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For sale 1997 Fender Roscoe Beck V

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This ad has expired.

Details

This bass is a Fender Roscoe Beck V (5 string bass) in very good-to-excellent condition. Includes a well used Fender tweed hardshell case with plenty of exterior scuffs and scrapes, but functionally in great shape, as well as the original truss rod tool. I picked this up from Dan Basica of Premier Bass Guitars a little over half a year ago and found that while it is the best Fender bass I have ever touched, by a very wide margin, it still wasn't enough to make me a Jazz Bass guy. (I have a love-hate relationship with Jazz Bass tone similar to the way lots of people talk about Rickenbacker 4001 basses, and the RBV could be considered a top tier Jazz Bass on steroids.) I never gigged this bass once, but recorded with it a bit at home. I hate that I'm selling this but my wife just racked up a pretty big hospital bill for us that this will need to cover (the good news is she's home now and seems very stable).

Nitty gritty:
*34'' scale (don't get any ideas about the B string, it marvelous)
*1.875'' nut spacing
*String spacing is 19 mm
*Neck profile is a very comfortable asymmetric... it's big but it doesn't feel as big as it should (and in general I find big necks = big tone)
*Factory pickups are a Bill Lawrence design and sound wonderful all the way down to open low B
*Weighs 10.24 pounds
*Shoreline Gold finish
*Made in 1997

Condition details: There are some very hard to spot dings that have penetrated the clear coat in a few places, and one notable ding which is on the back to the right of the neck plate, apparently from a strap lock when the strap was left in the case. (See Dan's high quality pics below.) I took it to Colfax Guitar Shop and they didn't do any work on it because they said it didn't need anything but they noticed some fret wear that may need attention in a few years. They thought the neck/fingerboard were great and said something about it being above average for a Fender though I didn't quite get what specifically was above average about it. I'm a Ric guy mostly so I just took Dave's word for it.

PRICE: $1575 shipped & insured in the CONUS.

p.s.: This is my first TalkBass listing so please be gentle if I seem ignorant of something or forget a detail... Just bring it to my attention and I'll do what I can to get you the info you need.

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Comments

Chuck M

Supporting Member
May 2, 2000
5,634
16,466
San Antonio, Texas
I own an RB V in CAR and it is a truly fine bass. IMO Fender has made two 5 string bass models that are really good...the RB V and the P 5.

The Roscoe Beck does sound a lot like a Jazz but the versatile electronics give it the ability to sound fatter than a passive J bass.

These are hard to find in this condition and the price is very fair. It should sell quickly.

Chuck
 

basschanges

Unconditionally Loving Member
Jun 20, 2012
833
934
37
Finksburg, MD
Lots of people on here wistfully talk about the days when Fender made this beauty. This one shouldn't last long.

GLWTS
 
Sep 19, 2012
1,167
179
Thanks Chuck and basschanges!! I appreciate the kind words. It can beautifully cop a Jazz Bass tone, but you are right, there are plenty of other options. Series mode sounds good in both pickup positions, and while I am not as big a fan of parallel it is nice to have the choice to use it. I also thought the Master Volume "blend switch" was a cool idea.

I realize my lack of feedback may worry some buyers so if you are interested in the RBV I can link you to my eBay feedback from the days of yore.
 

Chef

In Memoriam
May 23, 2004
41,814
18,945
65
Columbia MO
Disclosures
Staff Reviewer; Bass Gear Magazine
Totally wish I could, but I can't.
I talked to the seller at length over a few days, and he seemed like a good guy.
 

basschanges

Unconditionally Loving Member
Jun 20, 2012
833
934
37
Finksburg, MD
Everybody starts with zero feedback. Even these captain of industry types who've sold and bought over 150 things here. ;)

You've included pictures, detailed specs (string spacing, scale length, nut width, weight...) and the condition of the instrument. Buying something, especially online, is a risk, but you've done all you can to mitigate that risk.
 
Jan 11, 2005
777
154
57
SLC, Ut
Had a P5 Deluxe. Sounded great, just never really dig the P body. Sent you a PM. If you're not interested, best of luck!!! Really nice bass!!!
 
Bump for this beauty...

Best V string Fender bass ever made... I have the same year/colour RBV and it's marvelous. Wish I have money to buy it :hmm:

Someone will be very happy owner :smug:
 
Sep 19, 2012
1,167
179
Thanks for the interest guys. :) Unfortunately I'm not looking for any trades--I just need to sell it. As I posted in the OP I'm trying to pay for a hospital bill my wife racked up recently.
 
May 4, 2013
600
70
Oh man, if I can scrape up $1500!
My main bass is (99.99% of my playing time is spent on) a red RBV, bought it new in 98 and it's the only thing I ever want to play
I've always loved the shoreline, and I'd love to have a second RBV!
How does one convince the wife to drop $1500 on something you already have one of? Lol!
 

MaddAnthony_59

Supporting Member
Dec 16, 2006
4,599
708
Columbus, IN
www.myspace.com
Disclosures
I Channel Surf During Commercials. (Drives my Wife CRAZY!!!)
You're coming in from a "Permission" angle. Maybe you should explore the "FORGIVENESS" angle...:hiding:

Oh man, if I can scrape up $1500!
My main bass is (99.99% of my playing time is spent on) a red RBV, bought it new in 98 and it's the only thing I ever want to play
I've always loved the shoreline, and I'd love to have a second RBV!
How does one convince the wife to drop $1500 on something you already have one of? Lol!
 
Sep 19, 2012
1,167
179
Thanks for all the interest this has received!! I appreciate all of the enthusiastic replies and PMs. I was asked if PayPal was okay and I have no problem with that. As stated in the OP, my pricing is for those within the CONUS and includes shipping.

I will say it again, this is probably the best Fender I've touched in my lifetime and they number pretty high in my tenure as a bass player. I hope whoever takes it off my hands gives it a happy and high-gigging home because it sure deserves one. :)
 
Sep 19, 2012
1,167
179
Due to a recent question I received by private message I want to highlight a portion from my original OP:

This bass is a Fender Roscoe Beck V (5 string bass) in very good-to-excellent condition. Includes a well used Fender tweed hardshell case with plenty of exterior scuffs and scrapes, but functionally in great shape, as well as the original truss rod tool. I picked this up from Dan Basica of Premier Bass Guitars a little over half a year ago...

The photos I linked here are the photos taken by Dan at PBG. Someone wondered if I was sharing photos of a different bass than the one I have listed due to the pics' affiliation with PBG--to be 100% clear it is the same bass in the same condition.
 

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