New strings on a new Roscoe

**Bipslapper** · #1 10-13-2009, 08:24 PM

Hello, I am new to the group and the Roscoe bass I have needs new strings (Century Standard 5). I know it has nickel strings on it from the factory; should I stick to that type or can I try stainless? Don't want to damage the frets or have to mess w/ truss rod. I plan on keeping the same gauge (45-125). I feel the E string sounds a little too compressed. Could be b/c I bought the bass from a dealer who may have had the bass played by many people and the strings are worn out, although they look and feel ok. Any suggestions? Thanks !

Bass Response · #2 10-14-2009, 12:37 AM

Welcome to the Roscoe family. Your string choice should reflect your playing style and sound preferences. If you do a lot of slapping- as your name suggests I would stick with the stock D'Adario from the factory. For me I do almost all finger style. I love flats esp. TI Jazz flats. I'm sure you'll get lots of good advice here, so enjoy yor new toy. btw-- How bout a pic of your new instrument?

LightGroove · #3 10-14-2009, 04:27 AM

Welcome,

There are SEVERAL string threads if you so a search within this forum.

As mentioned your string choice should reflect your current playing style/conditions.

DR coated Black Beauties are fairly popular at this point. As are a few other brands.

Im currently using DR Fatbeams and LOVE them.

I wouldnt concern myself with "eating" frets. In my experience that takes some serious time and some serious use to create a problem.

**Bipslapper** · #4 10-14-2009, 08:14 AM

New Roscoe Cen Stand Black Onyx 5 string. Thanks for the string advise. I prefer DR strings, so will stick with them.

JOME77 · #5 10-14-2009, 09:04 AM

Welcome to world of Roscoeheads!

DR's will work just fine on the Roscoe. Keep in mind though that some string brands (D'addario for one) required the extra long version due to the windings stopping prior to the nut on the B & E strings.

And by the way, Great looking Roscoe!

VroomVroom · #6 10-14-2009, 09:06 AM

Joe nailed it...

Great looking bass. I'm thinking that some DR Fat Beams on a Century Standard would be a great match.

**Bipslapper** · #7 10-14-2009, 05:00 PM

Thanks fellas; do you mean nickel or stainless? I have a EB Sterling 4 for funky slap and a Modulus Quantum 5 w/ stainless (45-130) which sound very bright, perhaps I am tricked by the graphite brightness and the EB Steriling alnico p/up treble????? In the big picture, it really doesn't matter !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Glad you like the photo of the bass, really awesome job Roscoe does on the neck, especially with the low action and thinner profile.

VroomVroom · #8 10-14-2009, 05:16 PM

I love both Fat Beams and Sun Beams. The main difference, to my ears, is the midpoint...obviously lower on the nickels. But then, the lows hit a little harder on the stainless strings...hence my indecision. I'm actually going back and forth on this with my Lull jazz bass. The thumb tone with the Fat Beams is ridiculous, and the fingerstyle tone of the nickels makes me giggle like a schoolgirl.

Forced to choose, based on the one Century Standard I've played...and I know I'm being hypocritical here, I'd probably try the Sun Beams first. The bass itself already has a nice aggressive character to it, so the nickels might add some smoothness. Bottom line though...I don't think you can lose either way.

Darkstrike · #9 10-14-2009, 05:22 PM

I'm very happy with the Dunlop Nickle Plated Steels I have on my Roscoe currently, but mine has the Roscoe Barts, I dunno how they'd respond to the Classics in a Standard.

LightGroove · #10 10-14-2009, 08:01 PM

Ive got a Century Standard on its way and will throw some Fatbeams and and keep you all posted. I will say both basses Ive tried with Fat Beams have just killed.

CrashClint · #11 10-15-2009, 08:47 PM

I am using DR Sunbeams 40-120 on my SKB3005 and they sound pretty good to me.

**Bipslapper** · #12 10-16-2009, 07:50 PM

Thanks Y'all, I will try some Fatbeams and give some feedback. This Roscoe forum is cool. Do we get the Roscoe T-shirts, etc.. at a discount for the shameless promotion? (Just Joshin' folks). Good Vibes from Cape Cod, MA.

JOME77 · #13 10-17-2009, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bipslapper

Thanks Y'all, I will try some Fatbeams and give some feedback. This Roscoe forum is cool. Do we get the Roscoe T-shirts, etc.. at a discount for the shameless promotion? (Just Joshin' folks). Good Vibes from Cape Cod, MA.

Roscoe T-shirts!?!

Don't get us going on Roscoe T-shirts!

....We love you Gard!!!

**Ryan L.** · #14 10-17-2009, 08:09 AM

My new Roscoe came strung with DR Black Beauties (thanks Greg!!!), and I had almost forgotten just how much I love these strings. They really seem to work well on a Roscoe---I used them on my last SKB3006 also.

**Bipslapper** · #15 10-18-2009, 03:20 PM

Thanks guys. Ryan, are the Black Beauties Extra Long scale, like the D'adarios? Gard did mention to me when I first bought the Century Standard that Black Beauties would be good sounding and looking strings for my Roscoe. I believe they are stainless and the strings I have are nickel D'adarrios. My Modulus has stainless and combined w/ the graphite are quite bright and I am used to that sound.

Gard · #16 10-19-2009, 08:04 AM

Joe, that's it, no t-shirt for you!

Bip, the DR's will work perfectly with the 35" scale length, they don't taper off the tuner end as soon as D'Addario does, so it'll work fine with our bass. I used to use them on a Lakland S55-94 that I played, strung through the body, and they were fine, so they have plenty of full winding for ours!

Hope you dig how they sound on the bass, because they'll look KILLER with that finish!

Funky Stuff · #17 12-16-2009, 02:11 PM

So what are the strings on a new cenury standard ?

D'addario ? XL nickel or EXP coated nickel ?

**Bipslapper** · #18 12-16-2009, 06:46 PM

My Century Standard came w/ with D'adarrio Nickels: .045 .065 .085 .100 .125

If you go with D'Addario strings from the stores, EXL170-5SL is very close. Just bought DR Black Beauties (thanks to James @ Perfect Basss, although could have used less Saints - "who dat"

) and will put them on tomorrow; my Roscoe is black onyx w/ Maple fretboard,so should look and sound cool. I will get back to you. FYI- I am used to stainless for my fretted basses, so the nickels were a different animal- not bad, just different. Great chance to try a new thing on a fretted bass. Loved the nickels on my Pedulla Pentabuzz.

JOME77 · #19 12-17-2009, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funky Stuff

So what are the strings on a new cenury standard ?

D'addario ? XL nickel or EXP coated nickel ?

Yeah. All Roscoe's come with XL nickel.

Addison · #20 12-17-2009, 10:10 AM

Ok, I'm confused...

Will EXL165-6 D'Addarios fit on my Roscoe SKB3006?

They are standard "Long Scale" and their website says the following:

How do I determine which scale strings my bass requires?

You cannot always tell which strings you need just by knowing the scale length of your bass. Some basses are strung through the body, or have tailpieces. The best way to figure out the correct D'Addario strings for sure is to: 1) Assuming your bass has strings on it, mark the lowest pitched string (while tuned to pitch, and on your bass) at the nut with a marker. 2) Remove the string. 3) Measure the distance from the inner edge of the ball end to the mark you just made. 4 ) Record this length, and refer to the following chart: Length String Scale Required Up to 32" D'Addario Short 32 to 34 D'Addario Medium 34 to 36 D'Addario Long 36 to 38 D'Addario Super Long

I haven't removed a string to check, but it seems like 34"-36" should be just right after tension is removed from the string.