Ask the Experts: TJ Thompson

Every two weeks, the FJ Insider will ask one of our favorite icons in the fretted instrument world a couple of questions. First up is legendary luthier TJ Thompson.   

FJ: What’s the number one mistake customers make when buying a valuable pre-war guitar?

TJ Thompson: Buying the guitar BEFORE having it inspected by a knowledgeable pro. I once had a client bring in a 30's 00-28 for a saddle adjustment. It appeared to be in near mint condition which is why he'd just paid full boat fare for it on eBay. He was beside himself with joy. Not for long -- it apparently had been submerged in water just long enough for every glue joint to float apart. I explained to this now green man that it would cost more to repair his new old Martin than it would to replace it. I suggested that he contact eBay and press them for a refund. Never heard from him again.

FJ: You have a ton of great players coming through your shop. Who has the best ears? 

TJ: Just for fun, I wish I could name an artist that would make you do a double-take and surprise you, but I have to be honest, top of the list would have to be Tony Rice. I know, it almost seems cliche to say, but there's a reason his name comes up so often, and as you might suspect, it all starts with having a great and discerning ear. He confirmed for me something that I'd always believed but didn't have to nerve to say out loud in public - that you MUST have two guitars in the same room at the same time in order to draw useful conclusions and compare them. If I had a nickel for every time I've heard "my guitar sounds better" or "this guitar sounds better than mine" etc. while all the while, I'm thinking: you have no idea what you're talking about. everyone thinks they know, but in the absence of the other guitar, that kind of memory is not really possible. I was wrong over and over. I was CERTAIN I liked this guitar better than that guitar. Get them in the same room.. wrong again! Thanks Tony. I might be losing my mind, but at least this is not one of the signs.

FJ: Your own guitars are highly coveted, but you rarely have time to dive into them. What's one guitar you would make if time / money wasn't an issue? 

TJ: If I had time to spare, I'd be teaching guitar making classes in prisons and high school shop classes. I think that would be a blast and incredibly rewarding.