Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I was goofing around with Photoshop a little to see some various configurations for the layout of the controls on my incoming Blackened Laredo/ACG preamp project. There are 3, 4 or 5 knob options available. I'd prefer the 3 knob for simplicity but I'm still looking into how important the passive tone addition is and that will determine which layout I'm going with. If the passive tone control offered a truly passive option it would be a definite but it just offers some additional tonal variation so I'm checking some opinions on another forum to help me decide which way to go. It would be nice if the controls could be spaced like the 4001/4003 layout but options are limited due to the existing hole layout. I'm sure adding active electronics to my Ric is considered blasphemy enough so I'll assume that drilling a few more holes will add fuel to the fire. Flame suit "ON"!

(my Photoshop skills are heinous.....actual spacing will be dead even)

3 knob configuration is less dramatic of a change and accepted due to VVT mods (vol/blend, bass filter stack, treble filter stack)....


4 knob configuration adds a passive tone control (still researching if it's necessary for my needs)

Looks like a "death march" of controls....

Looks unbalanced to me......


5 knob configuration (same as 4 control but vol/blend are separate controls)

Not too bad but looks kinda cluttered.....

Too freaky....

OK, but looks bottom heavy and like an afterthought (probably looks better in person).......

Too dice looking (YAHTZEE!!!!)......

you could try using stacked pots if you don't want too many knobs, or if you don't want to drill holes.

The 3 control is all stacked pots, 4 control is 3 stacked/1 single and the 5 control is 3 stacked/2 single.

I like the 3 control with stack pots. Damn, that is a pretty finish.

rickfan60 wrote:I like the 3 control with stack pots. Damn, that is a pretty finish.

+1 and +1.

death march.

Brian, I love Yahtzee!!!

1st choice - 3 controls
2nd choice - bottom heavy 5 controls

Mod away!

Brian - 4 controls in a RIC pattern
5 controls in a RIC pattern of 4 and the fifth towards the neck side of the 4 and, though not in a triangle formation with the front 2 of the 4, have it lower but not in line with the bottom 2 but kind of an arc curve.

Thanks for the comments folks.

John, that would be the perfect scenario.....unfortunately three of the holes are dictated by the existing layout. I could probably shift the existing toggle hole down slightly since it has to be enlarged but I'm not sure it will be enough to make an obvious difference.

That's what I was trying to accomplish with this one (but I left the knob at the toggle hole straight with the top two)......

incubus2432 wrote:Thanks for the comments folks.

John, that would be the perfect scenario.....unfortunately three of the holes are dictated by the existing layout. I could probably shift the existing toggle hole down slightly since it has to be enlarged but I'm not sure it will be enough to make an obvious difference.

That's what I was trying to accomplish with this one (but I left the knob at the toggle hole straight with the top two)......

I like this one the best. Easy on they eyes and looks perfect for the shape of this bass IMHO.

It looks very ALEMBIC as well.

This one:

After some more research and feedback I've decided to go with the 5 control model AND the layout mentioned above has grown on me enough that I feel comfortable with the conversion. I'll probably order the harness later this week and break out the drill/router soon after that (depending on my schedule).

Thanks for the opinions BTW.

you COULD also have the knobs kinda following the outline of the bottom of the body, sorta like a Stingray

There are plenty of ways it could be done with a blank slate.....the problem is there are already three existing holes that have to be worked into the layout so options are limited.