Night Argent frontman Chase Thompson chooses an Organic Collection Concertina
(Read this article in Breedlove’s Fall Magazine here).
Spend a little time on the Breedlove website and you’ll find that we’ve assigned Play Styles to each instrument. These are meant as basic guidelines, rather than hard and fast rules, but they may help guide you as you seek the right instrument for your individual approach.
Finding the right fit involves many elements, starting with the ideal sound you hear in your head but extending out to minute details like the exact finish that attracts your eye and how an instrument’s scale length feels in your hand.
Chase Thompson is an admitted gear head. He’s fascinated by every aspect of sound creation, sound reproduction and sound recording.
So, it comes as no surprise that he’s co-owner of Rainmaker Studios in Pasco, Washington, or that keeping the studio’s equipment ready to capture magic at any minute is one of his chief tasks.
Thompson is also a working musician, serving as frontman and chief songwriter for anthemic alt rock quintet Night Argent.
A lifetime piano player weaned on musical theater, Thompson, 34, took up guitar a few years ago, and his tech-minded search for the ultimate mode of self-expression led him to a Breedlove Organic Collection Artista Concertina Natural Shadow CE, which, he’s found, is ideal for both his 5’ 7” frame and his unique play style.
“The Concertina just fits my body so perfectly I’m not even thinking about the guitar. It allows me to really focus on playing, writing and improving.”
Thompson, who flies to writing sessions in Nashville and Los Angeles, says the larger body Breedlove Concerto—his bandmates’ preferred choice—works very well for Night Argent onstage and in the studio. Suited to a heavy play style and loving a flatpick, the Concerto can drive a rocking band and really fill out the spectrum.
“It’s such a big, full sound and, plugged in, they’re great through the PA system. When front of house throws just a little reverb on them, they’re amazing.”
Being on the smaller side, though, Thompson, who’s been building a solo set during the pandemic. wasn’t as comfortable wrapping his arm around a 5” deep, 16” wide body.
While perusing Rainmaker’s selection of studio guitars, he fell in love with the Artista Concertina, which immediately spoke to him with its combination of powerful voice and parlor size approachability.
“The figure of the myrtlewood on the back and sides instantly spoke to me as well. That’s the one. It’s my go-to.”
“I feel really comfortable playing electric. and I always felt like it was hard for me to feel at home the same way with the Concerto. When I got my hands on the Concertina I was blown away. I was worried that there might be some sacrifice of sound or quality with a parlor body size, but there’s not. It’s my favorite out of the whole lineup. The Concerto is amazing. It sounds so good, especially with a mic in front of it in the studio. But as far as my personal preference, and feeling at home with the guitar, the Concertina just fits me and my style.”
