Played my first Roscoe yesterday

jim777 · #1 05-26-2011, 01:15 PM

And it was pretty nice. Good range of tones, nice feel to the neck, sat well, etc. General approving comments all around. Nice Mary Kay type finish, cool sort of 2 tone tinge to the finish on the back of the neck too. Nothing terribly special (to me, that is), but definitely a nice instrument. Someone else WILL love her, just not me. This was an LG 5 string.

So then, I played my second Roscoe - a Century Standard 6 string with a sunburst finish and a maple board. I can only remember being so floored by a bass the first time I played a Smith 6 string Elite. It just completely floored me. Everything about it was just superb; beyond anything I would have expected. The tones from it, the feel of it, the everything of it just completely blew me away. The salesman asked me what I thought of it compared to the Elrick. I said, "What Elrick?" I had FORGOTTEN I had been playing an Elrick about 20 minutes earlier. Completely forgotten about it

I think I said, "Oh, that was nice too" or something. But I would play the Century for a few minutes and then stop and just hold it out in front of me loking at it. Beautiful ash, beautiful bass, wow.

So I've been thinking, I could spend the same amount of money on a used fancier model, but it might not be magic for me. Safer bet investment wise (unfortunately need to consider this angle with 4 kids) but I can't imagine not getting that standard now.

I mean, dayumn! What a bass!

I know they all look pretty much identical, but it's the 4th one down here:
Bass Specialties :: Basses

I had been hoping to fit both a fretted and fretless into my budget, and this would leave me with the Squier as my only fretless, but it really did pull me in. Fantastic bass....

VroomVroom · #2 05-26-2011, 01:20 PM

Fancy goes out the window when you find an instrument that really speaks to you. The Century Standard 6 is awesome, and is an amazingly versatile bass. Beautiful handmade craftsmanship, rock solid hardware, and terrific electronics.

Good luck with your decision. When you find an instrument that genuinely does it for you, it's a beautiful thing.

jebmd · #3 05-26-2011, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

Fancy goes out the window when you find an instrument that really speaks to you. The Century Standard 6 is awesome, and is an amazingly versatile bass. Beautiful handmade craftsmanship, rock solid hardware, and terrific electronics.

Good luck with your decision. When you find an instrument that genuinely does it for you, it's a beautiful thing.

I couldn't have said it any better +1

Gard · #4 05-26-2011, 01:36 PM

Jim, glad you were able to make it over to see Glenn, and that you dig the bass...let us know if there's anything else we can help you with...oh, and save up for a fretless Standard, as good as the fretted ones are, the fretlesses are BETTER, IMO!

Big Mother · #5 05-26-2011, 01:42 PM

Glenn is a great guy to work with, got my fretless Roscoe from him.
Also, Gard is correct, fretted Roscoe = fantastic, fretless Roscoe = incredible

BM

JOME77 · #6 05-26-2011, 03:05 PM

+1 to the above.
If it did it for you just go for it. I had quite a few Roscoe's and even in the world of boutique basses certain ones just stand out and do it for me!

Come to think of it I've got one like that now!

It's just just doesn't get any better than a Roscoe 6!

jim777 · #7 05-26-2011, 07:47 PM

Unfortunately, Glenn is off on Wednesdays

I met Glenn on a previous visit not but yesterday.

red_rhino · #8 05-26-2011, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim777

So I've been thinking, I could spend the same amount of money on a used fancier model, but it might not be magic for me.

Over the years it has become my policy that when I play a bass that really really speaks to me, I buy it. If I can't afford it right then, I work out a layaway scheme to keep my finances sane and still get what I want. Even if you find another Roscoe with the same wood combinations, it probably won't sound like the one you're playing. Maybe close, but not exactly.

Bird in hand.

-Alan

**Bipslapper** · #9 05-27-2011, 04:53 AM

Heck, I would get the SKB from Bass Specialties

Seriously, I know of what you speak; I had the same feeling when I played my first Roscoe in Austin. Now I have 2 and will be getting another in the future. I hope things work out for you and you can grab the Century. If you do like fretless, the Century Standards with the Diamond Wood board are fantastic and really light weight. I know what it is like having a family and wanting a great bass, but sometimes you just got to do it!

