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Rick Turner and... Michael Kelly???

#61
bholder said:
"Dingus" meaning what, an extender for the strap to attach to? Not quite seeing what the problem is, really serious enough to return it over?
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Yes a strap extender. I didn't want to do a mod on a bass I wasn't 100% sure I was going to keep. Besides that is a design flaw IMHO. It should be included with the bass. Also the front strap button was so big that it was difficult to find a strap to fit on it.
 
#62
I agree-a bass with a body so light it dives like peregrine falcon that does not even include the ugly fix required to make it ergonomic was not a keeper for me. The fact that the body was too thin to comfortably rest on my knee was also a deal killer for me. Other than that, I liked it :-)
 
#67
BassHappy said:
Ahhhhhh yes, Model 1 indeed:

View attachment 453069

View attachment 453070

View attachment 453071

Amazing!

Rick, here is the custom medium scale fretless you made me in 1999:

View attachment 453072

You may recall it - I never was able to adapt to fretless and one of my biggest regrets EVER was selling it rather that sending it back to you for a fret installation.

I am in love with the Model 1's as above. Scratching my head hard on that one - in a GOOD way! By the way, is that a tiny trim pot on the body next to what I am guessing is the volume pot?

All the best on this and your endeavor with Michael Kelly.

I hope they are so amazingly successful that you and Michael will be forced to make those 100 medium scalers and many, many more!

BassHappy
www.innertainment.net
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I cannot find a Turner model 1 (As pictured on your post) anywhere on the interwebz - so curious about these photos!
 
#68
Apolicious said:
I have three major, major concerns with this project:
  1. Michael Kelly instruments are terrible. Anything of interest they've made, they've discontinued. The only thing that keeps them going are those crap acoustic basses, slathered with 1/4" of poly.
  2. Which leads us to my second problem, "High-gloss sunburst finish." High-gloss is always, always a slang term for mountains of poly.
  3. Seymour Duncan pickups. SD can make some fine pickups, but... they don't. When supplied to a mass-manufacturer, they tend to be crap.
I don't mean to immediately poo-poo on this project. But I am very, very skeptical. If it were another manufacturer than MK? Fine. But I'm not holding my breath.
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Interesting comments on MK. I have a Dragonfly V fretless that is very pretty, seems well made, and plays nicely. You negative comments are the first I've heard.
 
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#69
#70
BassHappy said:
Hey Angabass

Here are a few to get you started...

Rick Turner Model One Bass Mahogany (410) | Reverb

** 4 Sale Turner Model 1 Bass (featherweight) Rare!!**

An Inaudible Hum: Noise & the Tyranny of Form: LOW ARCHITECTURE: RICK TURNER MODEL 1 BASS

** 4 Sale Turner Model 1 Bass (featherweight) Rare!!**
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Nice pix! It is too bad that Model 1 basses are so rare, they are just fantastic as are all of Rick's instruments. My only problem with the Model 1's is that the body is so small, other than that...pure awesomeness! I see too that he is starting to build more Electrolines, that is great news for the bass playing world...need to get my hands on one!
 
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#71
BassHappy said:
Hey Angabass

Here are a few to get you started...

Rick Turner Model One Bass Mahogany (410) | Reverb

** 4 Sale Turner Model 1 Bass (featherweight) Rare!!**

An Inaudible Hum: Noise & the Tyranny of Form: LOW ARCHITECTURE: RICK TURNER MODEL 1 BASS

** 4 Sale Turner Model 1 Bass (featherweight) Rare!!**
Click to expand...

Absolutely awesome basses for sure! Thanks for the links. My apologies, model 1 basses are easy to find photos/info on, just not the one pictured...

The one pictured (the one you posted) appears to have a few special features.

1. The bridge appears to be at the end of the instrument, I have never seen this on a model 1 bass
2. No traditional pickups, its a DTAR or piezo of some description?
3. One volume/tone pot

The bass seems like a bridge between the Model 1 Basses and the Ren?

Ps: I have just ordered a REN - Michael Kelly 4 string Bass, it was great to see Rick posting and commenting on here!

My plan it to put the Thomastik Acousticore strings on it and see if it sounds better, which I have read it does.

Great resource this thread for potential buyers!
 
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#72
Rick, I just ordered my MK RT B-4. I've read several posts about changing out the strings, which I may do at a later date. If so what length should I get? I have a Peavey Grind 5 -String with a 34" scale but the string thru body pushes the requirements to extra long scale. Is this the same situation? Thanks.
 
#73
Just got my MK B4. Sounds awesome plugged in. Really comes alive! But I haven't tried playing standing on a strap yet. Sorry to hear it's a neck diver. Anybody know where you can purchase a "Dingus"? Only place I can find one on the Interweb is on a Rick Turner bass & it doesn't appear he sells them.

Also anybody have any feedback on the trim pots on DTAR pup? I find it odd that Michael Kelly doesn't have much info on their site.
 
#74
JJ4Bass said:
Just got my MK B4. Sounds awesome plugged in. Really comes alive! But I haven't tried playing standing on a strap yet. Sorry to hear it's a neck diver. Anybody know where you can purchase a "Dingus"? Only place I can find one on the Interweb is on a Rick Turner bass & it doesn't appear he sells them.

Also anybody have any feedback on the trim pots on DTAR pup? I find it odd that Michael Kelly doesn't have much info on their site.
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10.5" long. 3/8 thick (use something sturdy, hardwood or ply), attachment holes 4.25" on center with strap button on the end. Use existing neck screws to attach. Works like a charm.
 
#76
I used the B-4 on a gig last Saturday & head diving wasn't really an issue. I had issues with string attach. When I dig in as I do on my Jazz Bases it was like the sound got cancelled out. I found I had to really play lightly & up by the bridge to get the notes to sound. Should've brought a 2nd bass. Tough gig. Sounded great in my living room. Anybody else experience this?
 
#77
Hoping somebody can help. As I am in Australia I was not able to order this bass Through MK, lame. So I ordered one on eBay. I really enjoy the bass, maybe with a few setups and tweaks and It will play amazingly. Just one MASSIVE issue, the batteries drain very regularly. And the electronics/battery port in the back is an actual NIGHTMARE to get out and work on. Its strangely takes AA batteries, I am assuming the Piezo DTAR requires AA as its very sensitive, but I have no idea about electronics really. Nonetheless every two weeks....bam no juice. So maybe the batteries are on constantly, thats my first thought. Thanks in Advance.
 
#79
angabass said:
Hoping somebody can help. As I am in Australia I was not able to order this bass Through MK, lame. So I ordered one on eBay. I really enjoy the bass, maybe with a few setups and tweaks and It will play amazingly. Just one MASSIVE issue, the batteries drain very regularly. And the electronics/battery port in the back is an actual NIGHTMARE to get out and work on. Its strangely takes AA batteries, I am assuming the Piezo DTAR requires AA as its very sensitive, but I have no idea about electronics really. Nonetheless every two weeks....bam no juice. So maybe the batteries are on constantly, thats my first thought. Thanks in Advance.
Click to expand...

Are you leaving your bass plugged in when you're not using it? That will drain the batteries very quickly.
 
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