Interview with Ron Thorn, Fender Custom Shop Principal Master Builder (by Massimo D'Angelo)

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  • čas přidán 15. 07. 2024
  • During the Thomann Gearhead University - June 2019- we had the chance to spend few minutes with Ron Thorn, amazing guy and Principal Mater Builder from the Fender Custom Shop...and yes, we put a Gibson Les Paul in his hands!
    Guitars in the video:
    - Fender 65 Strat Heavy Relic AOW: www.thomann.de/gb/fender_65_s...
    - Gibson True Historic LP 57 GT Aged: www.thomann.de/gb/gibson_true...
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Komentáře • 1,6K

  • @ParallaxRS
    @ParallaxRS Před 4 lety +1989

    This guy looks old and young at the same time... My guess is he's a young guy who's been reliced

  • @connor4186
    @connor4186 Před 4 lety +764

    It’s funny how machine manufacturing was made to eliminate the human error and variability between products.
    Now it’s a luxury for hand made or variances

    • @ezer0923
      @ezer0923 Před 4 lety +45

      That's why I like PRS' approach. Let the machine do what they do best, and let hands do the rest

    • @fernank017
      @fernank017 Před 4 lety +9

      @@ezer0923 so most mass produced squiers?

    • @rimmersbryggeri
      @rimmersbryggeri Před 4 lety +3

      They use CNC in the customshop though.

    • @mouloudo
      @mouloudo Před 4 lety +13

      Mmm not really it was because it's more cost efficient

    • @vonicrimson3619
      @vonicrimson3619 Před 4 lety +2

      Indonesia with the Squiers....

  • @joeysgear1419
    @joeysgear1419 Před 4 lety +455

    I had just saved up $5,000 for a custom shop fender. After listening to Mr Thorn talk for 2 minutes I've decided to purchase a Squier Affinity instead. I'm going to spend the rest on Kobe beef and a sous-vide machine.

    • @fernandes5986
      @fernandes5986 Před 4 lety +8

      They are great. I have one too. Just give it a good setup.

    • @thephaze3
      @thephaze3 Před 4 lety +38

      Just be aware the Squier he's talking about from the 80s is in a completely different league to anything they put out now

    • @thephaze3
      @thephaze3 Před 4 lety +5

      They really are great guitars for the money though.

    • @LaMusicade4
      @LaMusicade4 Před 4 lety

      JOEYS GEAR dude

    • @LaMusicade4
      @LaMusicade4 Před 4 lety +6

      I picked up an affinity squier tele for 180 $ US and it’s beautiful

  • @robertclarkguitar
    @robertclarkguitar Před 4 lety +471

    The master builder says his favorite is a Squier. That's kick ass!

    • @Fullofpies
      @Fullofpies Před 4 lety +8

      There's another video where he talks more about it.

    • @magnuspleshardt8786
      @magnuspleshardt8786 Před 4 lety

      @@Fullofpies Do you have the link for this video?

    • @robertclarkguitar
      @robertclarkguitar Před 4 lety +10

      @@magnuspleshardt8786 Its on phillip McKnight channel ...Jon Cruz picks thru squiers and then mentions it in the video.

    • @robertclarkguitar
      @robertclarkguitar Před 4 lety +4

      Not jon Cruz. My bad. RON THORN I MEANT

    • @Seaker24
      @Seaker24 Před 4 lety +11

      I could be wrong about this in the context of his strat, but the early Japanese Squires are really good and sought after. I have an early Japanese Strat that is old school specs and build. The electronics sucked though, those almost always need to be swapped out on the early Japanese Strats.

  • @TylerJHaley
    @TylerJHaley Před 4 lety +247

    Ron is probably the most honest person ever. Being the man in charge at fender while also loving a squire and giving honest opinions about Gibson is amazing. You can always rely on a truthful and thoughtful response from this man. Much respect for him.

    • @GuitarsExchangeDotCom
      @GuitarsExchangeDotCom  Před 4 lety +6

      Absolutely true!

    • @Soldano999
      @Soldano999 Před rokem +7

      1985 squiers were made in japan.
      They're some of the best strats ever produced.

    • @madhatter8508
      @madhatter8508 Před rokem +1

      @@Soldano999 I was reading about the Squier guitars made for Courtney Love around 1999 for Hole's Celebrity Skin album, and those Squiers were made in Japan too. When did Squier stop making their guitars in Japan?

    • @Soldano999
      @Soldano999 Před rokem +1

      @@madhatter8508 i don't think they kept making mij squiers after 2000. Never seen one. I would have bought one if they did...

    • @Astro_touches_children
      @Astro_touches_children Před rokem +3

      @@Soldano999 it doesn't matter the make, it doesn't matter the country of origin, if you have a nice guitar that plays great in your hands,then you have an awesome guitar.
      The King of Cheap Guitars 🎸

  • @Gibson1961SG
    @Gibson1961SG Před 4 lety +1292

    8:33 is what you came for.

  • @joshoptical
    @joshoptical Před 4 lety +546

    You know you’re dealing with an 80’s kid when the neck pickup on a Les Paul is “a little useless” 😂. Great piece here.

    • @mdaibm4770
      @mdaibm4770 Před 4 lety +7

      mind explaining why?

    • @NailedDownClick
      @NailedDownClick Před 4 lety +83

      @@mdaibm4770 My guess is that the neck pickup has a more fatter bassy rounded sound and 80's kids were all about shredding and copying famous shredders so it was all about the bridge pick up. I mostly only play acoustic these days but now that i think about it i did use the neck pick up alot less but its definitely not useless ha.

    • @mdaibm4770
      @mdaibm4770 Před 4 lety +6

      @@NailedDownClick thanks for explaining!

    • @golfhound
      @golfhound Před 4 lety +6

      Andy Summers of the Police used his bridge pickup on his telecaster almost exclusively while with the Police. He relied heavily on all of the sounds he developed in his custom made pedal board.

    • @cgreeneblue
      @cgreeneblue Před 4 lety +10

      @@mdaibm4770 Remember he's a Master builder. I think he's implying it doesn't change the sound very much compared to some of the fenders. He's used to toggling through 5 position switches on strats I'm guessing.