**pacojas** · #10 06-04-2011, 03:19 PM

WÖW!!!

just left GELB MUSIC in Redwood City, Ca. i played my first Roscoe and MAN O' MAN!!! absolutely the BEST instrument i've ever played.

BTW, the boys at Gelb told me to tell GARD hello!!! cheers!

ps: i also demo'd a Sadowsky before the Roscoe and like the OP,... it completely slipped my mind!!!!

LilRay · #11 06-04-2011, 06:29 PM

Jim, I LOOVVEE My Century Standard, and I wouldn't trade it for the fanciest Roscoe built. Mine is special

but past that I think I'd worry more with some of the major beauty that Roscoe puts out. Not that I don't baby the Standard, but I think my "oh I hope I don't ding/scratch this" meter would peg with Say Gard's fretless or Joe's Mahogany beauty.

Glad to know you've played a Roscoe, and when you get one, you WILL want another.

God Bless, Ray

red_rhino · #12 06-04-2011, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pacojas

WÖW!!!

just left GELB MUSIC in Redwood City, Ca. i played my first Roscoe and MAN O' MAN!!! absolutely the BEST instrument i've ever played.

BTW, the boys at Gelb told me to tell GARD hello!!! cheers!

ps: i also demo'd a Sadowsky before the Roscoe and like the OP,... it completely slipped my mind!!!!

LOL! That's what happened to me. I walked in there all innocent and not really looking to buy anything wound up purchasing the first Roscoe I played. As I have said before, Ed is an evil, evil man.

So what did you demo?

-Alan

**Pacman** · #13 06-04-2011, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pacojas

WÖW!!!

just left GELB MUSIC in Redwood City, Ca. i played my first Roscoe and MAN O' MAN!!! absolutely the BEST instrument i've ever played.

BTW, the boys at Gelb told me to tell GARD hello!!! cheers!

ps: i also demo'd a Sadowsky before the Roscoe and like the OP,... it completely slipped my mind!!!!

It's only a matter of time now.

**pacojas** · #14 06-04-2011, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red_rhino

LOL! That's what happened to me. I walked in there all innocent and not really looking to buy anything wound up purchasing the first Roscoe I played. As I have said before, Ed is an evil, evil man.

So what did you demo?

-Alan

i played a Century 5-string and an SKB 5'er! i can't remember which was which and the first one i couldn't put down. it was $2925.

i finished playing and was about to leave when the guy says "wait, try this before you leave". price tag was $3450. and from the very first note on, i understood why!!!

this bass was "FRIKIN' AMAZING"....

the neck was sooo comfy that i sounded like someone else,.... someone rich & famous!!!
(whew)

congrats to the makers and owners of these brilliant designs!

**pacojas** · #15 06-04-2011, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

It's only a matter of time now.

right on, Pacman! you already know.

i'm shopping around for my first boutique and all of a sudden, we may have a winner. lately, i've played several CS Fenders, a single Sadowsky that was brutally beaten down by the Roscoes, and next month i'm going to Coppolo's shop in S.Cali to try a few LG's.

the Coppolo's are going to have a rough time, i'm sure!

**Pacman** · #16 06-05-2011, 01:47 AM

You should check out the Standards and Standard Pluses.

**pacojas** · #17 06-05-2011, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

You should check out the Standards and Standard Pluses.

true... i discussed my wants & needs with the guys at Gelb and they highly recommended the Standards. i love the one you blacked-out!

CrashClint · #18 06-07-2011, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

Fancy goes out the window when you find an instrument that really speaks to you. The Century Standard 6 is awesome, and is an amazingly versatile bass. Beautiful handmade craftsmanship, rock solid hardware, and terrific electronics.

Good luck with your decision. When you find an instrument that genuinely does it for you, it's a beautiful thing.

Jerry, this is so true. My LG2005 just sings and plays so sweet. I have owned around 30 basses including 70s Fenders, Ken Smith, MTD, Alembics and a slew of others. I just can't see myself playing anything but a Roscoe. I can't say I believe in magic but there is something special about these basses that just hit a sweet spot of quality, playability and tone.

I love my LG2005 and my Century Standard Plus JJ4 and I love the attention I get when people comment on my tone, I just tell them you gotta get a Roscoe.

gzarruk · #19 06-07-2011, 04:02 PM

do you want to know my opinion?? buy it or you'll never forgive yourself for not buying it
enjoy it