What was the ONE thing that caused you to "go Roscoe"?

JPJ · #1 11-13-2007, 09:38 PM

I'm curious to hear from my fellow Roscoeheads what the one primary factor was that caused you to purchase your current Roscoe (or each one, for those that have multiples). While I know that many people will say that there was not singular factor (i.e. that it was a combination of multiple factors), I'm interested to see which factor stands out the most.

Was it the top, the fingerboard, the shape of the neck, the price (bang for buck value), the low B performance, the tone, etc.? While I tend to know where most of my own customers stand on this question, I hope to hear from those that regularly visit this forum that I've not worked with in the past. I don't think we've had a thread like this so far, so I thought it might be interesting to discuss.

Basso Gruvitas · #2 11-13-2007, 09:51 PM

For me it was Jimmy Haslip. I loved the tone he was getting on one of his CD's. It became my model for a Roscoe fretless bass. With Keith's and Adrian Garcia's help, we put together what may be the last fretless I ever own. For me, it's the ultimate fretless.

And now, 5 years later, I'm still going Roscoe because I love Gard's quick and humorous wit.

**T. B. Player** · #3 11-13-2007, 10:33 PM

But I've played one...the tone is superb, and the playability is outstanding. Playing a Century VI at Bass Central two summers ago was indeed an experience. I guess it is good at this point that I don't have one...if I did, all I would want to do is play it. I can leave my current stuff alone for a while 'cuz there's work to do to pay the bills.

Z

(someday..."Vader" will be mine.....)

JOME77 · #4 11-14-2007, 05:53 AM

Hey Jay! (...poet I know it!)

Good question but also a tough one!

As you eluded to, I suspect for most it was the package deal (looks, playability, tone and value) but
I guess what first made me pick up a Roscoe though was the wild and crazy tops that Keith was using even way back in the early 90's. Not to many builders were putting out basses with quite the exotic tops that Roscoe's had then.
I remember seeing my first one at Rythym City in Atlanta GA. I just couldn't believe my eyes. That's what got my attention and then after playing it I was hooked.
It took a couple years before I broke down and sold my Pedulla and Tobias basses and bought a Roscoe but ever since then (1995) I've been playing Roscoe's.

Steve Clark · #5 11-14-2007, 07:45 AM

Why do I have a Roscoe?

I wanted a 6 string bass and the Roscoe I have now was available. It's the one from the "I'm beginning to feel sorry for this bass" thread and it was available for a fair price. I could have gotten a cheaper 6 but I know I would never be happy having recently used high end gear like Rob Allen and Sadowsky.

I had never played a Roscoe so it was a leap of faith to be sure. I also admire Haslip and his tone a lot. Now that I have the bass I like the way the neck feels front to back and for me the 35" scale feels right. I love the construction of the bass. Its truly a work of art. The bass feels like home.

I love the tone for fingerstyle. For slap I like it although my slap tone is still a J bass tone but its not a big deal. Not sure if the Audere pre and Nords would get me the slap tone I'm looking for but I'm in no rush for that at all.

In the mix the bass is great for everything I do. I love having control of my mids which is something I think would make my Sadowsky perfect but it doesn't have.

Oops. You asked for the one thing. In the case of the bass I have, having never played one, it would be Jimmy's tone that got me started. Especially the recent Mint Jam disc. Love the high C, blues influenced lines.

DrMWP · #6 11-14-2007, 07:50 AM

Hi Jay, You know the answer to this but.... Two things.
1. Jimmy Haslip, I have dug the Yellowjackets for nearly 20 yrs.
2. Playing a cobalt blue SKB 3006 at Jay's Pad.

J.Wolf · #7 11-14-2007, 08:58 AM

two things:

The B string on just about every Roscoe I've ever played

Gard's fretless

Groovin · #8 11-14-2007, 09:39 AM

I finally purchased my first Roscoe (LG 3005) a week ago but I've been a fan since 2000.

I drove 3 hours to a music store in VA Beach to test out bergantino cabs and they had a LG 3005 hanging behind the counter. I asked to play it, and the sales guy told me "Be careful, do you know what that is!?!" I gave him a look while simultaneously purchasing the most expensive cab in the store.. (I was 17 at the time)

Back on point, I plugged the LG into an Eden head pushing a Berg 12. By the time I looked back up from playing, a crowd of 10 people had gathered around and were grinning almost as much as I was. I exclaimed "NOW THAT IS WHAT A BASS SHOULD SOUND LIKE!!" Ever since that day I've been in love with Roscoe basses.

