Righting a wrong of my own doing

VroomVroom · #1 01-08-2009, 07:06 PM

I'm a little excited right now, and wanted to share with my Roscoe brothers and sisters. Even though I haven't recently enjoyed a pizza with pineapple on it,

I have a story to tell. Like many stories, it begins with a confession...

...Back in November I traded-in my beloved fretted SKB. I know, I know.

I'd fallen in love with an MTD (the one you see above) and couldn't justify the expense of buying it without also selling an instrument. At the time I rationalized the decision (partially, at least) by figuring I could dial in some of the Roscoe sweetness on the MTD to compensate for its loss. Not at all to turn this into a Roscoe vs. MTD thing, but for my needs the MTD is more versatile, which is important as many of my gigs cover a variety of genres...and for a number of logistical reasons it's often not convenient (or realistic) to bring more than one instrument.

Well, I can't say I instantly regretted the decision, but I did miss the bass...initially as I sold it, and more and more after the fact. Preaching to the choir here, but there truly is nothing like a Roscoe. Playability, sound...we don't even need to get into aesthetics in this discussion.

Seeing it on the wall at my local store each time I went in certainly didn't help matters, nor did enjoying the amazing sound of my fretless SKB every time I played it. This started me down the path of trying to line up my ducks to consider buying it back.

Yesterday that path got wider and better paved by an intriguing offer from a wonderful singer I work with in a few bands. She's starting a jazz project, and will be funding a demo, lots of gigs, and a CD...and she's asked me to be a part of all three. (I'll actually be "the guy" on the demo and gigs, and will play all but three tunes on the CD to make way for an upright player.) Today I received the word that the project is a firm 'go' and we're set to record the demo early next month. This was the trigger for, "Heck with it...I've GOT to do this! I called my store to confirm that the bass was still there...and then to ask them to hide it for me, just in case DataBass5 or anyone happened to be in the bay area today.

So, tonight I'm going to pick up my baby, and I'm ecstatic about it. #5520 is coming home!

And thus the dynamic duo will be reunited as well.

And for anyone interested, a coupla' sound files of this bass... For me these two recordings speak to why it is absolutely the perfect instrument for this project. These were from a gig last summer, with the same singer, keyboardist, and drummer that will be on the project. The recorder was right in front of me, but hopefully the bass-heavy mix won't get any complaints from this group.

One Note Samba

Bye Bye Blackbird - Warning: bass solo content.

Snaxster · #2 01-09-2009, 12:23 AM

VroomVroom! You crazy person, you.

I was casually considering buying your (then still former) bass, since it was such a good deal, and since I have good memories of playing (and trying to play) two 6-string fretted basses I owned years ago. Both of those were custom pre-Gibson Tobiases, by the way.

One Classic and one wenge/lacewood Signature. Sigh...

Anyway, congratulations on being reunited with your fretted SKB. I'm very happy for you.

Since I'm currently scarfing dinner on a break from mixing (and no, it isn't pizza with pineapple on top -- who eats that anyway?... yikes!), I will listen to your sound clips later.

Now KEEP your bass this time, and good luck with the new project.

Best,

Snaxster

Gard · #3 01-09-2009, 05:46 AM

...am I never going to hear the end of pineapple on pizza around here???

Hey, it was better than I thought it would be, OK?

(I didn't say I LIKED it...just that it was better than I thought it would be...gimme PMS* pizza any day over pineapple!)

Jerry, glad you got her back, and after letting that one go, you want to question me eating pineapple pizza...

...pot, kettle...kettle, pot...

*PMS - pepperoni, mushrooms, sausage (Italian, of course)

CactusmanDoug · #4 01-09-2009, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

...am I never going to hear the end of pineapple on pizza around here???

Hey, it was better than I thought it would be, OK?

(I didn't say I LIKED it...just that it was better than I thought it would be...

The answer is...NO!

In the other thread you were gushing on how great the crust, sauce and cheese were also linking your NYC dinner guest to somehow authenticate this twisted version of pizza.

