5836...and now 5907...argh!

VroomVroom · #1 10-24-2008, 11:22 AM

Do I need this temptation?!? I blame Gard.

So, my local store has had this one for a while.

Honestly, I'm shocked it's still there...must be the economy. This thing plays like...well...a Roscoe, and it sounds incredible. I pick it up every time I visit the store. It's absolutely an amazing instrument. Had I not purchased my Zon shortly before this came in, I'd own it. But now...they have this:

I haven't had the pleasure of playing it, but I understand it sounds as good as it looks. This could really be trouble. Darnit!

My first Roscoe was an SKB-3006 fretless, and I still miss it. (This was the one where I asked about a new neck and Gard zinged me.

) The problem - I didn't get enough calls for fretless, which meant I didn't practice enough, which meant I couldn't play in tune when I did use it. Realistically, none of that has changed. However, the 34" scale of the Zon does help my intonation issue (at least, that's my story, and you bet I'm sticking to it). But when I look at both of those instruments above, I start thinking impure thoughts.

dataBASS5 · #2 10-24-2008, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

But when I look at both of those instruments above, I start thinking impure thoughts.

Who wouldn't, those are HOT!!!

VroomVroom · #3 10-24-2008, 11:54 AM

Adding to my own pain, a shot of how happy my current sixer would look with a new family member...

Gard · #4 10-24-2008, 11:56 AM

Jerry, I QC'd that fretless (well, I QC all of 'em!

), and yeah, it's pretty darn special (of course, aren't they ALL!

). It's a bit "darker" in character compared to the Myrtle SKB 5, mainly because of the fingerboard difference, IMO - the Ebony board is a bit "warmer" in sound than the diamondwood.

Both of those are smokin' fretlii!

JOME77 · #5 10-24-2008, 11:59 AM

Send the Zon packing my man!

Nothing compares to a Roscoe fretless!

.....OK, well a ZON with a diamondwood fingerboard is nice but they ain't as purty as a Roscoe!

youngs · #6 10-24-2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dataBASS5

Who wouldn't, those are HOT!!!

I don't see anything here. I CAN'T!
Don't look at my fingers.

Gard · #7 10-24-2008, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOME77

Send the Zon packing my man!

Nothing compares to a Roscoe fretless!

.....OK, well a ZON with a diamondwood fingerboard is nice but they ain't as purty as a Roscoe!

Whatchu talkin' bout, Willis?

You don't HAVE a Roscoe fretless...YET!

...you better back that talk up with somethin'!

....Zon makes my SECOND favorite fretless: Zon Sonus Special 5 Fretless. Had one for 5 years as my primary bass, killer instrument. Played 2 notes on the bass that is my avatar, and sold the Sonus...

VroomVroom · #8 10-24-2008, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOME77

Send the Zon packing my man!

Nothing compares to a Roscoe fretless!

.....OK, well a ZON with a diamondwood fingerboard is nice but they ain't as purty as a Roscoe!

LOL! Believe me, Joe...it's on my mind. My only concerns - are the 35" scale, and, to some extent, the tone. My Zon has a diamondwood fingerboard and the Legacy Elite electronics with the neck pickup in the sweetspot. Between the two, the upper mids are RIGHT HERE and the sound is just incredible. Aesthetically, and from a playability (aside from scale) perspective...there's no doubting the Roscoe. Nonetheless, here's a shot of the Zon:

I definitely need to play this thing and see what it does for my ears...and to my wallet.

CliffD · #9 10-24-2008, 01:53 PM

Jerry if I were you I'd ditch the zon and pick up the SKB fretess, but that's just my own tastes right there. When I purchased my fretless six I had the chance to play a zon sonus, but went with a chambered MTD, I just didn't like the sound and feel of the neck.

VroomVroom · #10 10-27-2008, 10:04 AM

Well, darnit, the deed is done. I played the bass for quite a while, but honestly I knew in just over a minute that I wouldn't be able to leave without it. The instrument just sounds incredible! My biggest concern was the projection of the upper mids, particularly since the Zon really shines in that sonic range. But, #5907 fits the bill! Typical Roscoe punch, with awesome clarity throughout, but those upper mids...nice and fat without being honky or overbearing.

