I need youz guy's help! Gard too!

[RTL]

Thanks Gard, you rock!

Everyone else as well, thanks so much for all your help! I think I'm almost there!

[VroomVroom]

FWIW...and definitely excuse the bass solo...but this is still probably my favorite 'live' example of the sound of my fertile myrtle beauty...

Bye Bye Blackbird

...and here are some samples from a recording session I did in May:

Latin Pop

R&B/Jazz

[jimb213]

Originally Posted by Gard

It's definitely not like Buckeye tonally - imagine "wet" sounding maple, that's kinda what I hear with myrtle...

...and the white wenge or ya-ya I'm looking into, it sure looks cool!

ya-ya? okay now you're just making stuff up...

[Darkstrike]

I've seen it called yaya before, or lati,

[RTL]

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

FWIW...and definitely excuse the bass solo...but this is still probably my favorite 'live' example of the sound of my fertile myrtle beauty...

Bye Bye Blackbird

...and here are some samples from a recording session I did in May:

Latin Pop

R&B/Jazz

Jerry,

I had to wait until I got home from work to listen to this stuff... It was totally worth the wait.

First off,
That is just an incredible sounding bass. WOW! I don't think anyone on all of TB has come up with a word that adequately describes the way these basses sound. They really have a distinct voice that absolutely nothing else can fake. Do you guys know what I'm talking about?

There are so many boutiques that sound so much alike that it's impossible to pick one out in a mix. You don't hear people saying "Oh, sounds like a Ken Smith" or "Yup.. Yeah, that's definitely a Fodera". That stuff just doesn't happen!

Then, there are Roscoes.

Seriously, these basses are so unique that I would go so far as to say that the Roscoe sound (at least to me) is as identifiable as a Precision or Jazz. Every Roscoe I've played or heard has that same fat, confident, lyrical kind presence. They talk, and with authority!

I've never been more proud to own such a fine instrument.

Secondly,
Jerry. I am floored every time I hear you play. If I was half the bassist you are, I'd actually feel worthy to be playing a Roscoe!
Seriously, man.. Not many bassists inspire me to play, but there's something about what you do that just sounds "right". Your timing, melodic sense, and groove are just amazing. So, really.. Thanks for posting these clips!

And finally,
Gard, you and everyone at the shop are making magic over there. If I won the lottery, I'd clear out every dealer in Texas! I'll be pestering you soon enough to find me a gorgeous piece of wood

Okay, I'm done gushing now!

[Basso Gruvitas]

Originally Posted by Gard

Well...how 'bout we discuss what kind of sound you're shootin' for as well? That may help us answer some things as much as the look you're going for...

+1

Dude, you HAVE to have a bass you like the sound of. Jaco didn't worry about how his bass looked but his sound has influenced a generation of players.

[RTL]

Originally Posted by Basso Gruvitas

+1

Dude, you HAVE to have a bass you like the sound of. Jaco didn't worry about how his bass looked but his sound has influenced a generation of players.

I'm not trying to figure out how I want it to sound. That's why I already had my pickups/pre and body wood picked out.

Top woods aren't going to dramatically affect the overall tone anyway. It will still sound like a Roscoe no matter what. Since that's an unshakable truth, I'm trying to pick out how I want it to look.

In case you missed it, I already own a Roscoe. I love the way they sound. That's why I'm buying another one.

[Basso Gruvitas]

Originally Posted by RTL

I'm not trying to figure out how I want it to sound. That's why I already had my pickups/pre and body wood picked out.

Top woods aren't going to dramatically affect the overall tone anyway. It will still sound like a Roscoe no matter what. Since that's an unshakable truth, I'm trying to pick out how I want it to look.

In case you missed it, I already own a Roscoe. I love the way they sound. That's why I'm buying another one.

Okay. From your initial posts, it appeared that you were focused on looks. That's why Gard chimed in saying, "well how do you want the thing to SOUND?"

[Gard]

Originally Posted by RTL

Top woods aren't going to dramatically affect the overall tone anyway. It will still sound like a Roscoe no matter what. Since that's an unshakable truth, I'm trying to pick out how I want it to look.

Well, the answer to that is "sometimes"...



The top CAN be a strong component of the overall tone, depending on several factors, primarily the type of wood and the thickness of the wood. On our basses, typically the top is pretty thick (~1/2"), so there is some "meat" there to account for. Some woods, say Buckeye Burl for instance, have little to not effect; others, say Boxelder Burl or Bubinga, will have a large effect.

[Darkstrike]

Originally Posted by Gard

On our basses, typically the top is pretty thick (~1/2"), so there is some "meat" there to account for. Some woods, say Buckeye Burl for instance, have little to not effect; others, say Boxelder Burl or Bubinga, will have a large effect.

Mine's half the body, thats gotta do something.

[VroomVroom]

Ryan, you're way too kind, my man. Thank you for the generosity of your words. I'm tryin' to do my thing and become a better musician, just like the rest of us.


Warm.

Fat.

Sweet.


Those are the first three words that come to mind when I think of the Roscoe sound. While it's inherent in every Roscoe I've played, my myrtle one seems to have it in spades. Those three words fit from the lowest 'B' to the highest 'C' - and I certainly use the full range of the bass at every opportunity. My still-somewhat-new-to-me Roscoe...



