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02-17-2012, 06:53 PM
|  | Layin' Down Time
Endorsing Artist: Roscoe Guitars Moderator | | Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Omaha, Nebraska | | | D049 - the "MonkeyMan"
It started back in the fall of 2006, when I deployed with my band to the Middle East. We had to use the gear there, and what was there was a *well* played Ernie Ball SR5. Now, I've always liked MusicMans - their build quality is second to none as far as mass produced instruments go, and their tone is incredibly useable. I really liked that particular bass - it lacked the harshness that many of the MMs I'd played had and it had a tone that was just solid in every style.
Fast forward a few years, I'd had my first Roscoe built and like so many of us, I was dreaming of another. I ran it by some of the guys here in the Roscoe forum - the idea of having a Roscoe built with a MM pickup, and pretty unanimously told "you'll ruin what makes a Roscoe a Roscoe" and talked out of it.
Fast forward a little more - I've got an LG 3006, an LG 3005 fretless, and an SKB Standard Plus JJ (without question, the tone monstor of the bunch!), and Gard, being the pusher that he is, innocently enough posts a picture of a chunk of Monkey Pod wood. He says "I've got enough of this left for a Standard Plus top - someone already bought the piece big enough for a Custom." Fellas, I was smitten - just in LOVE with the wood. And there, itching in the back of my mind, was the MusicMan pickup idea....
A phone call to Gard confirmed they could do it. So I sold (at fire sale prices, to insure cash quickly) two basses. A quick call to the Gardfather, and my hair-brained idea was on it's way.
And here she is:  
So, what did I hope to accomplish with this madness? Back to that bass in 06. I wanted the MusicMan tone, but without the harshness I'd so often heard. I wanted more - more funadmental, more body, more "bottom" to the note. So I asked for the body to made from mahogany (something Ernie Ball doesn't do). To work in concert with that, a birdseye maple fingerboard - I sill love that 'snap.' I originally spec'd a Bartolini preamp to be paired with the Basslines pickup, but at the last possible minute, decided an Aguilar 2 band might add the perfect 'bite' this bass should have. In short - I wanted Roscoe's take on the MusicMan sound.
And I got it - in spades. As usual, there's the stunning costmetics that we're all used to from the Greensboro crew. And of course the famous Roscoe playability - the bass pretty much plays itself. And the sound? I'm not sure there are enough synonyms for "perfect" - exactly what I wanted. MusicMan, but better - more refined, and somehow more agressive. A far better B string than ANY MusicMan I've ever played. Thick, muscular, solid tone. Snappy highs, delicious barky mids.
I can't thank Gard, Keith and everyone at Roscoe enough - for this wonderful instrument, and for indulging this crazy idea. I take a bit of pride that as of now, Roscoe is offering MM and MM/J setups on thier instruments. If they all sound like this one, this is going to be another Roscoe game-changer.
__________________ Groove is Everything
Jon Packard
Roscoe #6181/#6259/#D010/#D049 Quartus on Facebook my photography website Quote:
Originally Posted by KeithBMI  Pacman. He serves out nice warm portions of kickass. | |
02-17-2012, 07:16 PM
|  | Roscoe FANatic | | Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Jupiter FLA | | | I've got a Leo era 'Ray ('78) and nothing comes close to the tone of that MM pup in the sweet spot...
...until now.
Please!! post sound clips of that beauty!
My daughter said she'd dis-own me if I sold the B00#### but I think she'd forgive me if I replaced it with something like this...
__________________
Jim
Roscoes LG3000(#4694), LG3005(#4895), LG 3000FL(#6244), SKB3006(#4654)
6.0 Shuttle, ShuttleMax 12.0
ACME Low B-2(x2)
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02-17-2012, 07:30 PM
|  | Supporting Member | | Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Augusta, GA | | | A definite Beauty you have there.
__________________
Fretless Club #547, Musicman StingRay Club #270,Source Audio Club #36, Bass Tattoo Club #2, GA Bassist club #13, Crappy Bassist with Expensive Gear #139
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02-17-2012, 08:33 PM
|  | Moderator Moderator | | Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Fargo, ND | | | Friggin' sweet!
__________________
Roscoe Century 3005 #6091/Roscoe Century 3005-J #6264/Roscoe Century 3005-JM #6393 (under construction)/Eden WT1205/ Eden D610XST Quote:
Originally Posted by Gard Yeah.
I suck, AND I'm dumb.  | |
02-17-2012, 09:16 PM
|  | I'm here, now what? | | Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Boise, ID | | OOF! 
Congrats!
__________________ Play what you can, when you can, while you can. 
Atomic | Fender | Hamer | Roscoe | Spector | Zon
Aguilar | Mesa-Boogie
http://myspace.com/bobunit9 |
02-18-2012, 06:53 AM
|  | Providing the Lowend for the High One | | Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bonaire, GA (near Macon) | |
Awesome looking bass Jon! Great idea too. I'd say that you now have all basses covered. 
Beautiful top! |
02-18-2012, 06:55 AM
|  | Drunk on power... and beer | | Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Co. Kerry, Ireland. | | | I utterly love how this bass came out! Bloody gorgeous, crazy top.
To be honest, a MM Roscoe has been on my mind for a long time too.
