Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Now that I'm about to secure a deal on a Janglebox (oh, BuddyDog, check your PMs!), I'm interested in finding out some of the settings for it.

I'm well aware that the "Normal" and "Bright" settings can nail the bright tone of 60s pop, but what else can it do? I've been under the impression that the "Dark" setting is perfect for jazz and blues.

Has anyone experimented with all three settings of the Janglebox? Which is your favorite? Which one is the most versatile?

Expecting your full review of these questions when you get your Janglebox Jake. I basically use it with 1 setting for my 360/12 and jangle away. I've tried it for a few other things, but not really being a big fan or user of compression pedals before the 360/12, that's about it.

I use mine mostly on the twelves (set bright with both knobs usually about 2:00-3:00) but also occasionally use it for other stuff. I used it on the dark setting on my hollow-body, humbucker-equipped Epiphone six string for the little lead riffs on this sample clip. I wanted a really muffled sound, so I rolled the tone on the guitar way back and then used the J-Box to dial-in a little bit of a pop on the attack to add some definition to the notes.

http://webpages.charter.net/tbradshaw/M ... sample.mp3

Usually I set the Gain knob at 10:00-11:00 and the Attack knob at about 2:00 o'clock. When I recorded the solo for "This Old Coat" I turned the Attack knob full on clockwise to get that real long sustain. I didn't achieve Roger McGuinn's tone on "Back From Rio" but it was satisfactory enough for me. Sorry, I don't have an mp3 file of the recording.
JimK

I use the JB more with 12-string Rics than with my six-stringers.

I have found that I keep the Gain and Attack Levels set at around 12 to 1:00 position ----- if I push either of them more to the right, it ends up contributing to feedback. Others don't seem to have this problem as JK mentions cranking the Attack all the way.

The Bright setting is a lot ... only use on songs where compression is a big factor... Byrdsy stuff, or if you want a bright and chirpry Beatle tune, like Buddy Holly's Words of Love or something like that.

I favor the Normal Channels more often than not. Works good where picking-patterns come into play for individual notes to ring out. Also sounds good to add a little something to the ryhthmn parts of lots of Beatle songs or other 60s tunes.

The Dark Channel also has some very interesting tonal qualities. It does add some very interesting tones with both 6 and 12 strings.... worth experimenting with. It is not just for jazz stuff.

We are interested to hear your JB impressions after you've plugged in and done some experimenting.

Hopefully Jake will post his impressions tomorrow after he receives it.

Tune your V64 down half a step, plug into your Deluxe Reverb and Byrd away!

Enjoy it, Jake!

BuddyDog wrote:Hopefully Jake will post his impressions tomorrow after he receives it.

Tune your V64 down half a step, plug into your Deluxe Reverb and Byrd away!

Enjoy it, Jake!

Dang it, Daddy! Why do you have to run errands BEFORE you go to the post office?

Only a few hours/minutes left before I test out my Janglebox!

Got it last night. It was in pretty good cosmetic condition and packed well (thanks, Steve)

Here's my thoughts:

Bright - Boy, oh boy, this is described well. When the attack is over a certain point, it becomes harsh and tough on the ears. Even tuned down a 1/2 step it still was loud. It was good for those Byrdsy leads and riffs, but it was still cool. Perfect with a 12-string, but too much with a 6-string (hollow or solid). Perhaps it was harsh because I have rounds on the 12? Need to get me some TI flats in the future.

Normal - Now this was the setting I liked. Extremely versatile, and the attack plays a big part in the sound. When "Attack" is cranked up nearly all the way, it can be bright without being harsh.

Dark - At first, I didn't see too much of a difference with "Dark" and "Normal" until I used the neck pickup of my 1997. It can get Jazzy, good lead for blues and with the tone rolled all the way up, nails the sound of a P-90 equipped hollow body in the neck position (think "I Feel Fine" by the Beatles).

Overall - This thing is LOUD!!! It makes my tiny little "peanut-sized" (term used by my friends to describe my) Deluxe Reverb sound like a tweed Bassman at 5. And the DR was at 2! It's gonna take some getting used to, but I generally like it.

If you're looking for a good compressor, I'd say that a Janglebox is worth the money. It's extremely versatile, and I'm sure the Janglebox 2 is even more so! I give Steve Lasko and his team a thumbs up! Someone recommend this thing to Pete Townshend or Eric Clapton, because it kicks *** with a Strat!

JakeK wrote:If you're looking for a good compressor, I'd say that a Janglebox is worth the money. It's extremely versatile, and I'm sure the Janglebox 2 is even more so! I give Steve Lasko and his team a thumbs up! Someone recommend this thing to Pete Townshend or Eric Clapton, because it kicks *** with a Strat!

Hey Jake, thanks for the thumbs up. More importantly, it's great to see that you're pleased with your JB!

Why would tuning down a half step(personal opinion here-yuck!)change how the bright setting of a Janglebox would react?

Perception is reality. A lot of people mix with their eyes....


A light gauge pick will jangle a hell of a lot more than anything else....

whojamfan wrote:Why would tuning down a half step(personal opinion here-yuck!)change how the bright setting of a Janglebox would react?

I don't think the tuning down a half step affects the bright setting at all. I noticed from the McGuinn video he tunes down a half step. I just think it sounds more "Byrd-y" that way.

BuddyDog wrote:

whojamfan wrote:Why would tuning down a half step(personal opinion here-yuck!)change how the bright setting of a Janglebox would react?

I don't think the tuning down a half step affects the bright setting at all. I noticed from the McGuinn video he tunes down a half step. I just think it sounds more "Byrd-y" that way.

I think he only tunes down now because it's easier to sing, and doesn't wanna believe the guitar can take the strain. Trying to play along with that DVD, back and forth with the albums, is really a frustrating ordeal. I wish he had recorded that DVD in standard tuning.

whojamfan wrote: Trying to play along with that DVD, back and forth with the albums, is really a frustrating ordeal. I wish he had recorded that DVD in standard tuning.

Yes, I quite agree. And I won't bust yer chops
JimK

jimk wrote:

whojamfan wrote: Trying to play along with that DVD, back and forth with the albums, is really a frustrating ordeal. I wish he had recorded that DVD in standard tuning.

Yes, I quite agree.

Yeah --- my biggest complaint, too !!