I've been lusting after a Roscoe LG-3005 for about 12 years now. It might be time to take the plunge, especially since Roscoe Guitars is practically a neighbor (I'm in Raleigh, NC). I played one about 12 years ago when I was looking for my first 5-string and loved it, but it cost more than I could afford then. I played one locally about a year ago testing out a bass cab, and man, I've been thinking about that one ever since.

A few questions before I take this plunge:

Control layout: There's 4 knobs, and one appears in photos to be concentric. Is this knob a stacked bass + treble control? I' assume the other knobs are master volume, pickup blend, and midrange?

String Pitch: What is the neck width at the 24th fret, or the string spacing at the bridge? Either number will do. I like slightly wider than standard spacing on a 5-string, and if I recall the LG-3005 is indeed slightly wider (like in 3" at the 24th fret or 19mm at the bridge...something like that?).

Weight: How much does the LG-3005 typically weigh?

I'm looking at a used Roscoe, but the seller doesn't actually know if it's an LG or SKB and I'm having a hard time telling from his pictures (which aren't that great). It weighs 11lbs 2oz...does that rule out the SKB by any chance? I know it's a little larger than the LG. Here's a pic...can anyone tell me which one this is? You'll notice there's a big scrape above the bridge...but I'm thinking that could be fixed without too much blood, sweat, and tears. I can't actually tell if the fretboard is purpleheart or rosewood, but I've asked the seller.

http://www.ipass.net/davesisk/music/pics/RoscoeBass.jpg

Dave

Here's a bump for your thread my friend... step in to the club!

:D

Dave -

Welcome to the family!

You should come over for a visit sometime...

To answer your questions:

Our standard 4 knob control layout for a 3-band preamp, from the neck side of the "diamond":

Furtherst forward: Master volume
Back and up (closest to pickup): Blend
Back and down: midrange
Furtherest back: stack treble (top) & bass (bottom "ring")

All of our standard 5 strings string spacing:

Nut: 1 3/4"
24th fret: 2 55/64"

String spacing at bridge: 18.15mm

19mm at the bridge is an option ($300 retail)

Weight varies tremendously depending on wood selections, average for an LG 3005 would be between 7-9 lbs, and SKB 3005 would be between 8-10 lbs (not a scientific average, more a "guesstimate").

That bass pictured is an SKB 3005, if you could get a serial number for me, I can give you the specs (most likely). Funny aside - that carpet looks just like the carpet in our office, it's quite likely that photo is one taken HERE in the shop!

:)

I'll chime in on a few of your questions.

My LG 3005 is lighter than my Sadowsky Metro RV5 - which I believe weighs in at 9.X lbs.

String spacing at the bridge was a bit tight for me at first. As Gard states 18.15mm. The Sadowsky has 19mm spacing. The LG bridge has some string spacing adjustability in the bridge. I took the G all the way south, the D a bit south of center, left the A in the center and moved the E and B north. Result is a spacing that was more comfortable for me. Very cool feature.

Welcome to the world of Roscoe. You'll love it.

Man, thank you guys for the warm welcome. So the one in the pic is definitely an SKB then. Gard, I PM'd you the serial#...I'll take you up on whatever details you can find.

So, on the string spacing...those look like Hipshot A-style bridges maybe? If so, I recall each string's spacing being adjustable by maybe 1/16". Just out of curiosity, is the neck wide enough to replace the bridge with say the next wider size (assuming it's indeed Hipshot, maybe the 0.75 spacing model?). Would this work, or would the neck have to be replaced also?

I have a Conklin GT-5 right now who's string spacing is 16mm, and that's just too tight (just bought a Hipshot A-bridge to replace the stock bridge). My Stingray5 and G&L L-2500 are exactly the same at...17mm?...and that's work-able but still a little tight. I've played a Pedulla Thunderbolt 19mm before, and that felt about perfect. So, just a smidge over 18mm might be work-able, especially if there's just a little wiggle room to get it up to maybe 18.5mm or so. Anyway, just my musings here.

If I recall, the neck profile on at least the LG is pretty slim but wide, right? I tend to like flat and wide necks...that's what feels most comfortable to me. The G&L is chunky and D-shaped, and my hand gets fatiqued more quickly. The Stingray5 is flatter, and the GT-5 is most flat and feels the most comfortable (except the string spacing being too close...kinda wish the neck was just a tad wider too though.)

Dave

What does the switch control when you pull out the mid knob? I also noticed a trim adjustment through the control cover on the back. Whazzit?

Thanks,
Jerry

I have a Roscoe LG and Stringray 5. The string spacing at the bridge feel very similar to me.

I was looking at the body comparison pics in the sticky thread above...the SKB doesn't look to be much bigger than the LG. Is the LG body just slim where the SKB body is thick? Now, that I think about it, I don't know which one of these I've auditioned before, although I think it was an LG. Is the body size really the only difference, or are there tonal differences in the two as well?

