First thing I would do is take the SS strings off. Go with the TIs or nickel rounds (I like Sunbeams). Then think about other changes. I like theAguilar Jazz PUPs.
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Roscoe Club
- Thread starter JOME77
- Start date
I agree. When I think Roscoe I think of a carved top LG with a 5 piece maple, purple heart, maple neck.
I've always liked the Aguilar preamps over the typical Bart NTMB+F found standard in Roscoes because of the EQ points on bass and treble. The Bart bass is centered too low at 30 Hz, while the treble is too high at 10 kHz. The Aguilar 3-band preamps I've had are much more musical to my ears having the bass at 40 Hz and the treble at a much less brittle 6.5 kHz (though I'm actually more fond of the OBP-1 pre with bass at 40 Hz and treble at 4 kHZ - it's VERY similar to the Sadowsky pre). Bart has different offerings, too, like the NTMB+FL which still has bass at 30 Hz, but a much better treble point of 6.5 kHz like the Aguilar. Of course, the NTMB+F is definitely popular and well-liked around here, it's just not my cup of tea especially for a bass sporting jazz pickups. With all that said, to me the secret sauce in a jazz setup is a passive tone control. I use that more than anything else on basses that have it.
Appreciate your post, experience, analysis, and preferences for preamps amd use, @KaseOfBass . Some observations regarding frequency centers: 1) Qs are also important, rarely discussed, and contribute to tonal profile of control. 2) Many use HPFs now, so rolling off lows, including 40hz and more is common. 3) Many use EQ in subtractive manners, so boost issues are not much apparent.
Considering these factors in my use, Roscoes with NTMBFs work great, and I appreciate them. My main use of the preamp is as an overall signal boost, and 18v headroom is appreciated.
My most used tone control is blend knob, with B,M,&T controls set flat at center detents. I rarely touch those controls other than to make sure they are centered. Otherwise, I use them for subtractive EQ, with the exception of adding a smidge of low mids if a bridge pickup is solo'd.
I liked the idea of the NTMBFL for its intent of fretless use. That preamp appears to be discontinued on Bartolini's website, although several retailers have them in stock.
Considering these factors in my use, Roscoes with NTMBFs work great, and I appreciate them. My main use of the preamp is as an overall signal boost, and 18v headroom is appreciated.
My most used tone control is blend knob, with B,M,&T controls set flat at center detents. I rarely touch those controls other than to make sure they are centered. Otherwise, I use them for subtractive EQ, with the exception of adding a smidge of low mids if a bridge pickup is solo'd.
I liked the idea of the NTMBFL for its intent of fretless use. That preamp appears to be discontinued on Bartolini's website, although several retailers have them in stock.
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Great point regarding the Q...certainly an important consideration! I think a LOT of my tonal preferences are influenced by my love of Ampeg amps, their tone stack, and just my familiarity with setting EQ on them. They can differ between models, but I have a basic go-to when setting my tone on them that works in 99.9% of the situations I encounter.
I'll use bass controls few and far between, normally finding that I prefer the native sound of a bass plugged in with my amp settings, rather than a flat amp and the bass being the EQ catalyst. The exceptions to that have been 1.) Stingray basses, particularly the two-band preamp (sometimes the three-band to mimic the sound of the two-band), which I goose up pretty good on bass and treble; 2.) when I'm going straight direct through a DI only, I'll fiddle with the EQ on a bass.
I think that's where my preference for 40 Hz and 4 kHz on a bass pre originate - they're also the typical bass and treble frequency points for many Ampeg amps, including the SVT Classic. Though, as you mentioned, the Q can play a big role in how those frequency points behave. The Barts obviously work for a lot of folks though and it's great to have the vast amount of options we do
Hey, you guys, today is the day for Jimmy Haslip's masterclass, including an appearance by Keith Roscoe. Jimmy Haslip Bass Masterclass (No cost, online)
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It's pretty amazing. The chat with Jimmy was very cool, and the tour of the Roscoe shop is ridiculous!
I was happy I got to see the body of my Koa top-and-back build.
Was surprised how big the shop is. I heard they moved back into a smaller space not long ago...? Either that was incorrect, or the bigger place was *very* big.
Was surprised how big the shop is. I heard they moved back into a smaller space not long ago...? Either that was incorrect, or the bigger place was *very* big.
Someone will comment, but I think the bigger place was really big and the new smaller place is still bigger than the old shop I was at 10 years ago.
I’ll be sending my Century Standard Plus 5 to get the gloss coat/seal done to it in a few weeks. I need to get through a couple more gigs before we have a number of weeks off. Pretty excited to see my Koa top all glossy and more importantly, protected.
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What an excellent master class and Roscoe facility tour! Kudos and thanks to Ron Knobler, the seminar host and facilitator, Jimmy Haslip, and Keith and Kyle Roscoe. All were informative, excellent, gracious, and good-humored presenters.
Jimmy Haslip was the keynote speaker, spending his time sharing details of his prolific career as an artist, and answering participant questions. Haslip shared his rich history of recording and touring, skill sets and development, and collaborations with other musicians and bands. He also shared encouraging news of how busy he's been through and since COVID, working on many projects, both as a supportive musician and leader. He recounted his Roscoe story, too. It was very special to hear his experiences directly from him, bringing them to life, live and first person.
