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Advice from Roscoe Owners!

mexibass

mexibass

Feb 12, 2012
537
127
Cozumel, México
#1
Hi all! I'm thinking about gettin' my first Roscoe bass, and I'd like you all to give me a little advice on what body should I choose. I gotta tell you that I find the LG more attractive, but I'm aware that I have to choose the body type not only based on they way it looks but also and mainly because of its balance, ergonomics, weight and all that, this is why I'd like to hear what actual owners think of each one. (I've never played one in my life and there's no way I can try one before buying).

Here's the thing: I'm 5'7'', my hands aren't that small but they're not huge, and I've never played a 35" scale before. Also, last year I started having back issues so I wanna keep the bass on the light side. What body do you think would fit me best? (That came out kinda wrong :D)

Also, does anyone has pictures of a coloured finish on a standard series bass, regardless the model? I've seen the trans white on Gard's beautiful fretless, but I was also considering trans red, aqua or purple.

Thanks a lot for your time guys and happy 4th of july to all my american fellow low-enders! :bassist:
 
#2
I guess that the Century body has the shortest "reach" because of the longer horn. It's the body I like and have 2 of them. Others will tell you that the difference in bodies is minimal. Probably true. I had no real trouble playing any of them, but felt most comfy on a Century I guess.

FWIW, the 35" scale Roscoe feels more like a 34" than any other bass I've tried. I used to be a little hung up on scale length, but since playing/owning Roscoes, I don't have that concern any more.

Other far more knowledgable people will chime in soon I'm sure.
 
#3
Roscoes are small bodied basses, and sit differently on the strap than may "full-sized" bodies. Because of that, I found the reach to the first fret a bit of a stretch compared to my other basses.

Weight varies on the Roscoes. I've played some flyweights and some logs. So I really see no alternative for you other than to try a few until you find one that suits you.

Darn fine instruments though, regardless. And I suggest you call/email Roscoe. They are really responsive and can help you address the concerns you have.
 
#4
SteveC said:
I guess that the Century body has the shortest "reach" because of the longer horn. It's the body I like and have 2 of them. Others will tell you that the difference in bodies is minimal. Probably true. I had no real trouble playing any of them, but felt most comfy on a Century I guess.

FWIW, the 35" scale Roscoe feels more like a 34" than any other bass I've tried. I used to be a little hung up on scale length, but since playing/owning Roscoes, I don't have that concern any more.

Other far more knowledgable people will chime in soon I'm sure.
Click to expand...

Sweet! I think that while I was doing my research about this matter on TB, I just saw a post where u were talking about buying your first Roscoe. I'm having a hard time trying to decide wheter I go fretted or fretless on my first Roscoe, if it's gonna be a 5 or a 6, if I should strung it E-C or B-G, what body type should I choose, if the Pickups are gonna be Jazz's or CB's, if I want them slanted or not, etc. The only thing I'm sure is that this is gonna be a Standard instrument, since I have a custom Jazz from M Basses in the builds as well, so I definitely won't have money for a second one 'till next year maybe, or 2015. That's why I gotta choose wisely :confused:

What can u tell me about how u made up ur mind? Specifically, what can u tell me about ur fretless? Thanks a lot!
 
#5
Turnaround said:
Roscoes are small bodied basses, and sit differently on the strap than may "full-sized" bodies. Because of that, I found the reach to the first fret a bit of a stretch compared to my other basses.

Weight varies on the Roscoes. I've played some flyweights and some logs. So I really see no alternative for you other than to try a few until you find one that suits you.

Darn fine instruments though, regardless. And I suggest you call/email Roscoe. They are really responsive and can help you address the concerns you have.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice, I've actually traded a few emails with Gard already after I started this thread, and he told me more or less what SteveC told me too. That guy is the best!

Unfortunately, there's no way I can test a Roscoe at all in this part of the world. :rollno:
 
#6
FWIW, these are the specs I have in mind so far:

LG/Century Standard 5
Bartolini slanted CB pickups and preamp
Pau Ferro fretboard

or

Century Standard 5/6
Bartolini slanted CB pickups and preamp
Diamondwood fretless unlined fretboard


Both would share these features:
*Trans White, Aqua or Red Satin Finish
*Swamp Ash Body
*3 Piece Maple Neck with Graphite Rod Reinforcement
*Black Hardware

What do you think?
 
#8
I'm a relatively recent Roscoe owner. Wonderful instruments. I greatly prefer the look of the Century body myself (especially for 5 and 6 string configurations... a bit more 'balanced looking' to me)... a bit more 'traditional', and still a smaller 'feel' than a typical J or P body (more extreme cutaways, etc.). Even with the Century, the first position reach is a bit longer, but it is not a huge issue.

