Who is Ron Kirn

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About me? Well, I’m just this old guy that makes guitars. But to get old, you have to start young, and I can recall once upon a time being young.

For me it began somewhere around 1962, I had already made a considerable pest of myself at the local Fender® dealer, Marvin Kay’s Music Center. Those guys kinda embraced me 'cause at the young age of 17, I had already shown a talent for absorbing what was taught to me about guitars and applying it. So my first “job” came one afternoon when I was asked to set up Roy Orbison’s guitar, Woo Hoo.. I was thrilled, and can’t remember if anyone actually paid me.

This was the “Garage Band” era, when everyone was playing The Venture’s “Walk Don’t Run” or a stack of Buddy Holly tunes. It was a great time, if you knew C, F, and G7 and C, Am, F, G, you could play ‘em all.

The band I found myself in had a Sonic Blue Mustang in it. The owner wanted a red one, so I was in the refinishing business. Hey, get this, back then all you had to do was write to Fender® in Fullerton, and ask for a replacement decal and a week later a few would show up in the mail, cool huh?

I’m not going to bore ya to death, but in the ensuing years, I got to know and work with CA Turner of the American Music Store here in Jacksonville, a classically trained musician that studied under Segovia, the boy could play. He taught me the basics and allowed me to work for a Mastertone Banjo, a Martin D 28, and a few other guitars, but the real deal was the education I walked away with when he retired some where around ’75. He was the local C F Martin shop and I got to learn as he worked on and repaired those marvelous old classic Dreadnaughts.

It was during the late 70’s when I began experimenting with making my own guitars. With the awful stuff CBS Fender® was putting out it was almost necessary if you wanted a decent S-type guitar. I got pretty good at it, wrote a few books to help others who wanted to give it a try, and that brings us to today.

Now I make my publications and custom guitars available for those that seek the finest.

And while I love building, and playing guitars, the most fun has been raising my two daughters with their mother, to whom I’ve been married for more than 50 years (March 2020 was our Golden). The girls rewarded Debbie and me with two sons-in-law and 4 absolutely amazing grandchildren, it doesn’t get any better. So I guess you could say I’m a creature of habit, I have habitually stayed with the woman I love for all these years, and developed the habit of watching my grandkids grow and lovin’ every minute.

- Ron Kirn

Refund Policy & Production Process

Guys, I hate to do this, but I need to spell out some rules. I don't like "fine print," but the way things are changing these days has made it necessary.

For a long time, I've done business based on trust and a "gentleman's agreement." But lately, some folks seem to forget that I'm human too. Like everyone else, I can face unexpected challenges that pop up out of nowhere.

So, let's talk about refunds. To put it simply, except in very rare cases, I can't offer them. Here's why:

I ask for a small deposit upfront to make things easier for you. But once I get that deposit, the wheels start turning right away.

The first thing I do is order the neck for your guitar. This isn't cheap - it can cost anywhere from $300 to $1000, depending on how fancy you want it. Once I buy that neck, I can't return it. If you decide to cancel your order, I'm stuck with a custom-made neck that might not fit anyone else's needs. It could end up hanging on a hook for ages. That's why I can't refund your deposit.

Think about it this way: big guitar companies ask for half the total cost upfront, and they don't give that money back no matter what.

Now, about the time it takes to make your guitar. When I get your deposit, I don't drop everything else I'm working on. Your guitar has to fit into my ongoing work. This means the time it takes to finish can vary.

Also, remember that I'm human - and not a young one at that. Sometimes my body just won't cooperate, even when my mind is itching to get back to work. I might have to take unexpected breaks, which can slow things down.

I know waiting can be frustrating. But please understand that making a custom guitar takes time and care. Each one is unique, and I put my heart into every instrument I create.

Here's what you can expect from me:

Quality craftsmanship: Every guitar I make is built to last and play beautifully.
Regular updates: I'll keep you posted on how your guitar is coming along.
Honesty: If I hit any snags or delays, I'll let you know right away.

In return, I ask for your patience and understanding. Making a custom guitar isn't like buying one off the shelf. It's a journey we're taking together to create something special just for you.

I hope this clears things up. I'm not trying to be difficult - I just need to protect myself and my business so I can keep doing what I love: making great guitars for great people like you.

If you have any questions about this policy or the guitar-making process, please don't hesitate to ask. I'm always happy to chat and explain things further.

Thanks for your understanding, and I look forward to creating your dream guitar!