  • @creepton6893
    @creepton6893 Před 4 lety +97

    "let me move over so that Jimi can take over." Just epic.

  • @alexrivers6059
    @alexrivers6059 Před 4 lety +864

    How do you feel about the Gibson?
    “It’s not a fender”

    • @adrian5b
      @adrian5b Před 4 lety +22

      well he's right

    • @jamesryan5436
      @jamesryan5436 Před 4 lety +15

      Couldn't give a better answer than that

    • @paulnjoo
      @paulnjoo Před 4 lety +17

      I have one of each, a 2006 Fender Strat HSS and a 1996 Gibson Les Paul and if my house was on fire and I could only save one guitar it would be hands down the Gibson.
      The Fender is a jack of all trades guitar, is very versatile and is great if you have small hands. The Les Paul is a thing of beauty and is so much easier to play due to it's short scale neck and sounds incredible when cranked up with so much more sustain than my Fender.
      My Les Paul cost 4 times that of my Strat and for good reason the build quality, ease of play and sheer weight of the mahogany through neck design justifies the price tag.
      I would say the Les Paul is a single minded beast and is probably more suited to rock than any other style of music whilst the Strat can do most things well especially that legendary clean tone.
      But again if I could only have one guitar for the rest of my days it would be my Gibson.

    • @billyhodges4200
      @billyhodges4200 Před 4 lety +9

      @@paulnjoo to each their own. I love my 87 Les Paul custom, amazing guitar. But in those circumstances I'd save my 61 Telecaster. And I paid half the price for the fender than the Gibson. Both are absolutely amazing. And preferably I'd save both (my other 3 guitars are cheap so easy to replace) but yeah, the tele is my favorite

    • @paulnjoo
      @paulnjoo Před 4 lety +8

      @@billyhodges4200 I have both my Strat and my Les Paul on wall hangers in my lounge and when I feel like noodling I instinctively take the Gibson down and start playing. I have to deliberately make myself play the Fender because I sub consciously know it's not as easy or pleasurable to play.
      But as you rightly say "to each their own" They are both wonderful instruments which will outlive us and be played for many many years to come. As we know we don't really "own" these instruments we're just looking after them for the next person!!

  • @kenhall6525
    @kenhall6525 Před 4 lety +333

    Ron seems like a good dude, seen a bunch of videos with him, hoping too see more

    • @SimpleManGuitars1973
      @SimpleManGuitars1973 Před 4 lety +2

      Yeah he seems more approachable than John Cruz but I did play a Cruz one about 15 years ago and it was the greatest Strat I've ever had in my hands. It was also 7 GRAND!

    • @stephenfeldman8104
      @stephenfeldman8104 Před 4 lety +10

      I sold Ron a Guild Nightbird. Years later I got to meet him when I moved to SoCal and he treated me a tour of his shop. You will not meet a nicer person in your time spent on Earth than Ron. And you will also not likely find anyone who would disagree with that opinion.

    • @donvanco3078
      @donvanco3078 Před 4 lety +7

      I am fortunate enough to have worked with Ron on making a custom Thorn Rune - there is not a nicer guy in the industry. And his talent speaks for itself.
      Mine: imgur.com/a/nWBUl (I did the dye job on the top, Ron did the rest)

  • @no-tj8ee
    @no-tj8ee Před 4 lety +276

    This guy seems old and young at the same time

    • @burakbey1068
      @burakbey1068 Před 4 lety +27

      he is relic master builder

    • @cb-99
      @cb-99 Před 4 lety +18

      His hair makes him look like he's in his mid-60s, but just looking at his face, you'd think he was in his late-30s or early-40s.

    • @TheKyleMark
      @TheKyleMark Před 4 lety +2

      He looks like Joshua Malina in a wig. In the best way.

    • @navsnipe
      @navsnipe Před 4 lety +1

      He was born in 1969

    • @joshuahuf9747
      @joshuahuf9747 Před 4 lety

      @@navsnipe so hes 50 cool

  • @gabrielfernandez9792
    @gabrielfernandez9792 Před 4 lety +212

    Ron knows just how to finesse his answers so that neither regular fenders or custom shop fenders are not undermined, and even manages to give a Gibson Les Paul review without sounding negative about the competition.

    • @justjazz784
      @justjazz784 Před 4 lety +29

      Gabriel Fernandez with this profession I imagine there’s a big level of camaraderie among the different guitar makers on an individual level. People making custom shop guitars are high level craftsmen so there’s going to be a lot of respect for the instrument.

    • @keithferris9574
      @keithferris9574 Před 4 lety +4

      He should represent the Custom Fenders with pride and conviction. There is no need to parse words to not insult the other Fender models. I would respect his views more if he were more realistic and less political

    • @ikigai47
      @ikigai47 Před 4 lety +12

      @@keithferris9574 - It's not like he owns the company. Hard to be brash when you're representing Fender and have bosses to answer to

    • @3spressoShot
      @3spressoShot Před 4 lety +11

      @@ikigai47 plus its not like hes necessarily lying, elctronic wise they are not crazy better. its the fit and finish , fine tuning , and craftsmanship. your paying to know that you had hand selected top grade materials, and tuned to perfection when it arrives. its the whole bang for you buck thing. at a certain point you are getting diminishing returns

    • @themerchantofmenace3645
      @themerchantofmenace3645 Před 4 lety +6

      Competition? You don't go shopping for a Fender and then accidentally buy a Gibson. Unless you're new to playing - then you don't shop for either!

  • @clake1976
    @clake1976 Před 4 lety +20

    It's crazy how different everyone hears things,the neck pick up on a Les Paul is my favorite,so thick and just sings with crazy sustain

  • @francoforte-67
    @francoforte-67 Před 4 lety +42

    It's nice that there are both brands.
    It is a pleasure to play a Strat, it is a pleasure to play a Les Paul.
    I don't want to miss either of them

    • @jimmyjoe1871
      @jimmyjoe1871 Před rokem +1

      This!

    • @johndutton5881
      @johndutton5881 Před rokem

      Too bad for the volume knob on the strat,makes them absolutely unplayable for me,I sold mine after the neck warped twice ,that and the volume. Never had a Gibson neck bow like that American strat did,I could have used it for hunting.

