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Roscoe Club
- Thread starter JOME77
- Start date
How about the string size that the nut was actually cut for? I know mine was .125.
But I should try a .130, I assume it will be more... Bass.. But ah I'll just turn up the bass knob..
It's better to be able to play faster and string feel better for me anyway..
But I should try a .130, I assume it will be more... Bass.. But ah I'll just turn up the bass knob..
It's better to be able to play faster and string feel better for me anyway..
CrashClint
I Play Bass therefore I Am
Looky what I got in the mail today!
Many of you might be wondering, "didn't you say you were getting out of music and selling your basses?" Well, yes and no. I was purposely very vague when I made my announcement and the only two people on this board that knew my situation were Gard and Jon. Fact of the matter is, is that if I couldn't play my new multi-colored Roscoe there was only one other dude that could: Pacman.
So, here's the Readers Digest version. Near the end of January I came down with what is clinically described as "catastrophic" Tinnitus. Yep, every musicians worst nightmare. The ringing in my ears went from something I literally never thought about to an eleven over the course of a week.
It was damn near unbearable. For two weeks I barely slept, didn't eat, lost 12 pounds, BP down to 100/60 and loosing my mind. I was hoping that it was related to an ear infection from earlier in the month. One doc game me an antibiotic and Claritin. A week later I went to an ENT and he said my ears and sinuses look fine so sorry about your tinnitus. Also, I went to a spinal surgeon thinking this might be related to my neck and he said I look fine. None of the three docs I had seen really seemed to care. The overwhelming sentiment was "you got tinnitus, sorry bro".
Then, almost two weeks later I finally went in to see an audiologist. I was first given a questionnaire rating my feelings toward the tinnitus where 0 was no feelings and 100 is the worst case imaginable. Before January I would have scored no higher than 5. That day I scored 72, just two points inside what is considered catastrophic.
The audiologist put me in the testing booth and we did the hearing test. I was sure my ears were shot. Well, when we were done he opened the door and said that my results were very encouraging. I almost broke down then and there. Apparently, my hearing was still in the normal range with little damage. That meant that I was a prime candidate for Tinnitus Retraining Therapy. He said that I would never score a zero again but, he could get me down between 1 and 15. This time I did break down, threw my wallet on the table and said shut up and take my money! Yes, that really happened.
So, for the past two weeks I've been wearing these things that look like hearing aids (but aren't) that play random tones similar to wind chimes and I wear them four to six hours a day. Although some days are worse than others (like today) overall I feel like it's getting better. Basically I am training my brain to ignore the sounds. Best of all, I'm back flying and that makes me feel almost normal. When I'm at work I can't hear the ringing at all.
Also, I'm now seeing a chiropractor. I have determined that I have somatic tinnitus which is not entirely noise related. A few years ago I had a significant neck injury which has recently been bothering me quite a bit. The connection between neck issues and tinnitus is well documented so, my audiologist recommended a good chiropractor with experience in these matters. Turns out my neck is all kind of screwed up. Even a layman like me could read my x-ray and see that my vertebrae are quite right.
So, long story longer, slowly things are getting better. I don't think I'll ever play in a loud band again. But, I haven't ruled out something much more mellow. And, finally, that's where this fretless comes in. I couldn't imagine giving music up and I see this bass as my way back in.
Many of you might be wondering, "didn't you say you were getting out of music and selling your basses?" Well, yes and no. I was purposely very vague when I made my announcement and the only two people on this board that knew my situation were Gard and Jon. Fact of the matter is, is that if I couldn't play my new multi-colored Roscoe there was only one other dude that could: Pacman.
So, here's the Readers Digest version. Near the end of January I came down with what is clinically described as "catastrophic" Tinnitus. Yep, every musicians worst nightmare. The ringing in my ears went from something I literally never thought about to an eleven over the course of a week.
It was damn near unbearable. For two weeks I barely slept, didn't eat, lost 12 pounds, BP down to 100/60 and loosing my mind. I was hoping that it was related to an ear infection from earlier in the month. One doc game me an antibiotic and Claritin. A week later I went to an ENT and he said my ears and sinuses look fine so sorry about your tinnitus. Also, I went to a spinal surgeon thinking this might be related to my neck and he said I look fine. None of the three docs I had seen really seemed to care. The overwhelming sentiment was "you got tinnitus, sorry bro".
Then, almost two weeks later I finally went in to see an audiologist. I was first given a questionnaire rating my feelings toward the tinnitus where 0 was no feelings and 100 is the worst case imaginable. Before January I would have scored no higher than 5. That day I scored 72, just two points inside what is considered catastrophic.
