Roscoe Pickup Choices

RalphL · #1 11-26-2008, 10:22 AM

Just bought an older Roscoe from a TB member and I eagerly await its arrival.
I have been reading about pup choices for Roscoes and I have read here on TB that many feel the Bartolini CB model/style is a good upgrade (rather, a different sound).
I looked on the Bartolini site and I'm a bit confused. Their listing is inarticulate and their dealers provide little in the way of explanations. BC model, CB series, 25CBC, P2....the combinations must be endless.
So, what is the full model/series number for the proper replacement for the standard Roscoe/Bart pups? Are they widely available or should I order them directly from Roscoe?

Thanks for all advice and help!

CrashClint · #2 11-26-2008, 10:43 AM

The Classics for the Roscoe is the P4 series. I have a brand new set so if Gard doesn't chime in and will get the full number off of the back of the pickup for you tonight. I bought mine from Roscoe when I was down at the shop a little while back. Off the top of my head I don't remember what I paid for them. Give Gard a call, the shop number is 336.274.8810. If you talk sweet he may be able to get them out today.

RalphL · #3 11-26-2008, 10:59 AM

Thanks Crash!
So, the P4 is the standard for Roscoes?
When you say "classics" do you mean the ones that come with the basses, stock?
What is the exact model number for the "other" Bartolini, the CB style?
As well, how do you feel the CB style compare to Nordys?

As for the pups themselves, I'll PM you when I'm ready. But this is all just research right now. When the bass arrives I'll play it for as long as it takes to understand and then make my decisions.
Thanks again for all and any help!

JOME77 · #4 11-26-2008, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RalphL

Just bought an older Roscoe from a TB member and eagerly I await its arrival.
I have been reading about pup choices for Roscoes and I have read here on TB that many feel the Bartolini CB model/style is a good upgrade (rather, a different sound).
I looked on the Bartolini site and I'm a bit confused. Their listing is inarticulate and their dealers provide little in the way of explanations. BC model, CB series, 25CBC, P2....the combinations must be endless.
So, what is the full model/series number for the proper replacement for the standard Roscoe/Bart pups? Are they widely available or should I order them directly from Roscoe?

Thanks for all advice and help!

Congratulations on purchasing the Roscoe!

Sounds like Clint has answered most of your questions.
If you check out all of the various models that Bartolini manufactures and don't get confused, I'd be very surprised. They have more pickups than polititions have promises!

I haven't heard a Roscoe yet with the Bart CB's but I do have the Bart CB's in my Warmoth Gecko bass. In that bass (alder body/maple top/ebony fingerboard) they have very nice open sounding tone.
I've had 3 Roscoe basses with the Nord p/u's installed and I will say that there's a significant difference in the tone of a Roscoe with Nord's verses one with the standard Roscoe Barts.

Gard claims that when installed in a Roscoe, the Bart CB's sound fairly close to the Nordstrand p/u's.
All of the Roscoe owners that have A/B'd the Bart CB's against the standard Roscoe Bart's agree that they really open up the sound of the bass.
I'll know for sure in a few weeks (after my new Roscoe w/Bart CB p/u's arrives).

As you stated, playing the bass for a while with the standard Bart p/u's will allow you to form a first hand opinion on the sound and you can go from there.
I will say that the Roscoe basses also sound significantly different with various preamps too (Bart/Auder/Demeter/Aguilar/Glock).

Everyone has a sound in their head that they're looking for. Tweak the sound until it's exactly what you're looking for!

chadds · #5 11-26-2008, 02:34 PM

I changed to the CBs in a LG3005 that while beautiful seemed to suffer from too much of a good thing. It was a little dark due to it's Madrone top. Madrone is an oily wood. I replaced the Roscoe specs pu and went right to a gig. Outstanding. It opened up and became so airy. The Roscoe spec pu I wouldn't change in my other LGs. On this bass OH YEAH.
Different sounding? No sounds just like a Roscoe. Different yes but not a change of character or Roscoe distinctiveness.

RalphL · #6 11-28-2008, 01:45 PM

Thanks everyone!
I'm definitely getting a sense of the differing sounds of these pickups. Can anyone tell me the exact model number of the CBs?

Also, is it possible to put Nords on an LG model? I have seen a photo someplace of an LG with what looked like Nords.

youngs · #7 12-01-2008, 01:34 PM

you can put the nordy DC if it's not angled(but I guess your LG is angled) so you should go with Fatstack, or Bigsplit.

And I like the standard bart rather than CB. I like that compressed sound of Roscoe with a bit darker and woody sound.

CrashClint · #8 12-01-2008, 02:56 PM

Welcome back Youngs, where have you been hiding?

youngs · #9 12-01-2008, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrashClint

Welcome back Youngs, where have you been hiding?

Had too many project by last week.
I am back! crash! Thanks man.

CactusmanDoug · #10 09-24-2009, 11:12 AM

Hey Boys,

I'm looking to drop some Barts in my newly Demeter equipped LG 3005. The Big Splits worked well with the Audere to my ear but just didn't mate up with the Demeter quite right.

For those of you with Demeters, have you tried both flavor of Barts? If so what would you describe the difference in tone between the 2 Barts using the Demeter?

I'm considering some finding some reasonably priced used CBs and Roscoe Barts for my own experimentation.

Thanks again,

Doug

CrashClint · #11 09-24-2009, 12:03 PM

The Roscoe Barts/Demeter combo IMO gives you a killer 70s funk type tone, slightly compressed and real thick sounding.

The Classics give it a similar sound but more open. The bass is more open sounding lower and cleaner. The highs are definitely more glassy sounding. If you had two Roscoe basses, I would use the Roscoe Barts for that cool funk mojo and use the classics for a more modern tone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CactusmanDoug

Hey Boys,

I'm looking to drop some Barts in my newly Demeter equipped LG 3005. The Big Splits worked well with the Audere to my ear but just didn't mate up with the Demeter quite right.

For those of you with Demeters, have you tried both flavor of Barts? If so what would you describe the difference in tone between the 2 Barts using the Demeter?

I'm considering some finding some reasonably priced used CBs and Roscoe Barts for my own experimentation.

Thanks again,

Doug

CactusmanDoug · #12 09-24-2009, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrashClint

The Roscoe Barts/Demeter combo IMO gives you a killer 70s funk type tone, slightly compressed and real thick sounding.

The Classics give it a similar sound but more open. The bass is more open sounding lower and cleaner. The highs are definitely more glassy sounding. If you had two Roscoe basses, I would use the Roscoe Barts for that cool funk mojo and use the classics for a more modern tone.

Cool Clint,

I'll most likely keep an eye out for both Bart sets so I can try myself. Maybe someone's got some extra pairs laying around gathering dust.