| Author | Message | ||
     Arnold Grove (Arnold_grove) New member Username: Arnold_grove Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 68.161.183.123 |
Hey all, I'm new around here but I just had to post up when I got my guitar back from Mark Arnquist. A little history: When I bought my v64 off ebay in 2002, it was in stunning condition. I'm not very particular about the exactitudes of the Beatles' gear, but I knew this guitar was pretty damn close, cosmetically, to the HDN 12. My main concern, however, was playability. I've used it for the last three years and, for the most part, I was able to get by on it. I've played a few other Ricky 12s (mostly late 80s and early 90s 360/12s) and, for as much as I knew, that was just the way they played. So, I adapted and got used to the feel. What was REALLY bothering me, however, was that I couldn't get the intonation right. As soon as I got past the 7th fret, it would be pretty horrible. Also, when fretting open position chords, it wouldn't stay in tune. I had to 'compensate' by slightly flattening some open strings to get my open E and A chords to ring 'true'. I decided I had enough and I sought out someone to fix the problem(s). Again, my main concern is playability not cosmetics. After Googling and searching on some other boards, the name Mark Arnquist kept popping up. So, I contacted Mark, and explained my situation. Within a few hours, he got back to me and presented me with DETAILED pictures of what he does. I was both impressed and convinced that he would do the 'right' job. That was three weeks ago. The guitar arrived today and all I can say, with all honesty, is WOW!! I can actually PLAY this guitar without having to fight it. Also, it stays in tune, right up the neck and the open chords ring cleanly and, most importantly, in tune. Mark's obsession with detail is impeccable. The truss cover and pickguards have been nicely rounded-over, giving the guitar a 'finished' look. The new 12 saddle bridge has been been finished and rounded over, so there are no burrs or sharp edges. The neck and string height have been properly set up so I can actually play barre chords without having to clamp down on the fretboard. Mark, in jest, asked me if I was playing "slide guitar" with it! :-) I could never get the action right on this guitar...obviously!! But, the BEST feature, bar none, is the string pairing. The guitar has a new nut and it is situated such that the strings are grouped closely together, but far enough away so they don't 'bump' into each other. It's almost like playing a six string...how cool is that!! I am completely satisfied with Mr. Arnquist's workmanship and professionalism. Not many techs with Mark's credentials would go through all the step by step detailing of each phase of the process. Also, the turn-around time was great. How many techs can turn out a guitar in less than a week? It took more time for me to wait for UPS than it took for the guitar to be completed. THANK YOU MR. ARNQUIST!!! Best regards, AG | ||
| J.C. Gaskins (Loverickbass) Senior Member Username: Loverickbass Post Number: 347 Registered: 07-2002 Posted From: 152.163.101.6 |
Welcome Arnold, sounds great! Got any before/after pics? Cole | ||
| Steve Carsello (Steverok) Intermediate Member Username: Steverok Post Number: 79 Registered: 03-2005 Posted From: 208.60.251.180 |
Arnold, he recently did the same to my 360/12VP, and the difference in playability and tunability is night-and-day. What is your opinion of the tone of with 12-saddle bridge ? The overtones seem to be a little more "gamey" with this bridge, but I sent it back to him, and he is re-working it now. | ||
| Benjamin Maggi (Scoobster28) Senior Member Username: Scoobster28 Post Number: 189 Registered: 05-2002 Posted From: 24.92.49.84 |
Arnold, you are new here so I will let you know something. Mark was a member here a couple years ago and he used to be the "in house" tech for the RICKENBACKER TECHNICAL FORUM. Then he got too busy with repairs and left here. However, long time members know that he does really smashing work. Good to hear that your guitar came out great! | ||
| Arnold Grove (Arnold_grove) New member Username: Arnold_grove Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 68.161.183.123 |
Hi all, Thank you all for the warm welcome! J.C. I do have before/after pix that Mark was kind enough to supply. I will ask him if it's cool, then I'll post 'em up! Steve, I haven't taken it out on a gig yet, so I can't really say one way or another. But, from my few test runs, I can't really notice that much of a difference between the 6-string and 12-string bridges. Benjamin, thanks for the info. I kinda figured he may have been known in the Rick 'circles'. | ||
| Anthony Carey (Tony_carey) Senior Member Username: Tony_carey Post Number: 606 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 81.157.57.164 |
Welcome to the forum Arnold & glad everything worked out. How I WISH we had Mark Arnquist in the UK! | ||
| Arnold Grove (Arnold_grove) New member Username: Arnold_grove Post Number: 3 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 68.161.183.123 |
I have some Before and After photos of Mark's work, but the board won't permit an image bigger than 36KB. Can I use an HTML "IMG SRC=" tag so I can show the pictures from my webspace?? Thanks, AG | ||
| Peter McCormack (Admin) Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 3596 Registered: 04-2003 Posted From: 142.166.105.220 |
Welcome Arnold. You can post links here. Just check on the Coding link on the menu at the left of this page for the details. | ||
| Geoffrey Lawton (Golfo) Member Username: Golfo Post Number: 56 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 24.61.21.170 |
welcome!! where is mark's shop? can you post his e-dress? regards geoff | ||
| Arnold Grove (Arnold_grove) New member Username: Arnold_grove Post Number: 4 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 68.161.183.123 |
Hey all! Thanks for the info Peter. Here's links to the photos... Top view of bridge 12 saddle Bridge AFTER Top view of nut Nameplate Pickguards Left picture is "before", right is "after"...thanks MA for the pictures! Geoff, here's Mark Arnquist's info: [email protected] He's located in the Seattle, Washington area. Regards, AG |
