Ron Kirn Custom Strat Build Thread

Hi,

I received some images from Ron of my Strat’s neck in process today. The neck is AAA Birdseye maple with a ’59 Large C profile (.890 at the 1st fret and .970 at the 12th fret.).

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff495/iim7v7im7/Kirn%20Strat%20Build/neckback60212.jpg?t=1338671814

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff495/iim7v7im7/Kirn%20Strat%20Build/headstock60212.jpg?t=1338671788

The fingerboard is made from Brazilian rosewood with a 9.5 to 12” compound radius with MOP markers with 6150 medium jumbo fret wire.

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff495/iim7v7im7/Kirn%20Strat%20Build/fingerboard6012.jpg?t=1338671758

Ron has new swamp ash on order from his Canadian wood source, so perhaps some body shots next week.

:-)

Bob

man that Ron guy is good

Funny, up here, American Swamp Ash is the ticket. Didn't know Canadian Ash was popular down there. All the Canadian ash that I've come across is about as dense as concrete.

Funny, up here, American Swamp Ash is the ticket. Didn't know Canadian Ash was popular down there. All the Canadian ash that I've come across is about as dense as concrete.

Perhaps Ron can chime in. But he did say that the Ash for my instrument was coming from Canada.

The Lumber suppliers arrrrrre located in Canada... the trees actually are from Planet Earth. . . :wink:

r

The swamp ash arrived and Ron worked on the body this week. It looks like its a one-piece body.

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff495/iim7v7im7/Kirn%20Strat%20Build/body1.jpg?t=1339205804

Rough cut

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff495/iim7v7im7/Kirn%20Strat%20Build/Body2.jpg?t=1339205827

Thickness planed and routed

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff495/iim7v7im7/Kirn%20Strat%20Build/Body9.jpg?t=1339205864

Shaped

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff495/iim7v7im7/Kirn%20Strat%20Build/body12.jpg?t=1339205824

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff495/iim7v7im7/Kirn%20Strat%20Build/body13.jpg?t=1339205845

Mr Kirn...you do fantastic work sir!

That certainly looks like swamp ash. But why buy from Canada? The swamp ash we get up here all comes from the south east states. Obviously, there is a reason, just curious what that reason is. Wood politics? Our local (Canadian) grown ash is not swamp but northern ash and it super dense and heavy. Nothing like Southern swamp ash at all. Its also much cheaper than swamp but then the swamp is an import here, thus the cost.

Is the fretboard Madagascar?

That certainly looks like swamp ash. But why buy from Canada? The swamp ash we get up here all comes from the south east states. Obviously, there is a reason, just curious what that reason is. Wood politics? Our local (Canadian) grown ash is not swamp but northern ash and it super dense and heavy. Nothing like Southern swamp ash at all. Its also much cheaper than swamp but then the swamp is an import here, thus the cost.

Is the fretboard Madagascar?

To the best of my knowledge it is from the Southern USA and is Fraxinus Nigra or Swamp Ash. Where the supplier is located and where the wood is sourced from are independent factors.

http://www.exotic-woods.com/product.aspx?s=white-swamp-ash

The fingerboard is Brazilian rosewood and not Madegascar rosewood.

http://www.usacustomguitars.com/neckwoods.html

The maestro himself and likely answer your question definitively.

Ron I'm a little bewildered, it's a gorgeous build and I'm wondering about the Swamp Ash... which comes from forests a few hundred miles West of you? I've thought about taking the truck South, get a large load, vacation too I suppose, and get me some from LA or points East... I would never think to get it from Canada. Alder sure, great source the NW. It's none of my biz really just curious? Enlighten me:)

Some nice piece of RW on the neck too.

Since swamps in Canada are known by another name... Ummm Frozen Tundra i think...:wink: you can be sure this didn't come from Canada,.. My lumber broker is located in Canada.... the trees, from the good 'ol South Eastern US...

r

So its a USACG made neck?

So its a USACG made neck?

The neck was manufactured by USACG. Ron will be finishing it.

Not to take business away from my neighbors at Exotic Woods in Burlington (great store) ... but the folks at Guitar Mill in Tennessee have loads of swamp ash. Save the cost of transporting/taxing in Canada and back again.