Here's some family portrait action...

Had a long wedding gig yesterday, with two sets of jazz up front, but I didn't have the courage to play the fretless, so it'll have a debut this coming weekend...I can't wait!

Gard · #11 10-27-2008, 10:53 AM

Jerry, congrats man, that's a beautiful pair!

I really did like that fretless, just a very good sounding bass, played and looked incredible.

JOME77 · #12 10-27-2008, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

LOL! Believe me, Joe...it's on my mind. My only concerns - are the 35" scale, and, to some extent, the tone. My Zon has a diamondwood fingerboard and the Legacy Elite electronics with the neck pickup in the sweetspot. Between the two, the upper mids are RIGHT HERE and the sound is just incredible. Aesthetically, and from a playability (aside from scale) perspective...there's no doubting the Roscoe. Nonetheless, here's a shot of the Zon:

I definitely need to play this thing and see what it does for my ears...and to my wallet.

I think the 35" scale factor will work out no problem since you have the fretted Roscoe too. You'd probably have more problems keeping the Zon.
Great looking Zon but you did the right thing. You have got two absolutely awesome looking Roscoe's!

....and there's not doubt in my mind that they play and sound just as nicely!

Congratulations!

CrashClint · #13 10-27-2008, 11:41 AM

Just needs to replace that Ken Smith strap now.

VroomVroom · #14 10-27-2008, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrashClint

Just needs to replace that Ken Smith strap now.

LOL! I've not found a better one, unfortunately.

Gard · #15 10-27-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrashClint

Just needs to replace that Ken Smith strap now.

...I could say something funny, but I won't.

...I gotta agree with Jerry, those are nice straps. However, I prefer and use Comfort Strapps.

Basso Gruvitas · #16 10-27-2008, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOME77

Send the Zon packing my man!

Nothing compares to a Roscoe fretless!

.....OK, well a ZON with a diamondwood fingerboard is nice but they ain't as purty as a Roscoe!

+1 That is PRECISELY what I did. The Roscoe's 35" scale and the 18mm string spacing really made a difference in the playability of the instrument.

Vroom, sometimes I just bring my fretless on my own.....without the bandleader requesting it.......know what I mean??

Congrats on the purchase! Let that be the motivation to practice and bring it to the gigs!

VroomVroom · #17 10-27-2008, 01:10 PM

If you guys knew how many straps I've tried over the years...

I just keep coming back to these - they're really comfortable and are the perfect length for someone, like me, who wears the instrument up high.

I definitely could've used the fretless on yesterday's gig, but I just wasn't comfortable doing so. Lots of sight-reading both during the ceremony, and the reception. This was a traditional Jewish wedding, and let me tellya...the Horas were flying.

But sonically, it would've cut just fine. It'll get a workout this coming weekend on some jazz and R&B stuff.

CliffD · #18 10-27-2008, 05:57 PM

Congrats on the bass Jerry, that sounds and looks like a killer fretless!

Just to put it out there, here's my favorite strap, go two of 'em.
http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...rap?sku=369224

VroomVroom · #19 10-27-2008, 07:14 PM

Thanks, Cliff...

The Levy's strap is terrific....I think I still have one in the closet.

Sometimes karma is a cool thing. I just got a call from one of my favorite drummers - he booked me on four trio and one quartet hits between now and the end of the year. Intonation be damned, the fretless will be seeing lots of work!

XavidmanX · #20 10-27-2008, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

Well, darnit, the deed is done. I played the bass for quite a while, but honestly I knew in just over a minute that I wouldn't be able to leave without it. The instrument just sounds incredible! My biggest concern was the projection of the upper mids, particularly since the Zon really shines in that sonic range. But, #5907 fits the bill! Typical Roscoe punch, with awesome clarity throughout, but those upper mids...nice and fat without being honky or overbearing.

Had a long wedding gig yesterday, with two sets of jazz up front, but I didn't have the courage to play the fretless, so it'll have a debut this coming weekend...I can't wait!

Congrats! That is beautiful. I'm glad that I don't live close to a nice music store like Gelb. Make sure you get that baby recorded soon so we can all lament over the fact that we don't own it!!