Beedster Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 (edited) I've been looking for a very versatile passive bass for as long as I can remember. At heart I'm a Precision kinda guy who on occasion finds the single PUP a little limiting. I'm also a Ric kinda guy who finds that whilst Rics can do one or two things really well, they just don't work in certain genres. So, aware of the reputation of the Fender Roscoe Beck as quite possibly Fender's best ever instrument - certainly it's most versatile - I saw Michael's thread a year or so again and it got me thinking. Then he withdrew it, and then he listed it again [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/213753-fender-roscoe-beck-iv-sunburst/page__hl__beck"]http://basschat.co.u.../page__hl__beck[/url], and I still resisted. After a couple of weeks of reading outstanding Talkbass reviews and talking to various folks, I though 'sod it. let's do it'. So, what happened? Well firstly I was absolutely blown away by the sheer range of tones you can get from this bass, a range far more consistent with an active bass than a passive bass. Second, the build quality is absolutely superb, far more in line with what I'd expect from Sadowsky USA than Fender. Third the playability is outstanding, the only instrument I'd put in the same league as a Modulus Flea in this respect. The neck is quite simply outstanding. Lastly, it looks absolutely gorgeous. So why am I letting it go? Well, I just don't think it's the bass for me, it's that simple. I A-B'd it against an MIJ Precision and an old Faker 4001 and if I'm honest, whilst these two basses are hugely limited in many respects, I just prefer the core tone of both. So, I'm looking for trades for one of two basses, and I'm not after anything but these so please don't offer 1. A c64, likely with cash from me depending on the condition of your bass (if you don't know what a c64 is you haven't got one!) 2. A passive Fender P/J, ideally with rosewood board, probably with cash my way unless it's something very special I might go for a straight sale if something along the lines of the above two instruments comes up for sale in the meantime. Please refer to Michael's FS thread for photos and info [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/213753-fender-roscoe-beck-iv-sunburst/page__hl__beck."]http://basschat.co.u...page__hl__beck.[/url] Note that it comes with tort and whit pickguards, all case candy etc. Even the case is beautiful! Little tease pics from Michael's thread here... [attachment=152935:Roscoe.jpg] [attachment=152936:Roscoe 2.jpg][attachment=152937:Roscoe 3.jpg][attachment=152938:Roscoe 4.jpg] Chris Edited January 27, 2014 by Beedster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreeneKing Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 That is a special bass Chris, very nice. Shame it's only Fender P/J's you're interested in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted January 21, 2014 Author Share Posted January 21, 2014 [quote name='GreeneKing' timestamp='1390301444' post='2343667'] That is a special bass Chris, very nice. Shame it's only Fender P/J's you're interested in. [/quote] Certainly is Peter, thanks. To be honest I will probably be up for a straight sale, as the chances of a trade for either instrument I want are, I guess, relatively small. No great rush either way really. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted January 21, 2014 Author Share Posted January 21, 2014 [quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1390263012' post='2343468'] So, I'm looking for trades for one of two basses, and I'm not after anything but these [b][u]so please don't offer[/u][/b] 1. A c64, likely with cash from me depending on the condition of your bass (if you don't know what a c64 is you haven't got one!) 2. A passive Fender P/J, ideally with rosewood board, probably with cash my way unless it's something very special I might go for a straight sale if something along the lines of the above two instruments comes up for sale in the meantime. [/quote] Sorry to restate it but I really do not want anything other than the above two instruments or possible a straight sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gareth Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 [IMG]http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r100/garethadavies/Fender%20MIM%20Precision%20Special/DSC009712.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gareth Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 Chris if I were you - and you are happy with a jazz neck - 1.5 not 1.75 at the nut - I would consider the above MIM precision special or the California Series equivalent or even a Reggie Hamilton as although they are active they have a true passive bypass that functions with no battery Gareth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gareth Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 Chris if you want a usa pj then think about the hotrod series gareth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted January 21, 2014 Author Share Posted January 21, 2014 (edited) Many thanks Gareth, the Precision above looks lovely. Re the Reggie Hamilton, I just prefer the shape of a Precision to be honest. I used to dislike Jazz width necks but I've found that they're easier to play Precision than on a Jazz, so perhaps there's something about the way Jazzes sit or balance? This is one of the reasons I went for the Roscoe Beck, it's not quite Precision shaped but neither is it a Jazz body-wise. It actually sits really nicely. Anyway, this may all be moot as two gentlemen have offered me c64s at reasonable prices so the Roscoe is definitely for sale at £1200 which is what I paid Michael. I played it for an hour today and have to say that if you like Jazz Basses, this bass is about at good as it gets. I've linked below to some Talkbass threads and it's clear that a lot of folks believe this to be one of the best basses that Fender make (made, now discontinued) as well as one of the best Jazz Basses full stop. Read on..... [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/roscoe-beck-jazz-anybody-out-there-got-one-854531/"]http://www.talkbass....got-one-854531/[/url] [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/fender-roscoe-beck-iv-874824/"]http://www.talkbass....beck-iv-874824/[/url] [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/fender-roscoe-beck-576261/"]http://www.talkbass....oe-beck-576261/[/url] [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/fender-roscoe-beck-v-7684/"]http://www.talkbass....oe-beck-v-7684/[/url] And