Podcast 265: TJ Thompson Returns

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TJ Thompson is one of the most respected names in the world of
vintage Martin guitars, a repairperson who can seemingly fix the
impossible. Though he flies under the radar with no advertising
and little publicity (aside from his occasional appearances in
the Fretboard Journal), he has no shortage of work from
collectors, high-end dealers and touring musicians. Occasionally,
he even burns the midnight oil building Martin-inspired guitars
under his own name. (As of this writing, he’s built 87 guitars
from scratch.)  


TJ returns to the FJ podcast in a conversation that covers a lot
of ground: his background (the '70s Martin D-35 with intonation
issues that got him started in lutherie, his stints with Dana
Bourgeois and Elderly Instruments); the inspiration that he finds
from people and problem solving; and a few of the complicated
guitar repairs he has recently tackled. Though there are plenty
of guitar geek revelations, more than anything this is a chat
about following your passion and finding mastery in your craft.
Because of that, it’s one of our favorite episodes to date.
 


Note: TJ also appeared in the Fretboard Journal #26 and has
been on Fretboard Journal Podcast episodes 55, 97, 122 and 123.


Links: TJ's Pro Luthier Tools Shop 


The 1947 Martin D-18 with a crushed side referenced during this
conversation: https://www.instagram.com/p/B1rVQQvHVvD/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link


This episode is sponsored by Mono Cases and Retrofret Vintage
Guitars.