Thompson DWA-A 2056

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Thompson Guitars DWA/A 2056
Type Guitar
Serial 2056
Year 2024
Owner Justin Holmes
Tonewoods
Top Adirondack Spruce
Back/Sides Claro Walnut




Electronics
K&K Double Helix

Thompson Guitars DWA/A 2056 is the current primary stage guitar of Justin Holmes. It was custom-made for Holmes in 2023 and 2024 and delivered to him at IBMA World of Bluegrass in September of 2024.

Materials

Wood

  • The headstock is understated, with a simple turquoise Thompson logo.
    The headstock is understated, with a simple turquoise Thompson logo.
  • The back and sides are claro walnut from Sunriver, Oregon.
    The back and sides are claro walnut from Sunriver, Oregon.
  • Sunlight brings out a three-dimensional appearance to the Claro Walnut tonewood.
    Sunlight brings out a three-dimensional appearance to the Claro Walnut tonewood.
  • DWA/A 2056 is the first (and currently, only) black-finished Thompson in public use.
    DWA/A 2056 is the first (and currently, only) black-finished Thompson in public use.

2056 has claro walnut back and sides, and an adirondack spruce top. The wood choice was the product of extensive deliberation and trial-and-error. Holmes wanted wood grown in North America, and the specific choices reflect two of his long-term communities - the Adirondack spruce from upstate NY, where he grew up, and the walnut from Oregon, where he lived for years.

Luthier Olivia Elia said she "had a blast" building 2056. "I think it's going to be a very special one. Walnut is my favorite wood - I think my guitar might have walnut from the same tree."

Inlays

2056 has three fretboard inlays made from red abalone.

The fretboard has three red abalone inlays:

  • A bicycle wheel on the fifth fret
  • A snake on the ninth fret, representing Holmes' tattoo of Isis, a ball python friend that lived with Holmes
  • On the 15th fret, a symbol drawn by Holmes.

The fret dots and rossette, and purfing are turquoise fiber.

Electronics

The piezo and soundhole pickups are routed to separate outputs, for mixing with a floor rig.

It is fitted with the K&K Double Helix, with the piezo and magnetic soundhole pickup each routed to their own jack, which Holmes mixes in real time with a Line 6 Helix Floor.

History

2056 was commissioned and built to replace Holmes' previous stage guitar, Composite Acoustics 0x 003BCJ304-053CW.

In 2022, Holmes and his son, Fibonacci Emery Holmes, visited the Thompson Guitar workshop in Sisters, Oregon, for a tour and the initial consultation that would lead to the construction of 2056.

Gallery

  • The Adirondack Spruce top began quite blonde before being painted black.
    The Adirondack Spruce top began quite blonde before being painted black.
  • DWA/A 2056 at the setup bench at Thompson, showing the rare black top.
    DWA/A 2056 at the setup bench at Thompson, showing the rare black top.
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