Also please observe that Jerry has fully repented of his error and has not shamefully tried to justify his irrational behavior.

What are you going to say next?... "But guys, it was genuine Italian pineapple!" ?

VroomVroom · #5 01-09-2009, 08:17 AM

Alright, you're primed for my second confession...

....I dig pineapple on pizza. It works - don't knock until you've tried, and such.

Artichoke hearts too.

I am SO glad the bass is back where it belongs, and it will never leave the stable again. This is definitely one of those ones I would've regretted over time, and that's an ugly feeling!

Thanks for the laughs, fellas. Probably goes without saying, but this forum is my favorite on the site - not just for the Roscoe content, but also for the camaraderie.

Gard · #6 01-09-2009, 08:52 AM

VINDICATION!!! I AM NOT ALONE WITH PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA!!!

...Jerry, I'm glad we have this area here too, for the same reasons, all you Roscoeheads are a blast to hang with...could you imagine a Roscoehead GTG???? That would be a party to remember!!!

...and I'd even supply the pizza with pineapple on it!!!

CliffD · #7 01-09-2009, 09:51 AM

A pineapple pizza is usually called a Hawaiian, what wood is Hawaiian...KOA, YES!!!

Jerry, that's cool you're getting your old bass back!

VroomVroom · #8 01-09-2009, 10:11 AM

We could definitely devote an entire thread to good pie.

Toppings are secondary to good crust and great sauce. And the notion of "traditional Italian" is often misunderstood. Venture to Rome and you won't find pepperoni or sausage. You'll find basil and fresh mozzarell', and occasionally an egg on top of your pie. But yeah - gimme' some fresh pineapple (not out of a can!) and good Canadian bacon...on top of a slightly underbaked thin crust with good sauce...and I'm a happy bass player.

Gard...you're the man, of course, and I'm all for the massive Roscoe GTG. Shall we all meet in Colorado or Kansas?

ubone · #9 01-09-2009, 10:54 AM

A Roscoe head GTG? That would be excessively cool.. Pineapple Pizza?? Ok but, slap some BBQ chicken or Texas style dry rub BBQ brisket on it and then you'd be talking...

Gard · #10 01-09-2009, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

We could definitely devote an entire thread to good pie.

Toppings are secondary to good crust and great sauce. And the notion of "traditional Italian" is often misunderstood. Venture to Rome and you won't find pepperoni or sausage. You'll find basil and fresh mozzarell', and occasionally an egg on top of your pie. But yeah - gimme' some fresh pineapple (not out of a can!) and good Canadian bacon...on top of a slightly underbaked thin crust with good sauce...and I'm a happy bass player.

Well, pretty much ANYTHING can work on pizza for me, in the end...it all sounds good, as long as you have a good crust, decent sauce, and REALLY GOOD cheese!

Quote:

Gard...you're the man, of course, and I'm all for the massive Roscoe GTG. Shall we all meet in Colorado or Kansas?

...c'mon man, get real, there's only ONE PLACE that would suffice for such a gathering: Roscoe Central itself!!!

Greensboro, NC, and we'd have to do this during baseball season...lots of beer, have a big BBQ in the parking lot, the EVERYONE go to the game afterward and get stoopid....yeah, I'm thinkin' that is a grand idea...

VroomVroom · #11 01-09-2009, 01:14 PM

I would LOVE it! I know it's not quite your neck of the woods, but I spent an entire afternoon in Durham a few years back. It was like a trip to mecca! North Carolina is a stunningly beautiful state...got to drive through quite a bit of it, unfortunately only getting as close to Greensboro as I-85 would allow.

Baseball, bass, and beer. Three B's to live by.

Gard · #12 01-09-2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

I would LOVE it! I know it's not quite your neck of the woods, but I spent an entire afternoon in Durham a few years back. It was like a trip to mecca! North Carolina is a stunningly beautiful state...got to drive through quite a bit of it, unfortunately only getting as close to Greensboro as I-85 would allow.

Baseball, bass, and beer. Three B's to live by.

Yeah, that's my thinking...the three B's!

