Roscoe Club

[mr2xbass]

I was diehard DR for many years. Really loved the Low Riders and also thought their Legend Flats were one of the best flats around. When they came out with the Black Beauties, I was using those exclusively. One thing with the Hi Beams though is with the round core, you have to be extra careful to put the extra crimp in before trimming excess. I learned the hard way with that early on and had some new strings go insta-dead.

I stopped using them though because a number of years back, I had many several packs (like over the course of a year) that were really just no good. They boast being hand made/wound, but honestly I think this just leaves more room for (human) error. My bad experience could've just been due to the employees at the time, but I never went back. And as @SteveC said, D'Addario is less expensive which is extra nice when buying for 5 and 6 string basses.

I'll still experiment now and then with sets I've yet to try.. I have a new set of LaBella Olinto Flats just arrived in the mail from stringsbymail I'm going to put on my Custom Classic 5.

@Justin Keoni , have you tried the D'Addario NYXL? They're are a nickel wrap with a steel core, nice little "best of both worlds". I have them on my Roscoe Standard+ LG fretless and I love the way they play. Aguilar DCB's on that one, so I have yet to hear them over some Roscoe Barts.

 

[Justin Keoni]

I was diehard DR for many years. Really loved the Low Riders and also thought their Legend Flats were one of the best flats around. When they came out with the Black Beauties, I was using those exclusively. One thing with the Hi Beams though is with the round core, you have to be extra careful to put the extra crimp in before trimming excess. I learned the hard way with that early on and had some new strings go insta-dead.

I stopped using them though because a number of years back, I had many several packs (like over the course of a year) that were really just no good. They boast being hand made/wound, but honestly I think this just leaves more room for (human) error. My bad experience could've just been due to the employees at the time, but I never went back. And as @SteveC said, D'Addario is less expensive which is extra nice when buying for 5 and 6 string basses.

I'll still experiment now and then with sets I've yet to try.. I have a new set of LaBella Olinto Flats just arrived in the mail from stringsbymail I'm going to put on my Custom Classic 5.

@Justin Keoni , have you tried the D'Addario NYXL? They're are a nickel wrap with a steel core, nice little "best of both worlds". I have them on my Roscoe Standard+ LG fretless and I love the way they play. Aguilar DCB's on that one, so I have yet to hear them over some Roscoe Barts.

Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll check them out.

 

[The Eristic]

I stopped using them though because a number of years back, I had many several packs (like over the course of a year) that were really just no good. They boast being hand made/wound, but honestly I think this just leaves more room for (human) error. My bad experience could've just been due to the employees at the time, but I never went back.

They definitely had a bad run back late '00s-early '10s, I used to use them almost exclusively and bought them through the store I was teaching at, but we suddenly had several packs across guitar and bass in every shipment with bum strings, incorrect gauges, strings with kinks/nicks/rust during that spell. We complained directly to them on multiple occasions (as did many other users and shops) and while they eventually sorted it out and got back to a consistent standard of quality, it was a big issue that turned a lot of people off them.

 

[SteveC]

I’ve thought about giving NYXL’s a try as well.

 

[mr2xbass]

Purchased the Flexcore pre for my SKB3006 w/Roscoe Barts! Have yet to hear one in person, only videos and samples so far (with bartolini and other pups), but everything I've heard has been fantastic. Very excited for this.

I went with the 4 knob, 1 switch setup. Currently, my SKB has a hole for a switch, but it's being used for a coil tap, and for the time being I intend to keep it as such. I rarely use passive, pretty much only at one studio I'm hired at occasionally where the engineer prefers passive. So since the two main options for the Flexcore with 4 knobs are Vpp, or V/T with an A/P switch, and the tone affects in both active and passive mode (so I've read), I figured I'd go with the switch so I can still use the Tone knob, and either not plug in the A/P switch or just tuck it in the control cavity for now. Theoretically, I will eventually drill a hole for the switch ::sweats just thinking about it:: ...

The Roscoe Barts are Quads wired as Duals. The coil tap switch originally was an On-On switch for full duals or inside singles. I just rewired it with an On-Off-On so I can have outside singles, full duals, inside singles. Kind of gives the option of a Jazz, Precision, Modern, and MusicMan all in one. Love it.

I digress.. I really came here to talk about knobs! As the Flexcore doesn't come with any, I'm looking to get some nice wooden ones made. I likely have enough random metal ones laying around to make do, but I really think wood has a nice look. Here's a photo of ones I had made for my LG Standard+ (Koa caps with knurled Ebony body). I purchased them through an Etsy seller, ArchetypalDesert. Decently priced compared to what I could find for custom wood knobs. I know there are some out there which are generic but also considerably less expensive.

