Roscoe and Gospel

Bassist30 · #1 07-15-2006, 11:22 AM

Many Gospel bassist use a Roscoe. What do you think the standard body and neck wood that they use. They have such a hugh bottom but a sweet high end when they slap. The high end is smooth yet sits nicely in the mix. The bottom when they hit a B string rattles the room. The mids are nice too as it makes the bass so out front. Any suggestions cause im building up alot of GAS for one of these babbies.

Figjam · #2 07-15-2006, 11:27 AM

I tihnk spanish cedar would be good. It has a nice pleasent, musical tone.

JPJ · #3 07-15-2006, 05:32 PM

Most of the gospel and R&B guys that I have dealt with have gone with Spanish cedar. Of course, I don't rely on this as a blanket, generalized recommendation (I always try to get at what will be right for each individual), but the numbers are definatley slanted in favor of Spanish cedar for gospel. The fingerboard and preamp are also factors that will contribute pretty heavily as to what the ultimate tone will be like. These elements will also impact the flexability and versatility of the bass as well.

Tommy Slap · #4 07-17-2006, 01:12 PM

I´m a little more slanted for a ash body for playing Gospel music and this particular wood plus a white fingerboard is a dangerous tone !!! i can play Gospel, Latin,Reegae,Rock,jazz and many, many more rhythms with a Roscoe LG 3005. To me this is a machine of tones!!!

Basso Gruvitas · #5 07-18-2006, 09:07 AM

This is a great topic.

I'm thinking either spanish cedar or ash would be the body wood of choice, with maple being the top fingerboard choice.

For me, I would choose the Demeter or Aguilar preamp, but I'm predisposed to them anyway.

The Roscoe will give you a slightly compressed dual coil tone, very modern, but fitting really well in the mix. GREAT low end.

Bassist4Life · #6 07-18-2006, 09:18 AM

I thought that it was "MTD and Gospel" or "Ken Smith and Gospel". I guess I haven't been paying enough attention. I have major GAS for Roscoe and I'm really interested in this thread.

Joe

JPJ · #7 07-18-2006, 09:29 AM

Quote:

I thought that it was "MTD and Gospel" or "Ken Smith and Gospel". I guess I haven't been paying enough attention. I have major GAS for Roscoe and I'm really interested in this thread.

Hey Joe,
You would me amazed at how many gospel guys come to me looking to unload Smiths and MTDs for Roscoes. That's not to say that those basses aren't good, because they are, but there seems to be a movement within the gospel community. A lot of players are shifting to the Roscoe sound.

Basso Gruvitas · #8 07-18-2006, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassist4Life

I thought that it was "MTD and Gospel" or "Ken Smith and Gospel". I guess I haven't been paying enough attention. I have major GAS for Roscoe and I'm really interested in this thread.

Joe

I'd say Roscoe's in there too. Look at the users on their website. I'd say a lot of urban players enjoy using the Roscoe. It's got a great tone for many styles, but it sounds great doin' gospel too!

I play Contemporary Christian, Praise-and-worship, and gospel on my Roscoe. It works for all these.

Bassist4Life · #9 07-18-2006, 11:19 AM

Thanks guys. Now I know, and knowing is half the battle.

Joe

wujuu · #10 07-19-2006, 04:23 AM

what is the tone of spanish cedar like?

Basso Gruvitas · #11 07-19-2006, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wujuu

what is the tone of spanish cedar like?

Wu,
To my ears, it's similar to alder but a little lighter in the low end. Fairly neutral sounding. Some say it sounds like mahogany but not as much low mids -- I'd go along with that too.

It makes a GREAT fretless body wood!

Joel B · #12 07-19-2006, 01:00 PM

What Basso said.+1

pedulla1 · #13 07-19-2006, 06:42 PM

Plus 2!!! I have the Spanish Cedar body with Byrle Myrtle top and that combo gives me an open sound with the low end being very "airy". The overall sound and range of my Roscoe would be this: Fat solid lows to smash you over the head like an Oak tree to surgical precision highs and mids like a surgeon's scapel! By the way I play Gospel

. The only thing the Roscoe can't do is get that Ken Smith warbly growly low end. For that I got a Smith and changed the preamp.

T-MOST · #14 02-02-2007, 02:19 PM

I am a Gospel bassist and I just bought my second Roscoe. MTD and Smith have a pretty good hold on Gospel bass but I think thats because of cats like Andre Gouche' and Terrance Palmer. Terrance is now using a custom Parve and I see Smiths and MTD's on ebay regularly. There is no question that they are stellar basses but I think evryone has those "tones" and cats are looking for something new.

Roscoe...they certainly work for me!

JPJ · #15 02-02-2007, 04:24 PM

Quote:

I am a Gospel bassist and I just bought my second Roscoe. MTD and Smith have a pretty good hold on Gospel bass but I think thats because of cats like Andre Gouche' and Terrance Palmer. Terrance is now using a custom Parve and I see Smiths and MTD's on ebay regularly. There is no question that they are stellar basses but I think evryone has those "tones" and cats are looking for something new.

Roscoe...they certainly work for me!

I would say that Roscoe basses have a pretty good stronghold in the gospel/blues/R&B genres. A good number of my Rosoe customers over the course of the last few years have been gospel and R&B guys who have decided to move away from their Smiths and MTDs. Like you said, there isn't necessarily anything wrong with those basses, but for a lot of guys, they just seem to prefer Roscoes more.

bassthumpa · #16 02-02-2007, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPJ

I would say that Roscoe basses have a pretty good stronghold in the gospel/blues/R&B genres. A good number of my Rosoe customers over the course of the last few years have been gospel and R&B guys who have decided to move away from their Smiths and MTDs. Like you said, there isn't necessarily anything wrong with those basses, but for a lot of guys, they just seem to prefer Roscoes more.

Yep, you might even mix in a few Conklins, but for the most part you'll see MTD, Smith, Roscoe, or any flavor of J.

JOME77 · #17 02-03-2007, 09:16 AM

...."and in the beginning God made the tree and said that it was good. And then God said let us cut down the trees and use the very best wood from these trees to make Roscoe basses. And God said that it was very, very good!"

I Joenesis 9:10-11

JPJ · #18 02-03-2007, 11:02 AM

Quote:

...."and in the beginning God made the tree and said that it was good. And then God said let us cut down the trees and use the very best wood from these trees to make Roscoe basses. And God said that it was very, very good!"

I Joenesis 9:10-11

Why does that passage put me square between the James Brown scene from The Blues Brothers and about 20 different Monty Python sketches?!?!