Anyone heard of Cp Thornton Guitars?

C

c_doug

Hey yall. Just moved back to Maine after a two year hiatus and was surprised to find a luthier making outstanding guitars in my old hometown. I was just wondering if any of you have had a chance to check out Cp Thornton Guitars. Curious to hear what you think.
Cp Thornton Guitars
 

hippdogs

Member
Messages
183
I own #0007 Cp Thornton Professional, and have ordered a Jazz Elite. I cannot sufficiently express how wonderful these guitars are. Balance, tone, wood, neck and playability....all are stunning. Check out my review at Harmony Central.
 

RickC

Member
Messages
7,936
I've played a couple of Thornton basses, the first about 20 years ago. High end, neck-through, fancy woods, light and well balanced players. Top notch stuff.

Looks like he's branching out into archtops. Mark Campellone took a similar tack; he was building high end custom basses in the 80's, before becoming an archtop star.

/rick
 

esoteric pete

Silver Supporting Member
Messages
6,901
i recently played on of these at boston guitar works in brockton, ma. and was pleasantly suprised. it was just beautiful, with a super cool neck joint...very well crafted axe. if it wasnt so much $$ i probably would have bought it. my thought is this: if you have the ching, get one. there that nice.

the one i played had a cool hand carved ebony tailpiece that was kinda like a trapeze, but it didnt move, and was flush to the body...nice attn. to detail if you ask me! it sounded nice and smokey plugged in...great jazz/blues tones for days...

awesome guitars!
 

John Mayes

Member
Messages
305
I worked with Chuck for a while in Maine and I can attest to his high standard, and excellent craftsmanship. His guitars are extremely classy, and full of tone. I would recommend everyone check them out.
 

tivory

Member
Messages
22
hi, i own a professional model as well. it's # 18 and i, too, posted a review on harmony central which i NEVER do but i was so impressed with chuck and his/my guitar that i agreed to do it for him. this is a very well thought out playing and sounding guitar and it is a hell of a bargin...for the moment. i can't help feeling that once chuck gets these in to the hands of people that his sales and his prices will take off. the last guitar that hit me like this was one made by joe driskill. do yourself a huge favor...read the reviews and then order one. if you're into guitars then get into a thornton. btw, chuck attended berklee school of music in boston. the man is a player as well as a builder. God bless, tom i
 

BarneyFife

Member
Messages
1,897
I have a Professional coming from Heath at Boston Guitar Works. Based on the beautiful looks, but mostly on the glowing recommendations from this forum and HC. Can't wait to get it and I hope you were all right!
 

phretbored

Member
Messages
4,970
I played tivory's CPT and it is an excellent playing, sounding, and looking instrument.
It's a very smooth looking design.
Great semi-hollow tones!
 

Marty

Member
Messages
147
I agree with the other posts. I have Jazz Elite S/N ME01. If you go to Chucks site mine is the one with the bear-claw spruce top.

This thing is a tone monster with excellent playability and top tier materials and workmanship. I have a couple of Robben Ford Sigs, Surhs, Custom Shop Strat,Tele and the Jazz Elite is the best of them all.

Definetly worth looking into.:AOK

-marty
 

FiveG

Gold Supporting Member
Messages
904
Resurrecting thread time: how does the tone on the Jazz Elite compare (if it can) with either the PRS HBs, or a Gibson ES335, or ES175?
 

alanbass1

Member
Messages
1,166
I have a Jazz Elite and can't say enough about the quality, playability and sound. I have a professional on order with Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard which should be ready in a month or so - can't wait. Meanwhile, I have to put up with this:

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alanbass1

Member
Messages
1,166
Resurrecting thread time: how does the tone on the Jazz Elite compare (if it can) with either the PRS HBs, or a Gibson ES335, or ES175?
The Jazz elite is a lot more versatile than the two Gibsons mentioned due to the coil tapping and pickups. Closer to a 335 but 'woodier' I would say. However, coil tapping the Fralin Unbuckers give out a pleasing snap that neither of the others can get - almost telecaster in character. I can't talk for the PRS as I haven't tried one of these.
 

enharmonic

It's the same damned note!
Platinum Supporting Member
Messages
9,392
A shame he doesn't make lefties in the Fusion. I know a guy who would probably be all over that.
 

6stringer

Member
Messages
213
Give Chuck a Call, I am sure he could build a left handed mode. He has done this with some of his archtops.
 

Drowned Rabbit

Black Beauty Beats Burst
Messages
3,270
I know most of you guys are Jazz Cats, but I checked
out the Thornton site and, MAN! That "FUSION" is
really cool looking. Anybody had a chance to try one?
 

Vibrolucky

Silver Supporting Member
Messages
1,092
My Fusion rules....Its the best sounding single coil guitar you will play.

I also have a Elite Hollowbody, its fantastic also.

You really can't go wrong with any of his guitars.
 



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