Not to take business away from my neighbors at Exotic Woods in Burlington (great store) ... but the folks at Guitar Mill in Tennessee have loads of swamp ash. Save the cost of transporting/taxing in Canada and back again.

I am not certain that Ron buys his wood from the link that I provided. It was just an example of wood sourced from the Southern USA being sold by a Canadian source. He said his "broker" was located in Canada. I have no idea where Ron or his broker purchased the Ash.

It will be years before any of my bodies come out that clean...seems like Dap Plastic Wood has become my best friend lately!!!!
Nice work Ron!!!!

I am going to keep watching this thread....looks like its gonna be a beauty

I am going to keep watching this thread....looks like its gonna be a beauty

Perhaps some painting this week...

Perhaps some painting this week...

Painting??? You're not going to hide that beautiful 1 piece grain are you??? :shock:

You're not going to hide that beautiful 1 piece grain are you???

Sure nuff… they had a gallon of Chesterfield Mauve Ochre Latex on sale at Wal-Mart…. should be interesting…. :shock:

r

fwiw - a "broker" and his/her location has nothing to do with location/origin of products being procured through said broker. The broker is the middle man who has contacts and buys/sells....his physical location has nothing to do with product origin.

Y'all know those Joyo pedals ?....they have USA located brokers, but the pedals are still MIC.

hth....


and I wasn't trying to be smart or sarcastic, just trying to clear this up....


oh and Ron....SUPER NICE WORK !

Sure nuff… they had a gallon of Chesterfield Mauve Ochre Latex on sale at Wal-Mart…. should be interesting…. :shock:

r

Hey...I thought we had agreed upon this?

http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=526

Not quite there but beginning to look interesting...

Front:
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff495/iim7v7im7/Kirn%20Strat%20Build/onemorecoatfront.jpg?t=1340482418

Back:
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff495/iim7v7im7/Kirn%20Strat%20Build/onemorecoatback.jpg?t=1340482417

Front:
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff495/iim7v7im7/Kirn%20Strat%20Build/lastwetoutfront.jpg?t=1340485120

Back:
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff495/iim7v7im7/Kirn%20Strat%20Build/lastwetoutback.jpg?t=1340485116

The neck was manufactured by USACG. Ron will be finishing it.

Beautiful work. What does finishing a neck entail?

Beautiful work. What does finishing a neck entail?

Sanding
Laquering/Tinting/Sanding
Applying Logo
Fret Leveling
More Sanding, Polish & Buff
Oil the Fretboard
Wax
Install Tuners & Hardware
Shape, Cut & Install Nut

http://www.ronkirn.com/tutorial/index.htm

When I see Ron's work I just get Jelly :wink:

Delicious!

Updated images here

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/stratocaster-discussion-forum/325716-just-commisioned-ron-kirn-signature.html

That wil be one super groovy Strat type. You're lucky to get a Kirn. Well I say lucky but I'm sure you workrd for it. I'm not at all big on that color but it's your guitar. Enjoy...

That wil be one super groovy Strat type. You're lucky to get a Kirn. Well I say lucky but I'm sure you workrd for it. I'm not at all big on that color but it's your guitar. Enjoy...

Yeah, translucent dark teal is definitely not a "classic" color and not for everyone; but it is what I wanted.

Yeah, translucent dark teal is definitely not a "classic" color and not for everyone; but it is what I wanted.

That"s what I am. So I don't see what you see : (

well I totally love this color :) congrats on what looks like a will-be gorgeous guitar!

Looks awesome. I like the color. Congrats.

Since swamps in Canada are known by another name... Ummm Frozen Tundra i think...:wink: you can be sure this didn't come from Canada,.. My lumber broker is located in Canada.... the trees, from the good 'ol South Eastern US...

r

It's 99 degrees in the shade up here in the "Frozen Tundra". :wink:

It's 99 degrees in the shade up here in the "Frozen Tundra".

Yeah, I know what ya mean, sometimes this time of year, we'll have a "cold" front move through and it'll dip all the way down to the high 90's too…. down right chilly…. might even hafta wear socks….

Some times I see on the News, somewhere they're reporting that's the temp has been in the mid 90's for a few days…. that people are starting to worry…

I think Dang.. Worry??? dont ya have any long pants…. what's the deal? WHat do they do when it gets hot?

rk

Yeah, I know what ya mean, sometimes this time of year, we'll have a "cold" front move through and it'll dip all the way down to the high 90's too…. down right chilly…. might even hafta wear socks….

