Praise a Rickenbacker Luthier...

wints · Post by **wints** » Fri Sep 13, 2002 2:27 pm

I know it,s been said here before, but here is another reason why Mark Arnquist is the man if you have a Rick that needs help, especially if it,s something a little different.My 1964 horseshoe pick up was "rewound" in the late 80,s. It was carved apart, poorly rewound and then filled with grey auto filler to hold it all back together....I was not happy. I was resigned that it would always be this way, until I found this site and the talents of the M.D. I sent the horseshoe assembly to Mark, and he would rebuild the bobbin and rewind to original spec. The bobbin was in a terrible state, and although Mark makes new one,s that look just like the originals I wanted my bobbin put back together again, as to maintain originality. This was more time consuming, and difficult, and involved some delicate cosmetic work to bring it all back to looking stock....And.. this he has done....brilliantly. I received back the assembly with a pick up looking and sounding like it originally did. Having doubts that it would ever be the same again, I cannot endorse Mark and his work enough.All the time Mark was in constant touch sending e mails and pics,to show me what was progressing, as well as answering all my questions. Faith restored.......

mortivan · Post by **mortivan** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 9:15 am

Mark is definitely a class act and has all my respect.

walrus · Post by **walrus** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 3:56 pm

High praise also goes to the forum. The people that post are either very informative or have the same questions that I have had. It is a great source of knowledge. Thanks Peter!

I am a recent addition to the Mark fan club. I recently sent my 1976 Walnut 4001 to him because the truss rods were bent. After he received it, he sent an email indicating what needed to be done to fix the problem and listed a few other areas that could be resolved if I wanted. Damned if he didn't list every tiny issue that drove me nuts since I purchased it. Cracked pickguard and nameplate, no more intonation adjustment left on E string and incorrect tuning gear screws. I had been looking for those stupid screws for years.

Long story short: The rods were fixed, nameplate repaired, tuner screws replaced, a new pickguard with pre-1975 pickup position made, and Mark's "Should be Patented" bridge modifications.

I had also discussed my desire to have the 4001v63 sound but was not crazy about the actual horeshoes on the horseshoe pickup. What Mark suggested was a horseshoe-less version of the pickup mounted on a custom made aluminum mounting plate, as opposed to the standard plastic. It was code named the "horse hoof pickup" due to it's lack of shoes.

My bass has never sounded or played better! Long live the forum and the input of people like Mark.

sir_andrew_of_left_coast · Tue Sep 17, 2002 1:51 pm

Mark's contact info hasn't changed recently, has it? Say... within the past 2 months or so?

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Thu Sep 19, 2002 5:09 am

It is still the same Andrew , I am trying to finish your project and and bogged down driving to Bellingham (65 miles north of me ) . My eldest daughter gave birth to identical twin girls August 27th .

Why am I so invloved ? Well I do love my daughter , and the husband ... well ,lets just say ... he has not stepped up to the plate .

Nice guy , but he can't handle some things .

I am behind in everything guitar wise .

HANG IN THERE!!!!!

"I trust everything will work out alright." R.M.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Thu Sep 19, 2002 5:13 am

Hang in there, Gran' Pappy!!!

I figured you have been busy....

sir_andrew_of_left_coast · Thu Sep 19, 2002 8:56 am

Twins?? Well, congratulations!

rkbsound · Post by **rkbsound** » Thu Sep 19, 2002 3:13 pm

Yes...Congratulations, Mark!!!

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Thu Sep 19, 2002 3:25 pm

Yes and after years of Wendy hearing me explain how to remove jar lids/and fastners of all types with the phrase ........."righty tighty , lefty loosey" .........that has worked into the family names . The parents just twisted that a little .

Lexie and Lucy.

I am hoping that Lexie is lefthanded , then it would really fit.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Fri Sep 20, 2002 1:43 am

Nothin' wrong with leftys, Mark..

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Fri Sep 20, 2002 5:19 am

Nothing at all , I am mostly lefty ...however I play guitar 'righthanded' ... what ever that means .

xmas97 · Post by **xmas97** » Sun Sep 22, 2002 10:20 am

Maybe you got behind on some things, Mark, but you were not behind in routing that f-hole in my 325FG. Don't know how you managed it, but I am certainly grateful.
And I gave thanks that everything went smoothly for your daughter and new granddaughters. Great photos!
Thanks, Mark.
Glen H.
P.S. I hope they post those photos of the project soon. (he,he couldn't resist)

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Sep 22, 2002 10:22 am

We are working on it. Darn day job!

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Sun Sep 22, 2002 2:13 pm

So did you receive it ?????

I for got something on your guitar and it is really simple to do ... you need a paper towel or a dry cotton cloth....

There is buffing compound/polish inside the F hole , and I kept forgetting to wipe it off .

Fairly lame of me .

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Sep 22, 2002 2:44 pm

Mark: Thanks for the polishing tip. Mine didn't arrive yet. When is it coming?