the neck, I discovered the sound to be very constant and balanced all through. The amount of the D observe on string 2, fret 3 and its different places, on string 3, fret 7 and string 4, fret 12 had been equally sturdy each when it comes to tone and quantity. 

From my a long time of taking part in Django Reinhardt–impressed Scorching Membership music, I have a tendency to make use of relaxation strokes (see my Weekly Exercise within the March-April 2023 problem), and once I dug in on single notes, the PKT D-EIS responded nicely and projected every observe cleanly and clearly. Utilizing a lighter contact for some extra conventional flatpicking supplied simply as a lot projection and readability.  

After I fingerpicked my approach via the Elizabeth Cotten traditional “Freight Practice,” the open chords supplied reverberant maintain; the guitar produces a lovely darkness within the midrange, atop which the melody can simply sing. The guitar likewise got here alive once I switched to taking part in chords on Jerry Garcia and David Grisman’s “Dawg’s Waltz.” The bass notes had been full and sustained, whereas the chords lower via in a sustained and balanced approach. Including the melody to the accompaniment, every observe lower via.  

The PKT D-EIS being a standard dreadnought, I can’t assist however consider Tony Rice’s magical tone on his fabled D-28, and so I launched into his tackle “Minor Swing” with the Grisman quartet, taking part in a extra energetic chord accompaniment. The notes of the chords blended nicely, and once I switched to swing accompaniment, the low mids had been strong and earthy. I added some lead on high and the only notes lower via like a cannon. Subsequent taking part in via a easy chord-melody association of the Santo & Johnny instrumental “Sleepwalk,” every melody observe sang from the highest of the voicing. I needed to cease and ask myself, “Is there something this guitar can’t do?”

The Backside Line 

With its highly effective voice, simple playability, and distinctive, good-looking look, the Preston Thompson PKT D-EIS is not only a flatpicker’s dream, it’s additionally very best for a studio musician who wants a well-rounded flattop for numerous types and contexts. At just below ten grand as reviewed, it would sadly be out of attain for a lot of pickers. However for these with the means, the price of this guitar shouldn’t be a deterrent however as a substitute a testomony to its greatness. Splurging on a really nice acoustic instrument like it is a smart funding, as you’ll be able to respect it whereas it appreciates in worth in addition to tone.  

PKT D-EIS SPECS  

BODY 14-fret dreadnought; Sitka spruce spruce high; superior Adirondack spruce X-bracing; East Indian rosewood again and sides; ebony stomach bridge with bone saddle; fake tortoise pickguard; maple binding and heel cap; 41-style crimson abalone high purfling; customized crimson abalone again strip; gloss nitrocellulose lacquer end 

NECK Honduran mahogany with dovetail joint; 25.4″ scale size; 1-3/4″ bone nut; ebony fretboard; crimson abalone diamonds-and-squares place markers; gold Waverly tuners; gloss nitrocellulose lacquer end 

OTHER Elixir Nanoweb 80/20 Bronze Medium strings (.013–.056); deluxe hardshell case 

MADE IN USA 

PRICE $9,950 road 

pktguitars.com