Greggo Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share Posted October 26, 2014 Bit of thread from the dead but I have just got this bass back after lending it out for a year and did a quick recording of a bass line over one of my songs. What a great recorded bass tone it has! Cuts through really nicely and mellows nicely with the tone off but still retains enough mids. Definitely a lovely line of basses from the 80s these! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megallica Posted October 27, 2014 Share Posted October 27, 2014 I've since acquired a passive RB850 and defretted it. I can see why there are held in high regard and I no longer miss my corvette $$. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greggo Posted October 27, 2014 Author Share Posted October 27, 2014 [quote name='megallica' timestamp='1414395569' post='2588780'] I've since acquired a passive RB850 and defretted it. I can see why there are held in high regard and I no longer miss my corvette $$. [/quote] Is passive one the same shape? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megallica Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 I've never seen an active model in the flesh so couldn't be 100% certain but I think the only difference is the active preamp and different pickup casing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjelkeman Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 (edited) I have an active and a passive (two actually) RB850. The key differences are: - active vs passive electronics (obviously) - the shape of the pickups, the active pickup has a groowed-out part on the short side (not as comfy to put the thumb on) - exposed metal on the pickups on the passive - passive has push pull pots for serial or parallel pickups (?), my active one does not - passive has the pots in a straight line, active on a curve Active version has a clearer sound, more mid and treble. Passive is more of a growl and a bit muted. Different but both good. Edited November 1, 2014 by bjelkeman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megallica Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 Thanks Tomas, great to have your knowledge around here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greggo Posted November 1, 2014 Author Share Posted November 1, 2014 [quote name='bjelkeman' timestamp='1414822879' post='2593622'] I have an active and a passive (two actually) RB850. The key differences are: - active vs passive electronics (obviously) - the shape of the pickups, the active pickup has a groowed-out part on the short side (not as comfy to put the thumb on) - exposed metal on the pickups on the passive - passive has push pull pots for serial or parallel pickups (?), my active one does not - passive has the pots in a straight line, active on a curve Active version has a clearer sound, more mid and treble. Passive is more of a growl and a bit muted. Different but both good. [/quote] I don't suppose you know the value of the pots in the active version do you? As mine had no wiring in I used a vvt wiring kit with 250 but don't know if this is sane as original. Volume tapers off too quickly so don't know if higher values needed to get bass close to original configuration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjelkeman Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 I don't I am afraid, and that bass is in a different city at the moment, so I can't open her up and look right now either. Maybe I can ask a friend though. I'll check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greggo Posted November 2, 2014 Author Share Posted November 2, 2014 Thanks mate, no worries if not as the bass does sound decent with what's in, gets something close to a p tone (but bit heavier) on neck pup so I'm happy! Megallica just seen one of your threads with all the roadstar you own! That is some lovely collection of them! That passive version is particularly nice! Only thing I'm not so keen on mine is that the painted neck is a bit sticky. Debating doing to it what I did to my squier tele and giving it a sanding with 1200 grit paper to make it more satin but worried it will make the finish pinky looking and ruin the look of the bass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjelkeman Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 (edited) Yeah, megallica and I are a bit of Roadstar freaks. I have, like, six. Edited November 2, 2014 by bjelkeman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megallica Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 I sold my RB760 a few weeks ago to buy an RB720 I was looking for a 20 fret maple neck with a P bass tone. The RB760 was really nice but it didn't offer anything that the RB950 and RB924 couldn't already do. My RB850 is now defretted, sanded down and finished in a honey coloured wood stain. I'm sure it's lost value because of this but it seems much more use so I'm not that bothered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greggo Posted November 3, 2014 Author Share Posted November 3, 2014 (edited) I've only got a limited time with the roadstar before I ultimately return it back to the rehearsal room I borrowed it from where I know the guy who runs it. Having played it a bit I remember now why after fixing it up and getting it working I "sub-lent" it out - I still prefer my yamaha bb and I don't have room for that many instruments in house! Only thing is I notice the person I lent it to has painted the bridge black (it was pretty grimy looking) but they've painted over the Allen key adjusters so the saddles cannot be moved! What's a good way of rectifying this before I send it back? Edited November 3, 2014 by Greggo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlungerModerno Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 [quote name='Greggo' timestamp='1415051721' post='2596218'] I've only got a limited time with the roadstar before I ultimately return it back to the rehearsal room I borrowed it from where I know the guy who runs it. Having played it a bit I remember now why after fixing it up and getting it working I "sub-lent" it out - I still prefer my yamaha bb and I don't have room for that many instruments in house! Only thing is I notice the person I lent it to has painted the bridge black (it was pretty grimy looking) but they've painted over the Allen key adjusters so the saddles cannot be moved! What's a good way of rectifying this before I send it back? [/quote] If you are sure it won't mess with the metal - paint stripper? If you can get purchase in the hex nuts you may be able to work the saddle screw loose. If they're filled I'd guess . . . I don't know. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megallica Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 I've owned a few Yamaha BB basses and highly rate them. The bridges on these Ibanez are quite easily corroded so would remove the bridge saddle completely before trying a little paint stripper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.