Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

My '68 4001 still needs neck work. The fretboard has begun to de-laminate off the neck. I took it to Century Music in San Antonio and the repairman there said the truss rod is no longer attached in the neck. Someone had done a ****** job routing the neck pickup cavity before my dad bought the bass decades ago. As a result the truss rod is just kind of flopping around in the cavity. In other words, the bass needs some serious TLC. I really want to get this bass playing again. I need to know if anyone knows of a reputable repair person that can handle this kind of job, preferably in Texas. I really appreciate any help I can get. Thanks a lot!

Javier, hopefully someone will come up with a good luthier in Texas. Failing that, put it in a good strong case, pack it more than full of something that protects it and send it to Mark Arnquist in Seattle. It will come back as good as when it left the factory.

I'd say Mark as well, or possibly Dale Fortune who's in Oregon.

I doubt it's anything to do with the neck cavity, I'll add that to the pile of BS stories I've heard from techs who know nothing about old Rics. Those truss rods do not attach to the neck at all. They're either not tightened at all or more likely (unless he's a complete bonehead) one of them is broken inside (there are two). I would also recommend those two, both of them worked at Rickenbacker and know those basses inside and out. It's a 68 and you dad bought it? I'd drive it out myself.

I wish I could. My house is 15 minutes from the Texas-Mexico border. It is a little far to drive myself. Thanks for the bit about them both working at the Ric factory. That makes me more comfortable. Anyone have contact info for these to guys? Thanks again for the help!

Javier,I sent my bass to mark with a popped fret board it came back playing wonderfully only took two days out there he had it for a week then it came home [about two weeks in all maybe less]he did alot of stuff to mine.Mark used to work at Rickenbacker in the 70s.Andy also referred him to me.

Just out of curiosity, and I know there are a lot of variables, but what did the repair cost you and how long ago was that? Thanks!

Hey Javi... your friend and neighbor Al here! Sorry to hear that Century didn't do right by you. Now that I look back on things, I think my '77 4001 had its' fretboard de-lam'd by the luthier there back in about '82 or '83. Sorry I didn't recall that sooner for you.

Anyway, if you get ahold of Mark and get to feeling a little "haughty", I'd consider taking a road trip up there with ya in order to hand deliver your bass! Get to see the sights... get out of the heat (I think it got up to 111 yesterday)... and help you with the driving!

AND I'll get to see some purty Rics fo'sho!

Now thats a good friend.Javier , i want to say October, November around there. it cost about $80 in shipping one way,he did a lot of work to mine. Fixed neck, took rods out cleaned them waxed them retreaded them,filled in routed area under pickguard with maple and finished to blend in, rewired it to factory specs, alot of bridge work, replaced all screws, fixed ceramic on horseshoe pickup,rounded pickguard on the edges like factory,made a new nut out of original type Bakelite material and replaced strings...all in all it was around $650.00 my neck was probably worse then yours it did not crack along the fret board but into the neck.I was extremely impressed.

This bass has been like this for years. I began to doubt whether or not there was any hope. Thank you guys for restoring that hope. Now I need to save up some cash and get ready to send it in. Do you have any before and after pics? What about contact info? Thanks a lot guys!

Anyone have Mark Arnquist's contact information available? Thanks!

Email wints ,hes got his contact info i know i dont he has moved.

Javier, check your Yahoo email !

Thanks Jim ,i was hoping someone would chime in.

Guys thanks for the help and information. It may take a while to get it done, but I will post pics of this bass when it is ready.