Been wanting a Roscoe bass for a while. Does anyone know how long the build time is on instruments with them?
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Roscoe Club
- Thread starter JOME77
- Start date
I’ve only played one 34” Roscoe and there was really no discernible difference in overall sound (of the B string).
If you had $350 to upgrade the Roscoe, would you change the pickups or the preamp? Asking for a friend... 
If you had $350 to upgrade the Roscoe, would you change the pickups or the preamp? Asking for a friend...
Short answer from the choices you provided: pickups, IMO.
Long answer:
That's a good question. Personally, I've done one, or both, if my tonal goals were not being met with how I received the Roscoe.
I think it depends on what you are hearing and what you want to hear. I think you could potentially drastically change the tone with either choice (pickups possibly being the more drastic of the two). If I had $350 to upgrade a Roscoe at this point, I'd consider sending one to Keith for a PLEK and he can adjust pickup height, etc. to match your tonal and playing preferences.
If you had $350 to upgrade the Roscoe, would you change the pickups or the preamp? Asking for a friend...
Pickups, but I'm not a big fan of the Roscoe-spec Barts.
If you had $350 to upgrade the Roscoe, would you change the pickups or the preamp? Asking for a friend...
I believe that most folks will agree that the pickups affect the overall sound of a bass more than the preamp.
That being said, I love the sound of the Roscoe Barts in a Roscoe. IMO it has a lot to do with the “Roscoe Sound” that I love. With that being said, I’m not fond of the Bartolini preamp paired with the Roscoe Bart pickups. A bit too dark of a tone (and too harsh highs and upper mids).
I eventually always change out the Bartolini preamp in my Roscoes to a Nordstrand. IMO it opens the sound nicely and provides a great active/passive option and a passive tone control.
The Pope and East preamps are also excellent choices but cost a bit more.
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From my experience with other basses Pickups is always the biggest factor in the tone. Preamps can color some but for the most part it's very little.
I had a Century Custom J 5 with Bart J’s and Bart preamp. I never loved that bass’s sound from day 1. I first changed the pickups to Nordstrand single coils. That improved the sound drastically. Then, since I’m never one to just leave things alone, I swapped in a Nordstrand 3 band preamp. That was a much more subtle change, but it was noticeable.
I’ve done pickup and electronics swaps on countless other basses since then, and the pickups always make the bigger difference.
I’ve done pickup and electronics swaps on countless other basses since then, and the pickups always make the bigger difference.
Plus, maybe just 2 more weeks. .
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touche!
Having just been through the process it’s certainly 6 months (2 weeks).
But it’s worth it.
Sorry had to.
I ordered mine july 16th. I suppose January or February is the ETA
Order placed August 20th. No official word yet but hopefully January or February.
Merry Christmas Roscoeheads!
Here's a Christmas Bass orchestra tune featuring a few Roscoe basses from Christmas' past.....
Here's a Christmas Bass orchestra tune featuring a few Roscoe basses from Christmas' past.....
Merry Christmas y’all.
I’m a gear Ho Ho Ho!
I’m a gear Ho Ho Ho!
Same to you, Roscoe brother. By the way. . Nice, festive holiday avatar you have!