Haslip shared a couple of things about his signature Roscoe bass that I didn't realize. First, his LG6 has an LG5 body, although I don't know the difference between the 2. Next, he prefers 2 volume controls instead of blend, as he thinks that configuration offers him more tonal options (many share his belief, like @Joe BassPlayer ). Last, he uses a Bart 3-band preamp, turning all of the preamp controls full up. He wants the "fullest signal possible" from his bass. Then, he uses pickup blending to change his tone, or his amp controls.
Keith and Kyle Roscoe presented the Roscoe factory tour. Beginning in the shop entry foyer, Keith literally walked us through the facility, iPhone in hand. Kyle soon joined the tour. They alternated camera and narration duties, handing the phone back and forth.
Most do not think of manufacturing workplaces as being glamorous. It's quickly apparent that the Roscoe shop is not the kind of "boutique shop" where everything is made elsewhere and then just assembled, setup, or inspected at the "pretty, dust-free showroom."
It was interesting to learn about the machinery and technology used and demonstrated, a healthy mix of old and new. There's plenty of hardwork and artistry involved, especially since each bass is a custom-shop order. Kyle and Keith took turns holding the phone, showing shop areas, basses and necks in progress, and wood stock that has been compiled for decades, with enough to serve players well into the future.
New on the Roscoe front? Keith and Kyle talked briefly about a new model in the works: a 32"-scale 4-string, and a 33"-scale 5-string. The model reportedly has a mix of "Roscoe (body) and Classic (neck) elements," is targeted to be their least-expensive model, and will be made in Greensboro. More info to come. Meanwhile, some things are not new, such as seeing piles of sawdust in the facility, "evidence that instruments are being crafted there," as commonly stated by Keith Roscoe.
Finally, if you missed the live presentation, but registered as an attendee, a playback link will reportedly be made available to all registrants. Also, unanswered questions from Jimmy Haslip's seminar q&a will be answered (time ran out), and shared with registrants at a future date.
Jimmy Haslip was the keynote speaker, spending his time sharing details of his prolific career as an artist, and answering participant questions. Haslip shared his rich history of recording and touring, skill sets and development, and collaborations with other musicians and bands. He also shared encouraging news of how busy he's been through and since COVID, working on many projects, both as a supportive musician and leader. He recounted his Roscoe story, too. It was very special to hear his experiences directly from him, bringing them to life, live and first person.
Haslip shared a couple of things about his signature Roscoe bass that I didn't realize. First, his LG6 has an LG5 body, although I don't know the difference between the 2. Next, he prefers 2 volume controls instead of blend, as he thinks that configuration offers him more tonal options (many share his belief, like @Joe BassPlayer ). Last, he uses a Bart 3-band preamp, turning all of the preamp controls full up. He wants the "fullest signal possible" from his bass. Then, he uses pickup blending to change his tone, or his amp controls.
Keith and Kyle Roscoe presented the Roscoe factory tour. Beginning in the shop entry foyer, Keith literally walked us through the facility, iPhone in hand. Kyle soon joined the tour. They alternated camera and narration duties, handing the phone back and forth.
Most do not think of manufacturing workplaces as being glamorous. It's quickly apparent that the Roscoe shop is not the kind of "boutique shop" where everything is made elsewhere and then just assembled, setup, or inspected at the "pretty, dust-free showroom."
It was interesting to learn about the machinery and technology used and demonstrated, a healthy mix of old and new. There's plenty of hardwork and artistry involved, especially since each bass is a custom-shop order. Kyle and Keith took turns holding the phone, showing shop areas, basses and necks in progress, and wood stock that has been compiled for decades, with enough to serve players well into the future.
New on the Roscoe front? Keith and Kyle talked briefly about a new model in the works: a 32"-scale 4-string, and a 33"-scale 5-string. The model reportedly has a mix of "Roscoe (body) and Classic (neck) elements," is targeted to be their least-expensive model, and will be made in Greensboro. More info to come. Meanwhile, some things are not new, such as seeing piles of sawdust in the facility, "evidence that instruments are being crafted there," as commonly stated by Keith Roscoe.
Finally, if you missed the live presentation, but registered as an attendee, a playback link will reportedly be made available to all registrants. Also, unanswered questions from Jimmy Haslip's seminar q&a will be answered (time ran out), and shared with registrants at a future date.
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If I remember what Keith said correctly they used to be in the other half of the building that they currently occupy, which is a larger space. It was a treat to get to tour the shop in person a couple years ago and hope to be able to do so again.
Well hopefully you like those back up basses, as this guy is saying he waited "nearly 7 months" to get a headstock refinished.
For Sale - Roscoe Classic (1/2 Custom) P/J, extra pickups, pickguard, sweet deal!
Not knocking Keith and co., but things are taking a lot longer than planned at a lot of places (i have an order with another luthier and I was just told it may be about 6 months longer than I was initially quoted- "6 more months"
).
I've been patiently waiting since November. I spoke with Keith in July about the bass and was thinking about touching base with him in a couple of weeks to see where he is at with the build. I was originally quoted 4-5 months.
BassHappy
Supporting Member
I was wondering when Keith and Kyle would smell the coffee, and apparently they are starting to. Outrageously cool...
I just hope they keep the new medium scaler 'high-end" and don't try and cut too many corners.
I love my Roscoe medium scalers, as I am sure everyone else will. My builds provided Keith with all the templates they will need in 1999, so it won't be nearly as much work as you might imagine.
I didn't get in on the registration and missed the shop tour, which sounds like a lot of fun. If anyone sees a YouTube link or any other link the common man can watch, please put a head's up here....
Thanks, in advance....
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