Gard · #9 11-14-2007, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basso Gruvitas

And now, 5 years later, I'm still going Roscoe because I love Gard's quick and humorous wit.

...Keith said I had to.

I've been wanting one since the first time I laid hands on one when I started working at Bass Central back in '01. It was an LG 3005 fretless, Quilt Maple top, Spanish Cedar body, Antique Yellow finish, unlined ebony fretless fingerboard - it affected me so strongly I remember every detail even 6 years later!

I played two notes on it and just couldn't speak...I was literally speechless, probably for about 15 minutes...just played an A to a low D, then slid up to the E on the B string...over and over...with a look of utter joy on my face... [insert drooling smiley here]

For years, working there, if someone walked in, looked at all of the incredible basses hanging on the wall, and asked me "Which one would YOU take home?" I invariably walked up to the Roscoe basses, pointed at them and said "One of these."

They've always just "spoken" to me.

Being offered a job here, getting to work with Keith, Sanders, Jason, Moxie, Tony, and Bryan, work FOR them all, is like waking up from a dream and still being in the dream.

...no body better pinch me and wake me up, or I'll have to bust 'em up!

Nino Valenti · #10 11-14-2007, 11:47 AM

I don't own one but the few that played at Bass Specialties in PA were freaking awesome basses.

Gard · #11 11-14-2007, 11:51 AM

Nino -

I'll take that as a great compliment from a guy that has both built his own very wonderful and well-liked basses, and worked for Roger Sadowsky for quite some time - I'd say you know what you're talkin' about!

...and yeah, Glenn has some nice stuff on the wall, don't he?

Steve Clark · #12 11-14-2007, 12:09 PM

Fretless SKB3006 is now in the house. What a tone. That's what I've been looking for. I'll have to check the gain setting on the fretted's pre because the fretless sounds HUGE! Did the same type of thing you did with your first Roscoe fretless Gard. Low end is amazing.

But I am now officially a Roscoe Head.

Strokey · #13 11-14-2007, 12:41 PM

The tone of a fretless Roscoe is what has turned me into a Roscoe head. Hopefully, I will be adding another fretless in the near future.

Gard · #14 11-14-2007, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Clark

Did the same type of thing you did with your first Roscoe fretless Gard.

Oh, guess I wasn't clear, I didn't OWN that Roscoe, just played it, and every single one that managed to come through the door at BC for the next 5 years...

...my first Roscoe is the one in my avatar, which I got in January of 2006.

Quote:

But I am now officially a Roscoe Head.

Welcome to the family!

Congrats on the fretless, gonna post some pics?

Brendan · #15 11-14-2007, 01:23 PM

Threatening phone calls, mostly.

Gard · #16 11-14-2007, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brendan

Threatening phone calls, mostly.

Yeah, then you moved away and changed your number...

...at least you got a bass from us...

CrashClint · #17 11-14-2007, 01:37 PM

It was the sheer beauty of the instrument, I couldn't take my eyes off of it. Once I played it, it was all over. I am straying from the question a little, but I have to list the reasons.

1) Beauty (It caught my eye)
2) Low Action
3) Sound
4) Construction

After the fact, I met Keith and Gard.

5) Great bunch of guys
6) Customer Service (Setting the precedence of what customer service means)
7) Gard bought me Sushi

Jeff Moote · #18 11-14-2007, 01:54 PM

I picked one up in a trade, and it was over once I had that in my hands. It was definitely the TONE that won, above all. Roscoes are great looking basses, and the necks are by far my favourite, but the tone is what is so captivating about them be it in my hands or someone else's (Jimmy Haslip anybody?).

I'm addicted, for sure

JPJ · #19 11-14-2007, 02:17 PM

Interesting replies so far. I was surprised to see Jimmy Haslip come up so often (other than with Dr. Mark, since we talked about Jimmy's tone at length when he was specing out his bass about a year and a half ago or so). Keep those replies coming!

doctorjazz · #20 11-14-2007, 03:05 PM

Not a "real" Roscoehead yet, but whatever.

#1 thing was fretless tone. The first Roscoe I ever saw and heard was a fretless SKB 3006 that belongs to a friend of mine, and I was completely blown away when I first heard it.

I'm also definitely attracted to some of the beautiful tops you guys use.