I present to the forum, SLATEbass (NBD)

()smoke() · #1 05-20-2011, 01:51 PM

Back Story

As some of you guys know, our little boy has a very rare disease called Moyamoya, and has suffered 4 severe strokes since last July. The period between mid-February and now has been especially volatile for him, and we spent 6 solid weeks of an 8-week period in the hospital, with over 15 ER visits. He's had 2 surgeries so far to introduce better blood supply to his brain. Due to the medical costs, I had to sell most of my gear last fall, including all my instruments and my favorite of all, my Roscoe LG 6 that i'd played exclusively since June of '09. Our son called that one 'Slate Bass' when i first got it--he was 16 months old and already claiming it for himself, ha (Slate is his name).

Well, after months of having no bass to play, I decided I would have to figure out a way to put aside a little money each month to buy another. With the help of Greg and Gard, I found SLATEbass at Rocket Music. I'd seen this one when it came in, and remembered it, and it was still there.

The rest kind of fell into place like it was meant to be--and after almost 6 months of saving up, I finally paid it off last weekend.

Slate is a fighter and, at age 3, he's tougher than most men I know. His tenacity and the kindness of others throughout his ordeal is simply inspiring to me. It chokes me up, and I'm ok with that because it's real.

Thanks Greg. Thanks Gard. ROSCOE!

So, here we go--SLATEbass (forgive the phone pics, I'll get better ones soon):

JOME77 · #2 05-20-2011, 02:15 PM

Beautiful bass Smoke! Great to see that that one found a good home!

I'm so sorry to hear about your son but it's so inspiring to hear of his courage (and yours) through the ups and downs. My prayers and thoughts are with Slate and with you and your family as you guys endure the good and tough times that will hopefully ultimately lead to total healing and restoration.

You deserve a great Roscoe to play and enjoy and brother you've got one!

Gard · #3 05-20-2011, 03:52 PM

Glad to have you back, my friend.

Tell Slate we are all pulling for him!

VroomVroom · #4 05-20-2011, 04:02 PM

Absolutely outstanding. All the best to you, Slate, and the whole family. Thanks for sharing this with us. That is one gorgeous instrument - it's great to hear that it's in the right hands.

bassWR · #5 05-20-2011, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

Glad to have you back, my friend.

Tell Slate we are all pulling for him!

+++1
Hang Tough Slate!!
You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Oh Yeah, Nice Bass

svoncampe · #6 05-20-2011, 04:42 PM

Beautiful bass. Beautiful son too! I suppose it brings little or no comfort at all, but we have something in common, and are not alone. My boy Samuel was born last week on May 12th with a condition called Pentalogy of Cantrell. He has been in the NICU since that day, and as of today, remains on the ventilator, sedated, and on various med drips, at a hospital 3 hrs away from home. My wife and I have not been able to hold him yet or, with the exception of the brief cry he made seconds after being born, have not heard him make noise either. He faces months in the hospital before even a required surgery can be performed. He is a fighter, however, as your son sounds to be.

So, as a fellow Roscoe bass enthusiast (I own two right now), I can relate with your son's situation and hope for a miraculous recovery and future for both of our boys.

**Bipslapper** · #7 05-20-2011, 07:33 PM

Wow, beautiful story man. Glad to hear the bass is in the best "hands". God bless you and your son, I hope there is a cure as soon as possible.

Regarding the "Slatebass"- we share a love for fine art, you and I. While mine is a SKB, regardless; it is very similar and almost as beautiful and special

Well, Alllrighty Then! # 6148

Mojo-Man · #8 05-20-2011, 07:57 PM

One sweet bass.
And Blessings to your family, and son.

RocketMusic · #9 05-21-2011, 08:19 AM

Wow. Two tough stories that I hope and pray work out well in the end. Best of luck to both of you guys and your families.

LilRay · #10 05-21-2011, 08:25 AM

Heath,

Glad to see SLATEbass return home to Slate, and Slate's Dad smoke.

Slate's a Texan, so he's a fighter I know, and with Parents like you, he'll get through life's storm.

Thanks for doing what you do, and you guys are all in my Prayers.

God Bless, Ray

Darkstrike · #11 05-21-2011, 08:29 AM

Sounds like one tough nut you have there, hoping for the best for you.

Nice bass too!

And of course, for you too Svoncampe.

ubone · #12 05-21-2011, 01:10 PM

I'll be pulling for the full recoveries of both little guys. Take good care of Slate's bass, it won't be too long and he'll be showing us all how a bass is supposed to be played.

()smoke() · #13 05-22-2011, 07:21 AM

thank you for all the kind words and support fellas, and thank you for the prayers and positive vibes for Slate and Samuel...this really is a family, and truly a collection of good people, which I'm proud to be a part of...and this is an instrument that has a lot of special meaning to me because of this

svoncampe, a pm is coming your way, my man

()smoke() · #14 05-22-2011, 03:39 PM

i got some time to play a little bit this afternoon, i've been playing along to Kem's album Kemistry, and i'm just floored at how smooth this bass can get

bkirk · #15 05-22-2011, 08:34 PM

Strength and courage to both of you guys, your families and hoping for a bright future for both of your boys.
BK

Bassmanbob · #16 05-23-2011, 08:04 AM

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

There is nothing like being a father. Bless all of you.

And beauty of a bass too!

CrashClint · #17 05-23-2011, 09:30 AM

Two stories like this just thumps me in the chest and just makes me realize how some things have been tough in my life it just doesn't compare to what others are going through. My heart and prayers to both of you and your families.

Congrats on the Roscoe, prayer and the ability to play music have made a difference in my life during tough times.

Like my signature says, I am pretty sure if King David was around today he would be playing a Roscoe. If my biblical history is correct I think it was Commandment #11 that stated: "Thou Shalt Play a Roscoe". We will probably never know for sure since Moses broke the original tablets.