Ron Thorn C/S!!!! The ultimate strat killer….

[ppgf]

recently took possession of this extraordinary guitar. everything about this design just works. the level of attention that went into the design and execution of this spectacular instruction is profound.

more later on that front.

 

[ppgf]

 

[ADP]

So Ron Thorn makes guitars for his own personal brand while also running the Fender Custom Shop? Or does somebody else make the guitar with his name on it? Or does he no longer work at Fender? Either way, the guitar is definitely cool!

 

[RyanC]

C) He no longer works for Fender

 

[RocknRollShakeUp]

Fascinating guitar! I like it!

Is that a floating bridge like on a Jazzmaster/Jag?
If so it’s like a steampunk version!

As a bridge pickup and middle position kinda guy I’m also fascinated by the pickup configuration!

How’s it wired?

 

[LeonC]

This guitar--correct me if I'm wrong, Matte--was made before Ron worked for Fender. He was making that model for at least a year or two before he became a Fender employee. He made hundreds of guitars using his own name/label before he ever thought of becoming a Fender employee. They were one of his biggest customers of his custom inlay work. I'd go to his shop and see 50 jazz-bass necks or ukes or what have you that he was working on...but he built many, many custom guitars and quite a few "stock" models before going to work for Fender.

 

[LeonC]

BTW, killer looking axe! Congrats!

 

[ppgf]

Fascinating guitar! I like it!

Is that a floating bridge like on a Jazzmaster/Jag?
If so it’s like a steampunk version!

As a bridge pickup and middle position kinda guy I’m also fascinated by the pickup configuration!

How’s it wired?

it’s an absolutely spectacular instrument. the whammy can get well into floyd downward territory w/ incredible tuning stability.

1 x VOLUME (250k/500k DUAL)

1 x TONE ( NOS Vintage Soviet Paper-in-Oil Capacitor ~ .033)

5-WAY SWITCHING

Pos. 1 - Neck only

Pos. 2 - Neck + Middle (Parallel)

Pos. 3 - Middle only

Pos. 4 - Middle + Bridge (Parallel)

Pos. 5 - Middle + Bridge (Series w/ 500k Volume Pot engaged)

 

[ppgf]

This guitar--correct me if I'm wrong, Matte--was made before Ron worked for Fender. He was making that model for at least a year or two before he became a Fender employee. He made hundreds of guitars using his own name/label before he ever thought of becoming a Fender employee. They were one of his biggest customers of his custom inlay work. I'd go to his shop and see 50 jazz-bass necks or ukes or what have you that he was working on...but he built many, many custom guitars and quite a few "stock" models before going to work for Fender.

the run of c/s builds (of which this was a part) was done after ron left fender.

one of the easiest tells is the bass side of the pickguard shape.

 

[ADP]

Cool. Today I learned Ron Thorn doesn't work at Fender anymore. Interesting. I like what he did there and I like your new 2024 Thorn model. Rock n roll!

 

[seafood]

A beautiful guitar !!!!!!

 

[xfitxl]

recently took possession of this extraordinary guitar. everything about this design just works. the level of attention that went into the design and execution of this spectacular instruction is profound.

more later on that front.

Wow that trem, so cool and I bet it feels amazing… so nice to see these boutique builders evolving the designs, the strat was never a perfect beast and everything can be improved… kudos Mr. thorn and congrats to you for an amazing guitar!!

 

[ppgf]

Wow that trem, so cool and I bet it feels amazing… so nice to see these boutique builders evolving the designs, the strat was never a perfect beast and everything can be improved… kudos Mr. thorn and congrats to you for an amazing guitar!!

thanks for the good word!

here’s more whambulation…

 

[ADP]

Wow that trem, so cool and I bet it feels amazing… so nice to see these boutique builders evolving the designs, the strat was never a perfect beast and everything can be improved… kudos Mr. thorn and congrats to you for an amazing guitar!!

With all respect, my 1962 Slab board Stratocaster is, in fact, a perfect beast. It is not possible to improve upon. It's even Surf Green.

 

[RocknRollShakeUp]

thanks for the good word!

here’s more whambulation…

Yes the bridge is floating indeed !
Very interesting.

 

[ppgf]

Yes the bridge is floating indeed !
Very interesting.

it looks shoe gazer level innocuous.

 

[RocknRollShakeUp]

it looks shoe gazer level innocuous.

Those shoe gazer hipsters have no idea what’s under that hood ??

 

[ppgf]

Those shoe gazer hipsters have no idea what’s under that hood ??

exactly. ron got rid of all the tone/sustain robbing moving parts and took the design to a previously incomprehensible level.

the sustain and tuning stability are extraordinary.

 

[LeonC]

Hey Matte - have you got HAP-Ms on there or what? Nut material? I love that bridge!

 

[RocknRollShakeUp]

exactly. ron got rid of all the tone/sustain robbing moving parts and took the design to a previously incomprehensible level.

the sustain and tuning stability are extraordinary.

It looks the business too. Does he do offsets ?