__________________
The winners are crying and the losers are dancing. |
02-18-2012, 07:32 AM
| | Registered User
Owner: LilRay's Leatherworks | | Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Between my Roscoe and Leather | | Quote:
Originally Posted by JBFLA I've got a Leo era 'Ray ('78) | What a coincedence I'm a Nichols era Ray from '78.   Quote:
Originally Posted by JOME77 Awesome looking bass Jon! Great idea too. I'd say that you now have all basses covered.
Beautiful top! | Very Phunny Joe! 
Jon I don't know a better cat to have the MonkeyMan.  Enjoy it brotha.
God Bless, Ray
__________________
1 Peter 1:13 Quote: |
Originally Posted by RocketMusic Ray is correct! | |
02-18-2012, 07:34 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Warner Robins GA | | [QUOTE=Darkstrike; Utterly love how this bass came out!
Bill,
I knew you would love this even if it isn't green.
Jon,
Great set of specs and a gorgeous top.
As Joe said you've covered the basses.
Gard,
Looks like a great option pkg. Century Std.-MM ?
Last edited by bassWR : 02-18-2012 at 07:55 AM.
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02-18-2012, 07:38 AM
| | Registered User
General Manager, Roscoe Guitars | | Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Greensboro, NC, USA | | As the first guy to have spent time playing this beast, I can concur enthusiastically with everything Jon says.
This thing is the STUFF!!!!
I am stoked to get more of these going, and get an MJ version started.... 
__________________
Roscoe Guitars Factory Tour/GTG/Jimmy Haslip clinic June 16th!!! See Roscoe Forum for details!!!
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02-18-2012, 08:01 AM
| | | | Wow man! You now own two of the coolest Standards I've seen. There's just something about MM pups and those huge pole pieces that looks and sounds awesome. Have fun with it! |
02-18-2012, 08:06 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Warner Robins GA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Gard
and get an MJ version started.... | Now that is a great idea. Guess that's why you're the GM. 
While we're on the subject; where does Monky Pod come from? Thats a new one on me.
You guys at Roscoe did a great job cutting that top. The natural features really flow with the shape of the bass. Kudos. |
02-18-2012, 08:15 AM
| | Drunk on power... and beer | | Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Co. Kerry, Ireland. | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Gard I am stoked to get more of these going, and get an MJ version started.... | Wouldn't mind trying that with a Delano Hybrid setup, but otherwise, wouldn't the J's output be weak compared to the MM's?
__________________
The winners are crying and the losers are dancing. |
02-18-2012, 08:21 AM
| | Registered User
Owner: LilRay's Leatherworks | | Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Between my Roscoe and Leather | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Darkstrike Wouldn't mind trying that with a Delano Hybrid setup, but otherwise, wouldn't the J's output be weak compared to the MM's? | I'd bet they can match the output somehow. By over or under winding? I dunno how the Barts work. 
God Bless, Ray
__________________
1 Peter 1:13 Quote: |
Originally Posted by RocketMusic Ray is correct! | |
02-18-2012, 08:35 AM
| | Layin' Down Time
Endorsing Artist: Roscoe Guitars Moderator | | Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Omaha, Nebraska | | | They're going to be using Bart MMs on the stock basses from now on.
__________________ Groove is Everything
Jon Packard
Roscoe #6181/#6259/#D010/#D049 Quartus on Facebook my photography website Quote:
Originally Posted by KeithBMI Pacman. He serves out nice warm portions of kickass. | |
02-18-2012, 08:39 AM
| | Drunk on power... and beer | | Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Co. Kerry, Ireland. | | Quote:
Originally Posted by LilRay I'd bet they can match the output somehow. By over or under winding? I dunno how the Barts work.
God Bless, Ray | Maybe! Barts usually are popular for J/MM setups too, so maybe they already have something to suit. Quote:
Originally Posted by Pacman They're going to be using Bart MMs on the stock basses from now on. | I head that, with the tabs too, rather than soapbars.
__________________
The winners are crying and the losers are dancing. |
02-18-2012, 09:03 AM
| | Registered User
General Manager, Roscoe Guitars | | Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Greensboro, NC, USA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by bassWR Now that is a great idea. Guess that's why you're the GM.
While we're on the subject; where does Monky Pod come from? Thats a new one on me.
You guys at Roscoe did a great job cutting that top. The natural features really flow with the shape of the bass. Kudos. | Monkey Pod is from Hawaii, and yeah, the guys are awesome with that kind of stuff!
(Me, I'm just paying attention to what y'all want...)
__________________
Roscoe Guitars Factory Tour/GTG/Jimmy Haslip clinic June 16th!!! See Roscoe Forum for details!!!
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02-18-2012, 02:52 PM
| | Moderator Moderator | | Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Fargo, ND | | Jon, soundclips. Now. We need to hear it.
__________________
Roscoe Century 3005 #6091/Roscoe Century 3005-J #6264/Roscoe Century 3005-JM #6393 (under construction)/Eden WT1205/ Eden D610XST Quote:
Originally Posted by Gard Yeah.
I suck, AND I'm dumb. | |
02-18-2012, 03:25 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Niagara Falls, ON, Canada | | | Yup, I can't wait to hear this thing. Mahogany, Basslines MM, OBP-2... sounds like a recipe for ANGRY. |
02-18-2012, 03:56 PM
| | Registered User
Owner: LilRay's Leatherworks | | Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Between my Roscoe and Leather | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by Ryan L. Jon, soundclips. Now. We need to hear it. | VIDEO!
God Bless, Ray
__________________
1 Peter 1:13 Quote: |
Originally Posted by RocketMusic Ray is correct! | | | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
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