Taking Roscoe to see a Man about a Roscoe

[XavidmanX]

Originally Posted by Gard

It is, and with good reason, that's a killer bass in every way!

Tony, you've had this one twice now, right?

....let me know when you're ready to put that 5er on order!

Yup. That makes twice. That is a testament to how nice this bass is. Most basses I sell foolishly only once and never see again. I just can't wrap myself around a 6 string bass. It sounds GREAT, though. Definitely better in Jerry's hands than mine! I still have the Roscoe itch, however.

One day! Mwahahahahaha!

[JOME77]

Jerry,
I finally got some decent headphones and listened to the sound clips again. As usual, great playing! I liked the way that the bass set in the mix too. Very clear and clean but still a fairly phat sounding tone. You guys really have that jazz thing going on!

How do you like the Roscoe with the Nord’s? I had a bit of a problem warming up to them ( or maybe they didn’t warm up to me). I did like them much better in the solid maple 2005 Roscoe though. I think that I’m just more of a Bart guy. I look forward to your opinion on them as you take some time to rotate your basses at gigs.

Did I mention how nice that 3006 looks? Definitely needs some DR Black Beauties!

[VroomVroom]

Joe, I can relate...I'm still very much a fan of Barts in these basses. However, in this bass....oh my goodness. Before laying eyes on this one I'd played three other Roscoes with the Nord/Aggie combo. Being fully honest, I didn't like any of 'em...for various reasons. I remember being skeptical about this one, but as Tony can attest, it took me about 2.4 seconds to start sweating and getting all antsy.

Assuming the electronics are the constant in the equation - namely that the pickups and preamp will be consistent no matter what bass they're in, I can only assume that the woods are the variable. Whether it's the tight grain of the ash, the really thick maple top, or the wenge wedge neck...this bass just SPEAKS. I will say that I'm not much on the sound with the switch in the 'up' position. (Side note...still not sure what it does actually - it appears to be an add-on. Joe...could I perhaps pick your brain on this?) But in the 'down' position, the bass is a monster. Playing this thing, it's as if everything I love about the Roscoe tone is boosted. The lows are massive, the mids go for the throat, and the highs are full, yet still sweet.

At some point I may have to try the Black Beauties - they certainly look cool. I may also go for a set of Fat Beams. However, what you heard on the clips is a fresh set of MTD's, and I still really love the sound and tension from those strings. (My only beef is durability, which is really a minor concern.)

Anyway, the moral of this story for me is that this is just more proof that every bass is unique, regardless of woods or electronics. Here I was, not expecting to like the sound of this instrument, and then instantly going from that to, "Tony...please sell me this bass!"

[Freddels]

Not sure about this bass but one of mine has the Aguilar preamplifier and the switch is for passive/active.

[JOME77]

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

I will say that I'm not much on the sound with the switch in the 'up' position. (Side note...still not sure what it does actually - it appears to be an add-on. Joe...could I perhaps pick your brain on this?) But in the 'down' position, the bass is a monster.

Jerry,
That's a humbucker/single coil switch. I think Tony added it when he changed from Audere to Aggie (while the bass was being built). You may want to page through the link below for a complete history of the build of the bass. I think that Tony has removed the pic's but I bet I have them at home if you want them.
Let me know!

Progress Pics

[VroomVroom]

Thanks, Joe! Now that you mention it, I remember Tony telling me exactly that. To my ears, humbucker = happy happy; single coil = not so much. It was cool reading through that thread...thanks for that, too. You know I can't turn down an offer for more pics of this beast...if it's not an inconvenience.

[lsu921]

Jerry,

I enjoy your threads, your gear, and your playing! Keep 'em coming.

Jason

[Gard]

Originally Posted by lsu921

Jerry,

I enjoy your threads, your gear, and your playing! Keep 'em coming.

Jason

See now, if you'd GET a Roscoe, KEEP the Roscoe, and PRACTICE on the Roscoe instead of fiddling around with buying all those different things, you'd be able to have time for posting interesting threads, you'd have a killer rig, and you'd actually be able to play the stuff!








(...for the uninitiated, Jason is a friend, and while there is some truth to my ribbing, mostly it's just giving a good friend "the business"...mostly... )

[lsu921]

Originally Posted by Gard

See now, if you'd GET a Roscoe, KEEP the Roscoe, and PRACTICE on the Roscoe instead of fiddling around with buying all those different things, you'd be able to have time for posting interesting threads, you'd have a killer rig, and you'd actually be able to play the stuff!








(...for the uninitiated, Jason is a friend, and while there is some truth to my ribbing, mostly it's just giving a good friend "the business"...mostly... )

Well, I'm trying, but those New Yorkers won't see it my way!

You are however correct. I need to spend less time worrying about what I play, and more on how I play..

"the business" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbO0RQmESHM

[VroomVroom]

That video is beyond hilarious...I hadn't seen that one before. Thanks!

[RTL]

Originally Posted by lsu921

Jerry,

I enjoy your threads, your gear, and your playing! Keep 'em coming.

Jason

I must agree 100%, Jerry. I'm frequently lurking around here listening to your soundclips, and everything I've heard you play is just beyond tasteful. Your tone is amazing, and you always find a way to be forward in the mix without stepping on anyone, or sounding like you're trying to command the stage.

Thanks for giving punks like me something to aspire to!

[VroomVroom]

Wow. Thanks so much fellas...even if you're both way too kind. Just goes to show that a Roscoe makes you sound better.

I am SO kicking myself for not recording Monday night's gig with this bass. Talk about a perfect storm....great sounding room, gigging with amazing players, an enthusiastic and receptive audience, and just the most incredible bass sound...ARGH! And the tunes...we were chasing after crazy ideas (i.e. "Round 'Midnight" as a nasty, greasy blues shuffle, "All Blues" in four, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" as a rhumba/salsa, and a finale that started out as "Chameleon" but ended up covering "Ladies Night", "Flashlight", and "Red Baron" before coming back to Mr. Hancock). The Roscoe sounded incredible on everything.

[Ryan L.]

Wow! I've drooled over that one many times---it's definitely a winner in the looks department, and after listening to the clips, it sounds great too.

Congrats!!

[XavidmanX]

Originally Posted by JOME77

Jerry,
That's a humbucker/single coil switch. I think Tony added it when he changed from Audere to Aggie (while the bass was being built). You may want to page through the link below for a complete history of the build of the bass. I think that Tony has removed the pic's but I bet I have them at home if you want them.
Let me know!

Progress Pics

You are correct sir! Humbucker/SC switch. Humbucker is a winner in Jerry's book and mine too.

[XavidmanX]

Here are some pics:

[VroomVroom]

Awesome....thanks, Tony!

[RocketMusic]

Man, that top is NUTS!!!

[Gard]

Originally Posted by RocketMusic

Man, that top is NUTS!!!

...eh, that was just something we found layin' around the shop...

[XavidmanX]

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

Awesome....thanks, Tony!