CrashClint
I Play Bass therefore I Am
The bass players in the warehouse want try it on a couple gigs first.
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Roscoe Club
- Thread starter JOME77
- Start date
The bass players in the warehouse want try it on a couple gigs first.
- Apr 1, 2000
- 17,409
- 9,868
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Roscoe Guitars, DR Strings, Aguilar Amplification
I've been in the studio with an Italian blues player, recording here in the states. Tonight, I had an opportunity to use my LG3005 fretless, and it is just awe-inspiringly good! I can't believe the voice that bass has...
Ok, it's here!
I just had one hour to spend with it before goin' to work.
First and foremost I'd like to spend a word for the guy that sold me the bass: Eric Martin of Martin Guitars, Memphis. Very nice guy, communicative and professional. Very smooth transaction. Bass shipped quickly and very well packed.
Now on the bass..
Custom LG 3006, buckeye burl top, swamp ash body, birdseye maple board, Aguilar DCB pickups and OBP-3 preamp.
First thing I noticed ... did everyone ever played this bass? Seriously, it could have been easily sold for new.
Construction wise it's easily on par with the best boutiques I've experienced (and I've had/have a few very nice ones).
Not a flaw on it. Impeccable.
It was setup with high action (at least to my standards). I first checked the neck relief and it read 0.011" (0.3 mm), which is a little more than what I prefere but still a relief that didn't justify the 0.098" (2.5 mm) at the 12th fret.
Looked at the bridge saddles they seemed quite high, so I decided to let the trussrod alone and just lower the saddles.
Result: 0.049" (1.25 mm) at the 12th fret and no buzz anywhere in the neck. So I guess the previous owner should have been a heavy plucking handed guy ...
This was just a quick adjustment performed without my magnifying glasses handy. I guess I'll refine this setup in a couple of days but I think it's almost perfect right now...
Fit and balance. Here's the first thing for me to write on a stone: I WILL NEVER EVER HAVE A BASS THAT WEIGHTS MORE THAT 8.5 LBS! Good Lord, this thing is a BREEZE to have in your hands!!! It's a six and weights 8.12 LBS!!!!!!
It balances great and the LG shape is pure sex!
Ok, I stop for now. Pics and more impressions to come...
I just had one hour to spend with it before goin' to work.
First and foremost I'd like to spend a word for the guy that sold me the bass: Eric Martin of Martin Guitars, Memphis. Very nice guy, communicative and professional. Very smooth transaction. Bass shipped quickly and very well packed.
Now on the bass..
Custom LG 3006, buckeye burl top, swamp ash body, birdseye maple board, Aguilar DCB pickups and OBP-3 preamp.
First thing I noticed ... did everyone ever played this bass? Seriously, it could have been easily sold for new.
Construction wise it's easily on par with the best boutiques I've experienced (and I've had/have a few very nice ones).
Not a flaw on it. Impeccable.
It was setup with high action (at least to my standards). I first checked the neck relief and it read 0.011" (0.3 mm), which is a little more than what I prefere but still a relief that didn't justify the 0.098" (2.5 mm) at the 12th fret.
Looked at the bridge saddles they seemed quite high, so I decided to let the trussrod alone and just lower the saddles.
Result: 0.049" (1.25 mm) at the 12th fret and no buzz anywhere in the neck. So I guess the previous owner should have been a heavy plucking handed guy ...
This was just a quick adjustment performed without my magnifying glasses handy. I guess I'll refine this setup in a couple of days but I think it's almost perfect right now...
Fit and balance. Here's the first thing for me to write on a stone: I WILL NEVER EVER HAVE A BASS THAT WEIGHTS MORE THAT 8.5 LBS! Good Lord, this thing is a BREEZE to have in your hands!!! It's a six and weights 8.12 LBS!!!!!!
It balances great and the LG shape is pure sex!
Ok, I stop for now. Pics and more impressions to come...
CrashClint
I Play Bass therefore I Am
Michele,
Roscoe basses can obtain some insanely low action. I set my necks straight flat then adjust my string height to what feels good then set the intonation. I have probably set up 30 Roscoe basses (10 that I have owned) and have never used a scale to measure string height. Out of those setups, only one person asked me to raise the strings. I should probably pull out a scale and measure mine. I just bought some new Sunbeam Lite Lite strings, I think they are .040 .060 .080 .095 .110 but can't remember and they are at home, I will check them with a scale after I finish the setup.
