What I did on my Thanksgiving vacation (Roscoe content-well,duh!!)

JBFLA · #1 11-29-2010, 05:20 PM

Last Tuesday I took a trip to Roscoe - got to see the shop, met Keith and spent some quality time with Gard (whom I'd met at BC several years ago). Perfect hosts, good conversation; and probably good food if I didn't have to leave to make hotel reservations in Huntersville (Charlotte area). Gard - we'll do lunch soon - my crystal ball says I need a Koa 5string!!

Anywho - no pics - no trip, right?

and, of course, meeting the principle charactors:

Keith and Gard:

Keith and I:

...and me with Roscoe gear:

(A note to the doubters - I asked Keith to take a pic of Gard and me. Gard said "This WILL break your camera". Keith took the picture twice - both gave me an error message when I tried to download).

Never ever ever doubt the Gard!!

Now, a trip to Roscoe without a purpose can be fun and tempting. I had a plan and an idea. My idea was for something specific - Gard showed me many samples:

After 50 or so we concluded that THIS was the one;
Ladies and Gents - Build # 6244:

I'm calling it "Blank and Blue"...could be "Black and Blue" as well.
Looking forward to "In Progress" pics, but not nearly as much as a notice from Greg that it shipped!!! Gard says it should be done January 2012, but I think he's pulling my leg...

jebmd · #2 11-29-2010, 05:40 PM

Very nice indeed, thanks for sharing. Geeze, does Gard have to wear the same shirt every single day

**nostatic** · #3 11-29-2010, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jebmd

Very nice indeed, thanks for sharing. Geeze, does Gard have to wear the same shirt every single day

I think it is a tat, not a shirt

JBFLA · #4 11-29-2010, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jebmd

Very nice indeed, thanks for sharing. Geeze, does Gard have to wear the same shirt every single day

I think it's a "Who 'dat" frame of mind (Not there's anything wrong with that!)

Gard told me he's got 24 of them - that way he only needs to do laundry once a month.

Kidding...

Maybe...

Sorta...

VroomVroom · #5 11-29-2010, 06:09 PM

Awesome. Congrats in advance on your new bass, and thanks for sharing the great pics.

Darkstrike · #6 11-29-2010, 06:36 PM

Very cool!

Love that top!

JBFLA · #7 11-29-2010, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

Very cool!

Love that top!

Thanks, me too.

Gard was extremely helpful in choosing a top. It's going to be Cobalt Blue, and that finish requires certain natural attributes... who knew?? ( Well, Gard did - thankfully.)

After about 60 tops, Gard looked at me and said "I really think we've found the one". I agreed - if there's one better, I don't want to know, and I don't know that searching thru another 60-70 would have netted something better than what we found (Gard knows better anyway) - this one is mine and I'm pleased beyond belief.

Gonna be a real looker - and as I told Keith and Gard -
"If they're looking at that beautiful bass, they'll miss my bad notes!"

Darkstrike · #8 11-29-2010, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBFLA

Thanks, me too.

Gard was extremely helpful in choosing a top. It's going to be Cobalt Blue, and that finish requires certain natural attributes... who knew?? ( Well, Gard did - thankfully.)

After about 60 tops, Gard looked at me and said "I really think we've found the one". I agreed - if there's one better, I don't want to know, and I don't know that searching thru another 60-70 would have netted something better than what we found (Gard knows better anyway) - this one is mine and I'm pleased beyond belief.

Gonna be a real looker - and as I told Keith and Gard -
"If they're looking at that beautiful bass, they'll miss my bad notes!"

I do remember Gard mentioning that certin tops were better for trans finishes than others, and can affect the shade.

I have a Cobalt Blue over flame maple Roscoe, and I'm assuming purely because of the top chosen, it has a much more dark purpley/grey blue hue than standard, in fact many have completely called it as purple.

