BassBod Posted June 11, 2018 Posted June 11, 2018 Interesting bass! Made by Rick Turner (original woodwork guy and partner in Alembic...look him up!) in 2000. Conceived as a modern update on the Fender Jazz. Ash body in gloss dark cherry red tint, with oiled maple neck and thin veneer rosewood fingerboard. 35” scale length. Two Turner magnetic pickups, in the Alembic tradition of wide frequency and neutral sound, plus individual piezo elements placed under each string in the Hipshot bridge. There is an (18v) active circuit that provides preamplification and allows the pickups to be mixed. There are no eq controls, just master volume, blend between the two mag pickups, and blend of the bridge piezo with the magnetics. The concentric is two passive “roll off” tone pots - one for the magnetic, and one for the piezo. Unusual, but I like it and it becomes intuitive very quickly. I bought the bass here a few years ago, and it came with several issues - every screw head and Allen bolt was damaged, as was the truss rod adjuster..pots were all noisy, jack socket worn, strap buttons glued... I have had the frets levelled and re-profiled, replaced just about every screw in the bridge (thank you Hipshot!) repaired and refinished the back of the neck and fitted Dunlop strap buttons and a new jack. My tame luthier said the truss rod was still adjustable, but take it back to him if it needs it. There is a small trim pot that acts as a master blend between piezo and magnetic pickups- this needs to be replaced as it currently does nothing, but I’ve not got around to it as the bass functions as is - probably worth doing, to have full control as it was designed. An interesting bass, but with some issues - these would be around 3k dollars new, so the price reflects this. Comes in a nice but well used Levy’s bag, and all the Hipshot screws I’ve still got. Sale only please and I would want you to have a good look and play before purchase - between Bristol and Bath, ten mins from M4 J18. 1
BassBod Posted June 11, 2018 Author Posted June 11, 2018 Two more things - the headstock Lion decal has pretty much rubbed off (apologies from luthier). Also, it sounds from my description like this bass is a bit of a lost cause - it’s not, it’s a lovely instrument..but I feel it’s important that any defects are clearly stated...especially if a potential buyer is travelling.
BassBod Posted June 11, 2018 Author Posted June 11, 2018 It is indeed - the active circuit is very high headroom, but all the pickups are very natural and clear. The passive tone controls really do give enough variation combined with the pickup blending. It’s an extremely well considered design.
franzbassist Posted June 13, 2018 Posted June 13, 2018 Even with the declared issues, given that this is a hand-made bass from one of the top US builders, that is a heck of a lot of bass for the money. 2
BassBod Posted June 13, 2018 Author Posted June 13, 2018 To be honest, if I played 5 string or had reading gigs regularly this bass wouldn’t be up for sale. Unfortunately, I can see some major expenses on the horizon, so time to clear a few things.
BassBod Posted June 26, 2018 Author Posted June 26, 2018 The master volume pot has developed some scratchiness, either needs another clean or replacing (cleaned a few years ago) so price now reduced to £550 😳
BassBod Posted August 23, 2019 Author Posted August 23, 2019 Still here - nearly went back to the USA, but CITES got in the way. Good news is the fingerboard is apparently pau ferrau/morado not rosewood.
itu Posted August 23, 2019 Posted August 23, 2019 I have seen and played a similar blue one that was made for the Cirque de Soleil bassist. Have to say that the bass had convincing sound and feel. For the price, this is a steal.
lemmywinks Posted August 23, 2019 Posted August 23, 2019 Just out of interest what are the holes on the back for? Silly price for a Rick Turner bass btw, someone is getting an amazing instrument for MIM Fender money.
lemmywinks Posted August 23, 2019 Posted August 23, 2019 I thought so due to placement but still wondered, trim pots or something?
BassBod Posted August 23, 2019 Author Posted August 23, 2019 The two screws on the back are for pickup height adjustment. Bit like the Alembic system of two screws for height. On the back control plate there is also a small hole that gives access to a trim pot for setting the master balance level between the piezo and mag pickups, then the pre-set range can be fine tuned by the second balance pot on the front of the bass. Very well thought out, but the small trim pot needs replacing, as it does nothing at the moment. Actually, it sounds fine as it is, but it should be replaced to restore the intended level of set up. The bass is fully active, but has no eq - just balance pots between the mag pickups, piezo built into the bridge, and passive "roll off" tones for each. Its all about the sound of the player and the pickups. 1
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