New bass on order!

[VroomVroom]

Hey 'Heads...

Well, it's that time again. I've been working with Gard and Keith on the spec for a number of months now. This one will be unique, and at first they were both a bit reluctant. But, after talking things over with Hipshot for some of the specialized hardware, Keith gave the green light. Needless to say, I'm excited! Here's the skinny on my hybrid SKB-Century 300-4/5/6 Signature bass...

The hardest part of any build is deciding on the best woods, and with this bass that was certainly no exception. I really counted on Gard's experience, and since he and I have similar tastes, I knew it would turn out great. The body - which will feature the the Century upper horn and SKB lower section - will be constructed from buckeye burl. I was hoping for a solid piece, but it turns out there's no such thing. This one will end up being a six-piece body. The top will be made from perfectly bookmatched diamondwood. I'd considered having it lined, mostly for a visual effect, but Gard talked me out of it. Sonically, I think this combo will yield a mix of upper-mid epoxy filler and massive low end durability.

The neck? A masterpiece in the making. It'll be a wedge, of course, combining spalted bosse and flamed alder, with a middle section of Bavarian fir. The fingerboard will be burl ash, which should be rich in sound and very strong. This is probably the best time to mention the scale. This will be a 39" behemoth, but don't worry....I'm offsetting that with 11mm string spacing and ukelele frets. This one is gonna' play like butter.

A little more about the neck, and that exotic hardware that Keith designed with Hipshot. The 4/5/6 action I mentioned? Check this out! From the fifth fret down to the nut, this will be like a typically great Roscoe five-string, with a low B. Then, between the sixth fret and twelfth fret, it'll taper to a four-string. Finally, from the twelfth fret to the 36th (Ooh....I forgot to mention - this one will have 36 frets!) it'll have a high C-string up top. As you can imagine, the bridge and tuners are strictly prototypes. and I'm hoping Keith will get his name on the patents for future models.

Dudes, it gets even better. Electronics. You know me, Bartolini J's, baby! However, this time the placement will be a bit different. It wasn't easy talking Gard into this one, but mine will be the first in the Roscoe lineup to offer the "Zorro" placement. I'll have one pickup placed horizontally to cover the B and E strings across quite a bit of length between the bridge and 36th fret. Who needs a ramp when you've got a pickup?!? Then, the second J will be placed in the LG slant, offering plenty of mid-push. Finally, I'll have one last pickup placed horizontally to cover the G and C strings. This thing is gonna' sound awesome! Choosing a pre-amp was difficult, but I got Bartolini and Aguilar to work together on a joint six-band Aguilini pre that should be simply phenomenal. This will be a 72-volt design that will, unfortunately, require and outboard battery box, but I'm okay with that. The only other downside is the pot/knob layout. This one will have vol-vol-vol, a three-way blend switch, hi-himid-midmid-lowmid-low-reallow toggle, and four larger knobs controlling the fully parametric EQ. That's a bit of clutter, but I'm having THG make some oak burl and Bohemian ebony knobs for a really nice appearance against the black hardware and diamondwood top.

Whew. I think that covers it. I'm so thankful for everyone at Roscoe bringing my vision of the ultimate instrument to life, and I just can't wait to get my hands on this one!

[sobie18]

That's gonna rock! Post pix as this bass comes along/gets built. Can't wait to hear some sound clips.

[Gard]

...I'm callin' Rocio later, no more takin' advantage of the free beer on gigs for Jerry...










I guess you're expectin' to pick this one up at the GTG?

[DAMON]

Very interesting selection of materials and layout/geometry, Jerry!

It's going to be one heck of a Frankenbass!

[pantherairsoft]

Ukelele frets!!!? I pleaded for mandolin frets or similar and Gard slapped me and sent me packing!

[Bipslapper]

April Fools!

[Bipslapper]

Good one. My 200 volt death metal bass can only be played inside a nuclear power plant due to the humongous power needed for the oscillation overthurster pre amp.

[VroomVroom]

Damnit. All that time working on the woods, and Tree Boy only comments on the pre?

[LilRay]

If anybody could play such a bastardized monstrosity it'd have to be you. I'd watch out for such a high powered pre though. That much juice might shrink the nads



God Bless, Ray

[Jim Nazium]

... and the B string is going to be tuned two full octaves below a standard B, to 8hz ...

[nostatic]

Actually the strings won't vibrate - the body moves back and forth instead.

[JOME77]

lol

Somehow I just saw this. My first thought was "Dang! Jerry's getting another Roscoe made!".

Very funny! I especially like the book matched Diamondwood top! And maybe even lined .......

Might want to go with a flat top and binding! That diamondwood is rough on router bits!