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Roscoe Club

#8,721
SteveC said:
Played some more today with the mids boosted a little (mid knob pulled up) and I’m liking what I hear. The D’Addario nickel 170’s with the 130 B string are also winning me over more every day.

Think I’ll stick with his for awhile, see how it goes for a few weeks. Was able to get it to sound like the bass in “Goodbye Earl” (has to be a P) and then close to the tone (with a pick and palm muting) on “Feel It Still”. We cover a lot of ground in the cover band.
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Steve, reading your post about the P-Bass tone and watching the "Gregg Allman and Friends" DVD the other night (with Don Was playing a P-Bass with flats) totally ignited a fire in me to go check out a Fender P-Bass. Way back in the day (1973-77) I played nothing but Fender P-basses but some how when I moved on to the MM and G&L's I forgot the sound of the P-Bass. I did briefly play a Pedulla MVP (P/J) 4 and 5 for a couple years but once I switched to Tobias basses and then Roscoe I just never looked back. I never play my Roscoe's with the neck pickup soloed.
I went today after work and played a new Fender American Pro 4 Precision and wow! I was totally taken back to my youth. The tone was so familiar! At any rate, I had a great time playing the bass and just loved the sound (through an Ampeg 1-15 combo).
I was thinking about it on the way home and remembered all the early hype (90's) about a Roscoe sounding like a P-Bass on steroids (which a couple guys mentioned a while back on this thread) so with the sound fresh in my head I pulled out my Custom Roscoe SKB-3005 and tried to cop the sound. It came close but it just didn't capture the magic. Then I thought about my Century STD 5 JB with the neck pickup moved slightly more rearward (toward the bridge). I grabbed it out of the case and plugged it in. Dude! Very close to the sound of the P-Bass with the neck P/U soloed. I'm thinking install a set of flats on the STD JB it will totally kill. It looked like Don Was even had a piece of cloth or foam serving as a mute at the bridge. Such a great Southern Rock tone!
 
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#8,722
Yeah, I can get close with my Roscoe. It’s a fantastic bass. But there’s something about a “real” P bass. Maybe it’s the feel of the neck. The sound. Nostalgia. Probably a combination of all. I have been tempted by Roscoe Classics, but they are expensive - except the rare used bass deal. They are probably better made, but the NOS Fender Select Precesion that’s been hanging for years at a local shop is a damn nice bass for $1,500. I could probably offer $1,200 and take it home. I played American Girl on it and it sounded so good. It’s a 4 string which is maybe nit a big deal. I could always switch to my Roscoe for the stuff that “needs” a B string like newer Bruno Mars, and a few other things, but really, 90% of our set could be done with a 4 string.
 
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#8,723
+1 on the nostalgIa and feel of the 4 string neck. I think that plays into some of the vibe that you get when playing one.
Most of my favorite players still play 4 bangers. I need the low B for church but for jamming around with the guys the 4 string works just fine. I'm probably going to get one just for old times sake.
Certainly not a Roscoe but a work horse of a bass.
 
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#8,724
JOME77 said:
+1 on the nostalgIa and feel of the 4 string neck. I think that plays into some of the vibe that you get when playing one.
Most of my favorite players still play 4 bangers. I need the low B for church but for jamming around with the guys the 4 string works just fine. I'm probably going to get one just for old times sake.
Certainly not a Roscoe but a work horse of a bass.
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I’m really leaning this way as well. I have my Roscoe for church and some of the cover band stuff. A P would be nice for a bunch of the cover stuff and the occasional jam. Still think I’ll mod me G&L JB-2 with some new pups. It’s an inexpensive mod and could potential my bring some new life to that bass. A passive J4, a Roscoe 5 and a passive P4 would certainly be a worthy stable.
 
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#8,726
Nightman said:
You guys are creating an interest in me to go and retry a Fender. I had the opportunity to buy a P 5'er that I played in church, but I just didn't for whatever reason. But maybe now is a good time to revisit them!
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I wouldn't get a 5 though. I think part of the "mystique" is a 4 string. Force you to play differently than a 5 string.
 
