What are the tonal differences between an LG, SKB and Century?

SteveC · #1 12-22-2009, 04:50 PM

What are the tonal differences between the 3 models/bodies? I am aware of the visual difference, but not the tones. Is the Century an "import" model? Are the SKB and LG the same except the body style?

Thanks.

RocketMusic · #2 12-22-2009, 05:55 PM

Hello, Steve!

The Century is a body style, just like the LG and the SKB are body styles. The Century-300X and Century Signature models are carved top custom models, but the Century Standard is more of an economy model. The Standards, however, are most definitely NOT imports. The Standards are made right there in the same Greensboro, NC shop by the same guys that make the custom Roscoes. The main thing with the Standards is that the specs are basically unchangeable (you can choose a top or a color and the number of strings). The Standard is much more of a production model than the customs. They're also not a carve top design, the top is flat with some edge rounding.

I'm not aware of any tonal differences between the three body styles. It's more a size/weight/comfort thing. The LG is smallest, the SKB is in middle, and the Century is the largest body. Check here for some size comparison photos.

Have fun learning all about Roscoe! It's well worth your time and energy to look into these awesome basses!

VroomVroom · #3 12-22-2009, 06:18 PM

Yeah, what Greg said.

Welcome to the forum on the site, Steve! Be prepared for gas pains.

The only thing I can offer is that, to my ears, the Century Standard is its own animal. A bit more open sounding than the other models, with a nice crispness to the attack. Certainly a cool sounding instrument, and a terrific addition to the Roscoe product line. In very generic terms, but related to some conversations we've had in the past...think of the Century standard as an M5-24 where the other models have more of a UV70 type of vibe.

SteveC · #4 12-22-2009, 06:19 PM

Greg,

Thanks for the reply. I am seriously debating a 6 string for my jazz projects and church. I am a little leery of the 35" scale as I've had some 5 strings (Modulus Q5 in particular) where that was uncomfortable for my smaller hands.

CliffD · #5 12-22-2009, 07:01 PM

Dude, a 35 inch scale B string = heaven. The size of your hands shouldn't effect the change in scale length, you just have to get use to a bit tighter string tension and your left hand being further form your body. The boys a Roscoe work wonders and if you need a tighter than "normal" or wider than "normal" string spacing they'll do it. You just can't go wrong, these basses are so awesome in so many ways.

RocketMusic · #6 12-22-2009, 07:54 PM

Yeah, for me, the 35" scale 5 and 6 strings are really where Roscoe shines. Their 4's are nice, to be sure, but the 35" scale on the 5's and 6's makes for a devastating B-string.

If you have short arms to go along with your small hands, the Century (the largest body style) might actually be the best choice. When hanging on a strap, I find that the long upper horn of the Century actually sends the bass off to my right (I'm right handed), thus bringing the 1st fret closer to me. That's always seemed a bit counter-intuitive to me, so I like to point it out in case others have the same sense about the body sizes...

The other thing about Roscoe 5's and 6's is that the necks are VERY comfortable. There's not an over-abundance of wood left on there, so even the broad 6 string neck feels very playable.

All of that combined minimizes the minor difference that the 35" scale makes in terms of increased fret-to-fret spacing.

**Ryan L.** · #7 12-22-2009, 08:36 PM

Steve, I'm going to *try* to make it up to Grand Forks in the next week and a half (I'm officially done with work for the year) as long as Popplers still has the Shuttle 9.0 that I want to try out.

I will send you a PM if/when I'm gonna head up there, and you're more than welcome to check out my Century while I'm up there.

SteveC · #8 12-22-2009, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan L.

Steve, I'm going to *try* to make it up to Grand Forks in the next week and a half (I'm officially done with work for the year) as long as Popplers still has the Shuttle 9.0 that I want to try out.

I will send you a PM if/when I'm gonna head up there, and you're more than welcome to check out my Century while I'm up there.

That would be awesome. They still had it last time is was in there.

I've had good luck with a "no frills" instrument from another maker (my Sadowsky Metro RV4) so I'm sure a Century would be just fine. I wish I had teh money to grab that SKB 3006 on TB right now. Maybe if I can sell my Sadowsky MV5.

**Ryan L.** · #9 12-23-2009, 06:05 AM

Mine's far from no frills (it's a 3005, not a Standard) that I custom ordered.

And Greg is right about the Century body style, it does put the bass a little more to your right when on a strap, making the bass "feel" like it has a shorter neck when on a strap. Not a big deal to me, as I'm 6'3" and have long arms, but for someone with a shorter reach, I think the Century would be the way to go.

Anyway, I'll shoot you a PM when we're gonna head up there. Oh, and if you have a Sadowsky 5 string, I'd like to check that out too.

SteveC · #10 12-23-2009, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan L.

Mine's far from no frills (it's a 3005, not a Standard) that I custom ordered.

And Greg is right about the Century body style, it does put the bass a little more to your right when on a strap, making the bass "feel" like it has a shorter neck when on a strap. Not a big deal to me, as I'm 6'3" and have long arms, but for someone with a shorter reach, I think the Century would be the way to go.

Anyway, I'll shoot you a PM when we're gonna head up there. Oh, and if you have a Sadowsky 5 string, I'd like to check that out too.

I didn't mean yours - just to the Century model in general.

At this point I do have an MV5 - but it is for sale. I just love the RV4 too much. A 5 doesn't really gain me anything as for the genre's I use it for don't really need the extra range, but a 6 would add possibilities for some jazz stuff.

oren · #11 12-23-2009, 08:39 AM

I recently tried out a bunch of 5 strings at Bass NW (great folks in Seattle!) before settling on the SKB I bought (and love!). My observation is that the B string sounds much better on 35 inch scale basses than on the 34 inch ones. That was true across a number of brands with 35 inchers (Lakland and Lull as well as Roscoe).

