In the vibrant world of acoustic guitars, the name Preston Thompson resonates with a unique blend of historical reverence and contemporary innovation. The story begins in the 1980s when Charles Sawtelle, the esteemed guitarist of Hot Rize, granted luthier Preston Thompson unprecedented access to his remarkable collection of pre-war guitars. This pivotal collaboration ignited a journey that would solidify Thompson’s reputation and earn him deep respect among acoustic guitar aficionados worldwide. From his Oregon-based workshop, Thompson cultivated an international following, assembling a team of skilled artisans who diligently continue his legacy of crafting exceptional acoustic instruments to his exacting specifications, even after his passing in 2019. The presence of Thompson Guitars in the hands of celebrated musicians like Molly Tuttle and Billy Strings underscores their appeal to a new generation of discerning players, cementing their status in the modern acoustic landscape.
Recently, I had the distinct pleasure of experiencing the PKT D-EIS, a dreadnought model that traces its lineage back to a guitar Thompson constructed in 1983. This was a period deeply influenced by his immersive study of the Sawtelle collection. It’s a fascinating concept—a guitar that is essentially a reinterpretation of a replica—yet it speaks volumes about the enduring power of inspiration and the iterative nature of genius. Greatness, as they say, often builds upon the foundations laid by those who came before. The PKT D-EIS masterfully embodies this principle, delivering exceptional tone and playability while presenting a visually refined aesthetic characterized by subtle yet distinctive design elements.
Initial Aesthetic and Design Impressions
Upon liberating the PKT D-EIS from its plush hardshell case, the afternoon sunlight danced across the red abalone accents adorning the top trim, headstock logo, and rosette. The guitar immediately captivated me with its understated elegance. These meticulously crafted details introduce a captivating visual dimension to the classic dreadnought form. The choice of maple binding, instead of the more conventional ivoroid, beautifully frames the adjacent red abalone, creating a sophisticated contrast. This maple motif extends gracefully up the neck and headstock, providing a striking counterpoint to the rich, dark ebony of the fretboard and headstock veneer. This design scheme evokes the refined and restrained elegance reminiscent of early 19th-century Biedermeier furniture, showcasing a commitment to subtle sophistication.
This visual interplay continues across the guitar’s top, where the light Sitka spruce meets the dark ebony bridge, punctuated by abalone-inlaid bridge pins. Turning the guitar over reveals further visual delights, with red abalone once again highlighted in the back strip, nestled between two exquisite pieces of Indian rosewood. Crowned with gold Waverly tuners featuring butterbean buttons, the guitar achieves a striking visual presence without resorting to ostentation. It’s a guitar that commands attention through its refined details and harmonious material choices.
Close-up of the neck joint of a Preston Thompson PKT D-EIS guitar, showcasing Honduran mahogany and ebony fretboard, highlighting craftsmanship and design
Exceptional Playability and Comfort
The PKT D-EIS immediately feels familiar and inviting in hand, thanks to its thoughtfully chosen specifications. With a 25.4-inch scale length, a 1-3/4-inch nut width, and 2-5/16-inch string spacing at the saddle, it strikes a comfortable balance for a wide range of playing styles. The Honduran mahogany neck, shaped into a soft V profile, provides substantial support for the left hand, allowing fretting fingers to move with ease and comfort. While dreadnought guitars are sometimes perceived as physically demanding to play, often causing stiffness and fatigue, the PKT D-EIS defies this stereotype. In fact, its exceptional playability made it genuinely challenging to put down, encouraging extended sessions of exploration and musical enjoyment.
A Sonic Paradise: Exploring the Tone
From the very first notes played on the PKT D-EIS, it became clear that this instrument is a veritable sonic paradise. The notes produced are remarkably well-rounded, possessing a rich, full sustain while maintaining a focused and articulate attack. When playing a chromatic scale up the neck, the sound remained consistently balanced and even across the entire register. Notably, the D note at various positions—string 2, fret 3; string 3, fret 7; and string 4, fret 12—exhibited consistent strength in both tone and volume, demonstrating exceptional sonic uniformity.
Drawing on my extensive experience with Django Reinhardt-inspired Hot Club music, I naturally gravitated towards employing rest strokes. When digging into single notes with this technique, the PKT D-EIS responded admirably, projecting each note with clarity and definition. Conversely, utilizing a lighter touch for more traditional flatpicking yielded equally impressive projection and clarity, showcasing the guitar’s dynamic responsiveness.
Transitioning to fingerstyle and exploring Elizabeth Cotten’s timeless “Freight Train,” the open chords resonated with a captivating, reverberant sustain. The guitar’s tonal palette reveals a pleasing darkness in the midrange, providing a rich foundation upon which melodies can effortlessly soar and sing. The guitar truly came alive when delving into chord melodies like Jerry Garcia and David Grisman’s “Dawg’s Waltz.” The bass notes were full and sustained, while the chords projected with remarkable clarity and balance. Adding the melody on top, each note cut through the harmonic texture with precision and articulation.
Considering the PKT D-EIS’s traditional dreadnought architecture, it’s impossible not to be reminded of Tony Rice’s legendary tone on his iconic D-28. Inspired, I ventured into Rice’s rendition of “Minor Swing” with the Grisman quartet, adopting a more rhythmically active chord accompaniment. The chord voicings blended seamlessly, and switching to a swing rhythm accompaniment unveiled robust and earthy low-mid frequencies. Layering lead lines on top, the single notes pierced through the mix with remarkable power. Next, exploring a simple chord-melody arrangement of the Santo & Johnny instrumental “Sleepwalk,” each melodic note sang out from the top of the voicing with remarkable sweetness. At this point, I was compelled to pause and contemplate, “Is there anything this guitar can’t do?” Its versatility across diverse musical styles is truly exceptional.
View of the lower bout and bridge of a Preston Thompson PKT D-EIS guitar, highlighting the Sitka spruce top and ebony bridge, showcasing the guitar's construction and materials
Final Verdict
The Preston Thompson PKT D-EIS stands as an exceptional acoustic instrument, characterized by its potent voice, effortless playability, and striking yet refined appearance. It transcends the label of merely a flatpicker’s dream; it is equally well-suited for studio musicians who demand a versatile flattop capable of excelling in a wide spectrum of musical genres and recording contexts. With a street price just under ten thousand dollars at the time of review, it represents a significant investment, potentially placing it beyond the reach of some players. However, for those who possess the means, the cost should not be viewed as a deterrent but rather as an affirmation of its inherent quality and enduring value. Investing in a truly exceptional acoustic instrument like the PKT D-EIS is a judicious decision, offering not only immediate musical gratification but also the potential for long-term appreciation in both monetary value and, more importantly, in the richness and depth of its tone over time.
PKT D-EIS Specifications
BODY: 14-fret dreadnought; Sitka spruce top; advanced Adirondack spruce X-bracing; East Indian rosewood back and sides; ebony belly bridge with bone saddle; faux tortoise pickguard; maple binding and heel cap; 41-style red abalone top purfling; custom red abalone back strip; gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish
NECK: Honduran mahogany with dovetail joint; 25.4″ scale length; 1-3/4″ bone nut; ebony fretboard; red abalone diamonds-and-squares position markers; gold Waverly tuners; gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish
OTHER: Elixir Nanoweb 80/20 Bronze Medium strings (.013–.056); deluxe hardshell case
MADE IN: USA
PRICE: $9,950 street
