Refret Rickenbacker - who can I trust?

billoetjen · #1 04-16-2011, 07:50 AM

Hi Folks,

My beautiful 4003 isn't anywhere near needing it yet. But one day...

Does anyone know of a tech out there who reliably can refret a Ric to factory spec (besides, of course, Rickenbacker, itself)?

I ask because the C/S is one of the worst things I hear about the company.

Thanks,

Bill

Floyd Eye · #2 04-17-2011, 07:19 AM

Sure. You'll need to ship it either to Aloha, Oregon or Seattle, Washington.

Look up Dale Fortune or Mark Arnquist.

Bigjohn · #3 04-18-2011, 05:43 PM

I've been wanting to send my 1974 4001 to this guy (Denny Rauen) for a refret for a couple of years:
Guitar restoration, repair, and modification - acoustic & electric
He's in Milwaukee, I think.
I found out about him when I stumbled on this:
Acoustic & electric guitar restoration, repair, and modification
That impressed me. Roger Glover on Deep Purple's Machine Head is what first got me into Ricks.
Check out the PLayers tab on his website. He's had some high profile clients.

walterw · #4 04-18-2011, 09:48 PM

slightly OT, but has anyone tried just getting rid of the thick "bar-top" finish on the fretboard and re-fretting it like a normal instrument? (i'm not a ric player, but a "regular" rosewood board sure seems like it would be friendlier for maintenance.)

RevNigel · #5 04-18-2011, 11:15 PM

I have a great working relationship with a Luthier here in Ohio.. but that's a little far away for ya. That Lacquered fretboard makes it a challenge eh....

fhm555 · #6 04-19-2011, 06:14 PM

You might want to talk to this guy.
HOMEWOOD MUSICAL INSTRUMENT COMPANY Tedrow Concertinas
A friend had a very old very nice D28 and one night at practice he moved his chair and one of the legs went in to the gap between the case and the guitar which was laying behind him in the case with the top open. The chair leg tore a gaping hole in to, and pretty much destroyed the side between the bouts. I honestly thought it was done for, but after Mr. Burns got done you can't tell from looking or from how it sounds that anything ever happened to it. He's also done work for my brother and several other people I know who've had one of those gut wrenching Oh $&!+ moments with an instrument.
I've never met the guy, but his work is always top drawer and he has a major local rep. If I ever had a serious problem he'd be my first pick.