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#8,728
Bassworship1 said:
You guys can have your fenders as they are definitely not for me. I tried to force myself several times driving 2 hour trips to try several Elite's out at a couple music shops and they honestly are the most overrated bass I've ever played. The Standard Roscoe 5 PJ I owned absolutely owned it in every level.
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That is a nice bass. I have no doubt that it is batter quality. I just don't have $2,200. But, 5 string, P/J, active/passive option...all good things.
 
#8,729
Well, I just spend just about an hour comparing the sound of each of my fretted basses without amplification, something I've never done before. I really just wanted to hear what my Wyn with the builder recommended Dean Markley strings sounded like without amplification, which was kinda compressed, flat and dark. I'm going to put some new D'Addario EXL170-5 on it to see if that helps. It was really interesting to hear the variations in the other basses! My Ken Smith was an obvious standout in this test, even with old strings on it!!!
Have you other players done this?
 
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#8,730
Nightman said:
Well, I just spend just about an hour comparing the sound of each of my fretted basses without amplification, something I've never done before. I really just wanted to hear what my Wyn with the builder recommended Dean Markley strings sounded like without amplification, which was kinda compressed, flat and dark. I'm going to put some new D'Addario EXL170-5 on it to see if that helps. It was really interesting to hear the variations in the other basses! My Ken Smith was an obvious standout in this test, even with old strings on it!!!
Have you other players done this?
Click to expand...

I have no need to try that since I always play my basses amped lol...JK brother.
 
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#8,736
FB_IMG_1520531364916.jpg

For the other teachers in the group. :roflmao:

Just got done rehearsing 120 2nd graders for a musical...8 mics, lots of sound. I feel some red coming on.

I get to retire in 2040. Am I allowed to be jealous of the newly retired or soon-to-retire?
 
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#8,737
Nightman said:
Well, I just spend just about an hour comparing the sound of each of my fretted basses without amplification, something I've never done before. I really just wanted to hear what my Wyn with the builder recommended Dean Markley strings sounded like without amplification, which was kinda compressed, flat and dark. I'm going to put some new D'Addario EXL170-5 on it to see if that helps. It was really interesting to hear the variations in the other basses! My Ken Smith was an obvious standout in this test, even with old strings on it!!!
Have you other players done this?
Click to expand...

Well I guess that you know that if you install any brand other than Ken Smith string on a Smith bass it voids the Warranty!:jawdrop:

Just kidding (maybe). But Ken did post in a thread on TB years ago that if you don't use KS strings the bass will not sound like a Smith bass. They were designed to optimize the sound of his basses!:D That is a true story .....

I've only owned one Smith (BSRGN5 neck-thru). Bought it new From Jim at ABG. It definitely had the Smith sound but had a quite a bit of fret buzz with a medium low action.
Not a huge fan of neck thru basses. Kind of hard to replace the neck on the neck-thru models!:)
 
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#8,738
SteveC said:
I look forward to being in this situation...especially after today.
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steelin4u said:
View attachment 2950403
For the other teachers in the group. :roflmao:

Just got done rehearsing 120 2nd graders for a musical...8 mics, lots of sound. I feel some red coming on.

I get to retire in 2040. Am I allowed to be jealous of the newly retired or soon-to-retire?
Click to expand...

You certainly are allowed!!! It's part of our role as a retired person to impart that kind of reaction.

I would imagine I was taking my daily nap during your lovely musical rehearsal with those 120 angels!!
 
#8,739
Nightman said:
Well, I just spend just about an hour comparing the sound of each of my fretted basses without amplification, something I've never done before. I really just wanted to hear what my Wyn with the builder recommended Dean Markley strings sounded like without amplification, which was kinda compressed, flat and dark. I'm going to put some new D'Addario EXL170-5 on it to see if that helps. It was really interesting to hear the variations in the other basses! My Ken Smith was an obvious standout in this test, even with old strings on it!!!
Have you other players done this?
Click to expand...

Bassworship1 said:
I have no need to try that since I always play my basses amped lol...JK brother.
Click to expand...

LOL

Now let me clean my afternoon coffee off my computer screen!!!:D

Shane, that's a good one Bro!:roflmao:
 
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