The idea of this guitar was put into my head just about a year ago by a Client/ Friend Lou D., and then again a couple of months later by another Client/ Friend Jay W., both of which said they would be very interested in this guitar if I were to build it. We have four orders for this guitar now. One is for Jay and another for Lou.
As all of you who follow my guitars know, I try never to copy anyone else’s designs. And, you probably know that my Semi Hollowbody Thinline Archtops are through neck instruments, which I believe adds structual integrity to the guitar.
Because we want the same structual integrity of our Thinline Archtops, we decided to design this guitar with a floating top and back, but with a through neck.
Reason 1. The tailpiece hinge attaches to the neck extension instead of an end block, so over time, as the weight of the strings pulls against the tailpiece, it won’t distort the end block. So, the binding and purfling won’t crush into the spruce top which could cause it to split over time.
Reason 2. I’ve seen so many set neck guitars with the ski jump in the fingerboard that I have never seen in my through neck design.
Reason 3. One of the biggest drawbacks to a full hollowbody with pickups is uncontrolled feedback. We’re hoping the through neck helps reduce some of this problem.
With these three explanations one might say it’s a semi hollowbody but the top and back are only glued to the sides they do not have the integral soundpost design that my Thinline Archtops have. And, the pickguard and tailpiece don’t attach to the top.
The concept is if the top and back are constructed like other archtops then the guitar should have the sound qualities of other 15″ hollowbody archtops, but without the drawbacks.
So, when we were designing this guitar, we both had the same question as Ralph. Is it a hollowbody or semi hollowbody?
Maybe it’s both.
Also, I would like you all to know that this is the first guitar that Richard and I designed together from the ground up. Richard brought wonderful ideas and solutions to the table that I might not have thought of, and has spent the last three months programming it.
Chuck
January 10th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
How about “Through-Neck Hollowbody”?
Rich
January 10th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
Thanks for that detailed explanation Chuck.
As time goes on and you complete your prototype I think everyone will be suprised at the amount of innovations that are going into this design. Also the options that you will be offering with the Improv will give a lot of range for all types of musicians, not just jazz players. After speaking with Chuck I am only now begining to undestand the level of contribution that Rich makes with all of our instrument design/construction. These men are really a great team together. Kudos to you both.
Another thing that all current and future customers should be happy about and aware of is that Chuck does listen to cutomer ideas and is always open to discussion. The level of detail that goes into each instrument build is equal to CpThorntons customer care.
No, I’m not a salesmen for C&R, fan boy maybe :-) but there is a great reason to be one. Superior Quality delivered to your hands, and that isn’t any exaggeration.
I’m looking forward to the completion of the prototype and then the constuction of the latest creation….IMPROV
Oh!, I’m glad that Jay and I put a bug in your ear Chuck, great minds think a like eh! Jay :-)
LD
January 10th, 2011 at 8:12 pm
This is great news! I had a gut feeling something like this might be in the works. I can’t wait to see it. Will it be single cut or double?
January 10th, 2011 at 9:59 pm
I appreciate the explanation Chuck. Sounds like another great guitar. I had a feeling you were using a through neck. I assume you’ll have mounted versus floating pickups.
January 12th, 2011 at 6:02 am
Innovation, Chuck is always thinking outside the “box”. Sounds exciting & refreshing. I can’t wait to see it.
January 13th, 2011 at 2:49 pm
Thanks for the update on some of the design features. I would like for all to know that mine will have just a single pickup. I own a D’Angelio NYL-2, which I had always believed to be one of THE premier jazzboxes. I’ve had others, but I stuck with it over the last 5 or 6 years & sold all the others.
I’ve love all 10 of the CpTs that I currently own, but this is a step outside the box for Chuck & me. I like everything about my D’Angelico, but there is no doubt in my mind that its days are numbered. I ached for a Gibson goldtop for years & years, and my CpT goldtop just blows those away in every respect. I cannot tell you how many Fender Strats & G&L Legacys I’ve owned over the last 40+ years [literally well over 100 owned & played 3 times that] – and the HTL is far more impressive. I mean this sincerely: I would not trade my HTL for every s-body guitar I’ve ever owned. Ain’t worth it to me. I literally cannot keep my hands off my HTL. And I could go on sikmilarly about the Blues Queen & others. That level of certainty is why I say my prized D’Angelico’s days are numbered. Chuck is not going to suddenly make an inferior guitar or model. And his genius will always be behind the design, construction, & service.
The very fact that Chuck was willing to explore going up against what I consider one of the top guitar builders today & their rich history showed me his confidence in his skill. Also that he would work so closely with me to find what I did & didn’t like, what would & wouldn’t work, & to speak frankly about all my options & choices during the process just drew me closer to him & his work. I’m looking forward to this one as much as any other. And I love it that he loves what he does so much.
Most jazz musicians realized the genius of D’Angelico back in his day; but they couldn’t afford his creations. Not everyone realized Leo Fender’s genius in the early years of Fender, but they do now. Not everyone realized how much he had advanced guitar building with G&L in the 80s, but they do now as those guitars are going for some big prices among collectors. Chuck’s innovations & creations have taken these top-rung guitars of our past to the next level, in my opinion.
