Ron Kirn Signature Tele

**iim7V7IM7** · 07-28-2015, 08:11 AM

I commissioned a a Tele from Ron Kirn (Ron Kirn Signature) in late April '015 which is now ready to be delivered. Ron made me a custom Strat back in 2012 and it is simply the finest sounding/playing Strat that I have played. Ron's guitars are just set up so perfectly and feel fantastic right out of the box (like an old friend).

I sold my Fender CS Nocaster to a friend back in 2013 and have been without a Tele for a few years now. Like many of you feel, there is just no substitution for a single coil plank.Nothing too exotic on this one. Basically a 7+ lb. ash Tele with a pretty birdseye neck; a profile that I like; a compound fretboard radius that I like; stainless frets that I like with some PUs that I like and some nice hardware.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Body Wood: 2-Piece, Swamp Ash
Finish: Vintage Translucent Blonde, Nitro
Pickguard: 1-Ply, Parchment White
Pickups: Klein, Nocaster Epic Series
Bridge: Callaham, Vintage T Bridge w/ 3-Enhanced Compensated Brass Saddles & String Ferrules
Electronics: .033 mfd Cap, CTS Pots, Switchcraft 3-Position Switch & Jack, Cloth Wire
Hardware: Chrome Control Plate, Flat Top Knobs, Neck Plate, Jack Cup, Strap Buttons
Neck: 1-Piece, AAA Birdseye Maple, 1960s Oval, 0.82"@1st Fret, 0.96"@12th Fret
Fretboard: East Indian Rosewood, 9-1/2"-12" Compound Radius, Abalone Dots, 6125, Stainless Fret Wire, 21-Frets
Nut: 1.65", Unbleached Bone
String Trees: Old Style Round, Chrome
Tuners: Gotoh SD91, Nickel
Strings: Nickel, .011"-.048"
Case: G&G, Blonde

Here are some shots taken by Ron. Unfortunately due to my travel schedule and this weeks hot weather, I am holding off on having it delivered. As you can see, a fairly sedate 1960s Tele look with a fancy looking neck n' markers.

You can see the birdseye sugar maple a bit better in these shots. Poor Ron had to go through two neck blanks to make this neck. The first set, had hidden voids and could not be used.

Examples of Ron's clean work in his neck pockets and inset heel plate....

I like a .033 microfarad cap vs. the typical 0.047 because it provides a larger usable range on the pot.

I should get it next week after the heat wave breaks...

Bob

**citizenk74** · 07-28-2015, 08:20 AM

Very nice indeed. I would be utterly insomniac with anticipation. That birdseye/rosewood combo promises some sonic sizzle. Play it in good health!

**Jazz_175** · 07-28-2015, 08:27 AM

Very very nice!
I thought the 0.022 was the usual choice for the capacitor.

**iim7V7IM7** · 07-28-2015, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by Jazz_175

Very very nice!
I thought the 0.022 was the usual choice for the capacitor.

Thanks....

Here's some brief article on tone caps (below)

The Telecaster Mod Guide

Change Your Caps, Change the World!(or at least your tone pot response) « tonefiend archives

.047 is the most common but I have seen folks use betwee .1 to .01 microfarad. For my playing, .033 is a good value to both alter the tone and provide a usable range.

**petermelton** · 07-29-2015, 11:42 AM

Congrats! Ron is the man! I got a custom Strat form him 2 years ago and have been wanting one of his Tele's ever since. Best Strat I've ever played.
Cheers

**iim7V7IM7** · 07-29-2015, 12:41 PM

Thanks Peter...

**Keira Witherkay** · 07-30-2015, 07:13 AM

very stylish indeed...looks fabulous ........post some clips when you get it

**iim7V7IM7** · 07-30-2015, 08:36 AM

Thanks Keira...I will try to post some

**Melodic Dreamer** · 07-31-2015, 11:43 PM

I have always lusted after one of his Tele's. Congrats!

**iim7V7IM7** · 08-01-2015, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by Melodic Dreamer

I have always lusted after one of his Tele's. Congrats!

Thanks very much! This Tele from Ron is the follow-up to the custom Strat that he made for me back in 2012...

**Mark M.** · 08-01-2015, 09:59 AM

It looks amazing! Congrats. That neck is gorgeous!