Some times I see on the News, somewhere they're reporting that's the temp has been in the mid 90's for a few days…. that people are starting to worry…

I think Dang.. Worry??? dont ya have any long pants…. what's the deal? WHat do they do when it gets hot?

rk

Don't know how or why you do it. Couldn't live in a Land without Spring, Winter, Summer and Fall.

There were a few days this past winter when it was warmer in Toronto than it was in Orlando.

Don't know how or why you do it. Couldn't live in a Land without Spring, Winter, Summer and Fall.

What?? No Spring, Winter, Fall, Summer…. when did this happen??

Spring happens the second week in February…. lasts about a day and a half…. all the "stuff” starts growin'… then the temperature jumps to 92, creeps on up to 105, and hangs there until late October, then the cold stuff starts, temps will drop to the high 80's and stay until mid January, when Winter hits. Of Course, during Fall and Winter, Summer will revisit, often, so we can keep mowing the lawn, and the water skis don’t dry out.

But it’s not always exactly like that… I remember once, back in ’72…. I actually had to wear long pants and socks to a Football game…. That was weird… Some girl scared me to death… when she breathed, “smoke” came out of her mouth…. I thought she was on fire from the Trinidad Moruga Nachos, but she said it was just condensation from the cold temperature…. It’s pretty common in places…. I said, “Phew.. ya had me worried…I’ve heard of Hot Chicks, but that’s just crazy…. Condensation ya say…”.. she said, “Yep.. go Gators”… She was kinda cute… but I think she was stealing a couple of Cantaloupes though…hiding 'em under that sweater... I had no idea where she could find Cantaloupes…. I like Cantaloupes too.

When “serious Winter” hits, temps will drop to the 60's, the leaves will drop… all at one time on January 28th at 3:56 PM.. we all just go out and fire up the Toro, and mow ‘em into mulch… I did own a rake once… never could figure out the instructions though…. It’s so hard to use one with a Budweiser in one hand… how in heck ya spoze to do that….

On February 1st we will have a/the freeze…this is so the news reporters will all have something to talk about other than another drug bust up in “Zone 3”…. And the Orange growers will get their “fifteen minutes” telling us all how orange juice prices will be going up.. and now “Screwdrivers” will be 3.50 instead of the usual 2.75 during “happy hour”. . . I mean . . . Winter is a real bittch.... And those loooong draaaawn out Winter days…. Had one Winter, back in the late 80’s… It Snowed, it stayed on the ground for 20, 30 minutes…. Walking through it in flip flops…. It was down right cold….and then it was in the 50’s for 3 days in a row…. We declared a natural disaster, brought all the “lawn” furniture in, so the vinyl upholstery wouldn’t get cold ‘n crack, and just toughed it out… watching Dallas re-runs… It was touch ‘n go… almost ran out of beer…. then we’re back to mid Feburary….

Oh yeah…. May, Love bugs…. Don’t drive on I-4 or I-95 …. And September… Love bugs…. Don’t drive on I-4 or I-95 . . . what we do is get behind some Yankees in their Winnebagos ‘n Airstreams…and Canadians are just plain funny….… they’ll cut a swath right through those little boogers… eh. . .

So, that’s how we know Summer’s about here, or Fall’s around the corner…. The Love Bugs announce it….

No Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall, Really, whut, ya think weer juss a buncha hillbillies down herre… some of us kan even reed…. with a little help…. wonder of the girl with the cantaloupes can read… 'n iz willin' to help. . .:twisted:

rk

^^^^ (take too much effort to copy and paste this) ^^^^^^

LOL - Anyone North of I10 will never understand these weather patterns. BTW - South Texas Cantaloupes are especailly nice this time of year. Seems like the crops get better every year.

When I was living in Corpus Christi the News folks would get all excited if the temps were going tp possibly reach freezing almost. I realized it was a big deal because the water lines there are very shallow and freeze and rupture easily. We never had a disruption but some areas would. I miss Corpus and those weather patterns and the 65 miles of beach called Padre Island nNational SeaShore. Soy triste when I thinl about it.

All I know is I just cut my grass today and it was 34 Celsius....which is 93 Fahrenheit for y'all....I'm quite lookin' forward to the Fall :lol: