Any of you guys ever...

[Bass-Ment]

own or play a high end Fodera? I'm wondering how they compare with our beloved Roscoe's.

[JOME77]

What's up Bass-Ment!

I've played a couple Fodera's. Good playing basses but not enough to lure me away from the Roscoe's. I've played just about everything out there and a properly setup Roscoe plays as good or better than any bass I've gotten my hands on.

.....Subjective comments of course!

That's not to say Fodera's aren't great basses, just a bit over priced IMO.

[Bass-Ment]

Hi Joe!

Good to hear from you. I went from 5 and 6 string Warwick Thumb basses to the fretted and fretless 5 Roscoe's I own now. I was asking about the Fodera because I'm not so sure I'm liking the 35" scale length. I have pretty big hands and yet my left pinky knuckle at the hand joint is aching now from the stretching.
I really like the sound of these better than the Warwicks so I have a dilema.
Have you ever played any 5 or 6 string 34" scale Roscoe's and if so what do they suffer compared to the 35"er?

I'm also thinking that I wish I had stuck with 6 strings. If you know of anyone wanting to trade their Roscoe 6 fretted and/or fretless for a 5s I might be their man.

[JOME77]

Originally Posted by Bass-Ment

Hi Joe!

Good to hear from you. I went from 5 and 6 string Warwick Thumb basses to the fretted and fretless 5 Roscoe's I own now. I was asking about the Fodera because I'm not so sure I'm liking the 35" scale length. I have pretty big hands and yet my left pinky knuckle at the hand joint is aching now from the stretching.
I really like the sound of these better than the Warwicks so I have a dilema.
Have you ever played any 5 or 6 string 34" scale Roscoe's and if so what do they suffer compared to the 35"er?

I'm also thinking that I wish I had stuck with 6 strings. If you know of anyone wanting to trade their Roscoe 6 fretted and/or fretless for a 5s I might be their man.

Good to hear from you too!

I've only played one 34" scale Roscoe. To tell you the truth, other than the slightly looser B string, it didn't feel any different than the 35" scale. It also still had that great Roscoe tone (although the p/u's were also relocated too).
I guess that I'm fortunate because the 35" scale feels great to me and I don't suffer any hand problems from playing it.
As great as the Roscoe 6's play, I did from time to time feel a bit more fatigue from playing those in the lower positions. Not enough to cause me to worry though. I just went back to the 5 because I so rarely played the high C. Keith's 6's are the absolute best and blast to play!

Keep an eye out in the "Bass For Sale" forum for a potential trade for a 3006 though because quite often players try the 6 and decide to go back to the 5. You may also put it up for trade in the "Bass for Sale" forum. That's a good way to bring a 3006 player sitting on the fence (concerning the 5/6 string issue) and into the trading field.

[Bass-Ment]

Thanks for your input! I went with the 5 strings when I made the switch from Warwick basses to my Roscoe's because it seemed like my Thumb 5 was what I was playing the most. During the winter (started back on Nov 8) I dropped out of the band I was playing in and the worship team I was on to really concentrate on becoming a better bass player. I was always learning songs but never learning better technique and developing new skills. I felt that I could really come a long way during the cold days when there isn't much else going on and I was right. After 2 month, I feel like I've climbed to a whole new level of playing. The reason I'm considering going back to 6 strings is that I'm doing a whole lot more with runs and I feel that not having to progress up the neck to catch stuff in 1 or 2 octaves higher will help with my speed and agility.

I bought the fretless because I've always wanted one, like the sound and intended to put time becoming good at it. I still will but guess that will wait until next winter's session. I felt it might be easier to conduct my 5 month "Bass Ninja" training on a fretted bass. Maybe I should have gone all out and used the fretless. I still could I suppose.

[jphilauren]

If you're looking to sell the fretted 5 string I might be interested

[Bass-Ment]

It's only 2 months old so I'd need quite a bit for it. I don't want to lose my shirt on the deal.

[CrashClint]

Originally Posted by Bass-Ment

own or play a high end Fodera? I'm wondering how they compare with our beloved Roscoe's.

I A/Bd my old Redwood LG3005 that DannyR owns (the SKB3005 I own now would definitely blow them out of the water) against a Emperor Deluxe 4 and a 5 TBer Smpugh had both Foderas come into his through a few deals and brought them over to my house. Though the Fodera basses are very nice instruments, I found my Roscoe felt, played and sounded better. Sheldon and I just kept saying, "I don't get it, why do these Fodera basses cost so much?" The Fodera Emperor Deluxe 5 sells for $9,000 new, as a matter of fact this Fodera is for sale on TB. For this type of money, I could just about buy a Century Sig V, SKB 3000 and a Century Standard and have three Roscoes. Or a tricked to the max Century Sig V and my choice of an SKB, LG or Century Sig V and two Century Standards.

Tell me, why would I buy a Fodera?

[CliffD]

I was recently able to play a fodera victor wooten 4 string with a buckeye burl top, walnut body, maple neck, & rosewood board. I thought it was an outstanding four string, but I certainly thought it was also overpriced. Roscoes are absolutely one of the best bass manufacturers and the people who build are the best as well.