Now that I have the SKB I can say that the B definitely sounds better than my other 5-string, a Fender Roscoe Beck (which is a 34). I also have small hands, and have not found the extra inch to be an issue, thought it might be on a fretless. I don't think you can go wrong with any Roscoe 5 string - they're superb instruments all around!

SteveC · #12 12-23-2009, 08:41 AM

Also debating this trade:

Elrick Evolution 6 neck thru with Barts.

Anyone know how these compare? I know I'm in a biased environment, but you guys are honest.

Gard · #13 12-23-2009, 09:14 AM

The differences (and/or lack thereof) have been pretty well covered - not much if any, IMO, based on the body style. However, woods/electronics can make a pretty noticeable difference.

On the Elrick, Rob makes great basses, you won't get me to speak ill of them. I will just say that I love them, but still prefer what comes from our shop a bit more, but have definitely been tempted by one or two from Rob in my time!

If I were to say anything about "differences", I'd comment that the stuff we build has a bit more depth/punch, the Elricks are a bit more "refined" and "lighter" sounding to me.

SteveC · #14 12-23-2009, 09:49 AM

I appreciate you honesty and respect your opinion. It's a tough choice. So many nice instruments and respected builders out there.

JOME77 · #15 12-23-2009, 10:11 AM

I owned an Elrick Gold Standard 5 for a year or two (while owning a couple Roscoes at the same time). The Gold standard is a bit of a different animal than the one that you show, primarily due to the J p/u's verses the soap bars (and maybe a set or capillary neck?).

The neck on the Elrick played nicely but it is the wider spacing and is probably closer to the feel of a Lakland.
In the end though, everytime that I took it to the gig, I had trouble getting a good thick tone. I almost always had one of the band members state: "Man! That sounds so thin. I wish that you had brought one of the Roscoe's".

The soap bars might thicken up the tone some but compared to the Roscoe, I think that I'd still be left wanting ........

You need to play both and decide from that. IMO Elricks and Roscoe's are quite different (playing and tone) from each other.

SteveC · #16 12-23-2009, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOME77

You need to play both and decide from that. IMO Elricks and Roscoe's are quite different (playing and tone) from each other.

Unfortunately, I don't live where I can do that easily. I have to buy/sell/swap to try things. It can get expensive and I rarely get to do side-by-side comparisons.

I'm trying to do some research and make as informed a decision as I can.

The Roscoe I was considering (TB Classifieds) has sold. I was considering it because it was such a great deal. This also seems to be a great deal as a trade for my Sadowsky MV5.

VroomVroom · #17 12-23-2009, 11:21 AM

I've experienced two Elricks now - one hybrid (set neck) and one bolt-on. Not much to add to Gard's sentiments. Rob sure seems like a terrific fellow, and he makes wonderful instruments. At the risk of overstepping my bounds, I'd suggest that Elrick and Roscoe share one thing in common: compared to their competition, both are underpriced and undervalued. We're talking about wonderful craftsmanship from both brands. That said...there's a reason I have three Roscoes and zero Elricks.

Steve, over your next cup of coffee, it might be worth scrolling through the 'sound clips' thread in this forum. A number of us Roscoeheads have contributed clips, and you'll get a good idea of how the variety of wood & electronic options help define the tone.

Reinforcing what others have said about the 35" scale and Roscoe necks...there is nothing....nothing....like a Roscoe neck. Cats have played my basses and seem convinced that it's a 34" scale instrument. The only downside to playing a Roscoe? Because the playability is just so damn perfect, you'll be inclined to play a lot more notes.

SteveC · #18 12-23-2009, 11:44 AM

I'll listen to some clips.

I talked to Bryan as well and he said that the spacing is quite wide and might not be to my liking - with the small hands and scale length concerns.

lwrthnwhalepoop · #19 12-23-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

Greg,

Thanks for the reply. I am seriously debating a 6 string for my jazz projects and church. I am a little leery of the 35" scale as I've had some 5 strings (Modulus Q5 in particular) where that was uncomfortable for my smaller hands.

FWIW, I'm 5'7" and the 35" scale is plenty comfortable for me. I wear my basses high, so that has an effect. As far as hand size, mine are more like paws than hands. Huge palms and short fat fingers - kinda like bear paws with Vienna sausages dangling off the front ends. To make matters worse, I've got the manual dexterity of a mollusk. Nevertheless, like Jerry (VroomVroom) said, there's nothing like a Roscoe neck. I'm totally comfortable with the width and shape of the necks on my five- and six-strings. There's only one thing that fits better in my hands than a Roscoe neck, and I can't talk about it here or I'll get booted off.

VroomVroom · #20 12-23-2009, 12:23 PM

^ (Wiping the coffee off my monitor. FYI...it was "mollusk" that took me over the edge.)

I'm 5'7" too (used to be 5'8"...what the heck happened over the years?) and my hands are far from large. Not to take this on a tangent (who, me?), but a lot of this has to do with positioning/technique. I played a seven-string bass for a bit, and the neck may as well have been a baseball bat with a fingerboard attached. Center your thumb, with only the tension necessary for positioning, and see what happens...yada yada.

As others have mentioned, Roscoe can customize the neck profile...along with other options, but I strongly recommend trying a "stocker" first. Roscoe playability...I can't say it enough...is better than first-class.