Every time I need a control rebuilt (or a replacement) for an antique or near-antique radio, I use Mark. The quality of his parts -- and workmanship -- is very high.

Unfortunately, I've been trying to touch bases with him for several weeks, with no success. And I have one part that I sent him about a month ago.

http://www.oldradioparts.net/

That's his website.

Does anyone have any info on his status? Health problems or similar?

Fred
owner
Classic Audio Repair
San Diego

I haven't heard anything about Mark lately, I suppose he's busy.
I will be putting in another capacitor order with him soon though.

He's posted a couple times lately that I know of.

Mark and I have traded e-mails and a phone call over the past several weeks about some buttons that I want to buy . I just figured he was pretty busy right now and will get to me in time.

BR,

Terry

Most likely busy getting stuff packed for the trip to Kutztown.

Typically, Mark & Leann only attend the September K-town show.

Yep -- I messaged Mr. Oppat a while back asking if he'd be at the May Kutztown show. I was excited to meet him in person. He said not this time.

I hope everything's OK.

I just got an email from him, about my switch, he said he's swamped, no mention of any thing else going on. It is hard to be the KING.

I know how Mark feels -swamped....

I've got a "waiting list" myself because I can only provide so much room at the shop for storage until I can get to each piece.
It's maddening!

Repair Tech,

I have two adjacent suites, and I'm still crammed full. I've got fully repaired consoles that people need to pick up! -- and one that, come June, I'm going to scrap. (I'll keep the electronics and turntable, and trash the cabinet, which the owner stripped the veneer from, claiming he was going to refinish it himself. I sent a certified letter to him months ago -- no response. It has been in my shop over a year.)

The control/switch combo device that I sent to Mark was from a "FoMoCo" car radio. Unfortunately, this is a second-degree sub-contract. The owner brought it to a repair shop in another city, and he then shipped it to my shop. We've had it about two months and both the owner and the other shop are getting very impatient. I can sympathize.

This is just about to the point where I need to start combing the junkyards.

Sigh.

Fred
tired after a hard day
owner
Classic Audio Repair

Fred, I try to schedule things as efficiently as possible.
But you know, sometimes circumstances as they are, can happen.
I have to divide my time between sets at times - tv's come first, because people "need them".
God forbid they only own one tv set in the house!

The vintage stuff isn't a nesessity or life issue per say, that and I like to spend "quality time" on each piece. - my customers know that and appreciate that.
They know once it's back to them, its done right. - and even then sometimes crap happens.
Luckily not frequently.

But space can sometimes be tight - and lately it's been that way.
Thus, the need to start a Waiting List.

I know how Mark feels -swamped....

Me too . Stuff to do all day long and people in every day . Helps pay the heart attack bill
If you need capacitors and mark is to bussy , use Bob

I talked to Mark just the other day. He's just busy. He told me that requests are backing up. He's trying to catch up.

I know Mark is busy all the time. His work is worth waiting for. Saved my butt several times.

I'll back up all of the other positives concerning Mark. Very esoteric parts at very reasonable prices and great customer service!:)-Gearhead.

Mark responded. Apparently he was jammed up, and something happened to alias a batch of emails. The FoMoCo control/switch is now in our hands -- restored. And we just sent him another otherwise-unobtainium control today.

Fred