**Encinitastubes** · 08-01-2015, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by iim7V7IM7

Thanks....

Here's some brief article on tone caps (below)

The Telecaster Mod Guide

Change Your Caps, Change the World!(or at least your tone pot response) « tonefiend archives

.047 is the most common but I have seen folks use betwee .1 to .01 microfarad. For my playing, .033 is a good value to both alter the tone and provide a usable range.

Ok, that Tele is giving me anxiety. Congrats on your purchase. I like a .01 on my Teles that I use for one particular tone to dial in. I have a Tele that I use for tone swells ala Roy Buchanan; a .047 is a must for that. Thanks for the articles; I especially like the second one.

**mr. beaumont** · 08-01-2015, 10:28 AM

Looks, well...perfect.

**iim7V7IM7** · 08-01-2015, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by Encinitastubes

Ok, that Tele is giving me anxiety. Congrats on your purchase. I like a .01 on my Teles that I use for one particular tone to dial in. I have a Tele that I use for tone swells ala Roy Buchanan; a .047 is a must for that. Thanks for the articles; I especially like the second one.

You're welcome. There is no "right" or "wrong" value. I have seen players used anywhere between 0.1 to 1 as a value. Most folks find a happy home with either a .022, .033 or .047 with Teles. For me,.033 works best.

**Jazz_175** · 08-01-2015, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by iim7V7IM7

You're welcome. There is no "right" or "wrong" value. I have seen players used anywhere between 0.1 to 1 as a value. Most folks find a happy home with either a .022, .033 or .047 with Teles. For me,.033 works best.

I'm sure everyone uses whatever value they like, but my curiosity is (if someone can answer this question)
What is the value of the capacitor that comes stock with a Fender Telecaster?
Or there is no definitive answer for Fender too?
I thought it was 0.022 microF, that's what I meant for the "usual" choice, I was referring to the value used by Fender.
When I bought the Fender American Vintage 52 Reissue I got a wiring upgrade kit, which included a 0.022 microF cap to replace the 0.047. Therefore I thought that modern Fender Telecasters carry the 0.022 cap.

**Encinitastubes** · 08-01-2015, 05:43 PM

I think you are correct. Traditional teles used .047. Most modern Teles use .022 with a treble bleed, as in the picture. I like to remove the treble bleed.

**Al_F** · 08-01-2015, 07:31 PM

Wow ! Looks off the charts spec wise! Great color too, very tasteful!

**Wes Green** · 08-03-2015, 03:25 PM

twothumbsup!

**Max405** · 08-03-2015, 04:18 PM

If you'd rather them ship it to my house, I'll take care it. You can pick it when you get back in town. No worries, I gotcha covered buddy! I'll take good care of it for sure.
Joe from Warren.

**iim7V7IM7** · 08-03-2015, 04:46 PM

Originally Posted by Joe DeNisco

If you'd rather them ship it to my house, I'll take care it. You can pick it when you get back in town. No worries, I gotcha covered buddy! I'll take good care of it for sure.
Joe from Warren.

Joe, that could have been arranged if you had suggested it last week when I was traveling. But alas, it is coming to my house this Thursday...

**Max405** · 08-03-2015, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by iim7V7IM7

Joe, that could have been arranged if you had suggested it last week when I was traveling. But alas, it is coming to my house this Thursday...

Damn...

**iim7V7IM7** · 08-08-2015, 07:02 AM

The guitar arrived on Thursday AOK (hard to damage a Tele in shipment I suppose). Between my work and summer travel, I only got to sit down with it for 30 minutes Before having to leave on a trip. To no surprise, it is a fantastic Tele! Ron's fit, finish and setup are perfect (as usual). I also like the Klein PUs. I wholeheartedly recommend Ron for those looking to get a custom Tele (or Strat).

The guitar is not a light ash Tele at 7 lb. 13 oz..The piece of ash we chose was based on its figure vs. weight and the same with the birdseye maple neck. I could have asked for Ron to pick by weight and had an instrument nearer to 7 lb. if that was my goal. A benefit of a heavier body is that it is not neck heavy when played. I will try to put something up in Sep/Oct when my work and home schedule relaxes a bit.