If not Roscoe, then....?

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Jerry Ziarko

A small disclaimer: The Sadowsky Modern is my choice for almost everything. I own a Metro as well as a NYC. I respect the hell out of kjungs opinions, but in this case, I disagree. I owned an amazing LG3005 for some time. The only resemblances I found between that particular bass and my Sadowskys was that they both have strings, both used straps, and they both get plugged in. As far as weight goes, my LG was about the lightest instrument I've ever owned. (7.6 lbs) It clearly had it's own voice. My NYC had a very slight kind of tone, (very slight) when I first got it. It had Nordrstrand Big Singles in it. Since then, I installed stock Sadowsky soapbars to get it back to more familiar territory. My Roscoe came with a Bart pre, and it was a mid centered beast, kind of too much of a good thing. I swapped pres to a Demeter and the bass settled in to a very versatile beauty. The downside was I just could not get used to the width of the neck. That's NOT a slam on the neck profile in any way, it just never felt comfortable in my hand. The Sad profile just fits much better.
I also owned a very nice Pedulla Thunderbass at one point. Again, a beautiful instrument, but even with Bart electronics, was nothing like a Roscoe.
If that is the tone you desire, there will be no substitute. If it's a monetary thing, keep saving. In time you'll get there, and it will be worth the wait. The nice thing about high end basses, is in most cases, the original and often second or third owners take extremely good care of their instruments. Roscoes of all styles and finishes show up here on the TB classifieds. You may find exactly what you are looking for at a significantly reduced price over consigning a custom build. Good luck!

I agree with you more than not. Again, I was talking more about what I call a similar 'tone universe', but of course, each of these instruments has its own vibe. I would guess those that really like a Roscoe would not 'hate' Sadowsky Modern metro (tone-wise anyway). Could be wrong though

[JBFLA]

Originally Posted by scubaduba

... And while the dual pup Bartolini Roscoe's can cop somewhat of a P bass vibe I wouldn't consider it a "P bass on steroids".

Interesting comment. That's exactly what my sound guy called my LG3000. From a FOH POV, he said that in the mix there was little to differentiate. All said, there is some on-board work to do... but really? How much tweaking do we all do at some point?

[chadds]

Originally Posted by scubaduba

The Rapture and Thunderbass are two different animals. I would not suggest a Rapture as a Roscoe replacement, especially the single soapbar or Jazz pup versions.

And while the dual pup Bartolini Roscoe's can cop somewhat of a P bass vibe I wouldn't consider it a "P bass on steroids".

Our MMV. I was smitten by the Roscoe tag line that it was a blend of a P-bass and a Steinway. I actually think so. On top of it all a Roscoe for me sounds like whatever I want it to. It's certainly not just a P.

This being subjective I have to say for me it does exactly what I like. I'm not even thinking I'm playing a "this or a that". It always has more of anything I need tone wise so I play it close to flat. Yet if I need raging eq it's available over the whole range while still sounding like it does acoustically.

I ordered one on a hunch. It came and I instantly was in love. This is why we are blessed to have so many luthiers with their distinct expressions. Some just fall right to hand and ear and the search is over.

[scubaduba]

I'd like to try a 34" scale LG.

[Sywannab]

agreed
I have both standard and custom
"standard" has a great money-for-fun ratio.

Originally Posted by SteveC

The "standard" Roscoe is really close to a "fancy" one. They are built in NC, by the same people at the same shop. Tony did the finish work on my standard. He did the finish work on someones signature. He hand fit my neck. All thats different from the fancy Roscoe's is the "pretty" stuff really. Same electronics. The hardware is different, but still good. I think I almost prefer the "plain" Standard basses without all the fancy tops and stuff...but the Signatures sure are nice.

[phillybass101]

Originally Posted by El-Bob

Hey, I don't think anyone has suggested this yet, so.... you should just get a Roscoe.

