Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

After 30+/- years of wanting a Rickenbacker 12 string, I finally bought a lefty 330 12 a month or so ago. I have to be honest....I wasn't loving it. It was surprisingly difficult to play (I have played exclusively acoustic guitar for the past three years, including a Gibson J-185 12 string, so the narrow fingerboard was interesting). But more importantly, the intonation was pathetic. I have posted about this previously on this forum. I tried every trick in the book, but the guitar was borderline unplayable.

Well, as a result of my whining, I was put in contact with Mark Arnquist in Seattle. We exchanged emails over a 3-4 week period, but I wasn't sure I wanted to ship my guitar up to him, and I was concerned about the cost.

But when I contacted Rickenbacker's service department and described the problems in great detail, the response was almost embarrassing..."sometimes on new guitars you just need to let the strings set for a couple of days." That (and some emailed testimonies from numerous clients of Mark) was all I needed to push me over the edge. My new 330 12 took off for Seattle.

Just under two weeks later, the guitar returned, totally re-worked. I won't set out in detail all the work Mark did (if anyone has specific questions I'd be happy to respond to P.M.'s), but it was fairly extensive, and most reasonable. The guitar is 100% improved in playability, feel, aesthetics, and INTONATION.

I cannot put it down, it wants to be played. The guitar is gorgeous, feels wonderful, sounds fantastic and plays in tune.

Mark Arnquist, you're the man. I thank you for making a borderline guitar fantastic.

Jere,

It's good to hear that you are now in a happy place. My second hand 360/12WB JG arrived in perfect playing shape in 2004. I am very finicky when it comes to my instruments being perfectly intonated. This is my second Rickenbacker 12 string, since I also owned a 360/12 FG that I picked up used in 1966.

I played professionally with that vintage 1964 12 string instrument and never once had a problem with it. I find it curious that yours needed any attention. Not that I am doubting your story at all.

Perhaps the reason why you received the answer that you recount from Rickenbacker customer service is that so few need any work after they have passed through the QA/QC department and have been shipped to the customer.

Since many of the management and staff from Rickenbacker post on this forum, I for one would love to understand their view of all of this.

Can we clone Mr Arnquist and bring him to the UK?

My nine-year-old daughter has just informed me that cloning is against the law, at least here in the USA...

.

Spoilsport

Well... according to my 8-years-old daughter, cloning isn't against the law in Russia yet... so there's still a chance - if you're fast enough...

Jere, did you have a 12-saddle bridge installed ? If so, how would you compare the tone of the guitar, before and after?

I did have a 12 saddle bridge installed, along with re-positioning the bridge. I'm not sure I can tell a difference in TONE due to the 12 saddle bridge, but the combination of all of the modifications done made a 100% difference in INTONATION and playability. I AM considering replacing the hi-gain pickups with toasters, as I have been led to believe the 60's chime is more apparent with the toasters, and the output from string to string is more consistent.

I repeat, I LOVE this guitar now.

Mark is going to get my 610/12 for a complete workup at some point.

Jere, if you love it, leave it alone.