John asked me to wait until August so they could get settled in a bit. So I'm waitin'........

Since Danomyte just posted John's email on another thread, it may as well go up here as well.

Let's give them enough business to get people's attention!

john.budny@kmcmusic.com

Is this e-mail still valid now that they are not with KMC any longer?

naellis58 - 2015-02-08 8:27 PM I am hoping that the "O'Boys" can, and will, still be doing repairs, I would LOVE to get the surface cracks in my 1112-2 Red Custom Balladeer fixed. It just broke my heart that it arrived with 5 long cracks in it. I just Love that Beautiful Guitar.... Please keep us posted on any news????

This is indeed the correct address:  john.budny@kmcmusic.com

To save you (and John) some e-mailing time, here is a recent response from him to me about a finish crack and the cost to repair it:

My question to him:

I have a 1995 Country Artist, 6773, serial number 501099, that was absolutely flawless. I picked it up to play it last night and it has developed a small, straight finish crack from the bridge all the way to the bottom of the guitar -- probably 8-10 long.

Questions:

1. What would it cost to repair it?

2. I thought that the "top finish cracking problem" had been corrected by 1995 with a change in coatings. If not, what year was this change?

His reply:

"We did change our finishes around 1995 to help with this condition but it can still happen depending on conditions.  It might cost between 150.00 to glue it up and do some finish touch ups to 450.00 to refinish the top."

Another FYI for those interested in adding electronics:

They have a 1114 (Folklore wide-neck) at their shop right now of mine installing an OP Pro Studio for $350, parts and labor, which means routing the bridge for the wider saddle and routing the body for the electronics -- an incredible price. Also, replace soundhole trim is just $50 or $150 for abalone, $25 for bone nut.

Another FYI: they recently completely refretted a 1614 (Folklore wide-neck) for $200. My guitar tech in Waco said he couldn't touch a partial re-fret for that price.

Finally, don't use UPS to ship it! It cost me $52 last fall and $83 first week of January. USPS will ship it for $38, with same delivery time.

I sent hime an email with some pictures and questions. How many days would it take on average to get a response?

I live about 90 minutes from New Hartford. If he's been getting the snow we've been getting, you may have to be a little more patient than usual.

naellis58 - 2015-02-09 2:43 PM He got back to me in about 2 hours. And has already sent me the return number! SUPER Fast!!!

Nancy, I wouldn't generalize quick  repair times from quick e-mail response times.  :-). Note that I am in no hurry whatsoever to get the 1114 back, but he e-mailed for repair estimate approval on 1/27 and it's now 2/9 and I haven't heard anything yet. Note that I am not complaining AT ALL; indeed, I am super excited that we are extremely fortunate to be able to get these guys to do our repair work!

I am just saying be patient and excited that they are taking care of these instruments.