The Renaissance series offers an expanded frequency spectrum beyond standard bass guitars. Equipped with Thomastik-Infeld Acousticore or Jazz Flatwound strings, these basses produce clear, dynamic tones extending to a powerful low B. Remarkably, each instrument weighs under 5.5 pounds, combining exceptional sound with exceptional playability.
Built with authentic acoustic instrument techniques, featuring bent sides and braced tonewood top and back, the Renaissance series excels at delivering authentic acoustic tone when amplified. A key design element is the Western Red Cedar center block, which effectively eliminates feedback while maintaining a resonant acoustic base for the Eclipse preamp and pickup system.
Every instrument in the Renaissance Series is equipped with the D-TAR Eclipse 18-volt preamp and Rick Turner’s proprietary coaxial piezo pickup system, delivering a full-spectrum amplified acoustic sound. These distinctive basses are designed for both studio recording and live performances across varied environments, having earned a reputation for durability worldwide. The RB4, RB5, and RB6 models feature a graphite-reinforced maple neck, graphite string saddle, and an integrated dingus strap-button extender to improve balance. Their low-tension strings are optimized for piezo pickups, producing a tone reminiscent of an upright bass.
Electronics -The D-TAR Eclipse pickup system incorporates a coaxial piezo polymer element positioned in a curved slot within the bridge. A bone or carbon fiber saddle transmits string vibration pressure directly to the pickup, which converts these vibrations into an electrical signal. This pickup captures sound from 360 degrees around its core, blending the clarity of the strings with the body’s natural warmth. Precise placement and the correct saddle/pickup/bridge alignment are essential, and we have meticulously optimized this setup by angling the saddle backward at 7 degrees to effectively manage the string’s break angle over the saddle into the body.
The pickup signal is paired with an 18-volt preamp that not only amplifies the signal but also conditions the pickup’s impedance, ensuring optimal performance over long cable runs and compatibility with standard amplifier inputs. While earlier models relied on two 9-volt batteries, current instruments use two "AA" cells combined with a 6X voltage multiplier circuit, delivering equivalent headroom to the original design.
RB5 : 5 String, 35″ Scale
