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Wayne R <wayne.r...@comcast.net>: Aug 09 08:39AM -0700
For sale: Turner REN 4-string fretless bass.
In July 2005 I purchased the instrument from Michael Coats, who had
purchased it from Steve "Dude" Barr in 2004, who in turn had purchased it
from Rick Turner in November 2003. So much for the genealogy.
The top of the peg head has serial #1876-03. Mr. Turner told me 1876 is
total number of instruments he'd built to date, excluding mandolins, etc.
The 03 is the year of make.
The bass uses Thomastic Acousticore strings, has a piezo pickup with an 18v
powered preamp that requires two 9v batteries, and is a joy to play as well
as see. It is made from California sycamore and according to Rick Turner:
"The wood came from the Santa Cruz Mountains, It's quarter sawn California
sycamore. That top and back came from a 2" x 8" x 18' (yes, eighteen feet
long!) that I bought directly from the sawmill operator.
We have a 20 hp resaw so I'm able to cut up the billets into .170" thick
pieces and then sand them down to .110" for tops and backs...a bit thinner
for sides. The stuff is amazing but you'll have to wear a leopard skin
pillbox hat to go with it.
It's also got our 'exclamation point' markers for left hand positions, and
what we call hemp pattern purfling around the top."
I played the bass in various jazz bands in Nashville from 2005 until
recently, having spent many hours practicing, learning how to intonate
within reason, and how to extract the sound I wanted from the
instrument---for the sheer pleasure of playing this wonderful bass.
The cosmetics: In April 2013 I missed the rests on my Hercules stand and
one of the pegs hit the bottom of the instrument causing a small split in
the wood. Rick Turner sent me to Lauren Ellis, then living in Nashville,
who did a first-rate job of repairing the crack. I continued playing the
bass with no noticeable alteration in tone.
There are a few minor scratches and dings but nothing serious.
In December 2014 I noticed the instrument changing tone, losing its life,
its usual punch. It sounded like fret buzz on a fretless. Early in 2005 I
sent it back to Rick Turner who replaced the piezo pickup which had worn
out, put new Thomastic Acousticore strings on it, adjusted the neck, and
made the instrument whole again.
Documentation available to anyone interested.
I began playing a Fender fretless jazz bass I had in my closet. During the
time the REN was in California, I found myself playing the Fender more
frequently, so much so that upon its return the REN sat in my gig bag for
months. I no longer have the urge to play it, but at 73 I am entitled to
make a change:)
You can see photos of the instrument here:
<http://is.gd/rTgE6r>
You can hear it here:
<http://is.gd/tab9pU>
<http://is.gd/Hrl9WV>
I'd like to see the REN in the hands of a bass player who will use and
appreciate it. I am asking $1200 firm plus shipping (your call on method).
If you're interested, I'd love to hear from you.
Wayne Renardson
Nashville, TN 37204
wayne dot renardson at comcast dot net
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