The neck profile of the Roscoe's is very 'thin and shallow and sleek', and the tighter than typical 18mm bridge 5 string spacing and the relatively narrow spacing at the nut makes the neck feel 'small', and I don't even notice that it is 35" scale. Combine that with the relatively high radius (i.e., 'flat') fretboard and the 24 frets, and these necks are IMO the definition of 'modern' feeling.

The classic Roscoe Bartolini configuration is cool if you like it 'modern and burpy' (kind of that '80's thing' for lack of a better description). I really like that 'stack the big soapbars closer to the bridge' thing (similar to the Sadowsky Modern, the Peavey Cirrus, the Ken Smith basses, and the Tommy Kennedy Fodera model), which magnifies the inherent burpy, punchy, articulate voicing of the standard Bart soaps. These basses have what I like to call a 'lot of space between the notes'.... super articulate, with a super strong initial note attack. They offer Aguilar guts now that I would guess moves the tone to a bit more of a traditional profile.

Amazing value (that Century Standard +, or whatever that model is called) seems among the best deals on the planet for a high end, fancy topped bass that doesn't break the bank.

Edit: I have a trans orange finish, and it is magnificent. The fit and finish of these basses is as good as anything I've seen (and this is coming from my experience with owning Ken Smith, Fodera and MTD over the many years I've been playing).
 
#9
KJung said:
These basses have what I like to call a 'lot of space between the notes'.... super articulate, with a super strong initial note attack.

Amazing value (that Century Standard +, or whatever that model is called) seems among the best deals on the planet for a high end, fancy topped bass that doesn't break the bank.
Click to expand...

My fretted bass almost reads my mind the attack is so quick.

Both my Roscoes are Century Standard Plus models. No carved top or headstock cap, but a really nice top laminate. My flame maple fretless looks like a $10,000 Fodera I saw but was 1/4 the cost. My Koa top is basically one of a kind.

I can't say it enough. I love that they treat me - basically a nobody really - the same as any of their famous customers.
 
#10
SteveC said:
My fretted bass almost reads my mind the attack is so quick.

Both my Roscoes are Century Standard Plus models. No carved top or headstock cap, but a really nice top laminate. My flame maple fretless looks like a $10,000 Fodera I saw but was 1/4 the cost. My Koa top is basically one of a kind.

I can't say it enough. I love that they treat me - basically a nobody really - the same as any of their famous customers.
Click to expand...

+1 Even though I bought mine used, this is a company I like to describe as 'a company you enjoy giving your money to'. Top notch!
 
#11
Turnaround said:
Roscoes are small bodied basses, and sit differently on the strap than may "full-sized" bodies. Because of that, I found the reach to the first fret a bit of a stretch compared to my other basses.

Weight varies on the Roscoes. I've played some flyweights and some logs. So I really see no alternative for you other than to try a few until you find one that suits you.

Darn fine instruments though, regardless. And I suggest you call/email Roscoe. They are really responsive and can help you address the concerns you have.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the kind words - just to clarify something, though:

The Century body is the same size overall as a Fender Jazz bass body, just "sleeker" in how it is shaped. If you get a "generic" J bass case - one with an open rectangle instead of custom fit to the exact body - the Century will sit perfectly in the body area and not move, based on several experiences with this phenomenon. :)

The SKB is very close to the same size, with a shorter upper horn, which will make it "feel longer" than the Century, but not as much as one might think.

The LG is indeed significantly smaller than either, and of the three, will make the reach to first position "feel" a bit longer.
 
#12
Gard said:
Thanks for the kind words - just to clarify something, though:

The Century body is the same size overall as a Fender Jazz bass body, just "sleeker" in how it is shaped. If you get a "generic" J bass case - one with an open rectangle instead of custom fit to the exact body - the Century will sit perfectly in the body area and not move, based on several experiences with this phenomenon. :)

The SKB is very close to the same size, with a shorter upper horn, which will make it "feel longer" than the Century, but not as much as one might think.

The LG is indeed significantly smaller than either, and of the three, will make the reach to first position "feel" a bit longer.
Click to expand...


OP,

I do not own a Roscoe but for me personally, I enjoy the aesthetics of the Century body. I also endorse Gard as a certified bad@$$ and baller.

Who DAT?!
 
#17
One thing you can be sure of, regardless of body style: You will be getting one of the finest instruments available, at any price point. Just fabulous basses.
 
#20
Pacman said:
One thing you can be sure of, regardless of body style: You will be getting one of the finest instruments available, at any price point. Just fabulous basses.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input, I wish I had the money to buy your 6 string, it's just amazing and I love the price too! But one of the aspects of having a custom built is that I don't have to spend a huge chunk of money right away. GLWYS!
 

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