Ryan just delivered the Thorell "Grand" Guitar to its proud new owner. The following are the comments the owner made in Acoustic Guitar Forum. The pictures were taken by the owner. He has already ordered another version of this guitar. His comments in the forum follow:
"My new Ryan Thorell “The Grand” arrived a few weeks ago
**More pictures (click on pictures for an enlarged view) can be found at the following link: http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg105/ro7939/Thorell%20Grand%20olive%20wood%20Zambia/?start=all
It was ordered January ’09. I am honored to own Thorell’s first of this size/shape, between a Thorell Corina and Dreadnaught. It is similar in size/shape to a Martin M or 0000 and Taylor GA (Grand Auditorium), which I believe equals an R Taylor Style 2.
This is my favorite size and shape, feeling great while moving it around or playing seated or standing. The depth, curves, shape and proportions have a just-rightness about them, each curve blending seamlessly into the next. A Jumbo or Dreadnaught is too large for me even though I’m large framed. I prefer The Grand’s tonal balance and overall sound compared to Dreads and Jumbos. Even the unobtainable Klein Jumbo, which sounded simply splendid, felt too large by comparison. All things being equal (obviously never the case between any two guitars) the larger size provides greater bass and volume when you dig into it compared to a slightly smaller “000”. I appreciate the role for the ubiquitous Dread but have lost interest in them after playing this Grand, which may be the perfect size for someone having just one guitar.
The sound of this Thorell “Grand” can well be described as a junior version of a Klein L series Jumbo. Going by aural memory the Grand has slightly less bass/volume potential but very similar overall tonal balance, delicacy and harmonic integrity/sweetness. Such is my infatuation that I’m ordering another Thorell Grand, the next having African Blackwood back/side set, which Ryan says is to Brazilian rosewood what Brazilian is to Indian rosewood:
We're leaning toward a light blondish binding to really make the African Blackwood "pop". I'll get an image of the 10k year old Port Orford Cedar top wood next visit to the shop.
My two kopacts.
Besides Thorell’s unique performance and ultra high value, it was chosen over an R Taylor Style 1 because R Taylor offers only one bridge width; a wider bridge seemed mandatory w/ my 1-13/16" nut width.
This guitar will be played at a live vs. recorded demonstration at T.H.E. Show (audiophile equipment), Flamingo Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (January 7-10, 2010). PM me if you'd like to see it.
Builder: Ryan Thorell, Hyrum, Utah, USA
Model: “The Grand”
S/N: 09-067
Waist: 9-7/8”
Scale: 25-9/16”
Length Total: 41”
Hole Diameter: 4”
Rosette: Turquoise
Fingerboard: Ebony
Truss Rod: Adjustable
Binding: Quilted maple
Frets Clear, Total: 14, 21
Top: Adirondack (red) spruce
String Width @ Bridge: 2-5/16”
Headstock Brand Inlay: Abalone
Purfling: Ebony/olivewood/ebony
Nut Width, Material: 1-13/16”, bone
Bridge/Saddle Material: Ebony/bone
Length Body: 19-13/16” (Taylor GA: 20”)
Position Markers: hollow circles, binding only
Pickup: K & K Sound Systems “Pure Mini”, no controls
Headstock Laminate, Face, Back: Birdseye maple, ebony
Neck: Halved/inverted grain mahogany, black dyed boxwood stripe
Back/Side Set: Olivewood from Zambia, performance attributes of rosewood
Depth @ Neck, End Pin: 3-7/8”, 4-1/2” (Martin M or 0000: 4”, Taylor GA: 4-5/8”)
Width, Upper Bout, Lower Bout: 11-3/4”, 15-11/16” (Taylor GA, Martin M or 0000: 16”)
Tuning Machines: Gotoh Delta Series 510 sealed, 1:21 ratio, gold finish w/ black heads
Cheers!"
Link to this article in Acoustic Guitar Forum followed by comments: http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2025251
Link to Audio Circle Forum about an opportunity to hear this guitar demonstrated in Las Vegas by guitarist, Austin Weyand in Jan. 2010: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=75305.0
***Check out James Romeyn's new website with pictures of Ryan's Guitars. Read his musical history, especially the part titled "How I Came To Buy A Thorell": http://jamesromeyn.com/ (Thanks to James Romeyn for his belief and support of Ryan and his guitars.)