By the way, you do realize that I-85 runs right south of Greensboro, like maybe 10 minutes from where I'm sitting right now...it turns south to Charlotte here in GSO...

...yeah, it's beautiful here, I like it even more out west toward Boone/Blowing Rock or Asheville...however, the shop is HERE, which makes it my favorite part of NC...

Yeah, we need to do that someday...

VroomVroom · #13 01-09-2009, 02:57 PM

Yep, we saw the signs on the interstate, and I made the connection...even though I was Roscoeless at the time (this was in '05). Unfortunately we were on a deadline to get just south of Charlotte, and the trip itself was an offshoot of a stay in Maryland to see my folks. Next time I'm back there, though, I will bug you, my man! And the beer will be on me.

damon106 · #14 01-09-2009, 02:59 PM

1st off the bass is gorgeous, hat's off to Keith and Gard. 2ndly the clips are off the hook ! I love the tone of that Roscoe, is that standard bart pups and pre ? 3rd and this is just a pet peeve of mine... what's up with this ? guy has a to die for bass , let's it go and then laments on how stupid it was to let the dang thing go in the 1st place ?

anyway ... glad you got it back and hope it stays !

VroomVroom · #15 01-09-2009, 03:42 PM

You sound like an ex-guitarist from Joizey or something.

In my (feeble) defense, it was traded for another to-die-for instrument, which at the time made sense. Fortunately I came to my true senses before it was too late. Now I have two to-die-for basses, and a really light checkbook, but that's okay.

Gard · #16 01-09-2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

Yep, we saw the signs on the interstate, and I made the connection...even though I was Roscoeless at the time (this was in '05). Unfortunately we were on a deadline to get just south of Charlotte, and the trip itself was an offshoot of a stay in Maryland to see my folks. Next time I'm back there, though, I will bug you, my man! And the beer will be on me.

No buggin' possible, be happy to have you stop in, and no you won't buy beer!

By the way, Ed said hey!

VroomVroom · #17 01-09-2009, 04:45 PM

Gard, an evening with you and Ed would be a very, very special thing. Likely with memories that could never be shared with anyone.

Any chance of you making a left coast swing on behalf of da' company?

Two special notes about Ed. (BTW...he's the bass cat @ Gelb Music in Redwood City, CA...a must stop on any bass player's tour of the SF bay area.) First, I lay claim to introducing him to the magic of Roscoe basses. Second, I've finally learned to just shut up and trust whatever he says about bass. He knows my style and tastes better than I do.

damon106 · #18 01-09-2009, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

You sound like an ex-guitarist from Joizey or something.

In my (feeble) defense, it was traded for another to-die-for instrument, which at the time made sense. Fortunately I came to my true senses before it was too late. Now I have two to-die-for basses, and a really light checkbook, but that's okay.

okay okay...since you did come to your senses...

Jerry what electronics you got in there ?

VroomVroom · #19 01-09-2009, 06:21 PM

Whew.

Damon, sorry - forgot to mention. Bartolini/Roscoe pickups & Bartolini pre-amp. Thanks!

BTW - the bass in your avatar - one word: slurp. That thing is GORGEOUS!

Gard · #20 01-09-2009, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

Gard, an evening with you and Ed would be a very, very special thing. Likely with memories that could never be shared with anyone.

Any chance of you making a left coast swing on behalf of da' company?

Two special notes about Ed. (BTW...he's the bass cat @ Gelb Music in Redwood City, CA...a must stop on any bass player's tour of the SF bay area.) First, I lay claim to introducing him to the magic of Roscoe basses. Second, I've finally learned to just shut up and trust whatever he says about bass. He knows my style and tastes better than I do.

Jerry my friend, trust me, if...no...WHEN...I make a trip to the Bay area, believe me, that is an absolute must. I'd like to invite another good friend from the area along as well: Joe Zon, one FUNNY mofo of a guy, and a heck of a bass builder as well.

Now, THAT would be a night!

Thanks for getting Ed and Gelb in the family by the way, he is absolutely a man I want to spend an evening drinking beer and swapping stories with, great guy.