    • @christhayil8354
      @christhayil8354 Před rokem +2

      You can absolutely love both Gibson and Fender!!! It's not like Chevy or Ford and definitely not Democrat or Republican. A real guitar lover will love all guitars!!!!!!!

    • @2m7b5
      @2m7b5 Před rokem +1

      @@johndutton5881 I ended up rewiring my strat to have 1 volume and 1 tone, and I moved the knobs away from the strings a bit. It's probably my favorite guitar now.

  • @whatwouldhousedo5136
    @whatwouldhousedo5136 Před 4 lety +19

    Guilds are highly underrated- not surprised he has several.

  • @mikepierce1228
    @mikepierce1228 Před 4 lety +27

    Good communicator. Knows his stuff. Treats it as a passion, not a competition.

  • @jimmyjoe1871
    @jimmyjoe1871 Před rokem +13

    Both custom shops are fantastic. They both build instruments that put a smile on your face every time you play them.

  • @FirearmsGunGear
    @FirearmsGunGear Před 4 lety +58

    09:38 "there's a little flat spot there but that's alright.... Just like the original I'm sure"
    Saucer of milk for table 2

  • @herculesbrofister265
    @herculesbrofister265 Před 4 lety +279

    Lemme tell you whippersnappers somethin. Back in my day, when i first started, $150 would get you some no name guitar made of plywood. Great days to play guitar, these days

    • @BeefheartLynch
      @BeefheartLynch Před 4 lety +20

      Back in my day, I bought a used, but very clean Gibson SG Custom and a used but working Fender Princeton amp. $250 total. Roughly 1976-'77.

    • @APolishPlayer
      @APolishPlayer Před 4 lety +13

      @@BeefheartLynch even though that was a good chunk of money back then, that's still an extremely low price. God, I wish I could get my hands on stuff with prices like that now. I need to go to more yard sales and stuff 😂

    • @BeefheartLynch
      @BeefheartLynch Před 4 lety +16

      @@APolishPlayer It seemed like a lot of money back then. Especially for a 13 year old whose income consisted of mowing neighbors lawns for 5 or 10 bucks a pop. However, I used to go into this guitar shop a lot and became friendly with the staff. I think the felt sorry for me. Ha. They were asking, if I can trust a 40+ year old memory, 300 for the SG. The amp hadn't hit the floor yet, but I asked if they had any decent cheap amps. Told me about the Princeton and said it needed work. I had $280 in my pocket and offered $250 for both and they accepted. Then I gulped, realizing 250 bucks in 1977 for a 13 year old is a whole lot of money! I wish I still had that SG.

    • @jeffshuck3125
      @jeffshuck3125 Před 4 lety +2

      BeffheartLynch
      In today's dollars guitars are less expensive then in 1976 even Gibson's

    • @shk73
      @shk73 Před 4 lety +3

      @@BeefheartLynch In 1991 I bought a 77 gibson les paul custom for $500. Saved up money working the buffet station at the Ponderosa steak house.

  • @Salguine
    @Salguine Před 4 lety +101

    I have yet to see a relic job that you couldn't tell at a glance was a relic job.

    • @therealrobstark2916
      @therealrobstark2916 Před 4 lety +5

      I'll relic your guitar for free 😂

    • @Tomislav_B.
      @Tomislav_B. Před 4 lety +1

      How many of Custom Shop relics have you seen in person?

    • @Swampster70
      @Swampster70 Před 4 lety +2

      Watch the video of Yngwie looking at the Custom Shop relics of The Duck - the "play loud" guitar. Watch the expressions on his face and the tone in his voice and it's one of bewilderment and amazement. That's how good those recreations are.
      Making a guitar look period aged is actually fairly easy if you think about how those guitar got in that state and you're prepared to put in the hours doing it. Even the best guys at the Fender Custom Shop spend many many hours doing a good relic, not the hatchet job that is often seen on CZcams.

    • @christschin3708
      @christschin3708 Před 4 lety

      Philip Merrihew
      Exactly.
      Every guitar I own, has wear made by me, through playing.
      It’s personal.

    • @captainbob406
      @captainbob406 Před 4 lety +2

      Agreed, hard to believe people pay money for a new guitar made to look old and used. Not something that will ever be in my inventory. But like you said, to each his own....

  • @redrock1963
    @redrock1963 Před 4 lety +9

    It's good to see David St. Hubbins is still in the music industry.

  • @christopherotoole532
    @christopherotoole532 Před 4 lety +415

    Dude looks like Joe Satriani with hair

    • @Soloist1983
      @Soloist1983 Před 4 lety +7

      Haha, exactly! Even sounds a little like him

    • @j_freed
      @j_freed Před 4 lety

      There's some Southern European in this boy for sure.

    • @dougdavis8986
      @dougdavis8986 Před 4 lety

      Dork

    • @niklasmartensson6051
      @niklasmartensson6051 Před 4 lety +1

      Dude I think he looks like Kirk Hammett :/

    • @josemesa5384
      @josemesa5384 Před 4 lety +7

      For me, he looks like Dave Murray from Iron Maiden lol

  • @reddsshaker3477
    @reddsshaker3477 Před rokem +2

    Can’t believe how far Ron Thorn has come since he was building his own guitars with his Dad.

  • @liorauf
    @liorauf Před 4 lety +5

    Ron is the man! Recommend look after his craftsmanships! Beyond awesome!

  • @w13rdguy
    @w13rdguy Před 4 lety +4

    Thank you, Ron Thorn and Fender, for being part of this event. It really adds a quality of authenticity to the entire proceedings! Ron is actually humble(and honest) to a fault, if such a thing is possible.

  • @piotrkarel
    @piotrkarel Před 4 lety +7

    what a nice and humble person! love that guy!

  • @exknoll4755
    @exknoll4755 Před rokem +1

    The neck is my favourite part of the les Paul pickups! It’s so bold and warm. Crazy talk!!!!

  • @tickedoffsheikh8587
    @tickedoffsheikh8587 Před 3 lety +4

    I've followed many videos of Principal Master Builder Ron Thorn and one thing that always stands out about him is his humility, simplicity and honesty. I have plenty of respect for a guy like him. Wish to someday meet with him. Wish him all the best in his endeavors.

