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Renaissance/Turner Basses Club

#201
Hey folks, I just got a Renaissance 5 string fretless (got it through TB). I'll get some pictures up and running shortly, but since GHS is currently in NAMM-mode, my time is limited. I did, however, get a chance to plug it into my PJB Briefcase in the office for a bit, and really enjoy the sound as well as the playability. It doesn't feel like a 35" scale neck.

However, could anyone direct me to a schematic on how the electronics work? That's the only thing I'm curious on at this point. There's a center indent on the volume knob, which is throwing me off, as well as the small internal pots down by the input jack.
 
#202
Really nice basses ... I don't use mine (lined fretless) enough, have to do something about that.

20140120-AM0D9632-740.jpg


FretlessFivers.jpg
 
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#205
Jon Moody said:
Hey folks, I just got a Renaissance 5 string fretless (got it through TB). I'll get some pictures up and running shortly, but since GHS is currently in NAMM-mode, my time is limited. I did, however, get a chance to plug it into my PJB Briefcase in the office for a bit, and really enjoy the sound as well as the playability. It doesn't feel like a 35" scale neck.

However, could anyone direct me to a schematic on how the electronics work? That's the only thing I'm curious on at this point. There's a center indent on the volume knob, which is throwing me off, as well as the small internal pots down by the input jack.
Click to expand...

Congrats on the new bass Jon. If it's the one I'm thinking of, that's a really interesting build. Looking forward to pictures.

Regarding the controls, it sounds like you have an earlier edition, with the side-mounted battery/control box. I think the controls are the same, just volume and tone, which is a treble roll-off. The earlier models did have access to trimpots from outside the bass, but never having had one in my hands, I can't say for certain what their function was. There's a couple earlier-model Renaissance players on here with that same setup though... and Rick has popped in here a couple times to answer questions. If all else fails, just call or email the shop.
 
#207
EdwardofHuncote said:
Congrats on the new bass Jon. If it's the one I'm thinking of, that's a really interesting build. Looking forward to pictures.

Regarding the controls, it sounds like you have an earlier edition, with the side-mounted battery/control box. I think the controls are the same, just volume and tone, which is a treble roll-off. The earlier models did have access to trimpots from outside the bass, but never having had one in my hands, I can't say for certain what their function was. There's a couple earlier-model Renaissance players on here with that same setup though... and Rick has popped in here a couple times to answer questions. If all else fails, just call or email the shop.
Click to expand...

You're thinking of the right one. If I'm reading the serial number correctly, it's a 2002 so it's definitely an older one (doesn't have the cutout on the back to access the controls or the battery). Looks like I have to take out two screws and then slide the part out to replace the batteries.

I may contact the shop and inquire about it. The tone knob I figured out, but a volume with a center indent really throws me. I have no clue why it would have that.

That said, I did enjoy the playability of the instrument, but am a bit taken aback by the neck dive of it. I normally play seated (theatre pits, studio work), so that's key for me. However, with a strap it's not really an issue.
 
#208
The center detent on the volume control is probably nothing more than Rick had those pots on hand and used them. Both the volume control and tone control on mine have lots of detents all around the rotation of the pots. The two trimmer controls on the preamp panel are for Gain and bass boost.

Set to taste.
 
#209
Jon Moody said:
You're thinking of the right one. If I'm reading the serial number correctly, it's a 2002 so it's definitely an older one (doesn't have the cutout on the back to access the controls or the battery). Looks like I have to take out two screws and then slide the part out to replace the batteries.

I may contact the shop and inquire about it. The tone knob I figured out, but a volume with a center indent really throws me. I have no clue why it would have that.

That said, I did enjoy the playability of the instrument, but am a bit taken aback by the neck dive of it. I normally play seated (theatre pits, studio work), so that's key for me. However, with a strap it's not really an issue.
Click to expand...

