FS: Rare Doug Roomian 5 String with Bartolinis

rogerbmiller · #1 11-10-2009, 04:51 PM

I am selling my Doug Roomian five string bass. These are handmade custome basses from Doug Roomian, a luthier at Noe Valley Music in SF. You don't see these come up very much but folks swear by them. Doug makes basses starting at about $1500 and up.

This bass features an ebony fingerboard, maple neck, Bartolini Jazz Pickups with coil switch for parralel and series modes, Schaller Roller Bridge for adjustable string spacing, Schaller tuners, brass nut, and an alder body with center maple block.

The bass is a dark purple stain. Like all Roomians, it is well balanced and sounds great. This one has a killer B string with some real boom and clarity to it.

The coil switch needs a cleaning as it has a little "pop" sometimes when switched but it is otherwise working fine.

I am pricing this to sell fast at $500 (or best offer) shipped in a nice hard shell case as pictured. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. In lieu of cash I will accept a clean Fender MIA Jazz with S1 switching.

Thanks.

Roger

rogerbmiller · #2 11-11-2009, 09:04 AM

Here are some additional pics. Note the figuring on the maple neck.

rogerbmiller · #3 11-12-2009, 07:01 PM

Bumping this up for offers for cash and/or trade.

Thanks.

rogerbmiller · #4 11-14-2009, 05:43 AM

To the top for offers. Cash or trade of cash/trade. This is being sold at near parts value but make an offer anyway! Thanks.

rogerbmiller · #5 11-15-2009, 04:51 PM

BUMP for a custom made bass with Bartolini pickups.

Dee-man · #6 11-15-2009, 08:14 PM

Looks cool. I have a thing for purple basses. How old is it? What's the spacing at nut and bridge? How would you describe the neck feel (width front to back)? Tone? How heavy is it? Thx, DM

rogerbmiller · #7 11-16-2009, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee-man

Looks cool. I have a thing for purple basses. How old is it? What's the spacing at nut and bridge? How would you describe the neck feel (width front to back)? Tone? How heavy is it? Thx, DM

Hey there. Thanks for the note.

I just measure the nut which 1 7/8" across. String spacing is variable at the bridge with the schaller roller bridge so there is some customization you can do to suit your playing style.

The bass is pretty light. I don't have a scale nearby as the bass is in my office but I would put this maybe at 9 lbs. It feels a lot lighter than my SUB sterling 4 string and those things usually weigh in around 10 to 10.5 lbs.

The neck profile is pretty thin. Not Geddy Lee thin but nowhere near as clubby as a warwick 5. Very comfortable to play.

Tone is what you would expect from a wood bass with 2 passive bart J's. Warm and articulate with some nice variation from the coil switch to boot.

I hope this info is helpful. Let me know if you wanted any other details.

Thanks again.

RBM

Dee-man · #8 11-16-2009, 12:57 PM

Thanks. I'm gonna have to think about it - this would be a totally extraneous purchase. BTW, I forgot to ask, how old is it, are you original owner, and what kinda wood on the body? Thanks again, DM

rogerbmiller · #9 11-16-2009, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee-man

Thanks. I'm gonna have to think about it - this would be a totally extraneous purchase. BTW, I forgot to ask, how old is it, are you original owner, and what kinda wood on the body? Thanks again, DM

Don't know the age but I do know I am the third owner. The guy I bought it from knew a lot about the bass and got it form the original owner who spent over $1K on the bass. I would imaging it dates from the early to mid 90's based on the styling but I do not know. I can try to call Doug Roomian to find out. Unfortunately he does not number his basses. This is the second I have owned and the fourth I have played-- none had serial numbers.

Let me know what you decide to do. I may also consider trades or trade combo depending on what you have.

Thanks.

Roger

Dee-man · #10 11-16-2009, 04:47 PM

Thanks. Not sure what I'm gonna do. May have some trade items. I realize I forgot to ask a couple things:
1. How long is scale? 34 or 35?
2. Hard to tell in pics - is color a deep purple, or more of a wine color?
3. How would you describe fret and fretboard condition?

Thanks again, DM

rogerbmiller · #11 11-16-2009, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee-man

Thanks. Not sure what I'm gonna do. May have some trade items. I realize I forgot to ask a couple things:
1. How long is scale? 34 or 35?
2. Hard to tell in pics - is color a deep purple, or more of a wine color?
3. How would you describe fret and fretboard condition?

Thanks again, DM

I believe it is 35 inch scale but will measure tomorrow when I get to the office to be sure.

The color is more of a plum color than a wine color.

Frets and board are in very good condition but I will do a thorough run through tomorrow and follow up with details.

Thanks for your interest.

rogerbmiller · #12 11-17-2009, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogerbmiller

I believe it is 35 inch scale but will measure tomorrow when I get to the office to be sure.

The color is more of a plum color than a wine color.

Frets and board are in very good condition but I will do a thorough run through tomorrow and follow up with details.

Thanks for your interest.

Just following up. Scale is 34", not 35.

Frets and fingerboard are in excellent condition.

Thanks.

RBM

Dee-man · #13 11-17-2009, 12:36 PM

PM sent.

rogerbmiller · #14 11-17-2009, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee-man

PM sent.

Didn't receive on. Can you resend? Thanks.

Dee-man · #15 11-17-2009, 01:03 PM

Sent it about 5-10 minutes after posting "PM sent." It's now 12:02 PST.

rogerbmiller · #16 11-17-2009, 03:29 PM

SOLD!