Los Angeles, CA
Thorn Custom Guitars
“I’m back to doing what I love! Building guitars completely from scratch, where I’ve made all the design choices, selected every board, chiseled every binding corner, soldered every joint. I didn’t realize just how much I missed that until diving back into it refreshingly revitalized my passion for guitar building."
~ Ron Thorn (via guitarplayer.com)
Ron Thorn is one of the most respected names in modern guitar building - a longtime Fender Custom Shop Master Builder and the brand’s sole inlay artist since 1995. He launched Thorn Guitars in 2000, crafting boutique instruments known for their exceptional build quality, innovative design, and effortless playability.
Each guitar reflects Thorn’s deep experience and signature attention to detail, offering tones and feel that have earned him a reputation as a builder’s builder among serious players and collectors alike.
(photo credit: guitar.com)
Legendary Craftsmanship & Design Heritage
Ron brings unmatched experience and finesse to every Thorn guitar. His boutique instruments combine impeccable build quality with creative design - the kind that earns him the title of a builder’s builder among serious players and collectors.
Ergonomic, Player-Centric Styling
Ron’s designs are as thoughtful as they are beautiful. Take the SoCal C/S: its ergonomic offset body balances perfectly when seated and angles the neck naturally for relaxed playing.
Custom Tonal Innovation
From the Thorn VC‑50 in‑house wound pickups and creative wiring that expand the tonal range of a Strat platform, to the Piatta’s blend of P90s and humbuckers and Ron’s own Knuckle Wrap bridge for improved clarity and energy transfer, Thorn guitars live and breathe with expressive, nuanced tone.
Previously Sold Examples
Thorn Custom Guitars FAQ
Common questions about Thorn Custom Guitars - Ron Thorn's background, the models, and where to try one near Boston.
Where can I buy a Thorn guitar near Boston?
The Music Emporium in Lexington, Massachusetts is an authorized Thorn Custom Guitars dealer and has carried Ron Thorn's work for years. We keep a rotating selection of Thorns at our showroom near Boston - players from across New England make the trip specifically for them - and our Previously Sold gallery reflects the depth of that ongoing relationship. As a Fender Custom Shop Showcase Dealer, we are also well-positioned to appreciate what Ron built during his decades at Fender before launching Thorn.
Who is Ron Thorn?
Ron Thorn is widely regarded as a builder's builder - one of the most respected figures in modern guitar making. He served as the Fender Custom Shop's sole inlay artist beginning in 1995, rose to Principal Master Builder, and eventually became Director of Master Builder Operations. He launched Thorn Guitars in 2000, building boutique instruments from his Los Angeles workshop that reflect the full depth of that Fender experience alongside his own design vision.
What Thorn models does The Music Emporium carry?
Our Thorn selection has included the SoCal C/S (an ergonomic offset that balances perfectly seated and angles the neck naturally for relaxed playing), the SoCal G/T, the Piatta (which blends P90s and humbuckers for a wide tonal palette), the Florentine Empirial, and artist models including the Josh Hager (DEVO) J2V2. Inventory rotates with what Ron has available; check the page or contact us to see what is currently in stock.
What are the VC-50 pickups and Knuckle bridge?
Both are Ron Thorn's own designs. The VC-50 pickups are wound in-house and, on the SoCal platform, wired with creative routing that expands the tonal range of a traditional S-style configuration. The Knuckle bridge is Ron's solution for improved string break angle, clarity, and energy transfer between string and body - the kind of detail that a builder with his background thinks through from first principles rather than reaching for an off-the-shelf component.
Who plays Thorn guitars?
Josh Hager of DEVO plays a Thorn J2V2 - a signature model we have stocked at The Music Emporium. Thorn's reputation as a builder's builder means his instruments attract players who care as much about how a guitar is made as how it sounds, from working musicians to serious collectors.