[Gard]

Well, I'm going to be considered a bit biased here...but what the heck, I'll toss my comments in!



I was a manager at Bass Central for 5 years, and during that time I was fortunate to try out so many different makes of basses, and different models with different combinations of woods and electronics, that I could never in a thousand years remember and list even half of them.

There are some amazing basses out there, no doubt, builders that to this day I have nothing but the greatest admiration and respect for.

I did not own a Roscoe bass until I had been here in my capacity as the manager of the shop for almost a year. During that time, I gigged and practiced on a Zon Sonus Special 5 fretless and a Lakland 55-94 Standard fretted bass, both wonderful, fantastic instruments.

When I was at Bass Central, a question that was consistently asked of me by players that came in was this:

"Of all these basses, which one(s) would YOU take home today, if money were no object?"

Ever single time I was asked that question, I walked to the same section of the shop, and pointed out the group of basses built by one shop.

Anyone care to guess which shop it was?





(I work here because I have ALWAYS felt these were overall the best basses, and not just "for the money", but overall, my favorite basses, ever. Not the other way around - I approached Keith for a job because I couldn't think of anywhere else I would be happier working than for him - both as a person to work for, and because of the basses that came out of this shop. This may sound like a "brown nose job", but it isn't, it's just WHY I am here.)

[VroomVroom]

Awesome info, Gard. Now I feel I know...."the rest of the story."

I can't add much of anything because I've yet to play a Fodera. I will say that hearing Lincoln Goines and Richard Bona live certainly makes me lust after that tone. That said, I've heard so many horror stories about their poor customer support and general inconsistencies from instrument-to-instrument (even more so than the norm that we can expect of any fine handmade line of instruments) that I can't imagine owning one. Even if I could, it'd have to be an existing bass that really does it for me sonically. I'm against the notion of custom-ordering in general, and there's just no way I'd put down Fodera money on an unknown quantity.

[JOME77]

Originally Posted by Gard

Well, I'm going to be considered a bit biased here...but what the heck, I'll toss my comments in!



I was a manager at Bass Central for 5 years, and during that time I was fortunate to try out so many different makes of basses, and different models with different combinations of woods and electronics, that I could never in a thousand years remember and list even half of them.

There are some amazing basses out there, no doubt, builders that to this day I have nothing but the greatest admiration and respect for.

I did not own a Roscoe bass until I had been here in my capacity as the manager of the shop for almost a year. During that time, I gigged and practiced on a Zon Sonus Special 5 fretless and a Lakland 55-94 Standard fretted bass, both wonderful, fantastic instruments.

When I was at Bass Central, a question that was consistently asked of me by players that came in was this:

"Of all these basses, which one(s) would YOU take home today, if money were no object?"

Ever single time I was asked that question, I walked to the same section of the shop, and pointed out the group of basses built by one shop.

Anyone care to guess which shop it was?





(I work here because I have ALWAYS felt these were overall the best basses, and not just "for the money", but overall, my favorite basses, ever. Not the other way around - I approached Keith for a job because I couldn't think of anywhere else I would be happier working than for him - both as a person to work for, and because of the basses that came out of this shop. This may sound like a "brown nose job", but it isn't, it's just WHY I am here.)

Oh yeah!

That's about as bold as I remember you getting on this subject!

You're usually so much more ..... politically correct!

For what it's worth, Regardless of it's price, if I thought that Fodera, or any other bass for that matter, was better than a Roscoe, then I'd own it and play it!

.... and that's the GOSPEL according to Joe!

[CrashClint]

Originally Posted by JOME77

.... and that's the GOSPEL according to Joe!

Hmmm, the Book of Joe, I am not familiar with that one.

In my post I wasn't making the statement that Roscoe is the best bass for the money, I was stating, why would anyone pay that much for a Fodera when you could have a Roscoe that Plays Better, Feels Better and Sounds Better!

If someone gave me $9,000 and said I have to spend it on a bass(s), I would buy as many Roscoe basses as I could. Especially a certain.... hmm.... Century Sig V.

[Gard]

Originally Posted by CrashClint

Especially a certain.... hmm.... Century Sig V.

[VroomVroom]

That top. Please excuse me while I go change my diaper.

[RocketMusic]

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

That top. Please excuse me while I go change my diaper.

+1 on that! Holy cow, that is cool!

[Gard]

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

That top. Please excuse me while I go change my diaper.

...my work here is done...

[pbass6811]

Originally Posted by CrashClint

If someone gave me $9,000 and said I have to spend it on a bass(s), I would buy as many Roscoe basses as I could. Especially a certain.... hmm.... Century Sig V.

I'd buy a Fodera...'cause I already have a Roscoe! I'd play the Fodera for a little bit...then I'd sell it and buy another Roscoe!

[Bass-Ment]

Is there a way to get some sort an e-mail or pop-up alert that a thread you are participating in has new replies? I just saw how many replies to this there were and never knew.

Thanks!

[JOME77]

Originally Posted by CrashClint

If someone gave me $9,000 and said I have to spend it on a bass(s), I would buy as many Roscoe basses as I could. Especially a certain.... hmm.... Century Sig V.

I sense a disturbance in the force ......