Well, I picked up the new family member in Toronto last week. Gard has already posted some pics of this new CS5 Plus. "Bubbie" as I call her, exceeds my expectations. There is no question that it is more agressive sounding than my SKB fretless (my go to bass for jazz standards). As someone stated before: "the ash and bubinga combination has the potential to irritate guitarists"
But that's not the purpose. I was looking for a fretless to complement my SKB, more for "fusion" style or playing horn-like parts. Well, it does fill that role nicely, but it also has much more punch and bottom end than I expected. It's by no means a one-trick pony, it can be caressed and eq'd for a very warm sound. The finish is outstanding, as I expected from Roscoe. The wood top is gorgeous, and the birdseye maple diamondwood is beyond words. Plus, this stuff is unbelievably hard. I'm usually a nit picker when it comes to set up, but I don't feel the need to tweek anything on this bass.
All three Roscoes play like butter, and the consistency in neck shape is a delight.
I know I'm preaching to the believers, but I just want to say a big thank you to Gard and the rest of the crew at Roscoe!
Here are the specs on the siblings
5551 (aka Flaming Myrtle)
-Myrtle top
-Ash body
-Cococolo fb
-Roscoe Bart pu and pre
6016 (The Dark One)
-Quilt maple top
-Spanish Cedar body
-Roscoe Bart pu and pre
-Ebony fb
But I guess it's also a matter of what's available at the time. Check it out. Bass shopping is so much fun...
