Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Looking into getting a Janglebox... my question is, does the JB2 do everything the Janglebox does, and more? or are there any base tone differences(aside from the added features)?

You mean "base" as in, "basic", or "bass" as in "low end"? Y'see, I have this thing about homonyms...

jingle_jangle wrote:You mean "base" as in, "basic", or "bass" as in "low end"? Y'see, I have this thing about homonyms...

We've noticed!

I get the feeling that for the current $40 price difference, the JB2 may be worth going with. I have had great success with my JB1, but if it lacks anything, it has always seemed to me that it's a bit of low end (basic bass down at the base Paul ). When I'm doing something more important than just playing for fun, I'll usually use my stereo setup and run one part through the JB and mix in a bit of non-compressed sound from the other channel to bring up the bottom end a little bit. Having the added tone controls on the JB2 might eliminate the need to do that, which is what probably interests me most about it. I suppose it also might make it more usable as a general-purpose compressor when you aren't looking for that jangle-Rickenbacker sound.

Understand that I'm speculating here and have not yet had an opportunity to compare them, but that's what peaks my interest in the JB2. I was looking at them on the JB website this afternoon and wondering whether they are different enough to invest an additional $265 to find out? If I was, on the other hand, buying my first one, I would most likely start with the JB2.

jingle_jangle wrote:You mean "base" as in, "basic", or "bass" as in "low end"? Y'see, I have this thing about homonyms...

base as in basic, sorry.

teb wrote:I get the feeling that for the current $40 price difference, the JB2 may be worth going with. I have had great success with my JB1, but if it lacks anything, it has always seemed to me that it's a bit of low end (basic bass down at the base Paul ). When I'm doing something more important than just playing for fun, I'll usually use my stereo setup and run one part through the JB and mix in a bit of non-compressed sound from the other channel to bring up the bottom end a little bit. Having the added tone controls on the JB2 might eliminate the need to do that, which is what probably interests me most about it. I suppose it also might make it more usable as a general-purpose compressor when you aren't looking for that jangle-Rickenbacker sound.

Understand that I'm speculating here and have not yet had an opportunity to compare them, but that's what peaks my interest in the JB2. I was looking at them on the JB website this afternoon and wondering whether they are different enough to invest an additional $265 to find out? If I was, on the other hand, buying my first one, I would most likely start with the JB2.

Thanks. Yeah, for only 40 dollars more, I might as well take the plunge.

teb wrote:Understand that I'm speculating here and have not yet had an opportunity to compare them, but that's what peaks my interest in the JB2. I was looking at them on the JB website this afternoon and wondering whether they are different enough to invest an additional $265 to find out? If I was, on the other hand, buying my first one, I would most likely start with the JB2.

Maybe adding my $.02 will help a bit. The JB2 will give you the identical sound, squish, and compression as the original JangleBox, but with a lot more versatility. In all honesty, if you typically just turn your JB on, set the toggle to Normal or Bright, then play straight ahead, there's probably no compelling reason to get a JB2.

If, on the other hand, you're a live performer who wants more tonal flexibility onstage, and would like that added treble boost on the fly (both in terms of frequency response and volume) you'll definitely want to look into a JB2.

The JB2 promo mailer many of you recently received is really true... basically, we just listened to a lot of touring guitarists and followed up on their suggestions to make the JB2 a far more flexible performance pedal.

The key to maximizing the effectiveness of the JB2 is to understand the basic setup. The On/Off switch (red LED) controls the Bass, Treble, Gain and Attack functions. The JangleBoost (blue LED) is a preset. When the JangleBoost is activated, only the Attack and Level can be adjusted.

The JangleBoost can work as a straight treble boost, or, by adjusting the Level louder than the Gain, can create a “boost-on-boost” effect. Or, by lowering the Level, you can add a sharp jangle that isn't excessive in the mix. Or, if you stay on the EQ side, you can adjust the treble and bass so that it mimics the JangleBoost frequency, then increase or lower the treble to your taste. Or, you can hit the JangleBoost, jack up the Level, and blow everyone out of the room.

It's really a very versatile pedal.

A few other considerations:

The JB2 is, by design, markedly larger than the JangleBox. If you're a stickler to the dimensions of your pedal board, this may be a significant consideration.

The JB2 introductory price of $265 is ending sometime in May. We'll be increasing it to $275.

The JangleBoost "Level" control is a volume control, same as the "Gain", just on separate channels. We gave them different designations so as not be confusing.

janglebox wrote:

teb wrote:Understand that I'm speculating here and have not yet had an opportunity to compare them, but that's what peaks my interest in the JB2. I was looking at them on the JB website this afternoon and wondering whether they are different enough to invest an additional $265 to find out? If I was, on the other hand, buying my first one, I would most likely start with the JB2.

Maybe adding my $.02 will help a bit. The JB2 will give you the identical sound, squish, and compression as the original JangleBox, but with a lot more versatility. In all honesty, if you typically just turn your JB on, set the toggle to Normal or Bright, then play straight ahead, there's probably no compelling reason to get a JB2.

If, on the other hand, you're a live performer who wants more tonal flexibility onstage, and would like that added treble boost on the fly (both in terms of frequency response and volume) you'll definitely want to look into a JB2.

The JB2 promo mailer many of you recently received is really true... basically, we just listened to a lot of touring guitarists and followed up on their suggestions to make the JB2 a far more flexible performance pedal.

The key to maximizing the effectiveness of the JB2 is to understand the basic setup. The On/Off switch (red LED) controls the Bass, Treble, Gain and Attack functions. The JangleBoost (blue LED) is a preset. When the JangleBoost is activated, only the Attack and Level can be adjusted.

The JangleBoost can work as a straight treble boost, or, by adjusting the Level louder than the Gain, can create a “boost-on-boost” effect. Or, by lowering the Level, you can add a sharp jangle that isn't excessive in the mix. Or, if you stay on the EQ side, you can adjust the treble and bass so that it mimics the JangleBoost frequency, then increase or lower the treble to your taste. Or, you can hit the JangleBoost, jack up the Level, and blow everyone out of the room.

It's really a very versatile pedal.

thanks for the clarification! sounds great.

Steve, can I ask you something?

I've always thought "Dark" on the Janglebox 1 could work for blues and jazz. Is that true/possible?

JakeK wrote:Steve, can I ask you something?

I've always thought "Dark" on the Janglebox 1 could work for blues and jazz. Is that true/possible?

Yes Jake, quite a few players have told us they use the "Dark" setting for just that purpose. It adds a completely different tonal coloring, and for certain tunes with certain guitars, "Dark" sounds pretty cool.

I know the right guitars and amp, too...a Gibson ES-175 and a tweed Fender.