JBFLA · #9 11-29-2010, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

I do remember Gard mentioning that certin tops were better for trans finishes than others, and can affect the shade.

I have a Cobalt Blue over flame maple Roscoe, and I'm assuming purely because of the top chosen, it has a much more dark purpley/grey blue hue than standard, in fact many have completely called it as purple.

Yeah, that's what Gard mentioned. We picked the lightest colored top with the deepest quilt we could find. This piece was the best for contrast.

Is it January yet???

LilRay · #10 11-29-2010, 07:53 PM

Congrats on getting to visit the shop AND your new Roscoe

I love blue too. Can't wait to see the pics!

God Bless, Ray

skb5string · #11 11-29-2010, 08:36 PM

Wow, Nice Pics and Beautiful Top

Gonna look killer in Cobalt Blue!!

JBFLA · #12 11-29-2010, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilRay

Congrats on getting to visit the shop AND your new Roscoe

I love blue too. Can't wait to see the pics!

God Bless, Ray

Thanks Ray!

All of the pieces I saw would've looked great with a natural finish, but I've always wanted a blue quilt bass - and nobody does blue quilt like Keith and Crew!
Gard walked me thru the process and pointed out what works well and what doesn't. It was a great experience to have that knowledge at hand and be there to pick out the piece in person.

LilRay · #13 11-29-2010, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBFLA

Thanks Ray!

All of the pieces I saw would've looked great with a natural finish, but I've always wanted a blue quilt bass - and nobody does blue quilt like Keith and Crew!
Gard walked me thru the process and pointed out what works well and what doesn't. It was a great experience to have that knowledge at hand and be there to pick out the piece in person.

Well I've never seen an ugly Roscoe.

And Gard's the man for choosing tops.

I can't wait until I get to visit the shop and meet Keith and crew. Ya got me jealous man.

God Bless, Ray

Mojo-Man · #14 11-29-2010, 09:46 PM

Yo Gard,

What was the 20 fret, sold body bass with body cut, (handle)
jazz pickups?
Big R on headstock.
I dig the body shape.

JOME77 · #15 11-30-2010, 04:51 AM

Awesome! Thanks for sharing the pictures. I'm sure that made for a great Thanksgiving vacation.

You know that they've got some great tops when they pick the worst they can find and we're trying to talk Jerry into doing a transparent stain on it!

I can't believe that after all of these years I still haven't visited the shop!

Some day though .........

**Bipslapper** · #16 11-30-2010, 06:25 AM

Thanks for sharing, looks like you were a kid in a candy shop.

I see you are in Jupiter, my wife's grandparents live off Riverside Drive in Jupiter, near Tequesta. We go down to visit each winter when our girls are out of school. Perhaps we can connect next time and jam.

Anxious to see this build thread evolve.

Gard · #17 11-30-2010, 08:02 AM

JB, man, it was great to have you by, really wish you'd had more time! The body will be getting cut out today, the neck is getting channeled for the graphite and truss rods!

I'll get some update pics to you as soon as there's something to take a pic of!

...Todd, you busted me, that IS a tattoo, not a t-shirt. When you see me wearing something else, it's because I covered up the CHAMPION SAINTS tattoo...

Gard · #18 11-30-2010, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo-Man

Yo Gard,

What was the 20 fret, sold body bass with body cut, (handle)
jazz pickups?
Big R on headstock.
I dig the body shape.

That is literally the FIRST Roscoe bass that was Keith's design and not a P or J. It is actually the pre-cursor of the SKB body, if you squint JUUUUUUSSST SOOOOO you can see it...

Darkstrike · #19 11-30-2010, 08:16 AM

The black 5er version, with the 3 J pickups looks awesome to me, I'd have been all over that kind of thing if I was playing back then.

VroomVroom · #20 11-30-2010, 08:31 AM

Mmmm, cobalt blue. Just awesome. Congrats! And I'm diggin' the build time too, since mine is two digits ahead of yourn.