Reliced/Well-worn Ron Kirn guitars...

[Caboverde]

Hi y'all!
I'm a bit of a newbie here, but a long time lurker. Thanks to TDPRI, I got hip to Mr. Kirn's beautiful work and recently purchased one of his guitars that's a bit off the RK "beaten path," i.e., Barnbusters and Blackies: a proper 60's style tele with vintage white finish, 3-ply parchment pickguard, and rosewood fretboard on a flamed maple neck. This combo has got my imagination all worked up on what it will look like with honest wear, years down the road. However, having looked around on the forum, all the pics of Kirn guitars seem to be of NGD posts; similarly, almost all those on Reverb (both current and sold) show no wear. What gives?! From what I've gathered, Kirns are one the best, if not the best, t-style guitars available...to PLAY So, would any of y'all who regularly gig with your Kirns be willing to post pics of honest wear you (or others) have put on these amazing guitars?

I'll start the thread by posting a Kirn that's got a story to tell... #0900

 

[Caboverde]

Here is a Kirn with some not-so-honest wear (nice heavy relic work by MJT), #0152. I believe this formerly belonged to @pinktele, and was later used in a video shoot by a subsequent owner (I wonder, what film?).

 

[Caboverde]

And this last one looks pretty cool--here is #0193

 

[shallbe]

Here is mine. Pic does not show the few dings around the edges. The thin finish has really sunk into the one piece ash body (thin 1.5" cut like the earliest Esquires). There is also a bit of rust on the raw Glendale hardware. Complete beast of a guitar. Modern T Barden pickups.

 

[Caboverde]

Here is mine. Pic does not show the few dings around the edges. The thin finish has really sunk into the one piece ash body (thin 1.5" cut like the earliest Esquires). There is also a bit of rust on the raw Glendale hardware. Complete beast of a guitar. Modern T Barden pickups.

I love the look of the thin finish on this one; and that pickguard is quite striking Beautiful!

 

[shallbe]

I love the look of the thin finish on this one; and that pickguard is quite striking Beautiful!

Thanks. Ron calls that his reticulated satin finish. The pickguard is real polished celluloid from Bill Asher. Such a great guitar needed more than a black guard.

 

[Telekarster]

FWIW this is not a Kirn, it's a 51 Nocaster I built myself, but I do gig with it as well as record with it regularly. It's 3 years old today. These pics are legit wear that it has on it right now. Nitro lacquer. There's other nicks and scratches etc. but it's too hard to capture on camera, but hopefully these give you the gist. Nice looking guitar you got man!

 

[Telekarster]

Oh... and here's a before and after i.e. when she was brand new and then about 2 years later. Notice the change in overall color of the nitro.

 

[Caboverde]

Oh... and here's a before and after i.e. when she was brand new and then about 2 years later. Notice the change in overall color of the nitro.

Great job on that build and with the light relic work It has such a classic look--I love it!

 

[Telekarster]

Great job on that build and with the light relic work It has such a classic look--I love it!

Thanks man. Actually I didn't relic it at all, it was like brand new when I was done. This is 3 years of normal relic-ing Appreciate the complements, and hope it helps with some of your questions!