Custom Atelier
By Commission
Where new work is developed.
Archtops, flat tops, and electric instruments are built here through direct collaboration—each shaped by the same approach to structure, voicing, and balance that defines the workshop.
No predefined models.
No fixed outcomes.The Custom Atelier is the working center of the Thorell practice.
This is where instruments move beyond established forms—sometimes as extensions of existing ideas, sometimes as entirely new directions.
Each build begins with a conversation and is developed from that point forward, with form, material, and structure considered together. The goal is not variation, but resolution—an instrument that feels complete in both sound and form.
The Work
Atelier instruments are not part of a standing catalog.
They are developed individually, drawing from the full vocabulary of the workshop:
— Archtops developed beyond standard models
— Flat top instruments built to be pinnacle forms
— Electric instruments exploring response, balance, and form beyond traditional patterns
These instruments emerge through the process itself, rather than being selected from a defined set of options.
Process
Each instrument is built through a continuous, hands-on process:
—Materials are curated individually for the exact moment and particular instrument.
— Internal structures are developed in relation to the intended response
— Materials are selected for both tonal and structural contribution
— Final setup is approached as part of the instrument’s voice
The instrument is not assembled to specification—it is developed through the work.
Ryan Thorell’s instruments are recognized internationally for their distinctive contribution to the modern archtop tradition. The Custom Atelier offers a place for work that extends beyond the established models—shaped through close collaboration, careful material selection, and individually voiced construction in the Thorell workshop.