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NBD - Roscoe Classic P5

conttador

conttador

Supporting Member
Jun 10, 2010
1,639
2,228
San Antonio, TX
#1
I’d been on the hunt for a quality P5. I’d been holding out for a Lakland Skyline and I’d say my wait paid off! I picked up this Roscoe Classic P5 in Ash, which has been around here a couple of times. At some point I believe it had an Aguilar pickup and now it has a Nordstrand.

The neck is extremely comfortable, very thin and flat.
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Now I can hold out for LOG…
 
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#4
@conttador Congrats on your gorgeous new Roscoe Classic P5! It's a beautiful bass. Bankruptcy? Yes, chapter 11 debt restructuring with 1 creditor, their bank, which promptly refinanced their loan. They emerged quickly, not missing a beat (or payment), then or now. Here's a subsequent pic of Kyle building my Century 6 fretless, which is an outstanding bass.

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Keith and Kyle Roscoe are in the shop as we write, taking orders and building basses. I recently inquired about a new build, and was treated to a lovely parade of exquisite top candidates in both large raw planks, and smaller center-seemed rectangular pieces. They're just waiting for a fortunate someone to choose a body style. Roscoe's raw wood stock is simply jaw dropping, making an awesome starting point for their artistry.
 
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#6
staccatogrowl said:
@conttador Congrats on your gorgeous new Roscoe Classic P5! It's a beautiful bass. Bankruptcy? Yes, chapter 11 debt restructuring with 1 creditor, their bank, which promptly refinanced their loan. They emerged quickly, not missing a beat (or payment), then or now. Here's a subsequent pic of Kyle building my Century 6 fretless, which is an outstanding bass.

View attachment 7032211

Keith and Kyle Roscoe are in the shop as we write, taking orders and building basses. I recently inquired about a new build, and was treated to a lovely parade of exquisite top candidates in both large raw planks, and smaller center-seemed rectangular pieces. They're just waiting for a fortunate someone to choose a body style. Roscoe's raw wood stock is simply jaw dropping, making an awesome starting point for their artistry.
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I’m glad they’re still going strong! I have 3 Roscoes in my arsenal including this P5 and they each have their own identity!
 
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#7
SteveC said:
Love my Roscoe Classic P 4. A gift from my wonderful wife. Honey Badger pickup. Hipshot UltraLite tuners. Side output jack which I LOVE as it's the same as my other Roscoes.

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How do you like that pickup?

I’m not sure the Nordstrand nails that classic nasal P sound we all know and love! It’s currently strung w rounds but I have a set of Sadowsky flats that I’ve been saving for a P5.

I think this P sounds a little more modern than my preferred P sound!
 
#8
conttador said:
How do you like that pickup?

I’m not sure the Nordstrand nails that classic nasal P sound we all know and love! It’s currently strung w rounds but I have a set of Sadowsky flats that I’ve been saving for a P5.

I think this P sounds a little more modern than my preferred P sound!
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I think it's fine. It is different from most P basses, a little more aggressive maybe? I have debated swapping a Fender 62 for a more "classic" tone but never pulled the trigger. I have TI flats on it.
 
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#10
nonohmic said:
I've GAS'd over that one a lot. Nice one!

Any obvious issues with it? I often wonder that about basses that have passed through a few hands here.
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None whatsoever other than the pickup sounding a bit more modern for my taste. I am looking for that classic Motown/60s soul sound. The bass is pretty pristine though!

I’ll be looking for a P5 pickup that gives me the sound I’m looking for.
 
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#11
SteveC said:
I think it's fine. It is different from most P basses, a little more aggressive maybe? I have debated swapping a Fender 62 for a more "classic" tone but never pulled the trigger. I have TI flats on it.
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I tried a Classic PJ a with Honey Badgers a few years ago when I was visiting with Greg at Rocket Music. I loved the sound and feel of that bass. Unfortunately Honey Badgers are no longer being made.
 
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#14
oren said:
I tried a Classic PJ a with Honey Badgers a few years ago when I was visiting with Greg at Rocket Music. I loved the sound and feel of that bass. Unfortunately Honey Badgers are no longer being made.
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It’s interesting because most “vintage” wound/sounding pickups are for 4 strings. I may reach out to a custom pickup maker & have something customer made.
 
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#15
jjcarswell said:
As you can see in the picture, I have a Roscoe classic p/j….it is a great bass!! Congrats on your new acquisition! I did install an Audere preamp in the bass and really like the sound & versatility 🤘😊
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This one is passive. I’ll probably run it through a Sadowsky outboard preamp but if I can get the passive sound I’m looking for I should be able to dial in the sound I’m looking for w the tone control.
 
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#18
oren said:
I tried a Classic PJ a with Honey Badgers a few years ago when I was visiting with Greg at Rocket Music. I loved the sound and feel of that bass. Unfortunately Honey Badgers are no longer being made.
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The fact that Honey Badgers are no longer made is one reason I keep it. I mean, I could hang on to it if I replaced it too I suppose. Greg must have ordered or modded a few of these to HB pickups when he had them.
 
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#20
Roscoe Classics are a real sleeper. I have two and the playability is ridiculous. I think if they had more of a signature sound like Sadowsky and Alleva, people would consider them on that level. My Roscoe Classic P bass with a Kloppman 63 pickup absolutely kills my (mostly) original ‘71 precision.
 
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