Any of y'all Roscoe heads have wood knobs you really dig?

 

[SteveC]

Loading in for tonight’s “gala” gig…

 

[JOME77]

You guys may have already been aware of this but apparently Keith and the guys are prototyping chambered bodies now!

 

[JOME77]

Purchased the Flexcore pre for my SKB3006 w/Roscoe Barts! Have yet to hear one in person, only videos and samples so far (with bartolini and other pups), but everything I've heard has been fantastic. Very excited for this.

I went with the 4 knob, 1 switch setup. Currently, my SKB has a hole for a switch, but it's being used for a coil tap, and for the time being I intend to keep it as such. I rarely use passive, pretty much only at one studio I'm hired at occasionally where the engineer prefers passive. So since the two main options for the Flexcore with 4 knobs are Vpp, or V/T with an A/P switch, and the tone affects in both active and passive mode (so I've read), I figured I'd go with the switch so I can still use the Tone knob, and either not plug in the A/P switch or just tuck it in the control cavity for now. Theoretically, I will eventually drill a hole for the switch ::sweats just thinking about it:: ...

The Roscoe Barts are Quads wired as Duals. The coil tap switch originally was an On-On switch for full duals or inside singles. I just rewired it with an On-Off-On so I can have outside singles, full duals, inside singles. Kind of gives the option of a Jazz, Precision, Modern, and MusicMan all in one. Love it.

I digress.. I really came here to talk about knobs! As the Flexcore doesn't come with any, I'm looking to get some nice wooden ones made. I likely have enough random metal ones laying around to make do, but I really think wood has a nice look. Here's a photo of ones I had made for my LG Standard+ (Koa caps with knurled Ebony body). I purchased them through an Etsy seller, ArchetypalDesert. Decently priced compared to what I could find for custom wood knobs. I know there are some out there which are generic but also considerably less expensive.

Any of y'all Roscoe heads have wood knobs you really dig?

Congrats on the getting the Pope Flex Core installed. You're going to love it.
As for wooden knobs, I've always used THG Knobs. Roger does a great job finding wood that matches your top or finger board. He can sometimes take a while, primarily because he travels a good bit, but he's home now and currently making me a wenge rear control panel (for my Gecko). You can contact him @ 818 438 7826 or [email protected]

 

[JOME77]

Well other than Ray, how’s everyone’s day going?
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What’s that, a box? Who’s it from?

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Whatever could it be?

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That’s a pretty big box for a shirt, you say. (The shirt is black by the way, just washed out from the sun.)

Indeed it is...

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For those who don’t remember (I had to look, it has been awhile), before:
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And after 1 year at Club Roscoe:

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So, I have to say, this bass SMOKES now! I forgot how nice the body was, but this new neck is killer! Keith and Co. did a wonderful job, matching the headstock (and a diamondwood nut)

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Nicely grained wenge fingerboard with koa 12th fret inlay

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A FAT stripe of purpleheart in the slim and fast neck (and some nice figuring in the maple as well)

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(Of course, now I’m thinking of joining the matching wooden cover club with Joe and Shane, but maybe I’ll enjoy the bass a bit as is ).

So in conclusion/ TL/DR, good things come to those who wait. It’s initial first impressions, but I’m thrilled with this bass- the build quality is excellent, the new neck is sooo fast! And if you didn’t know it was a replacement neck, you wouldn’t, they did such a good job of matching it all up.

I also have to say that even though it took awhile, Keith was always polite and answered the phone when I called and answered emails, so it’s not like he was dodging me or anything. I think (and all the new basses on fb reinforce) that they’re pretty busy and just trying to get ‘em done right and out the door. He had emailed me at 6:30pm the night he was carving the nut to give me an update, so I’m sure they’re busting their butts over there.

Also, on the back of the shirt, apparently someone told Keith I’n getting the 6 string itch again

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Hey @MattLplaysBass …..
Look what I found!
The wenge fingerboard does look nice with the koa top.

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[MattLplaysBass]

Hey @MattLplaysBass …..
Look what I found!
The wenge fingerboard does look nice with the koa top.

---

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Making me regret my wishy washiness

Here's a few shots of me playing it out, showing it left the house with me at least once (I know Ryan had it out a few times too)

 

[John D Harris]

You guys may have already been aware of this but apparently Keith and the guys are prototyping chambered bodies now!