Roscoe basses can obtain some insanely low action. I set my necks straight flat then adjust my string height to what feels good then set the intonation. I have probably set up 30 Roscoe basses (10 that I have owned) and have never used a scale to measure string height. Out of those setups, only one person asked me to raise the strings. I should probably pull out a scale and measure mine. I just bought some new Sunbeam Lite Lite strings, I think they are .040 .060 .080 .095 .110 but can't remember and they are at home, I will check them with a scale after I finish the setup.
Here they are...
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
We suggested Roscoe have a company in China make a sub $1,000 bass similar to the KSD. We both were immediately slapped on the back of the head and kicked out.
Seriously, do you honestly think Keith or Gard would kick anyone out of the shop, I was being facetious.
One things for sure, if anyone ever did get kicked out of the Roscoe shop it would be one of you 2 guys!
Give it some time. Work with it. Meet it halfway.
You knew there'd be some learning curve, yes? This is it.
You can grow into it.
There are some who just can't get on with a 6, tho - our friend SteveC has tried on at least 3 separate occasions to get into a 6 he has every reason to love - but just couldn't make it go. No shame in that. The pity would be in giving up too soon, tho...
Yep. Don't give up too soon. The Roscoe 6 is the most playable out there. I tried more than a few times and really wanted it to work - even bought the same bass back 2 times - but it wasn't for me. I still may try again down the road. If it isn't for you that's fine, just don't give up until you give it a good try.
I don't know ... maybe it could seem strange but aside from the extra string the real bummer was the lack of the dots. Never thought of that but today I really understood that I rely on them more than I thought.
Today I was studying some linear solo concept by Tony Grey. Simply put it's matter of navigating through non related chords (chords from different key centers) landing on the next available note of the new key which is either half or a whole tone from where you're at. I usually fly on those things but today, even on the simplest progressions, I felt totally lost, unable to visualize the notes. I made a zillion mistakes until I grab my usual bass and then .. bam.. I smoked it at the usual fast tempo.
Today I was studying some linear solo concept by Tony Grey. Simply put it's matter of navigating through non related chords (chords from different key centers) landing on the next available note of the new key which is either half or a whole tone from where you're at. I usually fly on those things but today, even on the simplest progressions, I felt totally lost, unable to visualize the notes. I made a zillion mistakes until I grab my usual bass and then .. bam.. I smoked it at the usual fast tempo.
So stick on some dots...
If you discover that they are non-negotiable essential, anyone skilled in inlay should be able to place some.
You'd have a custom element that, done properly, shouldn't devalue the instrument.
Or you may learn that you can use other landmarks to find your way; I think probably your muscle memory is better than you think, just you've learned to rely on visual cues maybe a little too much...
(I play unlined fretless, and I look too much too...)
If you discover that they are non-negotiable essential, anyone skilled in inlay should be able to place some.
You'd have a custom element that, done properly, shouldn't devalue the instrument.
Or you may learn that you can use other landmarks to find your way; I think probably your muscle memory is better than you think, just you've learned to rely on visual cues maybe a little too much...
(I play unlined fretless, and I look too much too...)
I agree. Stick some dots on if it really bothers you and see if that helps you.
Personally, the way I'm holding the bass I don't even see the face dots.
Personally, the way I'm holding the bass I don't even see the face dots.
I would see the no dots thing as an opportunity....I'm sure Tony would tell you the same. The new bass without dots has opened up a weak spot that you hadn't noticed before. I would suggest slowing down the tempo and working it back up, with the new bass. Visualize the notes at a slower tempo, and more importantly, rely on your ear to hear the note in the next chord. With a little time you'll get back up to speed with a stronger understanding of what you're doing and with more confidence.
Also, if you don't have experience with a 6 string than understand that it's something that takes time. You have to look at it as a completely new instrument to learn. It really is in many ways. A new instrument takes lots of dedication and time to learn. If you are really attracted to the 6 than put your other basses away on concentrate on it solely for some months.
Not for nothing, but, if you need the front dots on your fingerboard, you're doing it "wrong". If you are holding the instrument in the proper way and keeping your back straight and shoulders back, not "wrapping" yourself around the bass, you can't see the front dots anyhow. If you ARE doing that (i.e., "hunching" over the instrument), you're going to really hurt your back and shoulders eventually. The side dots should be sufficient to navigate the fingerboard.
I think this is where I may have failed. I gave it maybe a month or two at most. I may try again somewhere down the road after the kids are older and I have a little more time after I retire from teaching. Right now, 5 seem to do it but I still have a bit of an itch for a 6 that I may scratch again down the road.
