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Fender Roscoe Beck IV bass

Gib82

Gib82

Mar 9, 2009
225
340
#1
I am considering buying a fender roscoe beck IV that is in a local music shop. They are asking $1600 which I think is a little steep. I have done a lot of research online and have read every post in the form here on talkbass, Which seems to have a lot of good things to say about the bass. But I haven't read any negative comments on the bass, which is probably a good thing!
Is there anyone out there with some experience with these basses that can give me some advice or opinions. Good or bad?

Thanks
 
#2
$ 1600 is a high price man! I saw one of the RB 5 string models some time back that was in good condition going for $ 1100.

I think for a 4 string anything more than $ 1200 is a high price IMO.

One of my best bass playing buddies has RB 4. It's a great bass. Very nice sound and even though its passive, the amount of tones you get is phenominal. The one thing that stands out about this bass is that the bridge pickup has a lot of bite and growl without being too trebly or nasal.

One more thing, this is one of the few basses where I've seen putting different types of strings, i.e., hex core v round core, nickel v steel, guages of course, making a HUGE DIFFERENCE.

I hope you can get the bass at a lower price man. Its a great bass!!

Cheers!
 
#3
When the Roscoe Beck IV was introduced Fender had raised prices on this particular signature model. And oddly enough the 4 string sold for more than the 5 string's retail price up until that point in time. And IIRC, the 5 string price went up at that time as well.

Now, a used RB5 will run about $1100 - $1200. I bought mine new back in 1999 or so, and I've been playing it ever since, and it was under $1K. Still, I've always gotten the sense that the 4 string version is a little bit more rare. And I've seen those sell for close to or over $2K.

And the thing that always puzzled me about the 4 string version? That it was available with a couple of different fingerboard options as well as different finishes.
 
#4
Thanks for the input. $1600 is there blow out price because they still consider the bass new because it hasn't sold since 2008. But to me a bass that has been sitting in a store for that long with hundreds of people playing isn't a new bass anymore. Maybe I'm wrong? Im not going to pay $1600. Ill let you know if they move on the price.
Anyone else have any thoughts?
 

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