There's a balancing device you'll see on Renaissance basses occasionally, especially 5-string models and up, that cures the dive created by the lightweight body. It's a simple strap button extension that mounts to the back of the body using two of the neck mounting screws. (it's called a Dingus extender, which I don't fully understand, but find mildly humorous) Look back through the thread here and you'll see one.
 
#210
EdwardofHuncote said:
There's a balancing device you'll see on Renaissance basses occasionally, especially 5-string models and up, that cures the dive created by the lightweight body. It's a simple strap button extension that mounts to the back of the body using two of the neck mounting screws. (it's called a Dingus extender, which I don't fully understand, but find mildly humorous) Look back through the thread here and you'll see one.
Click to expand...

The Ren that I have has the dingus extender already. Usually if I can play seated without the guitar strap, I like to do so. Can't with the Ren; need that strap to retain some balance. A minor issue though.
 
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#213
bholder said:
So it's a "zero mod" design? Cool! Gotta remember that trick. :D
Click to expand...

It's a good idea to replace the two screws that secure the Dingus with screws that are 1/4" longer... this takes up the thickness of the Dingus. (with apologies for how that sounds!)
 
#216
Jeff Scott said:
The center detent on the volume control is probably nothing more than Rick had those pots on hand and used them. Both the volume control and tone control on mine have lots of detents all around the rotation of the pots. The two trimmer controls on the preamp panel are for Gain and bass boost.

Set to taste.
Click to expand...

So, basically laziness? I hate to put it that way, but if that's the real reason why...? The tone pot is scratchy, so maybe I'll just replace both at the same time since it looks like I have to pull the neck to get to the pots.

Thanks for the info on the trimpots on the preamp panel. I'll probably leave them as-is right now, and fiddle with them if I can't get a good sound that I like.
 
#217
Jon Moody said:
So, basically laziness? I hate to put it that way, but if that's the real reason why...? The tone pot is scratchy, so maybe I'll just replace both at the same time since it looks like I have to pull the neck to get to the pots.

Thanks for the info on the trimpots on the preamp panel. I'll probably leave them as-is right now, and fiddle with them if I can't get a good sound that I like.
Click to expand...

My Turner with the Highlander preamp ('01) has an incredibly hot output. Being that they are fully buffered, the volume pot does not need to be wide-open for the full bandwidth, so it's also possible that the center-detent was intended more as a "normal" level, giving you a +/- range of output from "normal" - much like the +/-10dB gain knob on a PJB amp. FWIW, my Turner has detents all the way around. I usually turn it up full and then back it off a couple notches.
 
#218
lowfreqgeek said:
My Turner with the Highlander preamp ('01) has an incredibly hot output. Being that they are fully buffered, the volume pot does not need to be wide-open for the full bandwidth, so it's also possible that the center-detent was intended more as a "normal" level, giving you a +/- range of output from "normal" - much like the +/-10dB gain knob on a PJB amp.
Click to expand...

I'm a longtime PJB user and endorser, so when I ran the bass through my Briefcase, the detent being a "normal" spot seemed the more likely. You're right; it gets LOUD when it's all the way open.
 
#219
lowfreqgeek said:
... FWIW, my Turner has detents all the way around. I usually turn it up full and then back it off a couple notches.
Click to expand...

Mine do as well, (on the Renaissance basses) and ^that^ is exactly what I do with the volume pot. The Electrolines however, have smooth volume and tone pots, and 50/50 detent pots for the A & B pan pots. All are such screaming hot outputs that I usually have to buffer the input gain on the amp.

I'm *guessing* the wrong pot was inadvertently used on Jon Moody's bass, or it was ordered that way for some reason. Shouldn't matter from a functionality standpoint, but I agree it's odd. As for changing out the pots, I haven't a clue how to access them, but I do know not by taking the neck off... nothing there but a neck pocket. I do remember a few pages back we saw a Renaissance 6'r with the pots mounted in the usual spot but on a plastic plate, very much like the side-mounted jack/battery compartment.
 

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