My first is for sale now, the Burl Myrtlewood body LG 3005. It is a great bass, but I was looking to go lighter than 9 lbs 6 oz. Otherwise I'd still have it.
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Roscoe Club
- Thread starter JOME77
- Start date
While the bass is been packed I keep listening everything that's available on youtube about Roscoes.
I have great expectations about this upcoming bass and can't wait to discovery how a couple of things on it (that are new to me) will suit or not my playing style.
I'm also very curious about ergonomics and weight as I suspect that I have some issues related to those topic with my current bass.
Also, and I guess this is a very bad sign, I'm compulsively looking at all the picture I can find of those bi-color fretboards ... and no, I haven't that type of fretboard on the upcoming Roscoe.
I have great expectations about this upcoming bass and can't wait to discovery how a couple of things on it (that are new to me) will suit or not my playing style.
I'm also very curious about ergonomics and weight as I suspect that I have some issues related to those topic with my current bass.
Also, and I guess this is a very bad sign, I'm compulsively looking at all the picture I can find of those bi-color fretboards ... and no, I haven't that type of fretboard on the upcoming Roscoe.
Here is the actual difference in 34" and 35" on a Roscoe bass. The nut slots (to the right) are lined up perfectly, and this shot is taken directly over the 1st frets.
That's quite striking to see the difference in that way. Could a person infer from this that the difference between 33" and 34" wouldn't be much either? Yes, yes, I know it is only an inch, but I've noticed quite a difference between "standard" scale basses that I've played and my two current instruments that are both 33"s. I know that there are lots of factors including body shape and bridge placement too.
Fact is that our body is capable of perceiving the smallest difference (we are talking fractions of millimeters here). But luckly it's also capable to ADAPT: after all, isn't that the keyword in all the history of human beings? 
Four years ago I had a 36" scale Carl Thompson. At the beginning playing that bass seems no problem to me, but after some months I developed a bad tendonitis.
But, to be honest, looking back at that experience I must admit that scale lenght wasn't the only cause of the problem. There were others factors both on the instrument and on myself.
Now, I've passed through a real revolution on my playing that was joining the Tony Grey Bass Academy. In two years of work I'm a totally new player and have developed some technique skills that made me confident I could approach a longer scale instrument the right way.
So, long story short, I have no fear to face my upcoming LG3006!
Four years ago I had a 36" scale Carl Thompson. At the beginning playing that bass seems no problem to me, but after some months I developed a bad tendonitis.
But, to be honest, looking back at that experience I must admit that scale lenght wasn't the only cause of the problem. There were others factors both on the instrument and on myself.
Now, I've passed through a real revolution on my playing that was joining the Tony Grey Bass Academy. In two years of work I'm a totally new player and have developed some technique skills that made me confident I could approach a longer scale instrument the right way.
So, long story short, I have no fear to face my upcoming LG3006!
For a more complete picture it'd be nice to know what kind of pickups and preamp are in the package.I am seriously considering a 2008 Roscoe SKB 3005 has a exhibition maple burl top, and Spanish cedar body, the neck is maple with a purple heart center lamination, and maple and cherry accent lamination's, the fingerboard is figured bubinga, with hard-shell case. They want $2,500.00 and it looks mint. I have been playing my Dean $100.00 CL find for close too 3 years and I feel I`m ready for an upgrade. I have never played a 5 string but do not feel that will be an issue. My questions too you Roscoe owners, Is this a good price? Do the years matter on Roscoe`s as in quality? I can`t play it but what questions should I be asking the seller? Is there another alternative model that would be better? I am so up in the air on what to buy for my first "pro" model. Don`t get me wrong that Craigslist find has given me three great years but I feel its time. I thank you in advance.
If you get the serial # to Gard he can probably check the build data.
The neck sounds a lot like mine, although mine is a Diamondwood fretless fingerboard; mine has a cedar body as well. (the picture is up at the top of this page...)
I can't really respond to pricing (and without a Supporting Membership, you shouldn't be asking...).
But I can say that that is in the neighborhood of comparable Roscoes when I was looking (check the classifieds for completed sales...) and that my 3006 was more...
I don't believe there's any such thing as a 'bad year' for Roscoes - mine is a bit older FWIW.
IMO - the difference between SKB, century, and LG is just preference in how it fits your body - not sound. I like my SKB but I also liked the Century I tried briefly.
No bad year for Roscoe. Body style can have a little effect on how the bass "hangs" but a Roscoe generally sounds like a Roscoe. I think the sound changes a bit more noticeably when you start going between their standard soap bar pups and go to the newer Aguilar P/J stuff. My ears aren't as finely tuned as some others.
