Rick Turner has passed into Eternity

[MikeEdgerton]

There is a message this morning on Facebook from Rick Turner's children that he passed away last evening. Rick was an amazing luthier and for many years a contributor to the Cafe. He was also a guy that shared his knowledge freely and over the years became a friend to many of us. His list of accomplishments were many and in some cases quite surprising. He will be missed. My condolences to his family.

If you'd like to know more about Rick this is a good place to start.

[Eric Platt]

Very sad to hear. While not mandolin related, did own one of his electric basses. Was easily the best bass I ever owned. Great tone.

[thistle3585]

Rick and I butted heads on a number of occasions and I'm a better builder for it.

[sunburst]

Rick had a way of rubbing folks the wrong way on the forum, but if you ever met him in person he was a very nice and knowledgeable fellow. Condolences to his family and friends.

[mrmando]

There are a couple of Rick Turner Renaissance mandocellos out there somewhere, and he was always quick to generously share his knowledge with us on the Cafe.

[thumbknuckle]

I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Turner many years ago.

I was (and remain) an obvious 'nobody.'

He was very gracious & kind.

My best wishes to his loved ones.

[Joe Mendel]

Very, very sad to hear of Rick Turners passing. A giant in the luthiery world, who worked with many big name bands and pioneered big innovations in guitar building. I interviewed Rick several years ago for an online publication and since that time he treated me like a peer and friend, even though I was a newbie. We met a few times over the following years at guitar shows and he treated me like a friend. Thank you Rick for your advice, you had a great impact on my life as a luthier. Rest in peace, my friend!

[Big Joe]

I did not know Rick all that well, but we did talk a few times, usually about different ways to build or repair something instrument related. He had some interesting ideas and some interesting builds. He was certainly very smart and had some artistic ideas. Sorry to hear of his passing.

[Jeff Hildreth]

Another "original" gone.

I met up with him a few times.
One of the most interesting persons I have ever met.

RIP Rick

[Dagger Gordon]

Great article from Fretboard Journal.

https://www.fretboardjournal.com/col...7gOhqP_6Dn925g

[Chunky But Funky]

I am a proud owner of a DTAR (Duncan / Turner) Solstice preamp. I've used it for my acoustic rig for years and even pressed it into service to run an open mic in the past. There was mention of an updated one, but it never materialized. Good stuff though! Sad news about his passing.

[pops1]

I met Rick at a luthiers convention in Pennsylvania 30+ years ago. Several years later I had an idea to put piezo pickups in electric guitar saddles. I waited a couple months, then called Fishman. Rick had called about the same idea the week before. Should have called earlier, but oh well. Would hear of his accomplishments often thru the years. Seems like too many are leaving us these days. RIP Rick.

[Don Grieser]

Before the Planet Bluegrass Academy moved to RockyGrass, it was held at Telluride. The one year I went to Telluride (maybe 1996 or 1997?), Rick was there with Michael Hornick helping students build pancake mandolins from kits that he and Michael Hornick designed IIRC. Michael Hornick still does the mandolin building class at the RockyGrass Academy. People build a mandolin in 4 days from the kits. Fascinating to walk through the workshop each day and see the progress.

[Billy Packard]

I lived very close to Rick's shop on the west side of Santa Cruz. I walked by countless times and stoped in many, many times. Often the rollup door to the actual shop would be open and I would inevitably wander in. Rick was always nice and usually ready to discuss our mutual musical interests and loves. I even lent him my Gilchrist once so he could take measurements for a budding young builder working there! He was a regular guy and neighbor who would wave and say hi while passing in the grocery store.

Billy

[Caleb]

I used to enjoy his articles in the guitar magazines back in the day. RIP.