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Electric Guitars

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Instruments previously produced between 1970 and 2008 in Gardiner, NY and New York City, NY.

Luthier Thomas Humphrey (1948-2008) built classical guitars for almost forty years. In 1985, Humphrey startled the lutherie world when he introduced the Millennium models, which featured an innovative, tapered body design and elevated fingerboard. This innovation to the classical guitar represented some of the very few alterations to the fundamental design of the traditional Antonio Torres model. Though initially questioned, the new design has since been universally accepted by both players and other guitar makers.
Luthier Humphrey is known for producing primarily spruce top guitars and (almost exclusively) Brazilian rosewood back and sides. Humphrey produced guitars for the first twenty-seven years in New York City; and later moved to the countryside near the village of Gardiner, NY. In 1996, Humphrey contracted a standardized design of his design to the C.F. Martin Guitar company of Nazareth, PA. The Martin-built versions of Humphrey's design, Model C-TSH (Standard Series) and Model C-1R (1 Series), were available in late 1996/early 1997. The Martin version of the Humphrey design utilizes both spruce and cedar soundboards as well as rosewood and other back and side material in order to reach a wide range of price points. In late 1997, the C.F. Martin company introduced the Sting Signature version of the Humphrey design (Model C-MSH Limited Edition). These Martin instruments were produced through mid-2002. On April 16, 2008, Humphrey died of a heart attack. At the time of his deather, Humphrey was building an estimated twenty guitars a year and his instruments are still being used in both recording and concert situations by many of the world's leading guitarists. Also, Humphrey was currently building a variety of new Millenium classical guitars at the time of his passing and an early mentor has agreed to finish these instruments. For more information, visit Humphrey's website (see Trademark Index).

ACOUSTIC