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My Future Roscoe
- Thread starter RocketMusic
- Start date
Greg, FWIW...and I wouldn't say anything if you hadn't done so already...I LOVE the bird's eye maple. I think it very subtly complements that gorgeous body - providing contrast yet making a statement of its own. I've never played a bass with a wenge board, so I can't speak to the sound, but in terms of simple aesthetics, I think the BEM is just gorgeous.
That said, I don't think there's a a bad choice amongst the three options. The BEM just seems to be the best of the good choices.
Good luck, my friend!
That said, I don't think there's a a bad choice amongst the three options. The BEM just seems to be the best of the good choices.
Good luck, my friend!
Man!! You want to hear some serious overthinking?
So I'm looking at the plain BEM as the safe, conservative choice, right? Who would look at that and have something negative to say? It's pretty undeniably gorgeous. The mineral streaked BEM, on the other hand, is going out on a limb. Not everyone will like it (heck, I MIGHT not like it)... but those who like it will LOVE it!
And when I think critically about my own playing, one of my biggest shortcomings is that I play safely and to some degree predicatably. I like to know where the "right" notes are, and I'm uncomfortable playing "out" harmonically and rhythmically. And "out" is where so much of the flavor lives, dang it!!!
So there's a part of me that looks at this fretboard choice as either reinforcing or demolishing my playing tendencies. Maybe if I take a fretboard that's "out", I'll be inspired to play "out"... and maybe if I take the safe choice, I'll be lulled into continuing to play safely.
Too deep? Probably. But that's the kinda crap that's going to keep me up tonight...
Better to guzzle too many brews and watch the b-ball tonight...
So I'm looking at the plain BEM as the safe, conservative choice, right? Who would look at that and have something negative to say? It's pretty undeniably gorgeous. The mineral streaked BEM, on the other hand, is going out on a limb. Not everyone will like it (heck, I MIGHT not like it)... but those who like it will LOVE it!
And when I think critically about my own playing, one of my biggest shortcomings is that I play safely and to some degree predicatably. I like to know where the "right" notes are, and I'm uncomfortable playing "out" harmonically and rhythmically. And "out" is where so much of the flavor lives, dang it!!!
So there's a part of me that looks at this fretboard choice as either reinforcing or demolishing my playing tendencies. Maybe if I take a fretboard that's "out", I'll be inspired to play "out"... and maybe if I take the safe choice, I'll be lulled into continuing to play safely.
Too deep? Probably. But that's the kinda crap that's going to keep me up tonight...
Better to guzzle too many brews and watch the b-ball tonight...
I don't think it's too deep, but with this bass, I don't think you'll be lulled into playing 'inside.' On the contrary, I think the sound is what's going to do it for you....this thing is gonna' be a sonic beast! Hearing it will be what makes you go out on a limb to stretch and try new things.
Not sure if this helps, but...taking looks out of the equation for a moment:
What board will best add to the character of the sound you're hoping to get from this bass?
If there's a clear answer, maybe you need go no further? If not, then maybe it's time to factor in what looks best to you. I'll say that what drew me to my main bass was the spalted purpleheart fingerboard. I'd never seen anything like it. So, the mineral streaked board has an obvious attraction. However, the top on your bass is just strikingly gorgeous. Aesthetically, I'd lean toward the board that best complements the top, but without drawing any attention away from it. To my eyes...the plain BEM fits best.
Good luck, my man. If it helps at all, I'd be utterly hopeless in making this decision. Reason #148 I couldn't do a custom order...or at least one where I didn't just say, "Gard...have at it, brother."
Not sure if this helps, but...taking looks out of the equation for a moment:
What board will best add to the character of the sound you're hoping to get from this bass?
If there's a clear answer, maybe you need go no further? If not, then maybe it's time to factor in what looks best to you. I'll say that what drew me to my main bass was the spalted purpleheart fingerboard. I'd never seen anything like it. So, the mineral streaked board has an obvious attraction. However, the top on your bass is just strikingly gorgeous. Aesthetically, I'd lean toward the board that best complements the top, but without drawing any attention away from it. To my eyes...the plain BEM fits best.
Good luck, my man. If it helps at all, I'd be utterly hopeless in making this decision.
Reason #148 I couldn't do a custom order...or at least one where I didn't just say, "Gard...have at it, brother."
Yeah, I guess I'm assuming both BEMs are sonically the same... I've ruled out the wenge fer sher, so it's down to those two... I wonder if my assumption about the BEMs is good?
