Old Mission Guitar Collection
Featuring the craftsmanship of luthier Thomas Humphrey.
| Crafted By | Thomas Humphrey |
| Year Made | 1982 |
| Top | Spruce |
| Back and Sides | CSA Rosewood |
| Scale | 660 mm |
| Nut | 54 |
| Tuners | Landsdorfer |
| Case | Fiberglass Hardshell |
| Condtion | Very Good |
| String Spacing at 1st Fret | 42mm |
| String Spacing at 12th Fret | 49mm |
| String Spacing at Bridge | 56mm |
| Total Length | 39 3/8″ (100 cm) |
| Body length | 19 5/16″ (49 cm) |
| Upper bout width | 11 1/16″ (28.2 cm) |
| Lower bout width | 14 3/8″ (36.5 cm) |
| Waist Width | 9 5/8″ (24.5 cm) |
| Body depth (Upper Bout) | 3 3/4″ (9.6 cm) |
| Body depth (Lower Bout) | 3 15/16″ (10 cm) |
| Action at 12th fret - Bass Side | 4.0 mm |
| Action at 12th fret - Treble Side | 3.5 mm |
| Resonant Frequency | E/F |
Description: Thomas Humphrey was one of the top US luthiers with a long list of concert artists who used his instruments, including the Assad Brothers, Sharon Isbin, Ricardo Cobo, and many others. This 1982 spruce-top guitar is one of the pre-Millennium instruments that uses a more traditional design, both internally in terms of bracing, and in the neck/body angle that does not have the elevated fingerboard. The guitar is warm, clear, and full sounding with a classic, aged spruce quality that only comes with time and plenty of playing hours and sounds quite different than the newer Millenium design that he focused on later in his career. The CSA Rosewood on the back and sides is beautiful as well; adding a clear, bell-like resonance to the tone, making it very clear and Hauser-like. It also plays perfectly with a comfortable neck shape and easy action. The top has a center seem separation that was repaired years ago with glue only and has been stable ever since. There is the typical playing wear expected of a professional-use instrument, but with no other cracks or repairs, the guitar is in very good condition for its age. It features new frets, nut, saddle, and set up, along with a lightly buffed finish (no new shellac) – all done by luthier Nikola Korovljev – to make it play like a dream. This is a highly sought-after instrument by Thomas Humphrey is from what was arguably his finest era of guitar making.
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