  • @Hemifan4266
    @Hemifan4266 Před rokem +3

    I am a lefty with a lefty Strat and lefty LP. I love them both. The contours of the Strat make it an amazing comfortable guitar to play. And the unique sounds of each remind me how happy I am to own both. Great interview...

  • @TheRnB69
    @TheRnB69 Před 4 lety +304

    I didn’t know Ben franklin builds fenders?

  • @78fty95
    @78fty95 Před rokem +4

    Love how humble he is. One of better known Fender luthiers but is still so fast so give other people credit. No ego with this guy! 🤘🏼

    • @SaintKimbo
      @SaintKimbo Před rokem

      No one that goes by the name ' Principle Master Builder' could be called humble.

  • @BellTunnel
    @BellTunnel Před 4 lety +2

    Ron’s a class act and always seems so authentic and laid back. Great, natural response when put on the spot with the Lester.

    • @Vichedges
      @Vichedges Před 4 lety

      How was that response "natural"? I mean the guy is a top level Fender employee. Of course he's going to toe the company line. Like I said in other posts it's probably just a coincidence that all the guitars he owns are Fender products lol.

  • @edpitman7035
    @edpitman7035 Před 4 lety +8

    Love Ron’s enthusiasm

  • @michaelivan9066
    @michaelivan9066 Před 4 lety +132

    A les Paul neck position pickup with the tone knob slightly rolled back sounds fantastic.

    • @shreddykrueger2408
      @shreddykrueger2408 Před 4 lety +1

      Thank you

    • @pittbrat7963
      @pittbrat7963 Před 4 lety +5

      yeah, on 1 out of 50 Gibsons you try out... on the other 49 it sounds like "useless".

    • @simonharwood8488
      @simonharwood8488 Před 4 lety +7

      Slash knows exactly how and when to use both LP pickups e.g. when he switches to the bridge one mid-solo in Sweet Child o Mine

    • @robspear03
      @robspear03 Před 4 lety +19

      @@pittbrat7963 Have you tested 50 in a row, from the same batch?
      Shut up.

    • @michaelivan9066
      @michaelivan9066 Před 4 lety +7

      filip hendrickx I’ve owned at least 50 guitars including at least 10 Gibson’s and the Gibson’s are some of the best I’ve owned. Name a brand and I either own it or have owned it.

  • @richardfenner6096
    @richardfenner6096 Před 4 lety

    Great to see you again, Ron, if only on here. Happy New Year to you and Pilar! Miss you guys... ~ Ridge.

  • @kirkscobey3031
    @kirkscobey3031 Před 4 lety +2

    Always a thumbs up when Rob Thorn is in any video!!!

  • @richarddeem6169
    @richarddeem6169 Před 4 lety +192

    9:45 casually says he has 40-50 guitars

    • @destianpatrianagara1119
      @destianpatrianagara1119 Před 4 lety +13

      Yet none of them are gibson :))

    • @rendyandrian7149
      @rendyandrian7149 Před 4 lety +29

      Ron day job is in guitar factory which means he is surrounded by guitars all day long. When he goes home, he sees all of his guitar collections. I can't imagine whether it is exciting or boring.

    • @StephenMorganCanada
      @StephenMorganCanada Před 4 lety +1

      Richard Deem don’t we all?

    • @shmooless3699
      @shmooless3699 Před 4 lety +1

      @@destianpatrianagara1119 youre right none are gibson, nearly all are fender yet his favorite is the 85 squier bullet

    • @glassbox7761
      @glassbox7761 Před 4 lety +8

      @@destianpatrianagara1119 I don't believe him. I think he's forced to say that. Finally he says that nothing sounds like this, holding up the Les Paul. Do you really believe he doesn't have a few Gibsons?

  • @JaviBee
    @JaviBee Před rokem +3

    It really is amazing how far budget instruments have come over the last 20 years

  • @Uncle--Fatty
    @Uncle--Fatty Před rokem

    that's the dang ol' best JuneTeenth EVER...!! Happy New Year OL' Les... keep on rockin' in the... Clouds...

  • @MikeSuttonXerox
    @MikeSuttonXerox Před 4 lety +22

    Ron Thorn has to be the nicest Luthier in Earth. Seen a lot of his interviews and he’s the most gracious person ever and knows the heck out of his craft. Awesome Fender has chosen him as a Public Spokesperson of sorts to tour around and spearhead they’re Marketing...excellent choice Fender!

    • @vwharman
      @vwharman Před 4 lety

      Mike Sutton too true. Thorn is a great representative. Gibson has chosen Mark Agnesi. Honestly. If they didn’t make the Les Paul, would Gibby be relevant anymore at all?

  • @christopherkahn6522
    @christopherkahn6522 Před 4 lety +4

    He has a funny look on his face as he holds the Les Paul. It's almost like sleeping with the enemy, as he says "he can't get with it." To me, Custom Shop Fenders and Gibsons are just the best. I know there are many luthiers out there, but we live in a kind of golden age of high quality choices.

  • @brianpalay
    @brianpalay Před 4 lety +7

    I love Gisbons and Fenders. There's room for both in my stable, and I'm proud to have them and put them to use.

    • @Juno58
      @Juno58 Před rokem

      I love Gisbons and Fedners too. But also Abinez and RSP.

  • @joshua0226
    @joshua0226 Před 4 lety +2

    There is no best, all are different . The one that feels like home and makes you want to play is the best winner for a person.

  • @scottgentile1663
    @scottgentile1663 Před 2 lety

    He is a perfect spokesperson for Fender. Knows how to tastefully handle all kinds of questions. I have a 79 Strat, 2022 Gibson SG and a Squire Bullet that I love after a Luthier shaved down the frets.. Love all three.

  • @matthoward1174
    @matthoward1174 Před 4 lety +30

    Ron builds the most killer 335's called the Grantura. He's no stranger to Gibson stuff.

    • @chonadams331
      @chonadams331 Před 4 lety +2

      True, his own brand is more inclined to Gibo style and design.

  • @LesleyLesPaul
    @LesleyLesPaul Před 4 lety +4

    Flipping the glasses back:
    'It is a Goldtop !'
    A very funny video, I like him. LES

  • @kiddriftwood23
    @kiddriftwood23 Před 4 lety +2

    "I better move over, let Jimi take over" 👏👏 Epic mate, just epic.

