Century Standard

[RSalvador]

I saw the pod cast video of the introduction of the Century Standard on The Perfect Bass. I'm looking for a 5 string that takes everything I like about my USA Cirrus and adds what I feel that bass lacks. Mainly, light weight, an even sound across all strings, a tight punchy B string and a high quality pre with lots of tonal options for live and the studio. The Cirrus is okay, but tonally the Lakland 55-02, is more in the ballpark of the basses I've played that fits the bill. Some of the basses that I think I would like that I've never played and can't afford are, Ken Smith, fodera, F Bass and Warrior.

The idea of a high quality boutique bass that is somewhat affordable is just the best thing I've seen in a long time. It's still very expensive for me, but after all the instruments I've owned I've gained the philosophy that I would much rather have just two (I need two minimum to cover what I do) basses that have everything I want than many basses scattered with different attributes. The question is...is this Roscoe THE 5 string for me? 7.1 LBS for the 5 string is incredible and that's a great start.

A few questions please:
I've read that the string spacing on the 6 string is 18.5mm? Is that what the 5 string is too? My Cirrus spacing is said to be 19mm and I like it better than the 20mm on the Lakland 55-02.

What is the fretboard radius on the 5 string?

I read one poster who felt the Roscoe (I don't know which model) did not balance well for him. I realize this is somewhat subjective but how does it balance on the strap?

Is there anywhere or will there be soon, video demo's or sound clips of the bass? Or does it sound enough like any of the other Roscoe models that have clip posted that I could compare it to?

Thanks for you comments.
Rick

[Gard]

Rick -

We don't have any sound clips of the bass to share, but I know that Jimmy Haslip has been using his 6 string Century Standard for some recording recently, so there should be something to hear from him with it soon.

As for balance, I doubt you've heard any complaints on the balance for any Century. It is one of the most balanced basses I've ever played. Some of the LG and SKB models can get a bit headstock heavy (nothing like a Warwick Thumb! ), depending on all the options and woods, but I've never touched a Century that didn't hang perfectly on a strap.

As for the rest of your questions, it's impossible to give an absolute answer. I would suggest trying one out (PM me for where you can get one, if you are interested), and making that decision for yourself. We don't have a dealer in the Springfield, MO area, but all of our dealers have trial periods for customers, so you'd at most be out the shipping cost to find out for sure.

If there's anything else I can help with, just let me know!

[RSalvador]

Gard,

Thanks for the reply, I do love Jimmy's sound if the Century sounds anything close to that. I'll have to think on it more but I am interested, I'll PM you for the dealer that would serve this area.

There are a lot of advantages to living in this part of the country, but been able to try out really fine basses is unfortunately not one of them. Sometimes it's so frustrating to see your typical music store brands and models as 'all there is'.

There is a T'ber that lives here that is also and F Bass dealer, maybe I will ask him if he would mind me trying one out. Too rich for me to purchase though.

Thanks again.

Rick

[TrevorOfDoom]

sorry to piggyback threads but...

hey Gard!
i played one of the 4 string LG 3000's at Bass Emporium today, and almost started crying! perfect on a strap... they had to tear me away from it! i gotta few questions though...

BE hasn't gotten in a Century Standard yet, and that's what i'd be getting. drop some Nordie DC4's in it... oooo! so i wanna know, is John not ordering any, or is there just a long wait? cuz i'll give John a good talking to if he's holding out...

also, the pre that comes in the CS, is that a Bart pre? which one? or do you have custom specs? i'm wondering what the control layout and frequency points are...

thanks!

[JOME77]

Originally Posted by RSalvador

Some of the basses that I think I would like that I've never played and can't afford are, Ken Smith, fodera, F Bass and Warrior.

The idea of a high quality boutique bass that is somewhat affordable is just the best thing I've seen in a long time. It's still very expensive for me, but after all the instruments I've owned I've gained the philosophy that I would much rather have just two (I need two minimum to cover what I do) basses that have everything I want than many basses scattered with different attributes. The question is...is this Roscoe THE 5 string for me? 7.1 LBS for the 5 string is incredible and that's a great start.

A few questions please:
I've read that the string spacing on the 6 string is 18.5mm? Is that what the 5 string is too? My Cirrus spacing is said to be 19mm and I like it better than the 20mm on the Lakland 55-02.

What is the fretboard radius on the 5 string?

I read one poster who felt the Roscoe (I don't know which model) did not balance well for him. I realize this is somewhat subjective but how does it balance on the strap?

Is there anywhere or will there be soon, video demo's or sound clips of the bass? Or does it sound enough like any of the other Roscoe models that have clip posted that I could compare it to?

Thanks for you comments.
Rick

Rick,
I have quite a few relatives in the Springfield area. My Grand parents owned a farm in Bufallo Mo. and we used to spend every Christmas there. Wonderful memories there!

The finger board radius of a Roscoe is 16". I've never understood the comments concerning a Roscoe having balance problems. I've owned 14 different Roscoes and never run into one that didn't balance well on a strap. It may be that I wear my basses a bit higher than some. Reguardless, not an issue for me.

Gard, being a Roscoe employee can only say so much, but since I'm just a sold out southern guy with Roscoe blood in my veins, I can lay it on thick and heavy!

I've been playing Roscoe's since 1985 and during and before that time I've owned just about every boutique bass out there (including those that you mention: Ken Smith, MTD, F Bass, and Warrior; played a few Fodera's but never owned one). IMO Roscoe's out shine them all. In the middle Georgia area there's never been a player that has played one of my Roscoe's and not been just knocked out by the craftsmanship, playability and sound. I suppose that there's no bass that's all things to everyone but a Roscoe sure does it all for me! With all of the new p/u and pre options, they can cop just about every sound that you can hear in your head.

