Renaissance/Turner Basses Club

[Fab Superlative]

Backside.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

That would be a good one...I've never heard a firsthand side-by-side between DTar and Highlander, but I do seem to remember reading somewhere the Highlander being a 9v preamp though... or that the 18v preamp reduced the 'quackiness' inherent to piezos.

Re: The old-style controls that mounted in the sides - probably wasn't as good a design, but then again, having to rout a hole in a nicely bookmatched back would give me pause too. That's sorta' what gave me the idea for the custom cavity covers. Originally, I had thought about trying to match woods, but opted instead to contrast maple over mahogany.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

Model Juan.

That is an AWESOME looking bass, Fab! Wow.

If you don't mind, what are the particulars on the pickup(s)?

 

[porterbass]

I also have the older slide out panel that houses the input jack/preamp (Highlander) and batteries. Terrible design, not surprised to see that Rick changed it.

Has anybody heard both pre-amps and know if the D-Tar can be retrofitted into the older model Rens?

I'm curious about this and wondering what would be the advantage of going to the D-Tar from the Highlander? Both of mine have the older Highlander and I purposely looked for those versions when purchasing. Just looking for other's thoughts and info on this as I know both preamps are highly regarded.

Thanks

 

[Road Hat]

Cool thread! I dig my Turner EL-535-PMM. Although I'm not able to play it anymore (arthritis), I dig just looking at it and holding it.

I used mine almost exclusively for studio work, and it was a versatile instrument, whether DI or mic'd. My favorite bass ever!

 

[porterbass]

That would be a good one...I've never heard a firsthand side-by-side between DTar and Highlander, but I do seem to remember reading somewhere the Highlander being a 9v preamp though... or that the 18v preamp reduced the 'quackiness' inherent to piezos.

Re: The old-style controls that mounted in the sides - probably wasn't as good a design, but then again, having to rout a hole in a nicely bookmatched back would give me pause too. That's sorta' what gave me the idea for the custom cavity covers. Originally, I had thought about trying to match woods, but opted instead to contrast maple over mahogany.

Both of my Turner Rens are 18v. the RB5FL is a '99, and the RB4FL is a 2001. They both have the same electronics, which I believe is the Highlander pickup with Turner 18v electronics/preamp.

I'm not sure what the D-Tar looks like or what piezo pickup is used for that version of preamp. Does anyone know what year Rick changed over to the current D-Tar?

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

@Road Hat - I remember seeing that beautiful red bass on the boards last year. If I remember correctly, wasn't it a 2005? Glad you decided to keep it, and hope you can get relief enough to play it again. Not sure what it would take to pry my EL-535-PMM away.

 

[porterbass]

Model Juan.

Fab....I would like to thank you for MAJORLY contributing to my 2014 G.A.S. The Turner Model 1 bass has been on the top of my list.

Your Turner Model 1 bass is crazy gorgeous! Please share your description of the tone and feel.

 

[porterbass]

Cool thread! I dig my Turner EL-535-PMM. Although I'm not able to play it anymore (arthritis), I dig just looking at it and holding it.

I used mine almost exclusively for studio work, and it was a versatile instrument, whether DI or mic'd. My favorite bass ever!

Road Hat, I hate to hear of situations like yours. I'm hoping you will be able to get back to playing. That is one of my greatest fears...I have some nerve damage that has screwed a bit with my playing, so I've been learning to manage it with different strings, stretching, etc.

This doesn't work for everyone, but have you tried Glucosamine for your arthritis? Here is a link to a highly regarded version available at Costco:
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Best of luck and I sincerely hope you can get back to playing. By the way...Gorgeous red Electroline!

 

[Road Hat]

Yep, it's a 2005 that I picked up new at Bass & Beyond in Sacramento.

I'm trying different ways of playing, including going back to my Funk Fingers (I'm terrible with them), or just straight thumb-style with flatwounds ala Monk Montgomery. Frankly, it's fun to just set up my Eden/Bag End stack and make whole-note and half-note noises!

 

[StephenR]

Both of my Turner Rens are 18v. the RB5FL is a '99, and the RB4FL is a 2001. They both have the same electronics, which I believe is the Highlander pickup with Turner 18v electronics/preamp.

I'm not sure what the D-Tar looks like or what piezo pickup is used for that version of preamp. Does anyone know what year Rick changed over to the current D-Tar?

Both of the Ren basses I have owned were 18v don't think there ever was a 9v pre. Also interested in more info about the D-Tar pre. I know Rick used a couple of different Turner/Highlander preamps in the early Ren basses. When I brought both mine in to the shop for some adjustments he replaced the preamp in my four-string with the one he was currently using (same one my five-string had in it). Basses were made about a year apart 97 and 98. Preamp in the four-string was replaced in 99. After that I did not keep track of changes in the electronics.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

Perhaps the 9v preamp is a myth or a misinformed posting.:what:

There's (at least) one guy who knows for certain the various design changes. I'm guessing the TB mods would discourage folks plugging their own products on here, but if he's watching, Rick might set us straight on the evolution of pickup and preamp combinations.

