Fender Roscoe Beck Bass

[cassius987]

Any opinions on this bass? I just played a nice used example and am thinking about offering one of my fretless Rics in trade, since I have two of them right now... But that's quite a bass to be giving up for another. While I was quite pleased in the store I don't know if the sheen might wear off in time. Plus, I already have a 5-string I am happy with though a rather different one. Thoughts?

[jps]

4 or 5 string? I played a 5 string a couple times but could not get past the baseball bat neck. I'd like to try a 4 string as I do like the pickup/passive electronics package on the Roscoe Beck basses. Not a big fan of the '70s era Telecaster pickguard style, however.

[cassius987]

It's a 5er. It's such a huge contrast from my 4003/5 but I feel comfy on both. Tone is fairly traditional Jazz plus several other modern options. I really dig the controls and I was loving the tone. It would be a great complement to a Ric, I think, rounding out the tonal and feel palette.

[cheyenne]

I had one and loved it. I sold it when I left the band, reasoning that "I just dont need to keep a 5-string lying around", stupid move. One of those basses I've really regretted getting rid of. If your looking for a great passive 5'er, the Roscoe Beck will be tough to beat. Cool finishes as well, turquiose metallic (mine), Candy apple red, Shoreline gold, and sunburst.

They get alot of respect over at www.talkbass.com

[jps]

If your looking for a great passive 5'er, the Roscoe Beck will be tough to beat.

Unless, you have one of these, of course!

[cassius987]

If your looking for a great passive 5'er, the Roscoe Beck will be tough to beat.

Really shouldn't be looking as a just got my 4003/5 but I think I'm addicted to having all 5 strings on board. Love the vertical mobility. The nice thing about the Roscoe Beck is a lot of the parameters are very different than the Ric: pickup placement, neck size and string spacing. But I have no qualms with the Ric to make me feel like I need anything else, I've just been eyeing the RB basses for ages and this is the first time I've even been able to try for one so it seems like it might be worth it to pull the trigger, especially since (once again) my two 400xFLs are kind of redundant (I set them up differently to avoid this, but they end up fill similar roles anyway). The other thing with fretless is each fingerboard and neck has its nuances and you want your muscle memory to not confuse one for another and cause you to mess up your intonation a little. Only happens to me in one spot on the G string but still annoys me occasionally.

Jeff, ironically enough I think there's some version of that bass at the same store right now. He carries Martin Keith instruments. Too rich for my blood however.

[jps]

Have you played any of them? If not, treat yourself.

[cassius987]

I noodled on a couple the first time I went in (he is so generous with his display models, practically encouraging people to play the priciest basses first). I have this mental filter where I can't fall in love with something I can't afford so I think I prevented myself from enjoying it too much--not an insult to the bass. Maybe after I finish my Ph.D. Anyway as I stated I should probably just be happy with the 4003/5! I think I am just getting a bit a sugar high from playing good 5-strings for the first time in my life (that includes my former Dingwall Combustion oddly ). So many of them are just ********.

[jps]

I have this mental filter where I can't fall in love with something I can't afford so I think I prevented myself from enjoying it too much...

I don't have that problem!

Ritter-Guitar_1280_8473.jpg

That's Jens Ritter behind me figuring out just how long it will take for me to pay it off.

[cassius987]

Noice!

[sloop_john_b]

That's really cool Jeff! I'd love to hear your impressions.