• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Roscoe Club

#23,023
I know that I've mentioned it on this thread in the past but I've got to say it again. Any of you guys out there that are tempted to install flats on your Roscoe but just can't totally leave the sound of nickel RW's really need to install a set of Ernie Ball Cobalt flats on your bass. They have the smooth feel of flats but still retain the RW sound (in a more subtle manner). They really sound like a nicely broken in set of nickel RW's. I've had a set on one of my fretless 5's and a Jazz 4 and installed a set on my fretted 5 yesterday and totally love the feel and sound. The perfect blend between a traditional flat and nickel RW string. And they last a long, long time! I've had the set on my fretless 5 for 3 years and they still sound the same.

2816 Regular Slinky Flatwound Electric Bass Guitar Strings - .045-.130 5-string | Sweetwater
 
  • Like
Reactions: steelin4u, mwbonsall, edbutler3 and 1 other person
#23,024
JOME77 said:
... install a set of Ernie Ball Cobalt flats on your bass. They have the smooth feel of flats but still retain the RW sound (in a more subtle manner).
Click to expand...
I have those on my fretted 5 and like them. The main reason they're not on my fretless is that for no reason I can understabd, Ernie Ball can't figure out how to make a 0.030" C string... So the fretless has TI Jazz Flats, which are another smooth, bright flat option, IMO...
 
  • Like
Reactions: JOME77
#23,025
ArtechnikA said:
I have those on my fretted 5 and like them. The main reason they're not on my fretless is that for no reason I can understabd, Ernie Ball can't figure out how to make a 0.030" C string... So the fretless has TI Jazz Flats, which are another smooth, bright flat option, IMO...
Click to expand...

Yeah. I have TI flats on my Roscoe fretless also. Great feel and midrange fretless growl!
 
#23,026
ArtechnikA said:
I have those on my fretted 5 and like them. The main reason they're not on my fretless is that for no reason I can understabd, Ernie Ball can't figure out how to make a 0.030" C string... So the fretless has TI Jazz Flats, which are another smooth, bright flat option, IMO...
Click to expand...

I have used and like both of those flats but have found that all flats I have tried lack the clarity on the B string that I get with D'Adarrio XL's. My recently acquired SKB 3006 has a fairly bright tone and I have been tempted to put TI flats on it but the B string has me hesitant.

One of the things I enjoy about my Roscoe basses is that I can play all of the strings up the neck and the B speaks clearly. It is not as clear as my Gould ggi6 or my Modulus Q6 which have graphite necks and play very evenly with clarity all over the neck. However, the Roscoe basses are among the very best sounding of basses built with wood necks.

You've got me thinking and I do have a set of extra long scale TI flats in my string drawer. I may just go for it and see if the B string still works well for me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fred312b
#23,029
SteveC said:
Well, it’s been 3 weeks since I last heard from the shop so I sent an email today to check in.
Click to expand...
Hopefully Keith didn’t send it via Southwest :laugh:

We ended up having our SW flight plans cancelled and drove to Philadelphia from Chicago, good thing my wife and I get along ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: steelin4u, bobunit, Skip Chucker and 3 others
#23,032
ArtechnikA said:
I have those on my fretted 5 and like them. The main reason they're not on my fretless is that for no reason I can understabd, Ernie Ball can't figure out how to make a 0.030" C string... So the fretless has TI Jazz Flats, which are another smooth, bright flat option, IMO...
Click to expand...
I went through that whole thing not long ago, trying to find flats for a fretless 6 string. I wanted the EB Cobalts, but as you say, they don't make a high C. I considered the TIJFs, but didn't feel like 130 bucks was worth it for me. Also, I've always found them a little too low tension for my picking style. So I ended up trying some Dunlops. I'm pretty impressed with them. They are almost as bright as the EB Cobalts. Slightly higher tension, but only a little more than typical rounds. Not super stiff like a traditional flat. Might be worth a try for other 6 string players. I don't recall the exact price, but I remember thinking it was quite reasonable.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JOME77
#23,033
Chuck M said:
I have used and like both of those flats but have found that all flats I have tried lack the clarity on the B string that I get with D'Adarrio XL's.
Click to expand...

The B sounds great on both sets of EB Cobalt Flats that I have installed. I wasn't crazy about the B string of the Chrome flats I tried but the Cobalt flats B sounds very good.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ArtechnikA
#23,034
Nightman said:
We need to have a lottery on Steve’s bass.
Place a $20 bet on a date, next year, when Steve finally receives his bass. Who ever guesses the date or closest to the date without going over gets the pot.
You can send me your $20. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

It all sounded really good until I got to the "You can send me your $20" part!
Not that I don't trust you Ray .... it's just that, we'll, I don't trust you!:D
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fred312b and Nightman
#23,040
Actually, I don’t see an issue with Steve entering the lottery on his bass. He doesn’t know when it’s shipping.
Oh, the deadline for sending in your $20 and the date was going to be due by this Friday, but since Joe has thrown slimy dirt on my character, I’m no longer acting as the administrator for this event.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back