Roscoe Century Standard

Tewest86 · #1 02-09-2012, 10:31 AM

What is exactly on the back of the neck of the Century Standard? I'm curious to know. Is it just raw wood or is there a finish on the neck back?

Gard · #2 02-09-2012, 10:43 AM

Hello my fellow Slidellian!

It's definitely finished - there are actually three layers of finish on the back of the neck:

1) polyurethane sealer, just prevents moisture traveling in and out of the wood (not COMPLETELY, but darn near it)
2) polyester primer
3) one light coat of nitrocellulose lacquer, left unsanded/unbuffed for a satin feel

On the headstock of the Custom and Signature neck, there is an additional coat of polyester final clear that is buffed to a high gloss (except on the oil finish basses, those are the satin nitro).

Finally, a note about the nut (TWSS?

), it is actually installed and shaped (with the exception of a slight tweak when the strings are put on for string height) BEFORE the final coat of nitro is applied. This means that the nut is actually under the finish! I don't know of anyone else that does this, and it really gives a nice clean look to the headstock, in my opinion. Damn, Keith's awesome...

Over time, the finish will naturally "buff" from your hand rubbing it, and you can get it back to that "satin" feel by LIGHTLY wiping the back of the neck with 4-0 steel wool (be CAREFUL, the little pieces can get into your electronics and wreak havoc!

), or a very find sandpaper, say 320 or higher grit. I will repeat the LIGHTLY comment, and add VERY LIGHTLY to it. A little bit goes a long way...

Tewest86 · #3 02-09-2012, 10:48 AM

Ok. I asked because sometimes, the back of my neck gets sort of a gummy/dirty feeling and the only way I can fix it is to wipe it down with a 0000 steel wool. As you might have saw in my other thread, I am keeping this bass. I love it too much. But back to the nec, what could that be. I had one other bass that I had to do the same thing to after about every 3-5 gigs. It was a Yamaha TRBII. Usually a wipe down with a towel helps but I was just wondering why this happens with me on some of my basses buy not all.

Gard · #4 02-09-2012, 10:55 AM

That's a good question, and I have a few theories, but no scientific evidence to support any of them. FWIW, my neck will do this sometimes as well, and my only effective responses are the exact ones you use: wipe it with a towel; if that's ineffective, 4-0 steel wool or a fine grit sanding pad (those are lying around the shop everywhere, used and not really good for anything else, so I'll keep one in my gigbag).

My primary guess: some combination of sweat, oil, and dirt on my hands sometimes manages to stick to the neck - other times, either the exact combo of "gunk" or the conditions (temperature, humidity, etc) don't quite add up to that feeling.

It COULD be some reaction of the finish (nitro is pretty crazy stuff) to something environmental or on your hands, but I would not consider that to be the most likely reason.

Oh, and I'm glad to hear you decided to keep that bass - it's a good one!

We just need to get you a new 5 string now!

Tewest86 · #5 02-09-2012, 11:35 AM

Ok. Thanks. I may change the hardware to black on this one just because. That's only if I can find the black hipshot bridge with the correst ss. The website I checked doesn't have the black in 18.24mm but it has it in 18mm and 19mm. Maybe I can buy the bridge from you guys. I've already inquired about Roscoe/bart pickups and got a quote but I just haven't ordered from you guys yet.

Gard · #6 02-09-2012, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tewest86

Ok. Thanks. I may change the hardware to black on this one just because. That's only if I can find the black hipshot bridge with the correst ss. The website I checked doesn't have the black in 18.24mm but it has it in 18mm and 19mm. Maybe I can buy the bridge from you guys. I've already inquired about Roscoe/bart pickups and got a quote but I just haven't ordered from you guys yet.

You need the .708" aluminum in black. If you want to get one from us, that's good too, just shoot me an e-mail or give me a call and I'll get a price together for you.

Tewest86 · #7 02-09-2012, 01:49 PM

Ok. Thanks.

Darkstrike · #8 02-09-2012, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

Finally, a note about the nut (TWSS?

), it is actually installed and shaped (with the exception of a slight tweak when the strings are put on for string height) BEFORE the final coat of nitro is applied. This means that the nut is actually under the finish! I don't know of anyone else that does this, and it really gives a nice clean look to the headstock, in my opinion. Damn, Keith's awesome...

This actually worries me, won't it make it harder to take the nut off cleanly if it needs replacing?

Gard · #9 02-09-2012, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

This actually worries me, won't it make it harder to take the nut off cleanly if it needs replacing?

The graphite nuts are actually pretty easy to get off if you must - take an exacto knife and "score" the finish along the edge of the nut, then just pop it lightly with a small hammer and it will come right out.

Ivory and diamondwood are a bit trickier....yes.

Darkstrike · #10 02-09-2012, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

The graphite nuts are actually pretty easy to get off if you must - take an exacto knife and "score" the finish along the edge of the nut, then just pop it lightly with a small hammer and it will come right out.

Ivory and diamondwood are a bit trickier....yes.

Looking at the diamondwood, it really does look like trouble.

Of course unless you're an idiot to my level(highly unlikely), it shouldn't ever be necessary.

Gard · #11 02-09-2012, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

Looking at the diamondwood, it really does look like trouble.

Of course unless you're an idiot to my level(highly unlikely), it shouldn't ever be necessary.

We've never had a nut "fail"...

...go ahead...take the shot...

...so anyhow: the only reason we've ever had to do anything with one is because someone DRASTICALLY changed their string gauges, or we had to refinish the neck for some reason.

Bottom line: rarely an issue.

Darkstrike · #12 02-09-2012, 04:21 PM

Yeah, drastic string gauge change, that's the one I'm dealing with.

It might be an issue with the strings yet though.

DAMON · #13 02-09-2012, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

We've never had a nut "fail"...

...go ahead...take the shot...

...so anyhow: the only reason we've ever had to do anything with one is because someone DRASTICALLY changed their string gauges, or we had to refinish the neck for some reason.

Bottom line: rarely an issue.

Having a nice, strong nut is always relieving to me...

**Ryan L.** · #14 02-10-2012, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

We've never had a nut "fail"...

...go ahead...take the shot...

...so anyhow: the only reason we've ever had to do anything with one is because someone DRASTICALLY changed their string gauges, or we had to refinish the neck for some reason.

Bottom line: rarely an issue.

Yes, my nuts are very strong. Never had an issue.

Gard · #15 02-10-2012, 08:37 AM

...I knew I could count on you guys...

**Pacman** · #16 02-10-2012, 10:12 AM

Yeah, you definitely don't want to bust a nut on a Roscoe.

WHAT???

Darkstrike · #17 02-10-2012, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

Yeah, you definitely don't want to bust a nut on a Roscoe.

WHAT???

Yet playing one makes you want to. Every single time...

VroomVroom · #18 02-10-2012, 11:52 AM

Applause, just applause.

Speaking to Bill's perspective....last night I spent anenjoyable hour shedding with the blue angel...back pickup soloed, low mids lightly boosted, and volume a little too high. Scha to the wing.

Gard · #19 02-10-2012, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

Yeah, you definitely don't want to bust a nut on a Roscoe.

WHAT???

...let me get this straight...you're a MODERATOR here, right?

Darkstrike · #20 02-10-2012, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

Applause, just applause.

Speaking to Bill's perspective....last night I spent anenjoyable hour shedding with the blue angel...back pickup soloed, low mids lightly boosted, and volume a little too high. Scha to the wing.

Ohhhhh yeah, that'd do it....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

...let me get this straight...you're a MODERATOR here, right?

Inmates with keys to the asylum.