The audiologist put me in the testing booth and we did the hearing test. I was sure my ears were shot. Well, when we were done he opened the door and said that my results were very encouraging. I almost broke down then and there. Apparently, my hearing was still in the normal range with little damage. That meant that I was a prime candidate for Tinnitus Retraining Therapy. He said that I would never score a zero again but, he could get me down between 1 and 15. This time I did break down, threw my wallet on the table and said shut up and take my money! Yes, that really happened.
So, for the past two weeks I've been wearing these things that look like hearing aids (but aren't) that play random tones similar to wind chimes and I wear them four to six hours a day. Although some days are worse than others (like today) overall I feel like it's getting better. Basically I am training my brain to ignore the sounds. Best of all, I'm back flying and that makes me feel almost normal. When I'm at work I can't hear the ringing at all.
Also, I'm now seeing a chiropractor. I have determined that I have somatic tinnitus which is not entirely noise related. A few years ago I had a significant neck injury which has recently been bothering me quite a bit. The connection between neck issues and tinnitus is well documented so, my audiologist recommended a good chiropractor with experience in these matters. Turns out my neck is all kind of screwed up. Even a layman like me could read my x-ray and see that my vertebrae are quite right.
So, long story longer, slowly things are getting better. I don't think I'll ever play in a loud band again. But, I haven't ruled out something much more mellow. And, finally, that's where this fretless comes in. I couldn't imagine giving music up and I see this bass as my way back in.
Lowendtech
Happily trending in my own peculiar direction.
I cannot convey my sympathies and best wishes emphatically enough. I hope your musical spirit gets a new lease on life with this. I have full confidence you will persevere.
I am a hearing damaged vet of the Vietnam era. I have significant hearing loss in the high frequencies, constant tinnitus and hyperacousis. I know exactly what you are going through. I am pleased that you are getting help.
Great story. So glad there is a positive outlook for you. And the bass is SICK! Love the look of those multi-layer bodies, and we all know there is no finer fretless than a Roscoe. Enjoy.
- Apr 1, 2000
- 17,398
- 9,830
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Roscoe Guitars, DR Strings, Aguilar Amplification
And it couldn't have gone to a nicer, more deserving guy! I do believe you now have in your possession the Most Beautiful Roscoe Ever Made(™). And this sick puppy will now be making butts shake in the Midwest:
Thanks again, my friend! Enjoy the bass!
Joel, when you called me, I (literally) sat in my office and cried after we hung up. Cried. My heart was broken. I got all teary-eyed when you called to let me know about the treatment, and that it seemed to be improving things for you. Best news possible when you called to tell me about this.
I am pleased beyond words that the redwood LG fretless will be getting some love, and that the killer random sand-thru SKB is where it will be properly abused as well. All is right with the world again.
Carry on, both of you badass mofos.
I am pleased beyond words that the redwood LG fretless will be getting some love, and that the killer random sand-thru SKB is where it will be properly abused as well. All is right with the world again.
Carry on, both of you badass mofos.
Yes, this is indeed a great outcome for a potentially terrible story. That really is every musician's nightmare.
Joel, does this mean you now have that wonderful fretless and still have your dual MM SKB with the awesome matching covers? That is pretty awesome!
Joel, does this mean you now have that wonderful fretless and still have your dual MM SKB with the awesome matching covers? That is pretty awesome!
After a long time of drooling over the look and sound of a Roscoe, and after an awesome meeting with Keith in the Roscoe booth at the 2013 or 2014 Summer NAMM show, I'm finally ready to take the plunge! There is a fretless in the classifieds which definitely caught my attention, but I also found a passive Classic JJ5 which really caught my attention on Reverb...
Roscoe Classic Jazz 5 Bass - Tobacco Sunburst, Maple.
I don't have a whole lot of information on the calssics, but am really curious. It doesn't appear that the necks are the 3pc. laminate - are they a one piece standard maple neck do they have graphite reinforcement? Also, I see these are made from poplar instead of alder or ash? Sorry, I'm not overly familiar with the use of a poplar as a body wood... I understand it's similar to alder, but a little heavier and softer? I would love to learn more about the classic series basses.
Cheers everyone, I hopefully will be joining the fold very soon!
Roscoe Classic Jazz 5 Bass - Tobacco Sunburst, Maple.
I don't have a whole lot of information on the calssics, but am really curious. It doesn't appear that the necks are the 3pc. laminate - are they a one piece standard maple neck do they have graphite reinforcement? Also, I see these are made from poplar instead of alder or ash? Sorry, I'm not overly familiar with the use of a poplar as a body wood... I understand it's similar to alder, but a little heavier and softer? I would love to learn more about the classic series basses.