I suggested it :-)

[scubaduba]

Originally Posted by phillybass101

I suggested it :-)

Me too.

[Brad Johnson]

Originally Posted by NeilGB

Talkbass is a great community. People have put a lot of thought into their answers and I really appreciate that.

My original post was deliberately non-specific as I wanted to get peoples reactions unfiltered (by a long and tedious description of the music I play and the gear I had and my thoughts about this, that and the other).

A Roscoe 5er or something Roscoe-esque is definitely on the cards and the right one will present itself soon enough.

I would be interested in any other comments any one has.
Cheers
Neil

If you really want a Roscoe, you probably have a reason. So do what makes you happy.

In this market there are still amazing deals on a wide variety of basses. If you're looking for options they're out there.

[NeilGB]

Thanks for the advice. I just picked this up. It sounds great and plays really easily.

Cheers
Neil

[El-Bob]

Congrats!

[Bassmanbob]

Yeah baby!

[Bassist30]

I had a Roscoe LG3005. I didn't have it for long. Got it used at a pretty good price. It had spanish cedar body and maple top. Maple neck with birds eye maple fingerboard. You can get them at a good price but they offer many options which will change its tone. As far as sounding like a sadowsky I'm not hearing it. Yet again they offer many different wood combinations so maybe someone else heard something different. But as far as a signature tone I think they are different, if that makes sense. Jimmy Haslips Bass and its wood combinations creates a very bottom end tone which was different than mine. They do have a pretty good bottom end in general. I mean the B string can get massive. I also had an MTD 5 with a mahogany body, wenge neck. I liked that bass a lot. Mike Tobias hasn't changed that design and it really works.
MTD basses are expensive and there re-sale is also high. Different than the Roscoe's re-sale. Not saying one is better just mentioning a fact. They are different and comparing the two of the one's i had the MTD has a bit more tonal options. But if you have you heart set on a roscoe it must have the tone you desire. Get it. But its not a Sadowsky or a MTD. Its on its own path.

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by NeilGB

Thanks for the advice. I just picked this up. It sounds great and plays really easily.

Cheers
Neil

That was a great deal on a great bass.

[Fishheadjoe]

I can easily cop a P-Bass vibe with my Roscoe LG3000... spanish cedar body, maple top, maple/purple heart/maple neck.
A simple roll over of the blend pot toward the bridge p/u nets me that sound, without touching another knob.
Roll the blend to favour the bridge p/u and I get a nice cutting tone.
Very versitle as far as I'm concerned.
Fishheadjoe

[chadds]

Originally Posted by Bassist30

I had a Roscoe LG3005. I didn't have it for long. Got it used at a pretty good price. It had spanish cedar body and maple top. Maple neck with birds eye maple fingerboard. You can get them at a good price but they offer many options which will change its tone. As far as sounding like a sadowsky I'm not hearing it. Yet again they offer many different wood combinations so maybe someone else heard something different. But as far as a signature tone I think they are different, if that makes sense. Jimmy Haslips Bass and its wood combinations creates a very bottom end tone which was different than mine. They do have a pretty good bottom end in general. I mean the B string can get massive. I also had an MTD 5 with a mahogany body, wenge neck. I liked that bass a lot. Mike Tobias hasn't changed that design and it really works.
MTD basses are expensive and there re-sale is also high. Different than the Roscoe's re-sale. Not saying one is better just mentioning a fact. They are different and comparing the two of the one's i had the MTD has a bit more tonal options. But if you have you heart set on a roscoe it must have the tone you desire. Get it. But its not a Sadowsky or a MTD. Its on its own path.

Glad they don't sound the same. If they did, there would be no reason to have one of each.

[Bassist30]

Originally Posted by chadds

Glad they don't sound the same. If they did, there would be no reason to have one of each.

True. Nice to see a bassist who knows what he likes.

[Munjibunga]

Pedulla.

[scubaduba]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Pedulla.

+1