I WILL own a Roscoe... one day.

Kwesi · #1 07-24-2009, 11:41 PM

So, I was down at Jive Sound in Virginia today messing around a Stuart Spector Design NS-5 that I'm seriously thinking about grabbing and I decided to check out this Roscoe SKB3005 that I saw. I had always wanted to try one simply because they looked great. Only today did I finally hear some clips of a Roscoe on a Myspace page for one of Adam Nitti's projects and it sounded awesome! Here are a couple of pics I took with my cell:

It had a spanish cedar body, ebony (

) top w/ matching headstock, and a (i think) 3 piece maple/purpleheart neck w/ maple fretboard. It had Bartolini pickups and a 3-band preamp though I'm not sure what brand. This bass completely threw out all previous prejudices I had against Bartolini's. It was easily the best playing bass I've ever laid my hands on and among the best sounding. The fingerstyle tone blew everything I ever played away and while the slap tone was awesome, the Fender Geddy Lee Sig and Spector Euro 4LX still have it beat so it takes #3 there. It had the low-mid burp that I love about Ken Smiths and Warwicks but it was so much more musical not to mention it was way better looking, lol. The neck was super comfy and I felt right at home on it. Notes rang out clearly across every string and the B string was the best I've ever played on. This bass won a lot of the "Best" Awards of the ones I've played.

I've played on a good amount of basses - good basses, and I've never once wanted one as much as I did this. I've pretty much decided that if I ever do decid to drop around $3000 on a bass it WILL be a Roscoe. The hardest part about this is that I could buy it but seeing as I'll be going to college this coming fall I don't think I could afford it along with the two other basses I want. And it's either those twp or this one. One day I'll be a Roscoehead, it's a matter of when not if. For now, consider me one "in training".

DannyV · #2 07-25-2009, 12:40 AM

I played my first Roscoe at Alpha Music in Virginia Beach sometime just prior to 1990, thought it was fantastic, and knew it was probably the bass for me one day.

It took a little time, but I finally bought a Roscoe SKB3006 from Jive Sound this past February. Burled myrtle top, cedar back, purpleheart fingerboard. I have only begun to explore the range this bass is capable of.

Yes, $3k is a lot of money, but some things are worth the investment. Nothing else can touch a bass like that for the money, and it will last you your entire lifetime of exploring music. If you find an instrument that speaks to you, consider investing in it.

Hang out on this forum long enough, though, and they'll talk you into ordering one directly from Roscoe, with some other-worldly-figured top wood and an Audere pre-amp...

otto B · #3 07-26-2009, 06:22 AM

That Roscoe look like the brother of my Roscoe

JOME77 · #4 07-26-2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

.... I've played on a good amount of basses - good basses, and I've never once wanted one as much as I did this. I've pretty much decided that if I ever do decide to drop around $3000 on a bass it WILL be a Roscoe. The hardest part about this is that I could buy it but seeing as I'll be going to college this coming fall I don't think I could afford it along with the two other basses I want. And it's either those twp or this one. One day I'll be a Roscoehead, it's a matter of when not if. For now, consider me one "in training".

We've all been there! IMO Roscoe's blow away everything else out there (and I've owned at least one of most of them). Keep your eyes open and store away your spare cash. Every now and then a killer Roscoe comes along at a great price. Just be ready to move on it!

Good luck!

ethompson2 · #5 08-31-2009, 03:14 PM

Im REALLY wanting a Roscoe right now as well. I'm considering putting my Warwick up for a quick sale price just so I can buy one. Im absolutley in LOVE with the look of the SKB3006's

VroomVroom · #6 08-31-2009, 03:30 PM

^ There are three amazing looking SKB 3006 models in the classifieds right now....figured I'd mention it just in case anyone is in the market.

dataBASS5 · #7 08-31-2009, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethompson2

Im absolutley in LOVE with the look of the SKB3006's

Many years ago, I was in your city. I witnessed a transaction that I still remember to this day. Long story short, there were two pieces of gear a guy was mulling over. One had a simple look but sounded great. The other piece was flashy as all get out and didn't sound so good.

The guy asks who I assume is his friend/bandmate to weigh in. The friend gives his opinion and although this should be a really cut and dry issue, the guy ends up leaving with the flashy piece with not so great sound.

