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Thorn Deluxe Hollow

Thorn Deluxe Hollow

Price: $--SOLD

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2 1/4 inch thick hollowbody!

When you first look at this guitar, you might immediately think of a thinline Tele. (One equipped with dual humbuckers, of course.) But the Thorn Deluxe Hollow is much more than that. Think of a marriage between a 175 and an LP. It has many of the sterling qualities of a 175; an incredibly vocal like quality to the transients of the sound, a wonderful woodiness to the notes, but without the drawbacks of feedback and a certain fragility.

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In Craig's words:
Leo Fender had a vision of what an electric guitar could and should be. So did Les Paul. As did Paul Reed Smith. To that illustrious list, I would add Ron Thorn.

We're so inspired by his instruments. He comes at the guitar with a singular point of view, and has the talent, skill and dedication to make it a reality. It has always been very important to me to find those kinds of dedicated people and make them part of my life, my music, and now, my business. One of the greatest pleasures I’ve experienced over my career has been to have the joy of playing guitars by builders I admire. Now, that pleasure is multiplied many times over by getting to know the builders themselves.

I hope that helps explain why I’m so thrilled to represent Ron Thorn and be the exclusive distributor for his new model, the Thorn DeLuxe.

His lutherie skills are not just beyond reproach; they’re legendary. He’s the sole person given the privilege of making inlays for the Fender Custom shop. He comes from a family of fine carpenters, and has an amazing collection of fine woods. He’s also an engineer of the highest skill. He’s among that rarified group of builders that makes everything on the instrument to satisfy his own exceedingly high standards.

Every detail counts. Every one.

He winds his own pickups. For over seven years, his fretboards have featured hidden fret ends. His binding is scraped – not routed. Look closely, and you’ll note that his guitars have purfline – an exceedingly fine outline of inlaid wood normally found on archtops or violins. It’s maddeningly difficult and time consuming. Not finding a tremolo to suit his needs, he makes his own – and it is the best tremolo I have ever used. Period. That’s Ron in a nutshell; and a demonstration of what his expectations of a guitar should be. You’ll be blown away.

The Deluxe is an extraordinary instrument. You’ll note some influences here and there. But the totality is completely unique. It has an incredibly vocal like quality to the transients of the sound. A mid-range clarity and focus that is irresistable. Please understand, though that this mid-range beauty isn’t at the expense of a rich low end, nor by losing top end clarity. Nothing  good is lost. There’s simply no flubbiness in the lows, nor any unpleasing piercing qualities at the high end. It sings. (For lack of a better way to describe the sonority, think of Larry Carlton’s “Kid Charlemagne” sound) – It’s like someone singing a solo, right?

The Thorn DeLuxe is an opportunity for you to savor all of Ron’s exquisite aesthetic sensibilities while experiencing all the mojo and playability any guitarist will find exhilarating to plug in and play. Just as Thorn’s esthetics stimulate your visual senses, the DeLuxe brings it full circle to fill your ears, your heart and your soul with joy.

CRAIG'S POV

I am thrilled to announce the arrival of our very first Thorn Deluxe Hollow. Based on the Thorn Deluxe this new family member is carved and completely hollow but for a sound post below the bridge. In Ron’s words, “At 2-1/4 inches thick (same as a Les Paul) it is not too thick requiring 'reaching over' it with your right arm, like an acoustic. Yet with the thin side wall and maximized hollowed out body, it yields a larger hollow body sound than you would expect.” This is an extraordinary instrument.

When you first look at this guitar, you might immediately think of a thinline Tele. (One equipped with dual humbuckers, of course.) But the Thorn Deluxe Hollow is much more than that. 

Think of a marriage between a 175 and an LP. So it has many of the sterling qualities of a 175; an incredibly vocal like quality to the transients of the sound, a wonderful woodiness to the notes, but without the drawbacks of feedback and a certain fragility. Plus, given that it’s the same thickness as an LP, it’s very comfortable to play if you’re used to a solid body. It's a Thorn Deluxe with "air" around the notes.

It would be the perfect guitar to drive an organ trio. And I wish I had had this when I played with Roberta Flack. It would have added a nice bit of gravy to the R & B licks I played. Put 9 or 10s on it, and it rocks like a semi-hollow with more sinew and drive. The Wolfetone Legends are a perfect match. A modern built guitar with a vintage tinge to the sound.

But please don’t forget the build quality. If you need reminding, Ron builds some truly exemplary instruments. In this case, Ron used a stunning and rare one piece flame koa for the top that is just outstanding.

The golden amber nitro finish is breathtaking.

The neck profile is spot on. A little fuller than Thorn's medium and less meat than his full '59. Just perfect.

So it’s gorgeous. And beautifully crafted. But what stands out on this Deluxe, and I mean really STANDS OUT on this guitar is its "voice." The tone is absolutely remarkable. I really love this guitar!

For those of you who have been searching for an exceptional twin humbucker, I think you would be hard pressed to find a better playing guitar and sounding than this particular Deluxe.

If you'd like to find out more about this item, just call or e-mail me. It would be my pleasure to talk to you about it.

ABOUT THORN CUSTOM GUITARS
Raised in a family of carpenters, Ron Thorn had access to a home wood shop for as long as he can remember. Repairing, modifying and building guitars since age 13, his specialty became precision inlay work and by the mid '90s he became the sole inlay artist for the Fender Custom Shop, a position he is still proud to retain today. In 2000 Ron began putting the Thorn name on the headstocks of some of the many guitars he was building and today, with his father and the rest of “team Thorn” - John Gaudesi, Nick Viglienzoni, Tony Ramirez, Glenn Matejzel and Martin Bravo, Thorn’s Glendale, CA operation builds approximately 50 custom guitars a year. Those who know, know Ron as one of the most brilliantly talented luthiers and inlay artists of the 21st century. It is a reputation that has earned him a following that is best described as "near fanatical."

Serial #40101
BodyHonduran mahogany
NeckHonduran mahogany
Carve top1 piece curly koa
Fretboardold growth Brazilian rosewood
Neck carvefat back .870/.970
Fretwire6150
Radius12”
PickupsWolfetone Legend neck and bridge
FinishGolden Amber nitro-lacquer
Tuner buttonsBrazilian
BezelsBrazilian
PickguardBrazilian
Truss rod coverkoa
Weight7.2 lbs
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