Advice needed....

[T. B. Player]

Probably the wrong bunch of people to ask, but you can't make an informed decision until you do the research...

So...

Would I be considered certifiably insane if I thought about selling/trading/unloading my original MusicMan ('77) fretless (that still plays a sounds great after 30 years...with only one small edge chip) in order to secure funds for a used Roscoe?

And the research says......

[Hotblack]

Originally Posted by T. B. Player

Probably the wrong bunch of people to ask, but you can't make an informed decision until you do the research...

So...

Would I be considered certifiably insane if I thought about selling/trading/unloading my original MusicMan ('77) fretless (that still plays a sounds great after 30 years...with only one small edge chip) in order to secure funds for a used Roscoe?

And the research says......

The Roscoe is a wonderful bass, but you are going to have a easier time finding another used Roscoe than another 1977 Musicman (should you really miss it after the sale).

This is no knock on the Roscoe, a fantastic instrument, but some things are hard to find again, and you don't want to live with any regret.

Save your money. Be patient. Get the best of both worlds.

[maurilio]

+1

M

[00Funk]

A Roscoe fretless is the best fretless. Get the diamondwood neck.

I traded my Roscoe for an epoxy neck bass, and have regreted it ever since

[Scoopbass]

This is a difficult one to call because a lot depends upon your relationship with the Musicman.

If you're not massively attached to your Musicman, even after all these years, then, objectively, the Roscoe is a better instrument. If tone is all that concerns you then I suspect you'll be more than happy with the change to a Roscoe. It's better built, it's tonally more adaptable, and, in my opinion, it's a more handsome instrument.

However... In the real world we have to make real world decisions and a 30 year old MM is only going to increase in value when it becomes a 35 or 40 year old Musicman. So, if you are happy with how the MM plays (and after 30 years I suspect you probably are) then I would, probably, keep tight hold and attempt to finance your Roscoe yearnings in some other way.

The MM, sadly, isn't going to rise in value exponentially in the way that '70s Fenders now appear to be managing but I feel sure that their time will come. The number of good 30 year old Fenders is far outweighed by the number of beat up and barely playable ones and eventually the market will grow bored of paying way over the market price for average Fender basses.

I suspect that pre-Ernie MMs, early post ernie MMs, and some early G&L models will be the biggest benefactors of the shift.

I'd wrap that in cotton wool and sell my grandmother instead. I have a feeling that early MMs will rise massively in value over the next ten to fifteen years.

Hold on tight.

[T. B. Player]

Thanks, Scoop -

I also understand your signature completely.

A little more on the MusicMan - I used to have 2...one was a fretted '78 (natural/maple board) that had the square plate connecting the body and neck (a "transition" bass, but still original Leo Fender parts), while this one is the triangular plate. I let the fretted MusicMan go about 7 years ago to get into 5 string (and now 6 string) instruments. To be honest, the fretless has not seen the light of day for the past 9 years. It's stored right next to my 1958 Epiphone Broadway. That instrument was given to me in bad shape, and I had it redone. After the luthier worked his magic, I had it independently apprasied at $1800 (had put $400 into it). Now, however, the wood is cracking, the neck is bowing, and it's pretty much unplayable, but still a collectors' piece from what I'm told. I was offered $1100 for it about 6 years ago, but it remains in the closet.

The MusicMan might need a little neck adjustment (ever so slight - and it's NEVER been adjusted), but it still plays great with nice action and intonation (better than other fretlesses I've played in stores over the years). I'm just wondering if the MusicMan will eventually end up as the Epiphone, and if I'm not playing it, should I get something that I will play and probably never be able to afford otherwise.

Just some musing about music, so keep your thoughts coming. I appreciate them very much.

Z

[Saluki]

Do you already have a used Roscoe in mind or would you be selling to have the funds if the right one comes along? Also are you looking at fretted or fretless? I would be more apt to sell if I had one in mind that I knew I could get if sold the MM. I had to sell my jazz to my Roscoe, but I don't regret it. It was not of the vintage that yours is though.

[T. B. Player]

Originally Posted by Saluki

Do you already have a used Roscoe in mind or would you be selling to have the funds if the right one comes along? Also are you looking at fretted or fretless? I would be more apt to sell if I had one in mind that I knew I could get if sold the MM. I had to sell my jazz to my Roscoe, but I don't regret it. It was not of the vintage that yours is though.

It's out there...3006/fretted/maple board/Mahogany body/black hwde/Bart PUs. If it wasn't out there, I wouldn't be thinking of selling it...$$$ gained would go for something stupid...like tuition....or a refrigerator....