Not that this means anything, but for reference, all three of mine, 2007, 2010, & 2013 are 18v pre's, but the '07 Electroline uses two 9v batteries where the newer Renaissances take two AA's.

 

[Jeff Scott]

This is the pickup system in my 2005 Ren but with two 9V batteries. I wonder how well it works/lasts with the 2 AA batteries?

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

I'll check to be sure, but I think the literature says battery life is around 250 hours while plugged in. I had a set of batteries flake out at a wedding reception gig once. Since then I keep an extra set in the case... you know... just in case.

 

[Jeff Scott]

That's why I usually play passive basses................ The Turner is the only exception.

 

[biobass]

I always keep extra batteries of all sorts in my gig bag, but I've needed them most for giving to guitar players! I've found that my Ren gives plenty of notice that the batteries are getting low, a slight increase in "fuzziness" when digging in, but still usable for hours. I usually use rechargeables and haven't noticed a difference when compared with regular, but I have never done any kind of controlled comparisons.

On a different note, something I have noticed is that the Acousticores stretch and go flat over time, weeks to months timeframe, as compared with my steel stringed basses. However, the curious thing is that the strings stay in tune relative to each other. They must all stretch at the same relative rate. I've often picked up the Ren after weeks of not playing and found it to be perfectly in tune with itself, but quite a few cents flats across the board.

I also find that I have to adjust the truss rod on the Ren one to two times per year. For comparison, I bet I've only had to adjust the truss rod on my '65 Jazz five times in the over 40 years that I've owned it. I do dial in slightly more relief on the Ren than my other basses. I find it helps to get a fuller, fatter sound out of the Acousticores. I also find that attention to maintaining proper curvature of the left hand fingers is more critical with the Acousticores. Anyone else have similar experiences?

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

The Renaissance basses are very stable neck-wise, but I did make a small truss rod adjustment to the Electroline neck, which turned out to be too much and had to loosen back up. Player error - 'nuff said.

Yeah, when the batteries went that time, I noticed the lack of power, fuzziness of tone, and right before they just quit working, I could hear an odd squealing.

 

[Fab Superlative]

If you don't mind, what are the particulars on the pickup(s)?

From what I have gathered, this is one of the first Model 1's to sport the " hot-wound magnetic hum-canceling w/Coil Split Optional piezo system in archtop style bridge, w/ blending electronics ".

As the wire lead, for the piezo, is exposed. Subsequent refinements, moved the wire lead out of sight.
Although, the exposed lead, does allow for more travel of the bridge. This arrangement brings to mind how piezo, transducers are installed on Double Basses. Not surprisingly, with similar tonal results.

Nothing like the WOMP-BOMP-A-LOO-BOP, A WOMP-BAM-BOOM, of my Norton Custom, Shen, strung with silver slaps+full circle+platinum pro.
But then again, yeah...well, you know

Just running the bridge pup, produces a sound very similar to the Renaissance, family of basses.
Of course, dependent upon the installed strings. Rick, recommends TI, Jazz Rounds, for the Model 1's. These are very similar to Acousticores, but with more robust fundamentals, and tonally, a slightly fuller body.

The mag, pup is fairly hot, as advertised.
Just running that, tends to remind me of how the Hofner, club bass, with cavern spacing sounds.
But the Model 1, is a unique beast unto it's own. It has more sustain.

And the real magic, happens when the blending begins.

When it comes to lovingly crafted instruments, Rick Turner, is truly a Renaissance Man.
And in my humble opinion, one of the elite artisans, in his field.
To me, Rick is right up there in the same league, with contemporaries such as, John Monteleone.
And while some may feel Rick's, prices are somewhat on the high side, well...so are the instruments he makes.

"Making the Turner Guitar" that Barry Price, produced while apprenticing with Rick, provides a good da vinci, style overview of what Turner Guitars, are all about.

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Fab....I would like to thank you for MAJORLY contributing to my 2014 G.A.S. The Turner Model 1 bass has been on the top of my list.

You are most welcome, Sir!
P.S. don't look here.

 

[Iridescentone]

My Turner PMM. I really like it, the Piezo is excellent. Had a EL 535PMM years ago, but didn't care for how it sounded, but this 4 banger is stellar.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

When it comes to lovingly crafted instruments, Rick Turner, is truly a Renaissance Man.
And in my humble opinion, one of the elite artisans, in his field.
To me, Rick is right up there in the same league, with contemporaries such as, John Monteleone.
And while some may feel Rick's, prices are somewhat on the high side, well...so are the instruments he makes.

+1. :thumbup::thumbup:

That really is an amazing bass Fab... playing one just made my bucket-list.