I did not want to use a spreader card or trowel, and I wanted a semi-hard rubber roller that was able to be removed from its handle for easy clean-up. I talked with many places like Woodcraft, Rockler, etc ... they all noted that what I wanted would be cool, but that there was nothing they knew of that could be ordered from their suppliers
so this past weekend I was asked to assist my Boss
to the art supply store so she could purchase canvasses for her school assignments this month. while she was rifling thru the unending size and construction options I decided to walk around and see what was there that could be repurposed for bass building. this is where I stumbled into the printing section and my search for a new glue roller ended 
there on a shelf and available in many different sizes was an 'inking roller' which met all of my wishes - semi-hard rubber roller, easily removed for clean-up, relatively inexpensive, and (a plus I never thought of) it also included a pair of legs so it could be rested on the workbench while fitting a pair of freshly glued pieces together
here's one local source for these that also sells on-line
Abig Inking Rollers 60 mm Wide, 20 mm Thick
ahh ... another happy ending to a quest for a better tool!
all the best,
R