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Roscoe Club
- Thread starter JOME77
- Start date
I'm 14 months in on my build. I've seen shots of the body (also Koa) on IG, but no neck yet. I'm thinking it's about time for me to call in and check on it -- but part of me thinks too many people do that too often, and maybe it's part of why builds take so long...Alright, so, i am officially on the train. Just placed my order through european dealer "bassdirect".
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I am told that Keith would reach me soon to show me my topwood options to choose from. I do want a bass looking like Doug Baltimore's, which was featured on here before. Lets see.
Any tips to ease the wait is appreciatedcan't tell how excited I am.View attachment 4884371
Here's a question for the group: Do you think Roscoe queues their work up based purely on who ordered first? Or do you think "the squeaky wheel gets the grease", and people who call in and ask about their builds actually get them worked on sooner? I kind of hate to think that's true, but it might be...
I don’t know, but I’d like to think they do things as they come or as processing allows. Maybe they do a bunch of finishing one day, then they don’t for a few. If your bass wasn’t quite ready for finishing, it sits till next finishing day? Idk.
Ah, the mystery of the Roscoe queue. . Many, many variables. . The main thing that I have experienced is that wherever I've landed in the queue, I always received excellent product and pleasant interaction with Keith Roscoe, well worth the wait. No need for me to rush Roscoe artistry, or expect it to be like a numbered line in a DMV. Stating that, I typically called every few months to check on things.
Two things mentioned here: process and batching, both variable. An example might be: How long it takes to finish a body?" Initial staining, sealing, coloring, clear coating etc. Sanding between coats. How many coats? How long to cure between? How many bodies are being finished at one time?
We don't know the processes or the magnitude of numbers involved to make our own time estimates. We don't know how many people are involved in production. We don't know about parts availability. We do know that virtually every bass produced in the Roscoe shop is a one-off custom. And, they're built in batches, not one bass, start to finish, before another starts.
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14 months is a long time in the Roscoe queue. As others have stated there are certainly lots of variables to consider but even in pandemic times that’s a long time in the Roscoe queue. I don’t remember all of your specs but if you’re building a real custom build (special string spacing, special scale …) then your neck and/or body may have not been included in one or two the batches. Just the price of true custom build (not just at Roscoe but at any builders shop).
All that said, I’d be calling and emailing Keith at least every 2-4 weeks getting progress reports. He won’t mind and you certainly want him to remember you’ve got a bass in the queue.
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That’s what I was trying to say, but done more eloquently than I did.
My bass is getting a gloss finish. Keith said about 6 weeks. I emailed at about 8. He said about 2 weeks. I emailed again around 2 to 3 and asked if I might see it for December xmas party gigs. He said thy would be pretty tight. I’m hoping I might see it at Christmas time.
It’s hard to be patient, but the end results are always worth it.
A couple years ago KR told me that he likes to build like necks (one block will do 3-4 necks) and spray similar finishes to save costs in materials and in time. I know my sienna burst body waited for 3-4 others to be ready to go with each other, and were done at the same time.
I suppose someone might get lucky and jump the line if he has a neck sitting around or a couple of other bodies that are ready to do the same finish as they like.
Well, I’m at 16 months trying not to rush the artists.
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My build 2 years ago was about 4 months. It’s still due to the supply chain issues. My last communication with Keith was about 4 months ago. He said the body and neck have been ready a while now. He was waiting for a 19mm bridge and the elusive Bart B axis pickups.
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Oh, this info is heart breaking. I was told about "7-8 months" by the EU dealer. So I was guessing it sometime around my birthday which is in August...
Both of my builds were 3 months, and I thought that was a long wait. Over a year would be difficult.
Mark
You are a patient man Bernard!
I buy them all used these days and have trouble waiting 3-5 days!
7 months, 4 months, 12 months, 14 months waiting on a build to finish! A piece of cake!I was on a waiting list longer than that!
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And to think that folks started a "Roscoe is done after declaring bankruptcy" thread, and were very adamant that anyone who ordered a bass was stupidly losing their money.
Supply chain is part of the wait. Great demand above normal capacity is another. Yet, even before COVID market dynamics, some luthiers had long queues that were 3-4 years. And, these are reputable luthiers, not the subjects of stickies or "beware threads" on TB.
@bgartist If Bart B axis pickups are the holdup, would it be possible to have an available alternative set installed (same size), receive the bass, and update the pickups later? Just an idea with no clue, knowledge, or insight regarding your current actual circumstance. . (also sticking my nose into business that is obviously not mine, in the spirit of brainstorming, not criticism).
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You can add west coast wild fires and illness (non-COVID) in one-man build shops to your list.
But to those who are waiting beyond your patience limits, know that once that special build is in your hands, the wait time becomes moot!
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It’s been a 2 man shop for some time with an occasional 3rd to help with wiring. I believe only recently has a full time (?) third person been added and we are seeing more basses going out the door on a more regular basis.
There is no one more talented and kind than Keith. He’s a great guy and it’s a privilege to have and play his basses. I’m not a patient person by nature, quite the opposite. But waiting on a new Roscoe bass has helped me appreciate the process. Also having a gaggle of Roscoe’s to keep me preoccupied helps too lol.
There is no one more talented and kind than Keith. He’s a great guy and it’s a privilege to have and play his basses. I’m not a patient person by nature, quite the opposite. But waiting on a new Roscoe bass has helped me appreciate the process. Also having a gaggle of Roscoe’s to keep me preoccupied helps too lol.
As Scott (Armybass) knows, I am a gear head and have owned more basses than I can remember. I have had at least 10 Roscoe basses and presently have 3. I have decided to be satisfied with what I have. I have my Roscoe basses, a Gould ggi6, a Modulus Q6, a Peavey Cirrus 5, a G&L Kiloton 5 and a Peavey passive P/J Forum 4. Each of them is wonderful and my Roscoe basses are exceptional.
So I am not waiting on Keith to build a bass. I am enjoying the three that I have.
No sir! What you have is a herd or a stampede of Roscoes!
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