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Roscoe Club

#24,421
I was talking with @JOME77 about this the other day but thought I'd share it here too. I've always had a stigma against the Auguilar OBP-3 preamp because I've never seemed to gel with one in any bass I've had. It's not that it sounds terrible, just not my preference compared to the many other preamp options these days. And I've always felt like the EQ stack is way too sensitive, meaning turning the dials just a little can result in too much boost/cut. In Roscoe basses I've had Bartolini, Demeter, Nordstrand and even Audere. I recently picked up a Roscoe with an OBP-3 preamp and Roscoe Barts. I fully intended on swapping out the preamp but I'm really surprised at how much I like what I hear. I don't know what it is, but the combination of the OBP-3 with Roscoe Bart soaps sounds really good to my ear. I think I'd describe it is as more open/less compressed sounding than the Bart preamp. I don't really need to boost the lows or highs at all.... just use the Mids dial almost like a tone control. The OPB-3 is quieter than Bartolini preamps too. Have you noticed how the Bart seem to react more to being too close to a preamp/amp with static? I don't think I'm going to swap the preamp after all. I'll enjoy this one as is for now.
 
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#24,422
SteveC said:
I agree. That 34” LG3000 felt about the same as my Century. I think that has more to do with how Roscoe 35” scale basses seem to feel better (to me anyway) than other builders.
I will say though, that I feel there’s a difference between how a 35” Century “hangs/feels” and how a 35” SKB or even 35” LG. I know most say there is no difference, but the strap button on my Century is at about the 12th fret. On the SKB’s I’ve tried it’s closer to the 14th fret. I always felt there was a little bit of “reach” for the 1st fret, which is why I sold my first SKB. I almost gave up on Roscoe’s but then tried a local players Century and immediately noticed a difference. My builds have always been 35” Century bodies. While I think the LG is the “quintessential” Roscoe, and I liked the 34” 4 string I had, I’m nervous to get a 35” 5 in case it feels odd to me. And of course, it could all be in my head.
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Yeah, my Century 5 35" currently feels the best of all all three body shapes to me. A close second would be the LG 35" I had (and miss). For some reason that body style can hang more naturally to the right than the SKB, which wants to "center" itself on my torso, making the lower frets seem a further reach. I hope to have an LG again someday, it's the classic Roscoe indeed... but won't be selling my Century 5. :)
 
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#24,423
staccatogrowl said:
Glad you're still in the Roscoe club, Ray. Your LG is such a beautiful bass! Consider an interesting possibility. Your 35" scale LG might play as comfortably* as a 34" model (which you've said you prefer).
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One of the two things that stands out about the LG is the position of the top horn strap button relative to the fretboard’s 12th fret and the nut, which can be as much as 2” in added reach compared to my other basses; the second being the narrow waist.

Those two things makes it more uncomfortable to play over my other 35” scale (Stambaugh) and my favorite 34” scale basses.

But Keith did such a great job getting the low action, the playability of the neck and the weight makes it a good playing bass and possibly a keeper.
 
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#24,424
KennyV said:
Upvote for the Gator case. Fits my Roscoes perfectly.
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Hey @KennyV , thanks for the reassurance but are any of your Roscoes 35" scale? The annotated photos of the Gator GTSA-GTRBASS model on the Sweetwater page say 46 7/8" for the interior length (which I think would be too short for the overall length of mine), but the specifications lower down on the same page say 47 3/5" for the interior length.

Unfortunately, I only just noticed the discrepancy and the case is already on it's way to my Michigan buddy so, at this point I'm crossing my fingers! :nailbiting:
 
#24,428
Basspaws said:
the case is already on it's way to my Michigan buddy so, at this point I'm crossing my fingers! :nailbiting:
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I needn't have worried. It fits with room to spare (which I'll pad with emergency socks, I guess).
Thumbs up for the Gator GTSA-GTRBASS case!
Roscoe Fretless 5 in Gator GTSA-GTRBASS case.jpg
 
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#24,430
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#24,433
SteveC said:
I’ve convinced myself I don’t need a fretless again…then I remember how awesome they are.
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Yeah. Even if you didn’t play it all the time it’s so nice to have when you need it. And Roscoe fretless basses with Diamondwood fingerboards are going to be harder and harder to find. Kind of like dinosaurs. Diamondwood is extinct!
 
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#24,435
JOME77 said:
Yeah. Even if you didn’t play it all the time it’s so nice to have when you need it. And Roscoe fretless basses with Diamondwood fingerboards are going to be harder and harder to find. Kind of like dinosaurs. Diamondwood is extinct!
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I call dibs if you ever want to move on from your FL….the one I regret letting go of…
 
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#24,439
JLY said:
I had this Fretless that once to belonged to @SteveC I should never have left this one get away

View attachment 5188229
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Yeah, I don’t think I gave it enough time when I had it. Gotta hone those fretless chops. I’m playing another brand fretless now and working on my playing for about a month before gigging it. Also need to add some TI flats and let Joe work his setup magic.
 
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