For more than thirty years, Thomas Humphrey's instruments have been
an integral part of the concert scene. Humphrey's signature Millennium
model helped to revolutionize guitar builders' approach to projection
and sustain. His techniques and innovations have influenced countless
luthiers, and helped to establish him as one of the foremost
personalities in the guitar world.
Thomas Humphrey was born in St. Joseph Township, Minnesota in
1948. In 1970, he moved to New York City and apprenticed with Michael
Gurian. Early in his career, Mr. Humphrey developed his instruments and
clientele from an apartment and workshop on the Upper West Side of
Manhattan. In addition to his guitar making, Humphrey underwrote a
performance series, and encouraged the development of many young
guitarists. His Millennium model was first created in 1985, and was
quickly embraced by many leading concert artists, and has proved to be a
highly influential and enduring design.
Mr. Humphrey's instruments have been heard in countless concert halls
and recordings, by guitarists such as Sergio and Odair Assad, Sharon
Isbin, Eliot Fisk, Micheal Newman, Laura Oltman, David Starobin, David
Tanenbaum, Bruce Holzman, Adam Holzman, Tom Johnson, Dominic Frasca,
Carlos Barbosa-Lima, Lily Afshar, Roberto Aussel, and many, many others.
Thomas Humphrey died in April, 2008 in Gardiner, N.Y.
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