standard finish?

[billyfalconer]

I know there's a slight variety of finishes used on Roscoes, but what's the standard finish? Mine is about five years old, LG 5181, and the body finish is a gloss of some type.

[JOME77]

Originally Posted by billyfalconer

I know there's a slight variety of finishes used on Roscoes, but what's the standard finish? Mine is about five years old, LG 5181, and the body finish is a gloss of some type.

Normally Gard whould have chimed in by now. maybe he's already on vacation.

I believe that the standard finish is a high gloss polyester.

[Gard]

Joe hits a triple: Yes, yes, and yes.

Yes I would have typically answered already...yes I am on vacation....and yes it is indeed a high gloss polyester 99 times out of 100 for an LG of that age.

[LilRay]

Roscoes wear Polyester suits



You do know that went out in the 70's right?









God Bless, Ray

[VroomVroom]

From an OCD/AR automotive detailer's perspective, a quick word about Roscoe's poly finish. It is impeccably applied and then polished & jeweled to a remarkable gloss. Of course, as Roscoeheads, we all know that....but I think it's worth repeating. I'm kind of a stickler for this stuff, and when I go wall cruising at my local store, I always pay close attention to the finish quality of each instrument. Low spots, high spots, orange peel (yep...shockingly...it can be found)...all the 'bad stuff' that can be found on basses from many instrument makers just never shows up on a Roscoe instrument.

So...kudos. I'm not sure if it's the hardness of the clear, their curing process (I suspect at least some of that has to apply...generally a mix of heat and time), or simply the overall attention to detail, but this is one of the highest things on my list to bug Gard about whenever I make it to the mecca of Greensboro.

Even better for us instrument owners is the durability of the finish. Swirls and light scratches occur far less frequently than they do with other basses. When they do, it's a bit more effort to polish them out, but this speaks again to the hardness of the finish.

Bottom line - in this knucklehead's opinion, you simply will not find a better quality finish than what you see on a Roscoe.

[CrashClint]

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

Bottom line - in this knucklehead's opinion, you simply will not find a better quality finish than what you see on a Roscoe.

+1

[Addison]

GREAT post Vroom... I've definitely never seen a finish applied like the one my SKB3006 has.

[ubone]

+100 Jerry. I couldn't agree more..

[LightGroove]

I love the "depth" of the finish they use...Glass like but so deep looking..hard to describe...

[CrashClint]

It is a really cool process, but I will let Gard talk about it just in case it is a trade secret. I have bumped mine a few times where as in most basses there would have been a scratch or finish ding, not on my Roscoe. I think the only down fall is that if for some reason you left your bass out in the extreme cold overnight and dropped it, the finish would shatter. I know on my old SKB3006 I was drilling the hole for the Demeter switch I chipped a piece of the finish off, it was small enough that the washer for the switch covered the chip.

[iruyle]

Mildly off-topic, I suppose, but I have a pretty rare finish on one of my Roscoes and actually have no idea what type of wood I have. I bought it new in probably '94.
The finish is a gray marble reminiscient of late 80's big hair power ballads. It's truly a fantastic job and you can't possibly realize how many ignorant people there are in the world until folks ask you again and again if your bass is real marble...
Is there any way to know what it is by serial number?
It's wearing number 3008...

[JOME77]

Originally Posted by iruyle

Mildly off-topic, I suppose, but I have a pretty rare finish on one of my Roscoes and actually have no idea what type of wood I have. I bought it new in probably '94.
The finish is a gray marble reminiscient of late 80's big hair power ballads. It's truly a fantastic job and you can't possibly realize how many ignorant people there are in the world until folks ask you again and again if your bass is real marble...
Is there any way to know what it is by serial number?
It's wearing number 3008...

Is this a picture of it? If so, check this thread out. I think it will give you some info on the finish.

Most Unusual Roscoe Ever?

[iruyle]

wow.
Mine isn't quite THAT unusual. Same pattern, a little more gentle on the color, just not quite so far down that path..
I spoke about this finish with Keith several years ago when he had me send it up to Greensboro for a small buzz issue. He said at that time that they did this finish on a few pieces as a mini-tribute to the old metal guitars they used to make. I never thought to ask him what was under it.

It used to be grey but I suppose with its age, the clear is becoming a little more yellow and giving the whole thing a greenish cast.
Still kind of hoping one of the Roscoe gods will have some record of what kind of wood it's made of...

[JOME77]

Cool. I've never seen one finished like yours either. Unusual control layout too (or at least a non-standard Roscoe layout).

They probably don't have records back that far but maybe Gard can provide some info on it via Keith's memory.

Based on your signature, it appears that you've got a nice collection of Roscoe's!

[sarin1]

hey !!! I like your bass !!! very nice finish ... but like more the layout !!! can u take a picture to the back ??

[iruyle]

Yeah, I don't know what the deal is with the setup but my fretless is #3280 and has the "standard" config so it was apparently a change that happened pretty soon after this one was born.

Here's a full pic of the back of #3008.