I'm not a huge fan of using sound clips to judge a bass either. Too many factors figure into the making of a sound clip (strings, EQ, hands, technique, ....) and can mask the natural sound of the instument. Nothing wrong with using sound clips, I just don't put much weight in using them to judge the sound of a bass.......

You may aso want to consider buying a used Roscoe. Not to say that the Century Standards aren't great (and I hope that Roscoe sells thousands of them! ), it's just that there's some great used Roscoe's out there at very affordable prices. I've never purchased a used Roscoe that wasn't in mint condition. Players typically take very good care of 'em!

Good luck on your search!

[RSalvador]

Joe,

Thank you for the post it's great to hear from someone who has spent some time in this area. I love it here, lived here all my life.

Thanks for the info on Roscoes. If you've stuck with them that long and could have kept any number of fine basses that's remarkable. That's also what I hope to accomplish when I find the right bass for me. I don't need a lot of basses, but I wish I would only think about my playing when I practice instead of wishing my bass had a better sounding pre, tighter B, etc.

I've been waiting for the New Century's to get out and about to hear what others say about them. But I have seen a few used Roscoes on the web too. Another question:

Weight is one of my big issues. I need to get a 5'ver well under 9 LBS. So in looking at the smaller bodied LG 3005s I wonder, what's up with the slanted pick ups? Why would you want them and what does it do to the sound or feel? The SKB and Century Sig obviously sound great too. So why?

Thanks,
Rick

Originally Posted by JOME77

Rick,
I have quite a few relatives in the Springfield area. My Grand parents owned a farm in Bufallo Mo. and we used to spend every Christmas there. Wonderful memories there!

The finger board radius of a Roscoe is 16". I've never understood the comments concerning a Roscoe having balance problems. I've owned 14 different Roscoes and never run into one that didn't balance well on a strap. It may be that I wear my basses a bit higher than some. Reguardless, not an issue for me.

Gard, being a Roscoe employee can only say so much, but since I'm just a sold out southern guy with Roscoe blood in my veins, I can lay it on thick and heavy!

I've been playing Roscoe's since 1985 and during and before that time I've owned just about every boutique bass out there (including those that you mention: Ken Smith, MTD, F Bass, and Warrior; played a few Fodera's but never owned one). IMO Roscoe's out shine them all. In the middle Georgia area there's never been a player that has played one of my Roscoe's and not been just knocked out by the craftsmanship, playability and sound. I suppose that there's no bass that's all things to everyone but a Roscoe sure does it all for me! With all of the new p/u and pre options, they can cop just about every sound that you can hear in your head.

I'm not a huge fan of using sound clips to judge a bass either. Too many factors figure into the making of a sound clip (strings, EQ, hands, technique, ....) and can mask the natural sound of the instument. Nothing wrong with using sound clips, I just don't put much weight in using them to judge the sound of a bass.......

You may aso want to consider buying a used Roscoe. Not to say that the Century Standards aren't great (and I hope that Roscoe sells thousands of them! ), it's just that there's some great used Roscoe's out there at very affordable prices. I've never purchased a used Roscoe that wasn't in mint condition. Players typically take very good care of 'em!

Good luck on your search!

[tdmorley]

Originally Posted by JOME77

Rick,


In the middle Georgia area there's never been a player that has played one of my Roscoe's and not been just knocked out by the craftsmanship, playability and sound. I suppose that there's no bass that's all things to everyone but a Roscoe sure does it all for me!
Good luck on your search!

Another Georgia Roscoe. Ditto for Atlanta

[JOME77]

Originally Posted by RSalvador

Joe,

Weight is one of my big issues. I need to get a 5'ver well under 9 LBS. So in looking at the smaller bodied LG 3005s I wonder, what's up with the slanted pick ups? Why would you want them and what does it do to the sound or feel? The SKB and Century Sig obviously sound great too. So why?

Thanks,
Rick

Rick,
The slanted p/u's (according to Keith) are strickly cosmetic. I have an LG with straight p/u's (primarily to accomodate the Nordstrand p/u's) and I prefer the look of them straight.
As far as the weight factor, that's mostly determined by the woods that you select. The LG has a slightly smaller body so that would help some. IMO a Roscoe with an ash body would be one of the lighter choices.
As far as sound, I've owned multiple LG's and SKB's and they sound pretty much the same to my ear. A few of the 6 string SKB's seemed to have a bit more phatness to the tone but I think that was due to the extra neck mass (not the body).
Good luck!

[RSalvador]

Originally Posted by JOME77

Rick,
The slanted p/u's (according to Keith) are strickly cosmetic. I have an LG with straight p/u's (primarily to accomodate the Nordstrand p/u's) and I prefer the look of them straight.
As for as the weight factor, that's mostly determined by the woods that you select. The LG is has a slightly smaller body so that would help some. and a Roscoe with an ash body would be one of the lighter choices.
As far as sound, I've owned multiple LG's and SKB's and they sound pretty much the same to my ear. A few of the 6 string SKB's seemed to have a bit more phatness to the tone but I think that was due to the extra neck mass (not the body).
Good luck!

Thank you Joe! That helps a lot.

[Gard]

...my job here is done.

By Joe!



(...check's in the mail, Joe... )

[JOME77]

Originally Posted by Gard

...my job here is done.

By Joe!



(...check's in the mail, Joe... )

Sorry Gard....

Sometimes I get a bit carried away!

[Gard]

No apology necessary man, thanks for bein' on the ball and gettin' the job done!

I would have answered sooner, but that Clint dude showed up and totally threw off my schedule!

[bottomzone]

Here is a video of Jeff Carswell playing a Century Standard 6. The sound quality could have been better, but the bass still cuts through at times. The 5 string model is on my list for a maple neck and fretboard bass!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoZk-hpHLiI


A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!