I'm probably leaning 65% towards the plain BEM... I'm with you, Jerry, the top HAS to be the visual focus... I'm just struggling to guage how much of a visual distraction the streaks are... one minute the streaks are the coolest thing ever, the next they're a distraction... I'm gonna have to flip a coin right before they have to glue the board on
I'm probably leaning 65% towards the plain BEM... I'm with you, Jerry, the top HAS to be the visual focus... I'm just struggling to guage how much of a visual distraction the streaks are... one minute the streaks are the coolest thing ever, the next they're a distraction... I'm gonna have to flip a coin right before they have to glue the board on
Yeah, I guess I'm assuming both BEMs are sonically the same... I've ruled out the wenge fer sher, so it's down to those two... I wonder if my assumption about the BEMs is good?
I'm probably leaning 65% towards the plain BEM... I'm with you, Jerry, the top HAS to be the visual focus... I'm just struggling to guage how much of a visual distraction the streaks are... one minute the streaks are the coolest thing ever, the next they're a distraction... I'm gonna have to flip a coin right before they have to glue the board on
I'm with Jerry on this... the BEM is where it's at baby !
the "half n half " BEM is sick but to my eye it is a visual fight between it and the top. Keep the focus on that sick a$$ top bro'
Well, 3 beers and 1 seriously kick-butt UNC half later... and I'm at peace 
Either board will look great, but I'm probably 85% plain BEM at this point. I do really want that top to sing on it's own...
Follow the wood choices up with the Joe Barden rails, the black hardware and the matching wood knobs by THG... ugh, guh, guh, guh... I'm done!
Either board will look great, but I'm probably 85% plain BEM at this point. I do really want that top to sing on it's own... Follow the wood choices up with the Joe Barden rails, the black hardware and the matching wood knobs by THG... ugh, guh, guh, guh... I'm done!
I think you'll be happy with either of the BEM boards. However, I think the best bet would be the plain BEM board. It is highly possible that you'll end up with a bass that looks a little too "busy" if you get the streaked BEM board.
Of course, that's all just my opinion! Whichever one you go with, it's gonna be one of the nicest looking Roscoes around!
Of course, that's all just my opinion! Whichever one you go with, it's gonna be one of the nicest looking Roscoes around!
...sheesh, you really ARE a woman, aren't you?
:scowl:
Slight derail: Took my step son to see "I Love You, Man". Really funny, and Rush was a huge presence in the movie, including a scene at a show with them playing "Limelight"!
Us bassists need to support this type of thing in mainstream media!
:scowl:
Thanks so much for doing that. Love you, mean it
Slight derail: Took my step son to see "I Love You, Man". Really funny, and Rush was a huge presence in the movie, including a scene at a show with them playing "Limelight"!
Us bassists need to support this type of thing in mainstream media!
TOTALLY predicted this in my email yesterday. Welcome to the wild side, brotha!
Wanna see if you can get a volume discount for
THREE sets of wood knobs?
Borrowing from Alec Baldwin...
"Except for the sex with men part, sometimes I can't believe I'm not gay."
Totally cool to reach toward one's metrosexual side for decisions as monumental as this. Of course, it's also totally cool for Gard to make the 'woman' call, as there must be balance in the universe.
Good luck, Greg!
"Except for the sex with men part, sometimes I can't believe I'm not gay."
Totally cool to reach toward one's metrosexual side for decisions as monumental as this. Of course, it's also totally cool for Gard to make the 'woman' call, as there must be balance in the universe.
Good luck, Greg!
AAAAAAAHHHHHHHahahaha! Coming from my favorite GENder BENder player on the opposite coast!
Jerry, making those photoshop pics for Greg was a totally righteous thing to do; good thing I picked my pieces in person. Otherwise you'd have your work cut out for you w/ my 2 builds.
Totally, and it was incredibly helpful... thank you, thank you, thank you, Jerry!
I think I've landed where I want to be in the decision making progress this morning. I REALLY want to like the mineral streaks, I just don't like the sight of them next to the body. Sooooo - I've decided to compromise with myself and asked Gard and Co. to work on this sort of look for my fretboard:
I think as long as the mineral streaks start somewhere up away from the body (so there's 100% plain BEM at the neck joint), I'll be happy. I'm hoping for a little more mineral streak content out towards the nut than in the above pic, but nature is nature - the board will look like it looks like. I have faith in Roscoe's craftsmen, they'll make it look awesome.
My manhood is reinstated... until I change my mind again later today
Greg,
I think I like your idea of having the solid colored neck near the body and having the streaks part way up the neck. I think that will give you the best of both worlds.
I think I like your idea of having the solid colored neck near the body and having the streaks part way up the neck. I think that will give you the best of both worlds.
Greg...wow! I really think you're on to something there. Excusing the crude photochop, let's visualize...
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