I don’t like what they cost, but I still believe they’re the most guitar for the money & a safe investment for the future. The money spent on a CpT creation is NOT wasted – just like those early D’Angelicos, Fenders, G&Ls. And to be able to custom order JUST EXACTLY what this ole southern boy wants in my retirement was a goal I never had, but now relish. It would only have happeded with Chuck, no one else. No one.
Yep, Lou D, we’re thinking alike.
Jay
January 16th, 2011 at 7:05 pm
Obviously both Jay W. and I have had conversations with Chuck in regards to the model that will be the Improv.
Jay and I have not communicated directly with each other and so I guess the timing was right and the concept interesting enough for Chuck to consider and run with.
From what Chuck has shared with all of us this is going to be a really different instrument. I am excited about it for Chuck & Rich. I think the Improv is going to be particularly significant event for them.
Once Chuck and Rich have the prototype complete and then figure out the options that will be available I think it will be real interesting to see how customers will configre their builds. I am not sure of all things that Chuck may offer option wise but I know the one I am specing out with Chuck is going to be different then anything I currently own.
Over the last two years Chuck has developed and introduced a lot of very cool models. I personally think The Acoustic Pro II is a great instrument and another example of Chuck’s thinking outside the box. The Improv will be another outstanding outside the box design.
Chuck and Rich, your going to need some HUGE T-shirts to squeeze all these models on to now. Maybe you better start selling CpThornton blankets… :-)
or maybe T-Shirts with your choice of guitar on it.. merchandise baby merchandise… :-)
Take care all, LD
February 2nd, 2011 at 12:00 pm
I’m not sure of the exact date so here it is now.
Happy Birthday Chuck
I hope your celebrated day is a superb one.
I know there are a lot of folks here that are real happy that we have your birthday to celebrate.
May the wood chips fly fast and the dust settle outside the spray booth :-)
April 13th, 2011 at 7:11 pm
Shhhhh!!! Do you hear that? It’s getting closer, I thought I heard Improv jazz notes leaking out of someones work shop.
Listen close….. It’s getting closer……………..
June 20th, 2011 at 1:04 pm
Hey, I can act like the proveribial annoying child in the back seat of the station wagon…
Are we there yet?? Huh! Are we there yet??
Just joking guys……
July 14th, 2011 at 10:50 am
To all the folks looking to receive the new Improvs.
What strings do you think you will be installing?
What gauge are you looking at? Flats or Rounds?
Just curious to what you all are thinking, what your preferences are.
Take care all.
LD
August 15th, 2011 at 1:30 pm
I’ve told Chuck to go with 11′s, although I did consider 12′s. Probably go with flats, too. I’m going with a single pickup only – I’d never use a bridge one anyway. Looking SO forward to this one. I got to see & hold it in process, before it was assdembled. The beautiful inlays were there, & the top was not on, but I could see what it was going to become. All I can say is, WOW! I came straight home & put my D’Angelico NYL-2 on the block & sold it. They may look similar, but I coiuld already tell that I’d never play the D’A again.
According to Chuck, Improv Day occurs right after Labor Day. The loooooonnnnggg wait begins.
August 17th, 2011 at 11:19 am
It would be interesting to me and also to Chuck as to what everyone will be plugging into.
I have a small Ultrasound Acoustic amp that is nice. I recently got to demo one of the Fishman SA220 PA systems and I have to say I was thoroughly impressed with it, very good for the price and flexibility of it.
I am going to guess that the Improv would sound great through one of those.
So if your getting an Improv what will your amplification choice be?
BTW, I am going with 12 guage strings to start with and will try both flats and others.
I know Chuck had several sets of strings to experiment with.
I tend to like Thomastik but I’ll try others.
August 18th, 2011 at 9:02 am
Hey Folks,
After doing some research and talking to Chuck about the Improv I would probably rule out the Fishman SA220 I guess.
Researching about Jazz amps results in wide varying opinions that are all over the place, as is the case with gear hounds and tone chasers :-)
Part of the problem is everybody has their own interpretation of what Jazz tones are.
For me I am looking at the non distorted, warmer, smoother, tones where there is clarity and detail, though I listen to everything in between.
Most research I have seen suggests you need to start with an amp that had a lot of clean head room and go from there.
There are plenty of Solid State amps that are claimed to be great for jazz, Polytone, Evans, Hendriksen, Roland, on and on.
Tube amps like Fender Princetons, Super Reverbs, Vibrolux, Deluxe Reverb, Carr Mercury, Carr Rambler, Rivera, Gries 35 or Gries 5, on and on.
So for me I will wait until I get the Improv play through what I already own, get a feel for the guitars tone and see where I go from there.
I happen to like my Ultrasound acoustic amp and know that jazz guys use them also.
Actually the Ultrasound Pro 250 is a amp that is high on my list to check out.
I talked to one of the designers at Ultrasound and he was very friendly and helpful.
Also their customer service is great as I had a issue with my Ultrasound D4 and I shipped it out for repair well after the warranty expired and it was returned with free shipping and no charge for the repair at all which was pretty impressive.
So have fun deciding what you will plug into and share your results if you will along with your Improv setups.
Lou D.
September 23rd, 2011 at 7:18 am
I have had the pleasure of visiting the shop recently . Wow! You all are in for some wonderful sounds and tricks. I am nothing more than a campfire acoustic guitarist at best, but I know quality, both in sound and craftsmanship, when I see it. Keep up the good work Chuck and Richard! I look forward to hearing these instruments in true action soon.
Mark B.