We are musicians first.

I say all that to say, there are a myriad of reasons to sell your 'Wick for a Roscoe. But looks shouldn't be the ONLY reason--or even the main reason. (even though Roscoe IS where style meets function)

I would encourage you to talk to dealer RocketMusic on TB. I believe some of my mocking eventually lead him to switch from Warwick to Roscoe. . . and I'm working on a fellow Raleigh Warwick believer too. . .

7StringBassist · #8 08-31-2009, 08:35 PM

I was too late on kbr's 3007 Im still kicking myself for that

pbass62 · #9 08-31-2009, 09:38 PM

It took me several years before I finally purchased a Roscoe.
I have went through several nice basses, but this bass is well worth it. I will not want to play anything else!

ethompson2 · #10 09-01-2009, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dataBASS5

Many years ago, I was in your city. I witnessed a transaction that I still remember to this day. Long story short, there were two pieces of gear a guy was mulling over. One had a simple look but sounded great. The other piece was flashy as all get out and didn't sound so good.

The guy asks who I assume is his friend/bandmate to weigh in. The friend gives his opinion and although this should be a really cut and dry issue, the guy ends up leaving with the flashy piece with not so great sound.

We are musicians first.

I say all that to say, there are a myriad of reasons to sell your 'Wick for a Roscoe. But looks shouldn't be the ONLY reason--or even the main reason. (even though Roscoe IS where style meets function)

I would encourage you to talk to dealer RocketMusic on TB. I believe some of my mocking eventually lead him to switch from Warwick to Roscoe. . . and I'm working on a fellow Raleigh Warwick believer too. . .

Well from what I've seen/heard Roscoe's dont just look great but they have excellent playbility and sound as well... Idk though I may just hold off on selling Wick at this point. Im kind of up in air but still REALLY wanting to get a ROscoe. Personally though I do love the look of Wicks too so the transition wouldnt just be for looks alone. I love the organic and earthy look and feel of Warwick basses I always have.

VroomVroom · #11 09-01-2009, 12:27 PM

It's taken me years....years!...to learn this, but FWIW, here's my two cents.

Each bass does something well. Otherwise, we wouldn't buy it in the first place, right? So my lesson learned is not to sell an instrument unless what I'm replacing it with does that something better. Whenever I've sold one bass for something completely different, I've regretted it. So, if the Warwick makes you happy, I'd recommend thinking long and hard before parting with it...unless the Roscoe just makes you happier, of course. Good luck...

Edit: From the Department of "The Exception Proves the Rule" Department...
I sold my old Modulus Q6 to buy my fertile myrtle Roscoe. Two TOTALLY different instruments. But in my case, the Modulus just didn't do it for me any longer. I'd recently switched from a tube preamp (Alembic FX-1) and Eden cabs to an Epifani rig, and I couldn't find my sound on the bass. So, in this example, the Modulus would've been sold no matter what...I just happened to come across the most unique Roscoe that sounded even better than it looked.

ethompson2 · #12 09-01-2009, 12:51 PM

Well thanks! I appreciate the input. I may end up just keeping the Warwick then getting the Roscoe later down the road then deciding if I wanna sell the Wick or not...

René_Julien · #13 09-01-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

It's taken me years....years!...to learn this, but FWIW, here's my two cents.

Each bass does something well. Otherwise, we wouldn't buy it in the first place, right? So my lesson learned is not to sell an instrument unless what I'm replacing it with does that something better. Whenever I've sold one bass for something completely different, I've regretted it. So, if the Warwick makes you happy, I'd recommend thinking long and hard before parting with it...unless the Roscoe just makes you happier, of course. Good luck...

Good advice.

**Ryan L.** · #14 09-04-2009, 04:26 PM

I will own another one too, some day.

I am getting rid of my last Warwick to help fund the one I have on order. But I took the one MAJOR aspect of the Warwick that I love, which is the 20mm spacing at the bridge, and ordered the Roscoe that way. Don't get me wrong, I like other aspects of the Warwick too, but the playability of the wide spaced bridge is the main thing for me. So, I figure, adding that to a Roscoe should pretty much equal perfection in a bass for me.