Carl Thompson is a Brooklyn-based luthier who has built custom electric basses and guitars by hand since 1974, producing roughly ten instruments per year on a custom-order basis. Originally from Pitcairn, Pennsylvania, Thompson is recognized as a pioneer of several now-standard bass guitar designs, including the first electric six-string bass (built for Anthony Jackson), the piccolo bass (developed with Stanley Clarke), and the use of extended scale lengths beyond the traditional 34 inches, including 36-inch and 38-inch necks. He is also credited with developing a single-piece heel block design for set-neck construction.

Thompson's instruments are entirely hand-crafted with no assembly-line production, and each is unique in its choice of woods, scale length, and configuration. His catalog spans four-, five-, and six-string basses, piccolo basses, and guitars, with model lines that have included the Standard, Signature, Exotic, and Full Frills designs. The basses are particularly known for their distinctive scrolled headstocks and elaborate multi-wood body laminations.

Les Claypool of Primus is among Thompson's most visible players and owns multiple Carl Thompson instruments, including the well-known fretless six-string "Rainbow Bass" assembled from walnut, curly maple, padauk, purpleheart, ebony, and cocobolo. Other notable players associated with the brand include Stanley Clarke and Anthony Jackson.

Carl Thompson has 7 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Electric Basses, Fretless Basses, and Solid Body Electric Guitars. Their gear is featured by 5 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock and Metal. Notable users include Les Claypool, Wes Borland, and Lou Reed.