The JangleBox JB-OB

What it is


The JangleBox JB-OB is an onboard, active compression circuit — mounted to a custom pickguard with a 9V battery case — for installation in Rickenbacker 330, 340, 360 and 370 series guitars, both 6- and 12-string models. The JB-OB also fits the 360/12 C63 and 1993 Plus models. The circuit design is based on our JangleBox JBX compressor, and includes user-accessible gain and attack controls. It's a reversible installation that requires no drilling, no soldering, or modification to the guitar body.

Who it’s for


  • Guitarists who want the functionality of a 370/12 RM model on their own guitar, and don’t want to pay the high premium those collectibles now command.*


  • Guitarists who use compression primarily (or solely) with their Rickenbacker. They either don’t use a lot of other effects, or don’t use a pedalboard, so it’s more efficient for them to have a Rickenbacker with self-contained compression.


  • Collectors of Rickenbacker guitars who want to customize a favorite or “project” instrument.


  • Guitarists who simply prefer having compression controls right on their guitar rather than on a pedal.

*Actually, you’ll get considerably more compression functionality with the JB-OB than with a 370/12 RM, even if you have a 330, 340 or 360 model.

What it isn’t


The JB-OB is not a clone of the Rickenbacker E1 circuit used in the 370/12 Roger McGuinn Limited Edition guitars made circa 1988-89. The configurations of the selector and pickup switches are similar, but the JB-OB compression circuit is more powerful, and the shielding makes it more quiet. Most importantly, you can more effectively control the JB-OB compression output from mini knobs that weren't part of the E1 circuit set-up.

Why you’ll love it


  • The compression, tone, and sound is glorious. Our techs spent a lot of time on this circuit and you can hear it.


  • Each pickup has an individual volume control. But with the pickup selector set to the middle position, you can use all three pickup volume controls to blend and mix your tone. This function even works on the two-pickup 330 and 360 models. The tone flexibility is incredible, and it also allows you to contour the sound of the treble boost  by adjusting the neck, bridge or middle pickup volume. The boost is still sharp, but more rounded and a bit less intense than a JangleBox "Bright" or "T-Boost" setting.

 

  • Compression control is literally at your finger tips with the gain and attack mini knobs. You control the intensity and output of the compression, independent from the master volume knob.


  • Your guitar’s body is untouched, and the Rickenbacker visual aesthetic is maintained, with only two unobtrusive mini knobs added to the control settings.

The JB-OB is an aftermarket product from JangleBox, LLC. It is not affiliated with, nor endorsed by, the Rickenbacker International Corporation (RIC). “Rickenbacker®” is a registered trademark of the Rickenbacker International Corporation.

JB-OB FAQ

(Please take a moment to read this)

The installation, for most guitarists, isn't difficult. Customers tell us it takes them about 45 minutes to install the unit. You don't need to be very mechanically inclined, much less an electronic engineer. It does require patience and attention to detail. 


Only common guitar tools are needed — a wire cutter, socket set, Phillips head screwdriver, small flat head screwdriver and maybe a hex key. You won't be soldering pickup cables to potentiometers; you'll just insert wires into the JB-OB terminal block.


Some might find the installation more challenging than others. Please review our detailed installation guide and video to see if you're comfortable with the task. A good repair technician at your local music store can handle this installation for you. 


Please be advised that the JB-OB warranty does not cover improper installation.

There are variances in Rickenbacker pickguard drill holes from different years and models, but since 1990 the 330, 340, 360 and 370 models (6- and 12-string) have been typically consistent. The lower pickguard Rickenbacker sells on their website for the aforementioned models is the template we used for the JB-OB pickguard drill holes. 


If you’re concerned about the fit of your pickguard drill holes, you can confirm it with one of our inexpensive cardboard die-cut, “test” pickguards before purchasing a JB-OB. The purchase price of the test pickguard (not the postage) will be refunded when you buy a JB-OB. Go to our web store if you want to order a JB-OB test pickguard.


Also, you can always contact us to discuss a special-order pickguard.

We offer a black pickguard option. For gold or other options,  contact Tony Dudzik at Pickguardian.com. Tony has our drill specs; ask him to send the pickguard directly to us for circuit installation. He will bill you separately for custom pickguard work.

Neither output has Ric-O-Sound; both outputs are mono. 


“Ric-O-Sound®” is a proprietary, trademarked product of Rickenbacker. On the original 370/12 RM model, you cannot use Ric-O-Sound with the onboard compressor. It’s either/or. Given those limitations, and the fact that we’ve never been fans of ROS, it made no sense to include something like ROS as part of the JB-OB circuit.

Yes. It really is the best design solution — a good  balance of aesthetics, practicality, and cost. We considered a “hinge door” type of battery compartment for easier access, but it looked awful and was expensive. Routing a battery compartment into the back of the guitar was a non-starter. Placing the battery case on the underside of the pickguard is the cleanest, most cost-effective solution.

Sorry, but we cannot accommodate individual mods; they’re expensive, extremely time consuming, and not cost effective for our operation.

Unfortunately, no. The JB-OB works only with the 300-series guitars that we list. The JB-OB circuit is too large for the 600-series control cavity.

JB-OB Resources