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Roscoe Club

#25,022
who said:
Is there a specific reason why the Roscoe bridge is so much thicker than the standard Hipshot?
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Keith had Hipshot design it so the varied thickness of the base plate followed the 16” radius of the fingerboard. The theory here would be if the entire bottom of the saddle contacted the bridge base plate you would maximize sustain. Which is great if the angle of the neck pocket is exactly correct. The problem is that if the angle of the neck pocket is too low in the deepest end then the saddles bottom out with higher action than some players desire. Then you either have to shim the neck, scribe then neck pocket or switch to the standard Hipshot bridge with the thinner base plate (which allows the saddles to be lowered more).
 
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#25,023
JOME77 said:
Keith had Hipshot design it so the varied thickness of the base plate followed the 16” radius of the fingerboard. The theory here would be if the entire bottom of the saddle contacted the bridge base plate you would maximize sustain. Which is great if the angle of the neck pocket is exactly correct. The problem is that if the angle of the neck pocket is too low in the deepest end then the saddles bottom out with higher action than some players desire. Then you either have to shim the neck, scribe then neck pocket or switch to the standard Hipshot bridge with the thinner base plate (which allows the saddles to be lowered more).
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And I can't hear any difference in tone or sustain between the standard and Roscoe bridge. If there is any it is very minimum.

Mark
 
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#25,024
JOME77 said:
Keith had Hipshot design it so the varied thickness of the base plate followed the 16” radius of the fingerboard. The theory here would be if the entire bottom of the saddle contacted the bridge base plate you would maximize sustain. Which is great if the angle of the neck pocket is exactly correct. The problem is that if the angle of the neck pocket is too low in the deepest end then the saddles bottom out with higher action than some players desire. Then you either have to shim the neck, scribe then neck pocket or switch to the standard Hipshot bridge with the thinner base plate (which allows the saddles to be lowered more).
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Joe didn’t mention his beloved pin router by name… they must be on the outs ;)
 
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#25,028
Shouldn’t the ground wire be coated and spreadable? Never seen one like this. And this bass does have EMI noise
IMG_1345.jpeg
 
#25,029
Stranger Danger said:
Shouldn’t the ground wire be coated and spreadable? Never seen one like this. And this bass does have EMI noise View attachment 5281256
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As long as there’s continuity between the bridge/strings and ground at the pots and shielded cavity you’re fine. I always check it with a VOM.
 
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#25,031
SteveC said:
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Headless, unlined fretless LG5.
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staccatogrowl said:
That's a cool bass, for sure, but the price seems high for Standard Plus type neck construction. Also, I really think the headless Roscoe is a better bass at the Custom or Signature levels. "More" (bling) is needed for less of a bass (headless) in my experience.

However, if I played that "Custom Standard Plus" and loved it, I'd probably go for it in a heartbeat. It's a great feeling when a Roscoe exceeds expectations, and I've been fortunate for that to be the case many times. And, a headless Roscoe is an extremely special bass.
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That actually has a carved body. I'd say it is a Custom (other than the 3 piece maple neck (which Pedulla and Fodera use or used on their basses) which was probably at the request of the customer. Not a bad price if you want a headless Roscoe.
 
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#25,035
It does burn, but I think realistically, I probably have all the Roscoes I'll have. They have just gotten too expensive. Even used. Some are a bit overpriced, but for all basses of this calibre, they are just expensive. I will always love the 2 Roscoes I have, but I may have to set my sights just a little bit lower for a fretless (or any other addition) and that's ok. Like I tell my students, and my own son, there are many quality instruments out there that won't break the bank. Roscoe fretless basses are the best for sure, but I can probably find something very playable for 1/2 the price.
 
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#25,036
So true Steve, I used to be all boutique all the time, still have a Signature SKB3005 Roscoe, my avatar custom built Dingwall SJ5XXX, CS NOS '59 P, and a second owner '66J, but I have discovered the fun of designing and having parts basses built. I sold a Lull T5, and it has financed 4 builds (all under $1k) and I also play Epiphone Thunderbirds which are all $500 or less. My band says I sound like me on all of them.
 
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#25,037
SteveC said:
It does burn, but I think realistically, I probably have all the Roscoes I'll have. They have just gotten too expensive. Even used. Some are a bit overpriced, but for all basses of this calibre, they are just expensive. I will always love the 2 Roscoes I have, but I may have to set my sights just a little bit lower for a fretless (or any other addition) and that's ok. Like I tell my students, and my own son, there are many quality instruments out there that won't break the bank. Roscoe fretless basses are the best for sure, but I can probably find something very playable for 1/2 the price.
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I bought an inexpensive older Yamaha 5 string and had it defretted….I use it when I sub at Wicked on Broadway and I get compliments on it all the time. I adore hand made masterpieces for sure, but we don’t need them to do the job….especially if it’s not an instrument that’ll get a lot of use.
 
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#25,039
Thumper said:
So true Steve, I used to be all boutique all the time, still have a Signature SKB3005 Roscoe, my avatar custom built Dingwall SJ5XXX, CS NOS '59 P, and a second owner '66J, but I have discovered the fun of designing and having parts basses built. I sold a Lull T5, and it has financed 4 builds (all under $1k) and I also play Epiphone Thunderbirds which are all $500 or less. My band says I sound like me on all of them.
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This is my #1, my most expensive build at just under $1k, it is my main gigging bass, my backup is an Epiphone Vintage Pro Thunderbird I paid $400 for and is used for 1 set each gig, displaced the white Thunder J.
20220709_155411.jpg
20231026_123926.jpg
 
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