  • @benjaminnevins5211
    @benjaminnevins5211 Před 4 lety +2

    Wow, great questions!

  • @daviddequasie6816
    @daviddequasie6816 Před 4 lety +5

    I saw Dickey Betts about 20 years ago. One of the nicest guitar tones ever. He played a Les Paul on most of the tunes and used only the neck pickup the entire time.

  • @jamesmunro5368
    @jamesmunro5368 Před 4 lety +7

    Love it. Wants a particular guitar. Makes it himself.

  • @davidurias6778
    @davidurias6778 Před 4 lety +1

    I can listen to Ron talk guitars all day

  • @charlesharper7292
    @charlesharper7292 Před 3 lety

    I've been playing a Fender limited custom Telecaster FMT HH for about a year and a half. Absolutely LOVE it. I'll be picking up a couple more so I always have one. My Ibanez is awfully lonely now.

  • @shtdaprdtr
    @shtdaprdtr Před 4 lety +13

    The neck pickup is definitely not useless...you just have to know how to use it! A les Paul's neck pickup is the only reason I dont play juniors or single pickup superstrats and I came from the school of EVH.

  • @skittlevevo1558
    @skittlevevo1558 Před 4 lety +10

    9:06 bruh he got us

  • @MrJacobrezac
    @MrJacobrezac Před 4 lety

    When I get my custom shop I’m making sure I have Ron as the master builder, this guy is amazing and such a humble guy who doesn’t feed you any bullshit.

  • @rowbags3017
    @rowbags3017 Před rokem

    I love watching Ron on video - his honest enthusiasm always shines through, and the way he says his #1 is a Squire! (He doesn't simply plug high-end Fenders.) I can't help but laugh when he admits the nearest thing he owns to a Gibson is a korina 'V which he built himself - if only we could all do that... I definitely agree about Eric Gales! Simply phenomenal!

  • @MrBighairyass
    @MrBighairyass Před 4 lety +51

    His personality reminds me of Kirk Hammett...nice guy...

    • @ikigai47
      @ikigai47 Před 4 lety

      Ron is cool af. Kirk is a massive douchebag

    • @wavetech_
      @wavetech_ Před 4 lety

      @@ikigai47 how so, if you don't mind me asking?

    • @rossatron2050
      @rossatron2050 Před 4 lety

      I’d say there’s a little Rick Moranis mixed in there.

  • @BrettSmithDaniels
    @BrettSmithDaniels Před 4 lety +3

    I'm a Fender guy first and foremost, but the in-between position on an SG or Les Paul is unbelievably good. I guarantee most people don't realise THAT is actually the sound on the early funk records by the Meters!! I always thought it was a strat but it was a gibbo

    • @unitoftemp
      @unitoftemp Před 4 lety

      In between pickup positions in general sound amazing.

  • @FalloutMan493
    @FalloutMan493 Před 4 lety +3

    I was thinking Eric gales right when the guy asked about the "new" hendrix. That's so cool he gets the respect he deserves

  • @chriss2452
    @chriss2452 Před 11 měsíci

    What a genuinely nice guy!

  • @APGRFX
    @APGRFX Před 4 lety +5

    ‘it looks like an Olympic white finish’ Guy in post: Oops, shouldn’t have boosted that red channel in color correction

  • @isaacwilliams9919
    @isaacwilliams9919 Před 4 lety +98

    Plot twist: He specializes in Basses

  • @stevemorse108
    @stevemorse108 Před rokem

    Great honest feedback.

  • @destavaiwira9997
    @destavaiwira9997 Před 4 lety +2

    I love his voice and accent. And he always smiling. Nice guy

    • @koushiro86
      @koushiro86 Před 2 lety

      He’s been an LA guy since he was 10. I had to look it up to make sure but being from California myself, I could tell

  • @2beJT
    @2beJT Před 4 lety +3

    One thing I love about Ron and many other guitar professionals.. They don't pretend that every competing item is trash compared to their product. They come off as genuine instead of seeming like a cheesy sales rep. JHS pedals does a great job of this. The guy actually highlights Behringer pedals in a complimentary fashion which made me discover his channel. Which made me like the guy and his company. Which made me want to buy the JHS Muffuleta.
    Seeing Fender (or whichever company) experts giving a truthful and fair opinion about products is what makes me tune in. If it were just a sales pitch I don't think I'd watch the content.

  • @Sebastian_Aravena
    @Sebastian_Aravena Před rokem +1

    Nothing sounds like this.
    Damn right!

  • @goldenape1373
    @goldenape1373 Před 4 lety

    That’s a huge acknowledgement for Eric Gales. The dude is a bonafide beast but wow to hear that, wow.

  • @jonathangoin
    @jonathangoin Před 4 lety +18

    He talks about Eric Gales being the “current” Hendrix. Well let me tell you this much... if you haven’t heard of Eric Gales or seen his videos then you absolutely need to check him out. He is on another level.

    • @TheWolvesCurse
      @TheWolvesCurse Před 4 lety

      i havn't, and will take your suggestion and give the man a listen this evening when i get some time to myself.

    • @pabloperez4063
      @pabloperez4063 Před 4 lety

      ThE new "somebody" ....means a bad copy of this "somebody".

  • @LeonardoLaraMusic
    @LeonardoLaraMusic Před 4 lety +3

    check 03:05
    , he is talking about squier, the new ones, I watched the video when he plays the new squiers and he was amazed with the sound of the affinity and contemporary.
    So everyone should buy an Affinity at least.