Ajapses
Gold Supporting Member
After following this thread for over year, I've yet to see someone complain about their Roscoe. Sure, there are those that are tweaking sound with electronics and such, but never a comment of a structural problem like separating fret boards or necks with ski jumps. The build quality seems to be unusually consistent from year to year, allowing you to know what you're going to get. I have a SKB5 Buckeye Burl, purchased used (around the same age you're looking at and around the same price), and it's definitely a keeper for life. Another thing I haven't seen is a beat up Roscoe, because their owners are so enthused about them that they take extra good care of them. If you feel good the people will send you a bass 'as advertised', it's doubtful the Roscoe will let you down. That's how I'm going to play it when it comes time for a Roscoe fretless.
The limited selection of body shapes helps here.
Roscoe know what they can do -really well- and do that.
I will say that I, personally, do not like that spalted buckeye top on the RMLE, for instance, so I'm glad to leave those for others who appreciate them more.
I'm glad there are choices, and that Roscoe will work with you if you have a particular look in mind (obviously, new construction only...).
And it's appearance only - there is no question about actual build quality.
Right. By "ugly" I meant not ones particular taste. I agree that I think their "business model" is great. Do a few things and do them well. Other companies could benefit from such a model. I also like that the same people, in the same shop, do the work on Standard, Custom and Signature models. And a nobody like me gets treated as well as a somebody. That goes a long way in my book. Also why I'm on my 8th Roscoe and don't see myself playing anything else. I've tried. It isn't as fun.
The Roscoe in your link is very nice.
I've never played a 4-string so I can't comment on that - I started on 5 and moved to 6 within 6 months.
I can't talk you into anything, but you really owe it to yourself to play at least a representative example of each.
I was having trouble coming to the terms with paying $3k for a bass - until I picked up a Roscoe (a fretless 5, as it happens...).
It was just right. Everything fit. It spoke to me.
The NS2's I found in pictures don't speak to me - I think the upper horn looks - ungainly.
But it's not about me, it's about you. It's a lot of money, you should really at least hold one of each to see if the instrument fits _you_.
Surely there is someone close to you where you can spend some time with one of each.
OK, from the photos, I was able to track down the bass you're looking at RicKee, here are the "official specs" from the invoice:
SKB 3005 (now we call them "SKB Custom 5")
Exhibition Burl Maple top (that is a SICK piece of burl!
)
Spanish Cedar body
Natural Gloss finish (with "redburst" back)
Audere 3ZB preamp (we don't offer this any longer, but it is a very flexible preamp, and sounds great)
Custom wound Bartolini pickups
Maple/Purpleheart/Maple neck
Figured Bubinga fingerboard
Diamondwood nut
Black hardware
The bass was finished in November of 2008 and originally in stock at Jive Sound in Alexandria, VA (owned by TBer Jive1). I don't have any specific memory of that one (we're on serial #6690 at this point, so it was well over 1500 basses ago - maybe even 2K, when you take into account our serial numbering is different for the Standard/Standard Plus models, so there have been several hundred of those as well), but that doesn't mean much - I'm pretty confident that combo is going to sound fantastic and play like a dream compared to a Dean (which is a fine instrument for what it is).
For what it's worth, I'm friends with the Spector guys (Stuart and PJ) and really like and respect their work as well - the reality is that you can't make a BAD decision between the two, they're both fantastic basses, just very different. Which is best for you is something for you to figure out, not any of us. Of course, I'm a bit biased, and would take the Roscoe....but if you took the Spector instead, I wouldn't call you crazy!
(...that wasn't any help, was it? )
If there is anything at all that I can help you out with on EITHER choice, please just PM me and I'll do what I can.
SKB 3005 (now we call them "SKB Custom 5")
Exhibition Burl Maple top (that is a SICK piece of burl!
)Spanish Cedar body
Natural Gloss finish (with "redburst" back)
Audere 3ZB preamp (we don't offer this any longer, but it is a very flexible preamp, and sounds great)
Custom wound Bartolini pickups
Maple/Purpleheart/Maple neck
Figured Bubinga fingerboard
Diamondwood nut
Black hardware
The bass was finished in November of 2008 and originally in stock at Jive Sound in Alexandria, VA (owned by TBer Jive1). I don't have any specific memory of that one (we're on serial #6690 at this point, so it was well over 1500 basses ago - maybe even 2K, when you take into account our serial numbering is different for the Standard/Standard Plus models, so there have been several hundred of those as well), but that doesn't mean much - I'm pretty confident that combo is going to sound fantastic and play like a dream compared to a Dean (which is a fine instrument for what it is).
For what it's worth, I'm friends with the Spector guys (Stuart and PJ) and really like and respect their work as well - the reality is that you can't make a BAD decision between the two, they're both fantastic basses, just very different. Which is best for you is something for you to figure out, not any of us. Of course, I'm a bit biased, and would take the Roscoe....but if you took the Spector instead, I wouldn't call you crazy!
(...that wasn't any help, was it?
)If there is anything at all that I can help you out with on EITHER choice, please just PM me and I'll do what I can.
