Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

While this janglebox thread started out as an interesting question, in the end it has ended up just as the last. Very little has been said about this product and before too very long, as before, we will be debating about free speech in forums.

As a matter of course, the early posts on this thread are available for new visitors to read from the beginning. The merit of reiterating the same point is quickly losing its value.

Perhaps we could move on to discussing what those who have the Janglebox have to say. How does it compare to other similar products, the effectiveness of the product when used with different guitars, the noise or lack thereof in the circuit, additional soundbytes, its role in producing the classic Byrds' sound, the price of the product and lag time when ordering, the merit of onboard versus "outboard" circuitry, the durability of the casing, the merits of a negative versus positive tip power supply, the footswitch operation or interference in the treble boost mode.

Fair warning, future posts that say the same thing are not going to last long. Perhaps one additional point. This thread has had very little to do with Rickenbacker guitars so please look for it under The Others topic very soon.

Ok Mitch! I'm done.

Thank you Peter!

Lots of good points that you've bought up about it that I'd like to hear more about Peter? I'm all ears Jangle Box owners.

> How does it compare to other similar products
Boss CS-3 - not bad, but doesn't get "the sound", found it somewhat noisy.
Behringer V-Amp 2 - yuck!

> its role in producing the classic Byrds' sound

strings: Pyramids, i have found no other string that rings like these babies do
...and i keep coming back to using these...but they're stiff, ...since were
talking 12 string here, being stiff is probably ok for chording / picking.
I also like Thomastik-Infelds, there's no 12 string set package, but you
can go to JustStrings and make them up. The Ric strings are good too...maybe
the least stiff, good if you want to do bending...a lot depends on your
style, of course, but Pyramids really chime.

JangleBox: i found the best settings is to put the Gain and Attack at around the
2-3 o'clock position, switch in "Bright" position
>the noise or lack thereof in the circuit
...very quiet

amp: i've tried the JB with 4 amps:
Peavey Classic VTX - good
VOX AD100VT - also good...but i dont remember the modeling/settings i used
AC30CC2X - disappointed, ...because i found to get "the sound", the JB
Gain should be in the ~2 o'clock position, the AC30 was only clean at
a low vlume (master up, preamp just a nudge past 0)...at any suitable volume,
it distorted...a factor could also be that my 360/12 has hi-gains(?).
Reverb Twin - i found this to be the amp !!! Lots of headroom...clean...the sound is nailed

summary: your fav Ric 12 w/ Pyramids --> JangleBox with settings as stated above --> Fender Twin Reverb

Note: the Thomastik-Infeld info to make up a set was found on the Ric forum. A number of ppl here tried to help
me with my AC30, but i couldn't get it clean at any reasonable volume. Luckly, the store
i bought it from, allowed me to return it and i picked up the Twin Reverb

My new Gretsch 57RI Duo Jet (Dynasonics) REALLY appreciates the Janglebox. Into the AC50 it's compression heaven!!! Woo hoo hoo!!!

Right, I'm keeping away from all the legal stuff!

So I'm assuming that Roger McGuinn must have used either a LA-2A compressor or/& a Fairchild Limiter on the earlier Byrds recordings, which are both tube machines. I don't think the 1176LN was out at the time, a transistor based design.

JB mention Fairchild / UREI on their site as well as the RIC on board compressor.

So is the JB an opto type compressor circuit like the LA-2A (without the tubes)? Has anyone had a look inside?

I'm building a LA-2A clone starting soon,got most of the parts already so I'm interested in learning as much as I can about all this stuff!

I can personally attest to the great sound the Urei 1176's will do, but I don't think they were the sound of McGuinn's 60's stuff either.

I'd be interested in hearing more about your LA-2A clone project John.

Greg, As above I would make a guess for the Fairchild or the LA-2A, I believe that the 1176 was a later transistor version of the LA-2A.

Check out this forum for the LA-2A, I've got the PCB board version (still waiting for some parts)which should be a bit easier for me as I've only modded & repaired tube guitar amps before! At the moment I'm doing a G SSL compressor clone, 270 (very small) parts I should have started the LA-2A first less than 100!

http://www.prodigy-pro.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10774

I have heard great success running through two vintage ALTEC rack compressors at the same time. Pricey!!

John, thanks for the link! I may have to do one of these myself.