The Fretboard Journal is proud to offer our latest FJ Exclusive offering: A very special guitar from our Preston Thompson Guitars, the second-ever Thompson Peter Rowan Signature Model guitar.  

Preston Thompson has a short, but rich history of making exceptional signature model guitars for Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle. The Rowan model is their latest offering, a limited run of just 15 instruments offered as either a 0000 or a dreadnought. This particular instrument (the second signed Rowan signature edition) is a dreadnought with East Indian rosewood back and sides and an Adirondack spruce top. 

What we love about it: It's a fine-sounding dreadnought with a great story, built by one of the premier acoustic workshops in the country. Rowan knew Preston Thompson as far back as the '80s, making this Signature Model all the more appropriate. The sunburst is gorgeous. Best of all, Rowan's personalized design touches look equally at home in Suwannee or Sedona (and all points in-between). The koa binding is a subtle but unique touch.

Most importantly, it sounds wonderful. We had Seattle's own Eli West play it for you. 

 

We recently spoke to craftsman Simon Haycraft at Preston Thompson Guitars about the making of this instrument. Hear all about it on a forthcoming episode of the Fretboard Journal Podcast. 

Guitar Stats: 

Top: Hand-selected Adirondack Spruce 
Back & Sides: Indian Rosewood
Bracing: Adirondack
Scale: 25.5" (Long)
Neck: 14 Fret Mahogany, soft V, adjustable truss rod
Nut: Bone - 1 3/4"
Bridge: Ebony Traditional - 2 1/4"
Neck and headstock finish: Satin
Body finish: Gloss
Advanced X bracing
Binding: Koa 
Custom rosette: Koa/Turquoise 
Neck Inlay: Infinity Knot - Koa/Pearl/Turquoise
Fretboard Inlay: Buffalo skull, Water, Lotus, Sun (Turquoise, Koa, Pearl, Bone)
Hardshell Original Case Co. 

As we embark upon our next 15 years of publishing, the Fretboard Journal is proud to announce the launch of FJ Exclusives. We’ll be partnering with some of our favorite brands and builders to offer you exclusive access to FJ-only collaborations and one-off instruments. As with everything in our magazine’s pages, all the products we feature will be remarkable and have a story worth telling behind them. This is our third and most deluxe offering to date.

Though we have no desire to be a guitar dealer, we do love connecting lucky readers with products we know you’ll love. Best of all, proceeds from FJ Exclusives will also help our independent media company expand in new and exciting ways.