Roscoe Club

[JOME77]

How does the Nordstrand compare to Demeter? I just bought a Demeter that I was going to put in my black LG but am now thinking about the Nordie.

The Demeter is a great sounding preamp Bernard. But it is a bit more of a one trick pony. If a person had multiple Roscoe's I'd say the Demeter should be installed in one. But It doesn't have a passive mode or a Passive tone control.

The Nordstrand pre has both the active/passive PP Switch and the VTC. Plus the 3-band offers much more variation in overall tone.

if I had one Roscoe, it would have the Nordstrand preamp (and I do just have one and it does).

 

[JOME77]

I talked to Nordstrand ship and they are expecting them back in stock February som time. Best preamp on the market IMO as I e been using them for years in other basses. Can't wait to try them in my. Art Roscoe's.

Yeah.
They're out of the modules for their preamps.

 

[bgartist]

The Demeter is a great sounding preamp Bernard. But it is a bit more of a one trunk pony. If a person had multiple Roscoe's I'd say the Demeter should be installed in one. But It doesn't have a passive mode or a Passive tone control.

The Nordstrand pre has both the active/passive PP Switch and the VTC. Plus the 3-band offers much more variation in overall tone.

if I had one Roscoe, it would have the Nordstrand preamp (and I do just have one and it does).

Alright then. I think I'll look at the Nord 3-band. Plus, I was looking at the Demeter. It's quite bulky and I don't want to do any routing. I may be posting this new Demeter for sale.

 

[staccatogrowl]

IDK. The most adjusted tone control of my cumulative Roscoe experience is balance. 99.9% of the time my Bart NTMB pre is neutral. I start with centered detent balance control, and slightly adjust towards bridge or neck. That's it for finding my happy sonic place, fretted or fretless. Too simple, right?

 

[mwbonsall]

Yeah.
They're out of the modules for their preamps.

I hope they are not made in China.

Mark

 

[Funkinthetrunk]

I hope they are not made in China.

Mark

Why would that matter? As long as it's of quality and sound good, that's good enough for me. Where's your cell phone made? Or your gaming system?

 

[mwbonsall]

Why would that matter? As long as it's of quality and sound good, that's good enough for me. Where's your cell phone made? Or your gaming system?

I don't want to start an argument, I just like like to see things made in house. Sorry if I offended anyone.

Mark

 

[Funkinthetrunk]

I don't want to start an argument, I just like like to see things made in house. Sorry if I offended anyone.

Mark

I can respect that.

 

[Nightman]

I was looking at the Demeter. It's quite bulky

True! Although the shrink wrapped module is bulky, you can reduce the length of the wires in the harness to make it more tailored to the bass cavity and maybe change out the pots!

 

[JOME77]

Alright then. I think I'll look at the Nord 3-band. Plus, I was looking at the Demeter. It's quite bulky and I don't want to do any routing. I may be posting this new Demeter for sale.

True! Although the shrink wrapped module is bulky, you can reduce the length of the wires in the harness to make it more tailored to the bass cavity and maybe change out the pots!

Keep in mind though if you shorten the wire lengths you void the warranty.
The most likely problem that you have @bgartist is the length of the threaded shaft of the pots. The ones used on mine would only work on a metal plate (not wooden top).
Both Ray and I had this issue and James was far less that hospitable about getting us usable pots.
As a matter of fact I believe that I sent Ray a few of my old ones to get his Demeter up and running.

 

[JOME77]

Alright then. I think I'll look at the Nord 3-band. Plus, I was looking at the Demeter. It's quite bulky and I don't want to do any routing. I may be posting this new Demeter for sale.

Demeter preamps are hard to get. You might want to keep it for future use (or in case you disagree with me on how great the Nord sounds).

 

[JOME77]

IDK. The most adjusted tone control of my cumulative Roscoe experience is balance. 99.9% of the time my Bart NTMB pre is neutral. I start with centered detent balance control, and slightly adjust towards bridge or neck. That's it for finding my happy sonic place, fretted or fretless. Too simple, right?

I actually agree that this is a good approach to finding your bass voice but I'll go a step further and say it works a bit better with vol/vol (than a blend control).
I primarily use the EQ's to compensate for bad venues.

 

[bgartist]

Keep in mind though if you shorten the wire lengths you void the warranty.
The most likely problem that you have @bgartist is the length of the threaded shaft if the pots. The ones used on mine would only work on a metal plate (not wooden top).
Both Ray and I had this issue and Jim was far less that hospitable about getting us usable pots.
As a matter of fact I believe that I sent Ray a few of my old ones to get his Demeter up and running.