  • @XimenaZhaoArchive
    @XimenaZhaoArchive Před 2 lety +2

    "My Number One is an '85 Squier Strat, believe it or not, and I've had it since 1987." --Fender Custom Shop Principal Master Builder

  • @edisongabutero9455
    @edisongabutero9455 Před 4 lety

    Such a cool genuine dude

  • @cody8804
    @cody8804 Před 4 lety +5

    I understand where he’s coming from saying les Paul’s just aren’t his thing (keeping in mind he works for fender though of course), but I could not disagree more with him saying the neck pickup is “a little useless”. That is THE Clapton Cream sound. Amongst countless others

  • @alanwingate7508
    @alanwingate7508 Před 4 lety +4

    I am Amazed that Ron Said that his number one guitar from his collection is his 1985 Squier .Wow I have the 1984 Squier with the Bullet truss rod in black with a Maple neck I will never sell this guitar its in mint condition

    • @robertkidd6270
      @robertkidd6270 Před 3 lety

      I'm laughing here😂 I've got a silver series black strat maple neck ...it's epic! and it stays in tune jeff beck style...my fiancé's son thinks he's keeping it on loan lol...gave him my '70 tele blonde and he begged me for the Squire. ..kids these days lol

  • @j_freed
    @j_freed Před 4 lety +2

    Japan is so honored Ron loves his '85 Squier Stratocaster, this was from a time when Fender was not making guitar parts & building guitars in America! That's a Fujigen Gakki instrument like many of the best ones from Japan, or anywhere.
    Also I think I have that same guitar he does. 85 MIJ Squier Strat. Basic and incredibly solid.

    • @greggaravet4932
      @greggaravet4932 Před rokem

      I own one, bought it in 86, it’s been my main player ever since

    • @malcolmhardwick4258
      @malcolmhardwick4258 Před rokem

      I got a 86 e series Squier as well as many Greco stratocasters !

  • @KneedleKnees
    @KneedleKnees Před 2 lety

    Ron Thorn was on a Phil McKnight video on how he would choose a Squier Strat and it was incredibly informative. This is going to be a good video

  • @Quicksilver_Cookie
    @Quicksilver_Cookie Před 4 lety +14

    He was polite, professional. Didn't mention that Gibson haven't learned how to design a headstock and a volute in 60 years, and still charge something like 2+ grand for their flagship model. We'll let it slide.

    • @Vichedges
      @Vichedges Před 4 lety +7

      A lot of Gibsons have volutes, I have a 2013 EB bass that has a volute. The LP doesn't have a volute because the customers didn't want a volute on their LP because the originals didn't have a volute. Gibson did put volutes on LP for years, I had a 78 Deluxe with a volute, players didn't want the volutes.
      Gibson charges 2 grand for their "flagship" model? Fender charges close to that for a plank of wood with a bolt on neck lol. I guess you haven't noticed American labor is expensive?
      I mean I just looked and Fender is charging $900 for MEXICAN Strats lol. But you guys are going to act like Gibsons are outrageous?
      The cheapest new USA Strat on Guitar Center's site was $1,050. The Cheapest USA Les paul is the DC Junior which starts out at $900 and the LP Tributes which start out at $1,200.
      So....why is it that you don't call out Fender for it's over 1K USA models but you do Gibson for their USA models which start out well under 1K?
      I'll let it slide.

    • @abcrx32j
      @abcrx32j Před 4 lety +1

      And they still suck at making Les Pauls with better access than a classical guitar

    • @themerchantofmenace3645
      @themerchantofmenace3645 Před 4 lety +3

      When were you shopping for a Les Paul? 2030? A standard is the flagship, and it's the same price as a proper USA Strat. Gibbo actually make cheaper USA guitars than Fender do with their Studio range - all the sound, none of the cosmetic stuff, SOOOOO sort of like all Fender guitars, where your lot is a piece of wood and a paint job! Not a criticism, I have a couple of Fenders and love them - let's just be real, they're all expensive, but none to the point of excess - unless you want it.

    • @Wargasm644
      @Wargasm644 Před 4 lety

      2+ grand for there flagship model? Try 2+2+ 😂

  • @9eyeh8chu9
    @9eyeh8chu9 Před rokem +4

    you know what’s crazy is that Leo Fender apparently hated when things got old and worn looking. That was the total reason for going with rosewood fingerboards as opposed to maple which showed marks after a while. Now “worn” is Fenders most pleasing aesthetic feature. Just bizarre

    • @madhatter8508
      @madhatter8508 Před rokem

      It hasn't been Leo's company for a very long time. He had at least two companies after Fender.

    • @try2bcool
      @try2bcool Před rokem

      I got a rosewood instead of a maple fretboard for exactly this reason. They only look good if you don't play them.

  • @mattharrington5218
    @mattharrington5218 Před rokem

    Such a good guy. Respectful

  • @jcrosslin8
    @jcrosslin8 Před rokem

    Wow I didn't expect him to say Eric Gales. I'm a life long Memphian and Eric has been around since I was a kid in the late 80s/early 90s. It's wild that he's just starting to see more success in the last few years. Cheers from Memphis!

  • @brotherscott8599
    @brotherscott8599 Před 4 lety +6

    Reading between the lines when given the Gibson; “Thanks, but no thanks”

    • @stedyshredy2772
      @stedyshredy2772 Před 4 lety

      I play a Gold top. The only thing i agree with is having to almost relearn how to play higher than about the 14th fret. Where the neck and body meet is extremely fat. That's the beauty of art, there is no right or wrong, better or worse. Just opinions, he was humble none the less!

    • @Vichedges
      @Vichedges Před 4 lety

      Nah, reading between the lines I got "my paycheck comes from Fender".
      It's probably just a coincidence that all the brands he says he owns are Fender products.

  • @0Imtheslime0
    @0Imtheslime0 Před 5 lety +5

    Wish i could work in Fender.. I love working on guitars, i used to work in a instrument store when i was 17 in 1998. There i learned to set up guitar, fret dressing, create a new nut, tremolo setup and other minor things. Would love to become a more apprentice luthier.
    Fender is life.. Fender factory is family where all workers are seen as artists and can have a good career opportunity.... Gibson on the other hand...

  • @benediktschlereth6070
    @benediktschlereth6070 Před 4 lety +1

    Love it!

  • @ahobimo732
    @ahobimo732 Před 4 lety +2

    He seems like a really cool guy. No corporate fanboy BS. Just a genuine passion for the instrument.

    • @Vichedges
      @Vichedges Před 4 lety

      He seems like a cool guy but he's definitely a company man, or did you not notice all the brands he claims to own are Fender products?
      I mean come on.............

  • @SimonLarkin-CSRecording
    @SimonLarkin-CSRecording Před 4 lety +15

    I really got the feeling he was struggling to justify spending the money on his masterbuilds.

