The P. W. Crump Co. shop is located in Humboldt County, in the heart of California's Redwood Empire. A large number of artists and craftspeople have settled here, drawn by the area's incomparable natural beauty and reasonably paced, small town atmosphere. Several established instrument builders are located in and around Arcata including Wildwood Banjos, Moonstone Guitars, Ken Lawrence Basses, and Marimba One. In addition to the lively local music scene, a steady flow of world class talent performs at nearby Humboldt State University and other venues throughout the county. Phil Crump, Proprietor The P.W.Crump Co. was established in 1975 as a repair and custom guitar shop serving area music stores and musicians. Over the years, the shop's reputation for quality repair and restoration work has steadily grown. Acoustic and electric guitars have been produced on a custom basis since the shop opened and enjoy a reputation for first rate craftsmanship, tone, and playability. A multi-instrumentalist for over 35 years, Phil's interest in Celtic music resulted in the production of his first octave mandolin in 1987. This instrument was a synthesis of techniques and concepts from various sources: the X brace from C.F. Martin, plate tuning ideas from the work of Carleen Hutchins and others, laminated neck construction from the great banjo makers past and present, and the pioneering work of Stephan Sobell and Rich Westerman. Add a dose of experience and intuition gained from a 20 year career as a repairman and player, plus the latest innovations in truss rods, pickups, and finish technology and the P.W. Crump line of instruments for Celtic music and beyond was launched. A skilled luthier can make a good sounding instrument out of just about anything. Provide the best materials and the result can be something really special. At the P.W. Crump Co. we are always on the prowl for the best tonewoods, continually adding to our supply. Some of our woods have been aging and curing for over 25 years. The learning process never ends as we experiment with newer, lesser known species in an effort to help take pressure off of old line species which are in short supply. Our wide ranging experience with many species of tonewoods gives us one more tool to aid the customer in getting the sound they are looking for. The P.W. Crump Co. is truly a full service shop. Over the years we have gained facility with several different finish systems so that we are able do it all, from a delicate, hand stained lacquer sunburst on a vintage Gibson mandolin to a mirror smooth, polyester electric guitar finish.  Inlay work has always been featured on our instruments and we have an extensive collection of our own designs and some great patterns from the past. Customization is our specialty and we frequently take a client's idea and develop a tastefully unique pattern of decoration for their instrument. Modern instrument making ranges from a highly mechanized and computerized factory situation to the individual luthier laboriously building one at a time, by hand. The system at the P.W. Crump Co. combines the accuracy and repeatability of modern woodworking machinery with the highly skilled handwork required to produce a world class instrument. This system keeps prices reasonable while allowing the flexibility of a true custom shop. In short, we can build it the way you want it.

Phil Crump <crumpco@humboldt1.com>
ARCATA, CALIFORNIA   ·   (707) 826-1164

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Redwood photo by Greg Beaumont