Yes, I've noticed the pot size and length. I'm not sure I'm up for so much modification. I'll think about what to do with it but I am leaning toward the Nordstrand.

 

[Nightman]

Both Ray and I had this issue and Jim was far less that hospitable about getting us usable pots.
As a matter of fact I believe that I sent Ray a few of my old ones to get his Demeter up and running.

True!! Keep in mind I talked with James and ordered the Roscoe version Demeter for a Roscoe LG, which does not have a metal plate and can only accept the long shaft pots.

About cutting/shortening wire(s) voids the warrantee, maybe you (Joe) mean the wires from the shrink wrapped module, but if I recall correctly, you have to cut the single battery wires that comes on it to install it in a Roscoe and to also run it at 18 volts.

 

[JOME77]

True!! Keep in mind I talked with James and ordered the Roscoe version Demeter for a Roscoe LG, which does not have a metal plate and can only accept the long shaft pots.

Oh James knew the last one that I ordered was for a Roscoe bass. His excuse was that those were the only pots he could get without placing a big order (and he didn't plan on building them any more).
What didn't set well with me was that he built it up, sent it to me and didn't say anything about until I called.
Things like this is why Keith stopped offering the Demeter as an option.
Bummer .....

 

[JOME77]

I don't want to start an argument, I just like like to see things made in house. Sorry if I offended anyone.

Mark

Did not offend me Mark.

Quite honestly I'm tired of getting things from China ..... especially things that I didn't order.

 

[Nightman]

You didn't get the weed seeds to plant, grow and enjoy, Joe?!

 

[Nightman]

Well, on a different topic, today I received the humidifier and humidity gauges I ordered to measure and, hopefully, maintain a recommended humidity level in my music room where my basses are hanging. From an old Radio Shack humidity gauge I already had in the room indicated it was a little dry, so I decided to help out my wooden friends and art work.

I know a few of you are into proper humidity levels for your beloved instruments and I only got serious about it when that second, unordered, package from Sweetwater that arrived with my hollow-body guitar Nightwoman bought was a case humidifier. It was kind of a nudge toward proper care for all of my instruments.

 

[steelin4u]

I know a few of you are into proper humidity levels for your beloved instruments

The Nightwoman knows a good investment when she sees it!

I'm one of those for sure, Ray. Ever since a beloved classical had a bridge lift clean off and a top crack while sitting oou on a stand, I got serious. I monitor conditions year-round, but I only fire up the humidifier once the heat kicks on. Then I'm setting my instrument room (interior basement room) to 63°F and 50% humidity (gotta keep the wine in there decent, too).

Epilogue on the classical - I reglued the bridge myself (after getting some price quotes). It ain't pretty, but it hasn't moved in almost a decade and is still fighting!

 

[JOME77]

Well, on a different topic, today I received the humidifier and humidity gauges I ordered to measure and, hopefully, maintain a recommended humidity level in my music room where my basses are hanging. From an old Radio Shack humidity gauge I already had in the room indicated it was a little dry, so I decided to help out my wooden friends and art work.

I know a few of you are into proper humidity levels for your beloved instruments and I only got serious about it when that second, unordered, package from Sweetwater that arrived with my hollow-body guitar Nightwoman bought was a case humidifier. It was kind of a nudge toward proper care for all of my instruments.

The Nightwoman knows a good investment when she sees it!

I'm one of those for sure, Ray. Ever since a beloved classical had a bridge lift clean off and a top crack while sitting oou on a stand, I got serious. I monitor conditions year-round, but I only fire up the humidifier once the heat kicks on. Then I'm setting my instrument room (interior basement room) to 63°F and 50% humidity (gotta keep the wine in there decent, too).

Epilogue on the classical - I reglued the bridge myself (after getting some price quotes). It ain't pretty, but it hasn't moved in almost a decade and is still fighting!

Never had an issue for years and years and then one Saturday morning a few years ago I woke up, grabbed one of my Roscoe's to work on the Sunday worship music and ouch!!! Every fret sprouted at the fret ends! Literally overnight! I had played that bass the night before and it was fine. I had the fret ends filed and everything was fine but it made me a believer that it can happen. I keep my music room temp at 64°F and haven't had any issues since but I probably should get a humidifier.