  • @danielemilazzo432
    @danielemilazzo432 Před 4 lety +19

    hand wound by Josefina. Mexico for the Win!

    • @enkiea8322
      @enkiea8322 Před 4 lety +3

      Well... the sun shines on a dog's ass every once and a while.

    • @Nightshade1881
      @Nightshade1881 Před 4 lety +2

      Daniele Milazzo tadeo Gomez is legendary
      He shaped those early necks Sooo beautifully

    • @Hardballleather
      @Hardballleather Před 4 lety +4

      @@enkiea8322 sun shines on dog's asses all over the entire planet fucko

    • @danielemilazzo432
      @danielemilazzo432 Před 4 lety

      Enki Ea maybe it’s lost in translation. I don’t get it.

  • @rb032682
    @rb032682 Před 4 lety

    Great interview!

  • @arsenmarek597
    @arsenmarek597 Před 2 lety

    He really looks like a great guy, passionate and willing to share his kwnoledge.

  • @SsWargazmSs
    @SsWargazmSs Před 4 lety +36

    Different strokes I guess. It's the sound of the neck pickup that made me buy a Les Paul. Lol

    • @stedyshredy2772
      @stedyshredy2772 Před 4 lety +4

      I play Blue Jean Blues on the neck, it drops panties every time. Every time. I gotta start wearing briefs...

    • @diego2112gaming
      @diego2112gaming Před 4 lety +2

      I'm with Ron. Give me a Strat, or some other single coil, where the neck pickup gets that nice, hollow, airy sound when you put *just* the right amount of 'verb on it. You're suddenly in a whole new dimension of playing (Dimension C will really open up the sound, as well), really get some neat tones. Try a '66 Vox Bulldog in the neck. Nothing out there even comes close to what it can do in that regard. It's just bleeding great.

    • @ikigai47
      @ikigai47 Před 4 lety +1

      @@diego2112gaming - Agree. Comparing a strat neck pup to a humbucker neck pup, just no comparison. One has soul, the other sounds like a bridge humbucker with a blanket thrown over it

    • @kirarittberg5088
      @kirarittberg5088 Před 4 lety +2

      Chaplin If that is your opinion of humbucker pickups , you possibly have not listened to really nice paf types. Listen to a BK stormy Monday and get back to me. Also my favourite single coil pups I have were made by Fury guitars and Evans, both Canadian made and pretty hard to find.

    • @ikigai47
      @ikigai47 Před 4 lety

      @@kirarittberg5088 - Be honest. Have you tried Dimarzio Area pickups? (area 58 and/or area 67). It's fine if you haven't. I previously went on a pickup quest and tried soooo many (haven't tried Fury's/Evans), and for me nothing comes close for neck/mid single coil style. If you have tried them, and still prefer Fury or Evans, then looks like I'll have to check em out. Yeah I'd have to imagine there's a neck humbucker out there I'd like but I've tried many and never fell in love like a single coil neck

  • @gabrielsierra865
    @gabrielsierra865 Před 4 lety +4

    "At the blacksmith's home, wooden knives", this is my closest translation of this time proven Puerto Rican proverb.

    • @Not.The_Gallery
      @Not.The_Gallery Před 4 lety

      It would actually be “At cutler’s house, wooden knifes.” (En casa de herrero, cuchillo de palo.)

    • @BOFFKA86
      @BOFFKA86 Před 4 lety

      In Russia we got similar proverb - "Bootmaker without boots")

    • @gabrielsierra865
      @gabrielsierra865 Před 4 lety

      @@Not.The_Gallery IN our Spanish version is Herrero=Blacksmith. So now I know the English equivalent, thanks!

  • @pipotherium
    @pipotherium Před 3 lety +2

    Guild guitars - I see he's a man of culture.

  • @joneses1962
    @joneses1962 Před rokem

    My number one is also a '85 MIJ Squire Stratocaster. I don't know how many guitars I've owned, but I've been a stratocaster fanatic since I got my first one in 1980. I got my '85 Squire in '93. I love my Squire. For nearly 30 years my Squire has been the one guitar that I truly love to play.

  • @bradhargis2261
    @bradhargis2261 Před 4 lety +13

    Skip ahead to 8:30.

  • @cesarg4328
    @cesarg4328 Před 4 lety +4

    9:04
    He got us

  • @THEQueeferSutherland
    @THEQueeferSutherland Před 4 lety +2

    I love this dude and the premise of this video. Someday, hopefully I can do it before he retires, I'd like to order a guitar built by him.

    • @moimeme7839
      @moimeme7839 Před 4 lety

      QueeferSutherland he probably doesn’t build them, he may be doing the fine adjustments and correcting all details that makes a custom shop build better

    • @ronthorn7299
      @ronthorn7299 Před 4 lety +1

      moi même I select the wood, program and operate the CNC, hand shape and final sand, fret, assemble and set-up. If you’re ever in Corona, stop by - I’ll give you the tour.

    • @moimeme7839
      @moimeme7839 Před 4 lety

      RON THORN man you do way too much for the knowledge you got, you should have assistants to do most parts of that work and take care of the final details. More people should buy fender customs, they are good for life, I own a sienna sunburst american fender standard strat and I love it, any part is replacable, it’s worth every dollar I paid. Unfortunately, I am too poor to buy custom shop but I’d like to. 😀 one thing is, I am quite sure in no time I’ll be fortunate enough to afford one of these guitars. You do great work there in Corona, I would be glad to take that tour 😀

  • @IFIXATVS
    @IFIXATVS Před 4 lety +2

    What a gentleman to be handed a Gibson and not immediately trash it and its reputation. I started as a Fender player but now I go more for my 90’s Epiphone SG. Nothing sounds like it in my opinion. As is always said, tone is subjective! Find what you like and make it yours.

  • @tonymarinelli7304
    @tonymarinelli7304 Před 4 lety +72

    I love the tone of a Gibson but prefer the dependability of a Fender. I’m a tele man.

    • @acctonmyotherphone6327
      @acctonmyotherphone6327 Před 4 lety +2

      I'm proud youre not a strat man! Keep Rockin with your Tele bro!

