I prefer the SKB and always thought I wouldn't like the LG model until I purchased a used one. It was really nice also. I like and could live with any of the body styles Keith offers.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Roscoe Club
- Thread starter JOME77
- Start date
Probably the only Roscoe that I totally regret trading was the last new build that I did with Gard at Roscoe. It was a LG with straight p/u’s, mahogany body, myrtle burl top, cocobolo Finger board, Bart CB p/u’s and Bart pre (which I later replaced with the Demeter pre). Awesome looking and playing Roscoe. The fret job on that bass was just perfect. Gard told me that Keith rarely frets the basses (in those days) and he did that one.
Definitely should have never let it go. As the story goes, I always said that if I could ever find it again I'd get it back. Well after about 6 years a good friend from LA (lsu921) sent me an Ebay link and low and behold there was my former bass! Sadly though it had been totally abused. The bass had more bruises and scars on it than Rocky or Rambo after all of the sequels. Totally ruined.
Bottom line, if you've got a great Roscoe (or any bass for that matter) hold on to it tightly.
Anyone else had "the one" get away?
Here's a few pics of mine.
Definitely should have never let it go. As the story goes, I always said that if I could ever find it again I'd get it back. Well after about 6 years a good friend from LA (lsu921) sent me an Ebay link and low and behold there was my former bass! Sadly though it had been totally abused. The bass had more bruises and scars on it than Rocky or Rambo after all of the sequels. Totally ruined.
Bottom line, if you've got a great Roscoe (or any bass for that matter) hold on to it tightly.
Anyone else had "the one" get away?
Here's a few pics of mine.
I can say there was one bass I missed after I sold it. It just felt good to play it, hear it and the neck was like butter, but I could never put it in the #1 bass slot because it’s a fretless. I missed it so much, it is the only bass I’ve sold and bought it back! I’ve often wondered how would it play if it were a fretted bass.
Last edited:
The original ads for the Roscoes said, "a P-bass that sounds like a Steinway."I think that it would be easier to get a 5 string P-bass.
Or use a time machine to go back to the gig with your Roscoe and let your past self play the P Bass tunes and you future self play the Roscoe 5 on the tunes that need a 5. Marty McFly F did it in “Back To the Future” and that was way back in 1985. Should be much easier now.
So I was in a blues band and kept taking a G&L L1000. Great bass but in this band it was timid. The entire frequency range was above me. There was a huge hole. My eyes thought I should be playing a Fenderish bass.
So at one live gig I brought the Roscoe 5. Immediately all the people were on the dance floor. Especially the honeys. I brought bottom to the band. We sounded powerful and bad $&&. So I'd say forget the whole thing and play your Roscoe.
My Mileage Sure Varied!
Thanks to @Bassworship1, I'm back in the Roscoe game. Very much digging this bass way more than my original.
Grew up near Motown listening to CKLW on my little radio, playing all night on the nightstand next to my bed, at a volume that my parents never heard or protested. As life progressed, Steveland and Nathan became my guys. This was long before I heard of Roscoe, and was intoxicated by guitar in jazz, funk, and fusion. I stumbled upon this clip that makes me think of it all. FYI: Roscoe is well represented on this artist's YT channel. Betcha' find something you like if you check it out.
One of my favorite Stevie tributes. Stevie liked it, too.
And then, there's those guys. If you really want to play like Nathan, you really need the hat.
Ending back up in Motown, with a little more clear (Inner)vision.
One of my favorite Stevie tributes. Stevie liked it, too.
And then, there's those guys. If you really want to play like Nathan, you really need the hat.
Ending back up in Motown, with a little more clear (Inner)vision.
Last edited:
Really like that play along with Do I Do! Very smooth and well played with great tone.
I was suppose to check in on our service’s live stream to get my spiritual fill, but instead I watched these videos. Have mercy!!! I think I’m all forgiven!!
Thanks @staccatogrowl!!! That was a blessing!
Can someone photoshop a Classic 5 string jazz in shell pink with a white guard and blank maple neck?
@SteveC You're a bad (good!) influence
If one of you amazing folks sold this to the The Bass Place up in Seattle, thank you! It'll be at my doorstep next week!
If one of you amazing folks sold this to the The Bass Place up in Seattle, thank you! It'll be at my doorstep next week!
That’s a pretty “classic” Roscoe. Congrats!@SteveC You're a bad (good!) influence
If one of you amazing folks sold this to the The Bass Place up in Seattle, thank you! It'll be at my doorstep next week!
View attachment 4036579 View attachment 4036580
@SteveC You're a bad (good!) influence
If one of you amazing folks sold this to the The Bass Place up in Seattle, thank you! It'll be at my doorstep next week!
View attachment 4036579 View attachment 4036580
Beautiful Roscoe!
Very classy looking!
Congrats!
Beautiful Roscoe!
Very classy looking!
Congrats!
Thanks! It’s a 2008 model and in immaculate, nearly unplayed condition according to the shop. Spanish cedar body, burl maple top, coco bolo fretboard, and Bart electronics. I’d say that’s a classic Roscoe from my still playing catch up knowledge about the history of their basses.
I'm sure that Keith could fix you up at the shop. Give him a call.
Other than that you'd probably have to go with WD Products. They do great work but would require that you send them you pick guard (to replicate it).
OK - I know you guys pay attention to this stuff like no one else, so I am asking here first...
There's a top-name "modern country" artist whose bass player uses a Roscoe 5.
I thought it was Luke Bryan but I can't spot it in any of the videos I could find; I remember seeing the band play live in an AXS 'Spring Break' concert.
Any ideas? Extra points for a link to a video showing the Roscoe...
I have an audition with a country band Monday and will be taking the fretted Roscoe 5 (and the fretless Roscoe 6, as a backup, but I doubt I'll unpack it...).
I'm expecting a bit of pushback since it's not a Fender, but to my ears a lot of the setlist I was asked to prep is 5-string material so probably I just worry too much...
But I'd like to be able to say "Like <fill in blank> bass player..."
Most of the basses I've seen in the videos I've studied are at least 5's, and more "coffeetable Roscoe-like" than 4-string solid-color Fender-like so maybe I'm already more genre-appropriate than I think.
There's a top-name "modern country" artist whose bass player uses a Roscoe 5.
I thought it was Luke Bryan but I can't spot it in any of the videos I could find; I remember seeing the band play live in an AXS 'Spring Break' concert.
Any ideas? Extra points for a link to a video showing the Roscoe...
I have an audition with a country band Monday and will be taking the fretted Roscoe 5 (and the fretless Roscoe 6, as a backup, but I doubt I'll unpack it...).
I'm expecting a bit of pushback since it's not a Fender, but to my ears a lot of the setlist I was asked to prep is 5-string material so probably I just worry too much...
But I'd like to be able to say "Like <fill in blank> bass player..."
Most of the basses I've seen in the videos I've studied are at least 5's, and more "coffeetable Roscoe-like" than 4-string solid-color Fender-like so maybe I'm already more genre-appropriate than I think.
It is Luke Bryan's bassist James Cook, although he rotates some instruments these days.
I played a Roscoe JJ and a PJ in a country cover ban very successfully. Here's James:
That helps - at least now I know I wasn't just making it up.
Luke Bryan isn't on my 'learn list' but the ones that are sound just like him ;-)
For comparison, here's mine:
Beautiful. Also, I will say, as long as you play the songs and are rock solid on the form, you will be great! I bet you are worrying about gear too much. Just dont show up with a 7-string fanned fret and a Phil Jones briefcase amp and you'll be fine.
