Why do most Roscoe Basses lack Fretboard Dots?

**LowBstring** · #1 10-22-2011, 10:57 AM

I'm told it's a $200 option and must be custom ordered. That must take months, if not years. Rather puts a damper on getting one.

**Bipslapper** · #2 10-22-2011, 11:47 AM

^ Ouch!

BartmanPDX · #3 10-22-2011, 12:12 PM

I played mine last night for the first time and never noticed the lack of face dots in terms of playing. I think i've been keying on the side dots more than I realized. It ended up being a total non-issue for me, surprisingly.

LilRay · #4 10-22-2011, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowBstring

I'm told it's a $200 option and must be custom ordered. That must take months, if not years.

If your not trolling LowBstring, you're one rude dude.

Years????

If you mean years to complete the answer is no. If you mean years for you to get $200 you may learn to play without them first.

God Bless, Ray

bassmahn · #5 10-22-2011, 12:32 PM

I agree with Ray... Years???? Not at all.
Ray and I have custom inlays on our basses, not sure of the wait time on Rays tribute to the Cowboys, but my SKB was a 6 to 8 week wait (I don't recall the actual time

)
Very resonable wait time for a custom option... And a very resonable wait time for a bass that IS the best out there.
Patience is a virtue my friend.

Darkstrike · #6 10-22-2011, 12:37 PM

I remember Greg getting in a pair of 4 strings with fret dots, I don't think it took any longer.

That said, why? Probably an appearance choice made by the guys at Roscoe.

Personally, I prefer no dots anyway, so it worked out well for me, considering I bought two used, and one already made for stock(not ordered to suit me).

EDIT: Is that $200 list? That's usually the way they give out pricing on extras, but it works out less since you don't pay list for the instrument.

**Ryan L.** · #7 10-22-2011, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowBstring

I'm told it's a $200 option and must be custom ordered. That must take months, if not years. Rather puts a damper on getting one.

If you are already spending $3k+ on a custom bass, that tiny bit extra to get dots shouldn't make or break whether or not you get one......And I will guarantee it won't take them any longer to build it with the dots than it does without.

RocketMusic · #8 10-22-2011, 01:33 PM

I think it's $300 List, which translates to $225 on the street. You don't see a lot of them out there hanging in stores with dots just 'cause it raises the price of the instrument, which makes the bass a tougher sell... yeah, we dealers are gutless like that.

chaosmic · #9 10-22-2011, 01:52 PM

Like others have said, I doubt that option would add much time to a custom build at all.....the guys at Roscoe are a class act and very accommodating. Plus, Roscoe fingerboards are usually so amazing looking, dots would only detract from the beauty (in my opinion of course).

My last 4 Roscoes all had the standard 12th fret inlay (except my fretless SKB which had none). I haven't missed fingerboard markers at all. I've only ever used the side position dots and usually can't even see those on a dark stage with all kinds of lights going on. If I were going to invest in any custom option regarding inlays I'd definitely go for LED side dots. That would by far be the most functional upgrade for a gigging musician in terms of inlays, side dots, etc.

**LowBstring** · #10 10-22-2011, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaosmic

LED side dots

wow. Never thought of that. I'm just playing again after 35 years, so everything is new and wild.

**Bipslapper** · #11 10-22-2011, 02:59 PM

I never look a the dots on my other bass (Lull), especially live. The side dots are all I need. My next Roscoe will have the cool 12th fret inlay - only. Do you really need the dots?

I agree with Ryan, if you are going to spend the cake, then extra icing is part of the desert.

And,....we Roscoeheads may not be the smartest low-enders on TB but we are loyal and don't like folks starting trouble in the forum, unless it's us of course!

bassmahn · #12 10-22-2011, 03:25 PM

Cheers Bigslapper! Well said

Gard · #13 10-22-2011, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowBstring

I'm told it's a $200 option and must be custom ordered. That must take months, if not years. Rather puts a damper on getting one.

It's a $75 retail option, NOT $200.

As for why they're not on the bass, it is an aesthetic choice for us to not make them standard.

Have you tried contact us and ask anything? You'll find that if you take the time to actually just ask a simple question of us (and we're VERY available - I answer e-mails daily, even on weekends; I'm on Facebook every day several times at a minimum and will answer questions there at the two different Roscoe pages, as well as accepting friend requests on my personal account - my full name and what you will find me there under is Gard Lewis), we make it a point to give quick, honest, and accurate responses. Always delivered with a smile, and usually a smart@$$ wink as well.

Jim Nazium · #14 10-22-2011, 04:06 PM

I read the thread title and thought it was going to be a joke

But hey, why don't we try that? You supply the punch line.

Q: Why do most Roscoe Basses lack Fretboard Dots?
A: Because Roscoe players can't ____________
A: Because Gard Lewis is __________________
A Because Keith ________________

RocketMusic · #15 10-22-2011, 04:16 PM

Yikes! Let's not pile on the OP too badly, guys! I think this stems from a call to me this morning where he was asking me about dots... for whatever reason, my mind jumped staight to the big oval inlays instead of the plain dots...

I think it's really just an innocent question, and my inflated price for dots probably had him scratching his head... sorry to all for the confusion!!!

Gard · #16 10-22-2011, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RocketMusic

Yikes! Let's not pile on the OP too badly, guys! I think this stems from a call to me this morning where he was asking me about dots... for whatever reason, my mind jumped staight to the big oval inlays instead of the plain dots...

I think it's really just an innocent question, and my inflated price for dots probably had him scratching his head... sorry to all for the confusion!!!

Sorry if I overreacted!

I'm redacting my original post and hopefully getting the egg off my face....guess I'm feeling a bit grumpy/cranky this weekend?

LilRay · #17 10-22-2011, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

Sorry if I overreacted!

I'm redacting my original post and hopefully getting the egg off my face....guess I'm feeling a bit grumpy/cranky this weekend?

I read the post the same way. It seemed to me like the poster was angry at the inaccurate assumption of the dots being $200 rather than asking a simple question.

You're not alone.

God Bless, Ray

**LowBstring** · #18 10-22-2011, 04:52 PM

Well.

It is a serious question. I'm shopping for a nice bass, and looking at everything... I like the look of Roscoe but I'm constantly put-off by the lack of fret dots. Maybe I don't actually use them, I intend to pay attention next time I play, but I think I do look at them. I'm just playing again after many years, and yes, I have to look at my fretboard. A lot. (The $200 has nothing to do with this, btw.)

I am confused as to why people are offended at this post. Perhaps you'd explain that.

As for why I posted my question here and not asked a representative directly, it is because this is a Roscoe sponsored forum, so I rather thought I was doing exactly that.

Anyway, I think I have the answer to my question now.

**LowBstring** · #19 10-22-2011, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RocketMusic

I think it's $300 List, which translates to $225 on the street. You don't see a lot of them out there hanging in stores with dots just 'cause it raises the price of the instrument, which makes the bass a tougher sell... yeah, we dealers are gutless like that.

But... if you're buying this bass you're already spending, what? $4,000 or so? What's another $75?

lowfreq33 · #20 10-22-2011, 05:28 PM

I like not having dots on my sixer because guitarists get REALLY confused when they try to figure out what I'm playing. The only thing better is a six string unlined fretless.