    • @cjstibitz2130
      @cjstibitz2130 Před 4 lety +4

      Wait wait wait. The dependability of a fender. I wasn't looking to say something rude on such a nice video. But did you really just say the "dependability of the fender". What kinda nonsensical bullshit is that. Like do you even think before you speak? Like literally I wasn't intending on being rude to anyone but I saw your comment and do you even understand how dumb of a thought that is? Sure the fender is a reliable guitar. But please you tell me what guitar isn't trustworthy or to be counted on. Sure one guitar may be better than another or cost more than another for various reasons. Build quality, materials chosen, craftsmanship-special touches like the fake aging seen on this guitar here. But at the end of the day you used the word dependability. Which means the exact God damn same thing as reliability. Are you trying to say a Gibson les Paul is unreliable or prone to failure of sorts?? Lmfao. We are not talking about firearms here that will jam up and your life depends on it. Neither guitar will fail you in any way unless it is mishandled. Both cost at a almost identical price point. Fuck a $100 piece of shit guitar is just as "dependable" as a $1000 guitar. I've owned a squier Stratocaster made in 2005. I have thousands of hours playing on the Damn thing. I've never had it serviced in anyway. It's been beat to heck. And it still plays like the day I purchased it. Are there better guitars out there? No shit there are. Better pickups, nicer woods, better craftsmanship may lead to marginally better tones. (Do a blindfold test if your a gear snob). My $100 15 year old squier is as dependable as any guitar on the planet. Now we're talking about American made Stratocaster vs American made Gibson les Paul. Both run for around $1000. And I guarantee you a special or "custom shop" version of either guitar are also of similar prices. I'm just upset because your comment makes 0 sense at all. If you have a bias towards the fender because it means something to you for some reason that's great I'm glad it does. But it surely isn't "more dependable" than a Gibson. I have a friend who bought a 70's tribute American made Gibson sg in 2013 for just over $800 which was the absolute cheapest American made Gibson sg he could find that was not used. So clearly there are nicer sg's out there. But I played it just a few nights ago and it sounded a million bucks to me. I'm sorry for bitching but please don't make ignorant remarks. Both guitars are awesome. Neither one are more dependable than the other and that is obvious. If you have a personal preference towards one or the other please understand that is subjective and there's nothing wrong with that. But please don't try to talk about a gibson les Paul in a way that you seem to insist it will fail eventually or be unreliable. Which is exactly what you implied. Just Google the definition of dependability if you must. I'm completely right

    • @cjstibitz2130
      @cjstibitz2130 Před 4 lety +1

      Again I'm sorry for being mean lol. But this is an awesome video I figured everyone would just sit back and enjoy. No people have to go out claiming the stars and the moon. Like its obvious neither guitar is better. That's like asking someone about 2 books and asking which is better. Or having them try 2 flavors of ice cream and asking them which is better. NEITHER!!! I'm not trying to be an asshole lol but you have to have known that is opinion. You can't throw us a made up fact about dependability. You like fender better than gibson? Okay that's completely fine. But please give us a legitimate reason because I guarantee you you could not tell me one single way a fender is more dependable than a Gibson. You even say you acknowledge the Gibson has good tone. But ahggggggghhhhh what's up with that word choice dependability. Please just tell us why the fender is more personal to you and means more. I love a good story. Telecasters are awesome guitars too bro!!! So tell us why tele's mean something to you lol dependability has nothing to do with it

    • @tonymarinelli7304
      @tonymarinelli7304 Před 4 lety +18

      cj stibitz Get a fucking grip dude the tone, your dissertation is over the too. The quality of a Les Paul is undeniable and yes more craftsmanship goes into the build but there are MAJOR design flaws. If you factor in scale length and the angle of the strings from nut to headstock that’s where the tuning instability comes into play. You know how many products are out there to aid in changing the angle from Nut to headstock? There’s tons of them obviously there’s an issue. Simply ask any legitimate luthier. Knock over a Gibson and you will crack the neck you’re out of business knock over a Fender changing the neck can be done very quickly yes it’s a cheaper design but It can with stand more abuse. I was a touring musician and yes smart ass I work with Many very well-known recording artists I took both Gibson and Fender on the road with me try keeping the Gibson in tune for more than three or four songs with Fender that is never a problem Or a few climate changes going from state to state or country to country.

    • @jimmylepog5133
      @jimmylepog5133 Před 4 lety

      Too

  • @crystaloffrost
    @crystaloffrost Před 4 lety +23

    Nothing sounds like this.. yeah

  • @craigpoole2602
    @craigpoole2602 Před rokem

    I'm a Strat guy and have been forever....that said there really is something magical about a great Les Paul that a Strat can't duplicate.

  • @jcsk8
    @jcsk8 Před 4 lety

    Very humble opinion. Tastes are tastes, and he´s a master in guitar construction.

  • @ejoey64
    @ejoey64 Před 4 lety +143

    His no1 are Squire?? Custom shop please start making them now!! Lol

    • @yargnad
      @yargnad Před 4 lety +7

      My #1 is a 90 Squier II Strat. Almost the cheapest guitar I own.

    • @ejoey64
      @ejoey64 Před 4 lety +2

      @@yargnad i came across 83 Squire strat back then..but my #1 still from those pre cbs era strat

    • @yargnad
      @yargnad Před 4 lety +9

      @@ejoey64 Even if I had the $20,000+ for a pre-CBS Strat I would opt to buy something else. I recently played a couple in the $25- 40,000 range at the last Orlando guitar show. I'll pass, thanks.
      PS: That's where and when I bought the MIK 1990 Squier II of legend. It simply played better and only set me back $120.

    • @ejoey64
      @ejoey64 Před 4 lety

      @@yargnadfollow the vintage trails man..if you're not lazy enough. I owned a few pre cbs fender not even reach 3000 usd. I had one late 65 strat the first owner give it to me for free..do you think the guitars show got them for 20k and sell it later for 20k? No way man..it's their trade secret as some peoples say..

    • @yargnad
      @yargnad Před 4 lety +2

      @@ejoey64 There are only a limited number of them to begin with which makes them even more rare now. They are obviously far more common out West than they are in the Southeast, where I live. Plus, like I said, I didn't like them playability-wise.