...maple over ash, wenge wedge neck, and Nord/Aggie electronics, offers the same but with some more bark & bite. It's a ridiculous instrument, for sure, but by no means does it make the myrtle one redundant. (I've got sound files in another thread, so I won't bore you with them here.) That, to me, is the true beauty of these instruments - there is common ground, but each one is unique. Of course, that can be a downside if you get your hands on one that doesn't truly speak to you. In that regard, I'm not one of the brave souls who could comfortably initiate a custom order....too much OCD there where I need to hear before I can commit. (Not trying to dissuade you by any means. Heck, the bass I just mentioned was a custom...just turns out it works better for me than the cat who originally ordered it. )

Anyway, good luck with your pursuit. I'm anxious to hear about the route you eventually choose.

[RTL]

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

Ryan, you're way too kind, my man. Thank you for the generosity of your words. I'm tryin' to do my thing and become a better musician, just like the rest of us.


Warm.

Fat.

Sweet.


Those are the first three words that come to mind when I think of the Roscoe sound. While it's inherent in every Roscoe I've played, my myrtle one seems to have it in spades. Those three words fit from the lowest 'B' to the highest 'C' - and I certainly use the full range of the bass at every opportunity. My still-somewhat-new-to-me Roscoe...



...maple over ash, wenge wedge neck, and Nord/Aggie electronics, offers the same but with some more bark & bite. It's a ridiculous instrument, for sure, but by no means does it make the myrtle one redundant. (I've got sound files in another thread, so I won't bore you with them here.) That, to me, is the true beauty of these instruments - there is common ground, but each one is unique. Of course, that can be a downside if you get your hands on one that doesn't truly speak to you. In that regard, I'm not one of the brave souls who could comfortably initiate a custom order....too much OCD there where I need to hear before I can commit. (Not trying to dissuade you by any means. Heck, the bass I just mentioned was a custom...just turns out it works better for me than the cat who originally ordered it. )

Anyway, good luck with your pursuit. I'm anxious to hear about the route you eventually choose.

Thanks again, Jerry! And thanks for your help. I am extremely OCD when it comes to this stuff as well, and looking at different tops all night sure didn't make it easier to decide!

I am pretty much sold on the Spalted Purpleheart board, though.. That's just beautiful, and kind of a trademark Roscoe thing, in my mind.

For the top, I'm down to:
Amboyna
Koa
Myrtle Burl
Bubinga
The fabled "White Wenge"

I've never heard a Roscoe with a Bubinga top, though. As long as it doesn't darken the tone too much, it's definitely in the running.

Body will definitely be Swamp Ash.

Not sure about the Wenge wedge neck. It sure is gorgeous though. How would you compare it to a maple neck?

Bartolini CB pickups for sure, and I'm digging the Audere preamp the more and more I hear it. I like its open-ness and versatility. It pairs well with Bartolinis.

Top-matching 12th fret wood inlay

Diamondwood nut

Black Hardware

Almost there, folks!

[VroomVroom]

Sounds like a gorgeous instrument! Too many variables to say for sure...at least in my case...about the wenge wedge neck. I can tell you that this bass just SPEAKS down low. It's more aggressive than the other one across the frequency range, and it really barks. It's voiced such that it almost makes my MTD six redundant. Almost.

[irishryno]

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

Ryan, you're way too kind, my man. Thank you for the generosity of your words. I'm tryin' to do my thing and become a better musician, just like the rest of us.


Warm.

Fat.

Sweet.


Those are the first three words that come to mind when I think of the Roscoe sound. While it's inherent in every Roscoe I've played, my myrtle one seems to have it in spades. Those three words fit from the lowest 'B' to the highest 'C' - and I certainly use the full range of the bass at every opportunity. My still-somewhat-new-to-me Roscoe...



...maple over ash, wenge wedge neck, and Nord/Aggie electronics, offers the same but with some more bark & bite. It's a ridiculous instrument, for sure, but by no means does it make the myrtle one redundant. (I've got sound files in another thread, so I won't bore you with them here.) That, to me, is the true beauty of these instruments - there is common ground, but each one is unique. Of course, that can be a downside if you get your hands on one that doesn't truly speak to you. In that regard, I'm not one of the brave souls who could comfortably initiate a custom order....too much OCD there where I need to hear before I can commit. (Not trying to dissuade you by any means. Heck, the bass I just mentioned was a custom...just turns out it works better for me than the cat who originally ordered it. )

Anyway, good luck with your pursuit. I'm anxious to hear about the route you eventually choose.

I almost needed some time alone on this one. Holy Crap Batman! and yay nother series to follow from Roscoe. tytyty

[irishryno]

Gard, I'm almost two years out from one of these..these..I don't know how to refer to these objects of beauty, should we start talking now? also, if I'm gassing for a sadowsky as well, is that cheating?

[RTL]

Okay, so I've finally got everything and I mean everything down to the very last little detail planned out.

Very very very special thanks to Gard for all your advice, and for putting up with me on this - I'm sure you were reaching for the Advil bottle every time I called!

I don't wanna throw all the specs up here until I officially have a number, but I'm pretty sure that they've never done one like this before.

[LightGroove]

Hey RTL,

Not sure what kind of schedule you have but I most certainly encourage you to pick up a plane ticket and fly to Greensboro before placing your final order. The basses there are unbelievable and will give you a much better idea of looks etc. I left drooling and scrounging for 10 grand pretty quick. They had 2 headed to Bass Player review that were beyond belief..So yea pay the 300 round trip fees and a 50 hotel and do it right. You can even look at the stacks of wood/tops...

[RTL]

I've desperately been wanting to visit the shop, but my work schedule doesn't allow for it, unfortunately. If I'm gone for more than a day, everything tends to fall apart. Haha.

I will at some point this year or next, but I'm so confident in everything they do, that I have no worries about placing an order just by seeing the wood they'll be using