Roscoe Club

[KJung]

So you decided to keep it. Nice! That's a killer bass. One I would call a "lifer".

I've been thinking about grabbing a 5 string Precision style bass(Sadowsky or Lull), but I might end up leaning towards a century with soap bars. How do you guys find them in terms of approximating that type of tone? I know a lot of the Bartolini pickups have that split coil magnet orientation.

Just slightly blending toward the neck and boosting 800hz gives you an 'approximation' of a P Bass tone. Given the Barts very relaxed upper midrange response, you don't get very much 'P grind and brightness'. The inherent tone is a bit like a P bass with the passive tone control turned way down, and then the treble control turned up on the amp, as a rough example. There is a touch of upper treble in the tone, but very little of that P Bass aggressive grind when you turn up the passive tone control.

I actually dig it... very round, punchy P type low end, with a more modern, clean top end. Very nice on the gig, and very easy to move from that super articulate burp 'bap bap' of the Roscoe set flat and evenly blended, to more 'modern meets vintage' sort of vibe.

I've gotten an unusual number of positive comments on the tone of the Roscoe/Bart combination from a variety of players I've gigged with recently (over the past few months). Big, forceful low end that is 'round' rather than bloomy/boomy, nice space between the notes articulation, present but not harsh or 'get in the way' top end.

Very impressive instruments!

 

[AMJBASS]

That is encouraging. Especially considering I tend to lean more towards the Pino tone rather than a more aggressive grindy P-Bass tone. I'll have to go play a few Roscoe's at Club Bass in Toronto and make the decision. I assume playing one will probably "force" me to spend more money however

 

[KJung]

That is encouraging. Especially considering I tend to lean more towards the Pino tone rather than a more aggressive grindy P-Bass tone. I'll have to go play a few Roscoe's at Club Bass in Toronto and make the decision. I assume playing one will probably "force" me to spend more money however

Remember that you can get an Aguilar P pickup model also, which would, I assume, sound quite close to a 'real' P Bass, with the playability, etc. of the Roscoe.

 

[JoelFT]

We probably could do a custom build with a slightly larger headstock to accommodate multiple Hipshot D-tuners, but we'd need to do that from the ground up for it to actually work....













....I'm going to regret posting this, aren't I?

I want a bass with adjustable scale length.

 

[Freddels]

I want a bass with adjustable scale length.

And removeable fb so I can switch b/w fretted and fretless with adjustable width so I can go from 4 to 5 to 6 string. Yeah, that's the ticket!!

 

[JoelFT]

How about a removable top so I can go from oil rubbed koa to tobacco burst flame maple to gloss buckeye on a whim? And a beer tap, gotta have one of those.

 

[SteveC]

I do wish someone would come up with a way to have a fretted/fretless with the flip of a switch. I know there's that one video from a couple years ago but I think there were still some kinks to be worked out.

 

[JoelFT]

I do wish someone would come up with a way to have a fretted/fretless with the flip of a switch. I know there's that one video from a couple years ago but I think there were still some kinks to be worked out.

Have you seen the bass with the "reverse frets"? That's a really cool idea.

 

[SteveC]

Have you seen the bass with the "reverse frets"? That's a really cool idea.

Don't know that one.

 

[JOME77]

How about a removable top so I can go from oil rubbed koa to tobacco burst flame maple to gloss buckeye on a whim?

I was trading them so fast about a year ago that my wife thought that I had one of those models!

 

[ko stradivarius]

How about a removable top so I can go from oil rubbed koa to tobacco burst flame maple to gloss buckeye on a whim? And a beer tap, gotta have one of those.

A removable/replaceable top would be very interesting.
Although, I don't wanna hear about anyone having problems coordinating with their outfit.

 

[JoelFT]

A removable/replaceable top would be very interesting.
Although, I don't wanna hear about anyone having problems coordinating with their outfit.

"Does this koa make my butt look fat?"

 

[chadds]

"Does this koa make my butt look fat?"

"Does my fat butt look fat with this Koa?"

 

[Gard]

I want a bass with adjustable scale length.

I.

Hate.

You.

 

[SteveC]

Any thoughts on that fretless 4 string that's for sale? Roscoes don't usually get modded but this one looks kind of interesting.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/...rd-4-string-fretless-w-three-pickups-1030610/

 

[KJung]

Any thoughts on that fretless 4 string that's for sale? Roscoes don't usually get modded but this one looks kind if interesting.

Only that you shouldn't buy it

 

[SteveC]

Only that you shouldn't buy it

You're no fun!

I know what you're saying, and Pacman would agree, as would others. Probably good advice. However…

…since selling my fretless to get funds for Jon's 6 that I also sold (I am holding strong that 6 isn't for me) I can say that I miss the fretless. I used it quite a bit in church and I find myself missing it a bit these days. Sure, my fretted 5 covers it just fine, but there's something you can add with a fretless that's unique.

The used market is pretty good right now (unless you are trying to sell) and it's hard not to take advantage of good prices.

OT: someone is selling a Modulus 6 for $1,400!! Not that I would go Modulus again, but man, that's a deal. Not to mention the great deals on Roscoes and others.

 

[KJung]

You're no fun!

I know what you're saying, and Pacman would agree, as would others. Probably good advice. However…

…since selling my fretless to get funds for Jon's 6 that I also sold (I am holding strong that 6 isn't for me) I can say that I miss the fretless. I used it quite a bit in church and I find myself missing it a bit these days. Sure, my fretted 5 covers it just fine, but there's something you can add with a fretless that's unique.

The used market is pretty good right now (unless you are trying to sell) and it's hard not to take advantage of good prices.

OT: someone is selling a Modulus 6 for $1,400!! Not that I would go Modulus again, but man, that's a deal. Not to mention the great deals on Roscoes and others.

Don't do it 'Hard to not take advantage of good deals' has sunk many ships on the rocks.

 

[Dave Siff]

Here's the first two pics of my Century Standard Plus 5 in progress. No top on this one. The front should pop once it gets some finish. The back looks pretty great already!

 

[SteveC]

Don't do it 'Hard to not take advantage of good deals' has sunk many ships on the rocks.

I think I'm over it. After listening to a wonderful Piano Trio at school yesterday, and visiting with them about their summer chamber music camp, I may change my thinking completely and get back to work on my upright chops. I teach orchestra and play some, but not enough and not as well as I'd like.

As I debate with myself about things, research things, and think about what I do/want to do, I have all I need on the electric, fretted side. Great bass, nice IEM set up, decent little amp for "background" jazz gigs and home practice, etc.

I'm playing a duo gig tomorrow night with the keyboard player from my old bands. Pianos and upright bass. No amps. Standards. Should be fun. Got me thinking…

…for the fill in gigs (which are jazz) and the occasional musical/pit gig, I'd be much better off having good upright chops over a fretless or other electric bass. Being solid on upright would definitely set me apart.

Keep my Century 5 Koa, keep my good enough amp and IEM/DI board, and get to work on upright chops while using the Roscoe for church and whatever. Stay in the "family" and broaden my horizons without spending anything - I can use a school bass for now. There is a "DB" side to this site, right?

Kind of OT but that isn't unusual for a Roscoe thread, right?