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Roscoe Club

Any of you guys waiting on new or refurbished Roscoes received any encouraging completion dates from the shop?
Absolutely. . "Working on it right now. ." "Soon. ." "Two more weeks. ."

While I attest to being highly impatient when it comes to turnaround times, my expectations are based on turnarounds from 5 years ago. No custom shop that I'm aware of has completion dates of that time. None.

And, I will say that I placed a deposit with a luthier (not Roscoe) about 5 years ago. That put me on their waiting list, which was 2 years long. And, that was just a production placeholder list, not including any production time. Production time was an additional 18-24 months. Total turnaround was 3.5 to 4 years, pre covid, pre supply issues, pre inflation, pre labor shortage, etc.

Once upon a time we could go to our favorite restaurant and be seated in 10-15 minutes. Now, the seating wait is 1.5 to 2 hours. Restaurants around here can't find cooks, waitstaff, dishwashers, etc. Restaurants have closed in this environment, especially as plenty of customers became belligerent, taking their frustrations out on owners and their employees.

Moral of the story? Want your Roscoe exactly your way and new? Then be willing to pay the price tag for that, including money and wait time. Need it now and cheap? There are sweet used Roscoe deals on TBass right at this moment, just like the past, and hopefully the future.

So, does the squeaky wheel still get the grease in 2023? Probably not. Just about all the wheels are squeaky now. And, all that grease has spilled onto the roadway. Think 1/4" of ice on an Atlanta highway.
 
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Absolutely. . "Working on it right now. ." "Soon. ." "Two more weeks. ."

While I attest to being highly impatient when it comes to turnaround times, my expectations are based on turnarounds from 5 years ago. No custom shop that I'm aware of has completion dates of that time. None.

And, I will say that I placed a deposit with a luthier (not Roscoe) about 5 years ago. That put me on their waiting list, which was 2 years long. And, that was just a production placeholder list, not including any production time. Production time was an additional 18-24 months. Total turnaround was 3.5 to 4 years, pre covid, pre supply issues, pre inflation, pre labor shortage, etc.

Once upon a time we could go to our favorite restaurant and be seated in 10-15 minutes. Now, the seating wait is 1.5 to 2 hours. Restaurants around here can't find cooks, waitstaff, dishwashers, etc. Restaurants have closed in this environment, especially as plenty of customers became belligerent, taking their frustrations out on owners and their employees.

Moral of the story? Want it exactly your way and new. Then be willing to pay the price tag for that, including money and wait time. Need it now and cheaper? There are sweet used deals on TBass right at this moment, just like the past, and hopefully the future.

Totally agree! :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

So, any of you guys waiting on new or refurbished Roscoes received any encouraging completion dates from the shop?:D
 
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I have not heard anything from Keith in a few weeks. I am trying to be patient as all the above points are true. 10 years ago my first Roscoe was completed in 6 weeks. 6 weeks! I know that won't happen again. I also know my "simple refinish" meant taking the bass completely apart, sanding, clear coat, sand, gloss coat, sand...you get the picture. Then basically rebuilding it. That takes time. I get it. But it has been over 4 months.

I have a spy going in today. He is going to ask about the priogress and maybe take a picture or two if he can. We'll see what the day brings.
 
Well, I know things are moving. When I last spoke to him (2 weeks ago), he was so busy he barely had time to talk. I've decided not to call again and just be pleasantly surprised when it's done.
I shoot an email every couple three weeks. I don't call. I just wait for the call asking for my CC info so I can pay my bill and he can ship it out.
 
Thanks for posting that. I have a Roscoe 3006 fretless that really needs a Plek to deal with some "fret line" sprouting, and I'm way more likely to actually get it done if I don't have to ship the bass.
No problem! The last time I brought one in, they had the bass for about 2 weeks. Any electronics work had a ridiculous backlog... There must be a shortage of good guitar-wiring guys in the metro. Kinda makes me want to get my soldering chops back again. :-)
 
Thanks for posting that. I have a Roscoe 3006 fretless that really needs a Plek to deal with some "fret line" sprouting, and I'm way more likely to actually get it done if I don't have to ship the bass.

Yeah, $250+ shipping and the $150 Plek ($400+) isn't inexpensive. The basses feel AMAZING but still, a lot of money. $200 at TT is great - especially if you live there. The cost is almost a wash for me. By the time I drive down, stay overnight (you can do it in a day but it's not fun) and then do it again to pick it up I've spent $400, but it's quicker than shipping and waiting. IDK, maybe TT would rush it if they new I was coming and was only going to be there for a couple days.

Hopefully everyone gets their basses back in 23. I think it's a two man shop now with Keith and Kyle. I've spoken to a couple former employees that were there during the 6 week build time. Right now MTD is about 11 months and Moolon is 3 years so I think Keith is doing his best.

I think it's a 2 man shop as well. I thought I heard he was looking for someone to do the wiring/electronics work. I wish I were better at that and had better eyes. That could be an interesting 2nd career after I retire from teaching.