Rick Turner RB-4

Hand made in California in 1999, with a clear cedar top with light poly finish and walnut sides and back with an oil finish. Neck is maple with a rosewood fingerboard and oil finish.Binding & headboard are faux tortoise, tuners ultralight. Pickup is a custom Piezo unit built into the koa bridge, with a Highlander 18v preamp. Preamp has an enclosed metal body and has 2 screws with threaded inserts which allow it to be pulled out from below the strap button for battery replacement. On the preamp are two externally adjustable pots for gain and bass. Above the top of the neck are the detrented volume and treble controls.Strings are Thomastik bronze roundwounds on a nylon core, fretwork is superb. Neck is similar in width to a J bass, and somehow my left hand can feel where it is on this neck. I think Rick builds subtle "clues" into the shape. Strings run through the body in bronze grommets. Headstock is angled back with a scarf joint, so string trees aren't required. Bass comes with a triangular gig bag. Everything about this bass is unique. It is surprisingly light and easy to handle, and feels like a fine classical guitar. Strings have a compliant, rubbery rolling feel that takes some getting used to, but spoils you when you are used to them. They require very little pressure, and don't strain hand muscles as much. I can play much longer on this bass without feeling cramped or tired. The strings leave slsight black marks on my fingers, which I assume is from oxydation.

Incredible, blossoming sound. It is extremely touch sensitive, and likes to be played soft and hard. The dynamic range is very large, and there are many types of tone available with slight variations of finger action. Its fun to just sit with this bass and see how many different sounds I can get. It works well with different amps, and I fiddle less with the eq knobs since I can color the tone more easily with my fingers. I use a Demeter/Stewart/SWR 18+2x10 rig, an SWR Basic Black, a Bass 350+Bag End 12, and a Peavey Basic 12 with no effects. I couldn't imagine wanting to color this instruments tone with a stompbox. Its not boomy, but urgingly deep and warm. Once the strings break in there is no scratchiness, and there is no hiss or hum. It can sound pianolike, or growly. I play Hawaiian/Folk/Country/Latin originals with two amplified semi-acoustic guitarists, and its the best sounding setup imaginable. Also, it works well for blues and jazz and more than I ever imagined. It can go from twangy to dub. People always comment favorably on the sound.

Fit and finish, fretwork and setup are superb. Its as close to perfection as I have experienced in an instrument. I don't like the faux tortoise facing on the headstock; I would prefer a wood veneer since the instrument screams organic in all other repects. This is my only pick, and its pretty subjective and minor.

Unless I run over it with my truck, this one will outlive me. Everything is first quality and built to last. Strap buttons are oversize, but it's impossible to install the Dunlop straplocks that I ordinarily use due to the design. Truss rod is easy to get to, though I haven't had any need to touch it. Neck seems very stable, with graphite inserts along with the heavy rod.

Rick is one of the nicest people I have ever dealt with. He answers email and phone calls, and seems to like to teach folks about their instrument when asked questions, in a very likeable, humble way. He repaired a Gibson Hollowbody Bass for me in 1969, and I remember being amazed at his great service back then.

Been playing 4 years after a break of 27 years. My other "keepers" are a Modulus VJ4 custom w/emgs & 3 band preamp, Fender fretless with Moses Graphie neck and Bartolinis, G&L SB-2, Martin B-1, and I'm awaiting a Turner Electroline EL535MM fretted 5 with piezo & two mag pickups. The REN is my favorite, by far. I could not be happier, I may buy a REN fretless one day. It is completely unique; and feels wonderful, looks beautiful, and sounds like a hummingbird crossbred with a freight train.