some thoughts on the bass from the man himself [url="http://www.jollybeggars.co.uk/bassforum/rb/"]http://www.jollybegg...k/bassforum/rb/[/url] Edited January 21, 2014 by Beedster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 This really is someone's ideal bass. If you want a lightweight, feature-laden, custom-build quality, versatile-yet-passive super Jazz, which will hold its value better than most, and plays like buttah, snap it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted January 21, 2014 Author Share Posted January 21, 2014 [quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1390329999' post='2344158'] ...super Jazz... [/quote] You know it's a funny thing, but I've known about the Roscoe Beck for about 10 years and it's only really now - with immaculate timing - that I think of it as a Jazz! I'd always seen it as a sort of half-way house between Jazz and Precision, the best-of-both-worlds Fender (which to be honest, it is). This had been both reinforced by its looks, which to my eye are more Precision than Jazz, and its reputation. But yes, having played it several times now, Michael's spot on, this is a - possibly the - 'super Jazz' It certainly does a lot more than Jazz Bass, but that's where the core tone is centred, and all other tones are either side of that. I must admit part of me wants to stick on some La Bella Jamersons and check out the neck PUP in series to see just how vintage a Precision tone I can get, but of course the problem with doing that is that I'm likely to lose some of the very versatility that I bought the bass for (although even as I write I'm thinking about it some more....). So yes, Super Jazz is about right Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 Lovely bass but just out of curiosity what is a c64 bass? I googled it but it just came up with home made Commodore 64 computer basses lol anyhow GLWTS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted January 21, 2014 Author Share Posted January 21, 2014 [quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1390334649' post='2344231'] Lovely bass but just out of curiosity what is a c64 bass? I googled it but it just came up with home made Commodore 64 computer basses lol anyhow GLWTS [/quote] Thanks, clue's in the first post above Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 (edited) [quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1390334819' post='2344238'] Thanks, clue's in the first post above [/quote] Could it be one of these BTW the pic is not of a bass that I own just a picture of one I pinched off the net to see if I had guessed what a c64 was Edited January 22, 2014 by Thunderbird Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreeneKing Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 I owned one. Very nice too and I miss it.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfoxnik Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 [quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1390334109' post='2344220'] You know it's a funny thing, but I've known about the Roscoe Beck for about 10 years and it's only really now - with immaculate timing - that I think of it as a Jazz! I'd always seen it as a sort of half-way house between Jazz and Precision, the best-of-both-worlds Fender (which to be honest, it is). This had been both reinforced by its looks, which to my eye are more Precision than Jazz, and its reputation. But yes, having played it several times now, Michael's spot on, this is a - possibly the - 'super Jazz' It certainly does a lot more than Jazz Bass, but that's where the core tone is centred, and all other tones are either side of that. I must admit part of me wants to stick on some La Bella Jamersons and check out the neck PUP in series to see just how vintage a Precision tone I can get, but of course the problem with doing that is that I'm likely to lose some of the very versatility that I bought the bass for (although even as I write I'm thinking about it some more....). So yes, Super Jazz is about right [/quote] I think you're spot-on with this assessment Chris.. I've had 3 Roscoe Beck 5 strings and I felt they were more of a Jazz bass than a P bass.. Great nonetheless in so many ways, but still , ultimately, its more of a Jazz bass tonal palette. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W11ATO Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 [quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1390329999' post='2344158'] This really is someone's ideal bass. If you want a lightweight, feature-laden, custom-build quality, versatile-yet-passive super Jazz, which will hold its value better than most, and plays like buttah, snap it up. [/quote]+1 I've played it and it's wonderful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 [quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1390329999' post='2344158'] This really is someone's ideal bass. [/quote] I'd love to bring this baby back to the North East... but funds just don't allow it at the moment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disssa Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 IMO the best Bass Fender ever made... Bump! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted January 23, 2014 Author Share Posted January 23, 2014 Thanks for the positive comments folks. I appear to be very much in the minority in thinking it's not the perfect bass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 [quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1390503478' post='2346189'] Thanks for the positive comments folks. I appear to be very much in the minority in thinking it's not the perfect bass [/quote] But, as many of us know (to our costs)... you can never tell till you actually get it in your hands! Reading lots of glowing comments on here can make you think that any bass is the Holy Grail! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted January 24, 2014 Author Share Posted January 24, 2014 On hold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfoxnik Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Good news! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted January 27, 2014 Author Share Posted January 27, 2014 [quote name='silverfoxnik' timestamp='1390556322' post='2346677'] Good news! [/quote] Thanks Nik Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted January 27, 2014 Author Share Posted January 27, 2014 Super Jazz traded for a Super Precision Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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