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Roscoe Beck Forum?

#323
Ok guys, I this is copied from my new bass day thread but I wanted to make it official and post the pics. I'm absolutely in love with this bass, it's the sound I've been looking for for a long time!

First, I just have to say WOW!!! The build quality is amazing! As an owner of Music Man, Lakland and USA Fenders, I have to say this bass is at least on par with these basses, if not better, definitely better in terms of variety of tones and usability. I'd read a lot of good things about the RB5 but nothing prepared me for how good this bass really is. For years I've been using different basses trying to find the sound and feel that really suits me. I love P basses and Jazz basses but I really wanted something in the middle. The RB5 does both and in between with complete accuracy. I can't believe this is a passive bass! It is so flexible and the tone control is the most useable passive tone control I've ever used. Throw that in with the series/single/parallel switching for both pickups and the possibilities are endless. And don't get me started on the B string, I have them all, 35in scale, 34in scale, Laklands, Stingrays, this thing is AMAZING!!!

I was lucky enough to stumble across the website for Guitar Resurrection in Austin, TX and saw they had a very minty 1998 RB5 in Metallic Teal for sale with original case. They listed the condition as excellent and they weren't lying. I expected a bass of this age might need some minor fret work or a plek job to make it play like my other basses, but no way. It was amazing right out of the case and even better after a little tweaking. I go to bed in awe every night at how amazing this bass is. Anyway, I think I finally found my number one go-to bass. I'm so glad I have one of these and really want to spread the word about them.

Thanks for stopping in!!!
 

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#325
I'm really starting to miss my RBIV, overly heavy MusicMans and headstock heavy P basses are merely serving to remind me how well thought out and built the Roscoes are. If I see an RBV (I like a wider neck these days, hence the 'Ray/P Bass quiver) going for a reasonable price I think I'm going to in there.

On a slightly different subject John East has a new P bass preamp which I reckon could be dropped inton an RB really easily [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] basically it adds a bass/treble or mid boost (variable frequency range on either) whilst still retaining a passive volume and tone control without any routing or extra knobs required.
 
#326
Ezbass said:
. . . On a slightly different subject John East has a new P bass preamp which I reckon could be dropped inton an RB really easily [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] basically it adds a bass/treble or mid boost (variable frequency range on either) whilst still retaining a passive volume and tone control without any routing or extra knobs required.
Click to expand...

DON'T DO IT!!!!

I think the core of the mojo of these basses is the fact that they are passive. I wouldn't modify them in any way. If you need preamp tweakability, I would suggest an outboard like the Sadowsky. Aggie and Nordstrand makes them as well.

Also, the link is broken, so here is mine again!!!

RBV.jpg
 
#327
As far as strings go, what kind of taper wounds are you guys using? I put on a set of the Fender 8250M's and the tapered part of the sting isn't long enough to pass over the saddle when strung through the body. I generally like tapered strings so I would like to put some on there were long enough to actually function as a tapered string.
 
#328
nismaniac said:
As far as strings go, what kind of taper wounds are you guys using? I put on a set of the Fender 8250M's and the tapered part of the sting isn't long enough to pass over the saddle when strung through the body. I generally like tapered strings so I would like to put some on there were long enough to actually function as a tapered string.
Click to expand...

I use DR long necks. They fit like they were made for the bass. Sound great too, and have nice life span. It's all I buy these days.
 
#330
One caveat about the Long Necks though. You HAVE to string them through body.

The tapered core is so long, that if you don't string them through body, the exposed core extends out nearly to the bridge pickup. This makes for some very funky (funky, in a bad way that is :) ) artifacts, and if you are like me and like to get back close to the bridge for that killer, dig in finger style, you can actually end up plucking on the core, or even worse, at the transition area where it starts tapering up.

I learned this the hard way on my Quantum 5.
 
#332
Chasarms said:
One caveat about the Long Necks though. You HAVE to string them through body.

The tapered core is so long, that if you don't string them through body, the exposed core extends out nearly to the bridge pickup. This makes for some very funky (funky, in a bad way that is :) ) artifacts, and if you are like me and like to get back close to the bridge for that killer, dig in finger style, you can actually end up plucking on the core, or even worse, at the transition area where it starts tapering up.

I learned this the hard way on my Quantum 5.
Click to expand...

Cool...thanks for the heads up. That will work perfect for me, I try to go through body whenever possible.
 
#333
Luckie said:
Welcome to the Beck family!
I love teal metallic, so much in fact...
IMG_2657-1.jpg

It's an '03 IIRC. Got it for 500 bucks. I love this bass.
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$500???? Wow...that is an amazing deal. I felt like $1200 was a good deal, and I say that because with the build quality, sound quality and condition the bass was in I would've paid more. I love these basses!!!

I've know about them since they came out but never really paid much attention. Now that I know what they're all about, I'm kicking myself for not being on the bandwagon years ago!
 

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