View attachment 7036731

Just me, but I would at least want a tone block in the cavity in the center of the body.
I always wanted to try a bolt-on neck, but constructed with a center tone block almost like a neck through, but a different wood (possibly more dense, like walnut or Northern Ash) with lighter wood side wings (like possibly Swamp Ash).
I guess if you highly chamber the wing wood, you could use almost any tone wood.

 

[JOME77]

Just me, but I would at least want a tone block in the cavity in the center of the body.
I always wanted to try a bolt-on neck, but constructed with a center tone block almost like a neck through, but a different wood (possibly more dense, like walnut or Northern Ash) with lighter wood side wings (like possibly Swamp Ash).
I guess if you highly chamber the wing wood, you could use almost any tone wood.

I could certainly see how a tone block in the center might transfer string vibration more effectively. I would think that various configurations of chambering would be tried during the prototype process (before settling on a final design).
I’ve never owned a chambered body bass but It seems that chambering a body would negatively affect the sustain and sound. I’ve also never had a problem with a bass weighing 9-10 lbs.

 

[mr2xbass]

I feel with bass, if the body is going to be chambered or hollow, the tonal change is best captured when a piezo bridge is used. Although to be fair I’d say hofners have a distinct woody sound with just their magnetic pickup.
To that, I’d love a chambered or hollowbody Roscoe with both Bartolini soapbars and a piezo bridge. I play a BSX bass for the majority of my jazz gigs and I love the sound of the Bartolini preamp with the piezo buffer.

 

[JLY]

I could certainly see how a tone block in the center might transfer string vibration more effectively. I would think that various configurations of chambering would be tried during the prototype process (before settling on a final design).
I’ve never owned a chambered body bass but It seems that chambering a body would negatively affect the sustain and sound. I’ve also never had a problem with a bass weighing 9-10 lbs.

My NYC Sadowsky’s have great sustain…. But I’ve never played a bass that has the sustain of a Roscoe.

 

[JOME77]

Speaking of Roscoes .......
This one blew in on Thursday with hurricane Helene as it went through middle Georgia!
This one's belonged to a couple other Roscoeheads over the years (it's a 2015 build with a 2021 new neck build).
Check out the wide purpleheart stringer in the neck and the .625 thick Koa top. The extra thick top really facilitated a nice deep carve on the top!
First impressions are really good!

 

[Avalon5]

Making me regret my wishy washiness

Here's a few shots of me playing it out, showing it left the house with me at least once (I know Ryan had it out a few times too)

Matt,

Bass Club Chicago had a few nice Roscoes, but their websight seems to be out. Are they still around?

 

[MattLplaysBass]

Matt,

Bass Club Chicago had a few nice Roscoes, but their websight seems to be out. Are they still around?

They haven’t had a physical store for a few years now, and their social media and website have been absent, so guessing no.

I don’t know the guy that runs it, for awhile he was doing some appointment only stuff, but I haven’t heard anything in awhile.

TL/DR: I don’t think so.

 

[John D Harris]

I feel with bass, if the body is going to be chambered or hollow, the tonal change is best captured when a piezo bridge is used. Although to be fair I’d say hofners have a distinct woody sound with just their magnetic pickup.
To that, I’d love a chambered or hollowbody Roscoe with both Bartolini soapbars and a piezo bridge. I play a BSX bass for the majority of my jazz gigs and I love the sound of the Bartolini preamp with the piezo buffer.

I think there are two main reasons (or a combination of the two) for chambering:
1. to make the instrument sound different;
2. to lighten the weight of the instrument.

Sounds like you are coming from the perspective of reason #1.

I think a lot of luthiers are working on reason #2.

 

[Justin Keoni]

Speaking of Roscoes .......
This one blew in on Thursday with hurricane Helene as it went through middle Georgia!
This one's belonged to a couple other Roscoeheads over the years (it's a 2015 build with a 2021 new neck build).
Check out the wide purpleheart stringer in the neck and the .625 thick Koa top. The extra thick top really facilitated a nice deep carve on the top!
First impressions are really good!

Beauty!

 

[Ryan L.]

Making me regret my wishy washiness

Here's a few shots of me playing it out, showing it left the house with me at least once (I know Ryan had it out a few times too)

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I used it on a bunch of gigs. I actually preferred that bass to the Signature I had for most of what we played, it just sat in the live mix perfectly. Definitely a tough one to let go…