Thanks for all the answers folks!
Dave

What does the switch control when you pull out the mid knob? I also noticed a trim adjustment through the control cover on the back. Whazzit?

Thanks,
Jerry

Jerry -

If the preamp is a Bartolini 3-band (which by your questions it is ;) ):

The push/pull knob for the mids allows you to control two different frequency centers: 250K and 800K.

The trim adjustment on the back is the output gain control.

Dave -

Answer to your two posts:

String spacing - you can bump it a bit wider, but not much, and you can't really make the 19mm Hipshot A bridge work, unless you "squeeze" the strings in quite a bit. I don't know how wide you can go, but I'm guessing maybe 18.25 max unless you get different spacings between different strings.

On the body size - the SKB feels quite a bit bigger in person. Keep in mind that the photos in the sticky thread show the SKB a bit behind the LG, so there is a bit of perspective difference (not a LOT). The Century feels VERY large compared to either.

I don't know how wide you can go, but I'm guessing maybe 18.25 max unless you get different spacings between different strings.


I just checked mine - spread a far as I think I can take the strings and I measure 23/32" or just a fraction over 18.25mm. That's even spacing across all 5 strings.

OK, 18.25mm might be comfortable, not sure. I'd actually space the strings so that the gap between strings is consistent rather than making the center-to-center spacing consistent...B-strings are considerably thicker than G-strings! But, that's just my preference.

Eggman...so the limitation is actually the adjustability of the bridge then, moreso than the neck not being wide enough at the 24th fret? Btw, these are indeed Hipshot bridges, right?

I just measured my Stingray5 btw...the string pitch is exactly 17mm at the bridge, but that drops to 15mm at the 24th fret (non-standard measurement I know, but at the 24th fret is the important part I think). I know the 19mm Pedulla Thunderbass felt really comfortable...18.25 is awefully close to 19mm, isn't it? Hmmm.

Gard, just out of curiosity, can you guys change the bridge on an existing LG or SKB to the 19mm bridge, or does that require a different neck too?

I know I'm asking a lot of questions, but I really appreciate the answers and commentary. There isn't a Roscoe anywhere locally currently (although maybe it's time for a trip to Greensboro?), so just trying to make sure the memory isn't sweeter than reality (and I don't think it is!)

Thanks guys!
Dave

Dave -

No, you can't make a 19mm bridge work on our standard neck. It would actually require more than just a new neck, you'd also have to have the neck pocket recut to fit the wider neck! Major surgery, and not worth the effort - in the end, it would be easier, and just about the same money as a brand-new bass!

Definitely stop in sometime man, I've always got my Century here (it's a fretless 6 with the 19mm spacing...but hey, it's a Roscoe! ;) ), and there's usually at least one or two basses that are finished that you can check out briefly.

Eggman...so the limitation is actually the adjustability of the bridge then, moreso than the neck not being wide enough at the 24th fret? Btw, these are indeed Hipshot bridges, right?

...18.25 is awefully close to 19mm, isn't it? Hmmm.

Thanks guys!
Dave

18.25 to 19mm is a bit less than 1/32" - so yeah, it is close. I guess Gard just answered the neck limitation thing. I have found that this string spacing is very comfortable and I am becoming very accustom to it. I notice a bit of difference, but not much, when I play my Sadowsky. But the LG is getting the majority of playing time right now. I had a Bongo (briefly) and could not deal with the narrower spacing.

Dave,
Just a quick point of reference for you. I used to play (and lust after) Modulus Quantum 5's and also used to own 3 Zon basses. All of these have 17mm string pacing. I also found them tight but definitely playable. In contrast, the Roscoe 18mm string spacing is much more comfortable for me (I own 2) -- not so tight for fingerstyle, and just a little extra "breathing room" for slapping.

BTW, I have long boney hands, so 17mm seemed a bit cramped to me......and I don't own any Zons anymore.:D

Thanks for the insight. I have fairly average size hands...fingers aren't long and are a little chunky. So even a 17mm string spacing feels comfortable to me for fingerstyle. But for slap, I have difficulty getting my fingers under the strings to pop with that spacing. I don't like having it too wide though...I like to selectively be able to sort of scrap the tops of my popping fingers against the next lower string...I get a "burpy" ghost note that way. Plus, I have to balance this against not being able to reach high on the B-string with my fretting hand!

Anyway, I'll actually know a little more about my exact preferences shortly. I just got hold of an adjustable Hipshot bridge that I'm going to install on my Conklin GT-5. I should be able to get it's string spacing up to 18mm or maybe a little wider (I don't believe the neck is wide enough to get it to 19mm, but we'll see). Hopefully, I'll get that on and everything adjusted tommorrow.

Interestingly enough, the string spacing on this Conklin is pretty much exactly the same at the Stingray5...17mm at the bridge and 15mm at the 24th fret. For some reason, it just feels tighter...I'm using the same guage strings, so I can't logically explain it, but that's how it feels.

Dave