Cheers everyone, I hopefully will be joining the fold very soon!
amazing story about the hearing loss and gain. Musicians must not deny the importance of hearing. I truly can't imagine not being able to hear.
- but on a different note, (and don't take this as angry or anything negative, just a statement/comment)
Have to be honest here, and forgive me if I just don't understand the full story behind it, but the whole Classic Jazz Roscoe thing kinda rubs me the wrong way..
I'm sure it's a good thing for business, however, If I wanted that Fender Jazz bass look and sound, I would just go buy a Fender Bass.. of course it's my own personal opinion, but the Roscoe Logo on a Fender body style bass, just looks funny to me.. it should look cool.. but I just see a fender bass..
but I want to see a Roscoe bass!.. anyway it doesn't matter.
I like Roscoe Basses because they have their own look and use great looking wood color variations and shapes!... just throwing it out there but hey we all need more money right, so I would do the same and probably make it too..
Of course the classic Fender look is great, but then there is Roscoe's look..
seriously.. which one looks cooler guys..
or
anyway, keep on making Roscoe's! I am going to buy my Headless at the end of this year probably..
and no I won't be buying a (Fender body) headless Roscoe..haha
- but on a different note, (and don't take this as angry or anything negative, just a statement/comment)
Have to be honest here, and forgive me if I just don't understand the full story behind it, but the whole Classic Jazz Roscoe thing kinda rubs me the wrong way..
I'm sure it's a good thing for business, however, If I wanted that Fender Jazz bass look and sound, I would just go buy a Fender Bass.. of course it's my own personal opinion, but the Roscoe Logo on a Fender body style bass, just looks funny to me.. it should look cool.. but I just see a fender bass..
but I want to see a Roscoe bass!.. anyway it doesn't matter.I like Roscoe Basses because they have their own look and use great looking wood color variations and shapes!... just throwing it out there but hey we all need more money right, so I would do the same and probably make it too..
Of course the classic Fender look is great, but then there is Roscoe's look..
seriously.. which one looks cooler guys..
or
anyway, keep on making Roscoe's! I am going to buy my Headless at the end of this year probably..
and no I won't be buying a (Fender body) headless Roscoe..haha
Last edited:
This is the best looking Roscoe I've ever seen. Would love to find a 5 string version just like this with the nordstrand DC's in it.
CrashClint
I Play Bass therefore I Am
Joe, I was shocked when I read you were selling your basses but now knowing the reason I could see why. I am so glad your tinnitus is getting better and you will be able to continue playing, especially on that sick fretless. You may want to look into 64 Audio IEMs. I have a pair, they are not cheap but are well worth the money. The IEMs are molded to match ear impressions and give about 18db of outside noise reduction which will allow you to listen to music at much lower levels. I have never experienced such clarity and instrument awareness, you hear it all at a very low level.
CrashClint
I Play Bass therefore I Am
I used to use .125 then one day my bass asked me do those strings make me look fat?
amazing story about the hearing loss and gain. Musicians must not deny the importance of hearing. I truly can't imagine not being able to hear.
- but on a different note, (and don't take this as angry or anything negative, just a statement/comment)
Have to be honest here, and forgive me if I just don't understand the full story behind it, but the whole Classic Jazz Roscoe thing kinda rubs me the wrong way..
I'm sure it's a good thing for business, however, If I wanted that Fender Jazz bass look and sound, I would just go buy a Fender Bass.. of course it's my own personal opinion, but the Roscoe Logo on a Fender body style bass, just looks funny to me.. it should look cool.. but I just see a fender bass..
I like Roscoe Basses because they have their own look and use great looking wood color variations and shapes!... just throwing it out there but hey we all need more money right, so I would do the same and probably make it too..
Of course the classic Fender look is great, but then there is Roscoe's look..
seriously.. which one looks cooler guys..
View attachment 1074115
or
View attachment 1074124 View attachment 1074113
anyway, keep on making Roscoe's! I am going to buy my Headless at the end of this year probably..
and no I won't be buying a (Fender body) headless Roscoe..haha
The bottom line: we kept being asked for it, so we made it. Imagine "that bass", but with the level of attention to detail you are used to from Roscoe - the same guys in the same shop using the same tools and techniques are building the Classic/Classic Custom basses.
In the end, we make something for everyone that wants that level of quality and assurance that the bass will look, play, and sound fantastic - every single one, every single time. If you don't want that classic look and tone, we still make the ones we designed.
Which one looks cooler? Both!
