Posting here since the "sports bar" passed on...Pic is of the back of my custom flat top guitar being built by Ryan Thorell Guitars in Logan UT. Olive wood from Zambia is pictured, sides will match; this wood is intended to rival the best rosewood (top will be Adirondack/red spruce). Finish will increase contrast of the grain, especially that of the white "flames" flanking the center shooting upward at 45-degree diagonal. The grain showed incredible depth & color when oil was rubbed on a small spot; it was pure goosebumps.
The guitar size will be just between Martin's Dreadnaught & Grand Orchestra (AKA "0000") series. To my best knowledge Taylor was the first to make something of this size, called a "Grand Symphony" under the Taylor brand or "Style 1" at the R Taylor custom/signature shop. (I'm thankful R Taylor does not offer the special bridge width required; if they did I might never have auditioned a Thorell.)
This will be Thorell's first of this size/shape, blending the best qualities of smaller & larger flat tops. Beyond Thorell's other unique identifiers such as the rosette & headpiece, Gibson's J-45 "round shoulder" line will be copied (Taylor's shoulder directly mimics that of the smaller Grand Orchestra).
Other than the shoulder my Thorell will follow the Grand Orchestra/0000 shape. A full-size outline of the body depicted one of the most naturally pleasing & attractive flat top shapes ever (I've played $25k Kleins & $15k Schoenbergs).
The fact that Ryan is one of the most accomplished builders, his guitars rivaling the best, is more shocking considering his tender age of 29 (maybe 30 now) & the fact that his skill extends to f-hole jazz electric, solid body electric, electric bass & classical-a rosewood classical had incredible sustain. Ryan told me one of the most sought after classical builders now has a twelve year (IIRC) backlog for new orders...get in line soon!
