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Roscoe Club

while neck on the MTD is asymmetric I still feel that they have a similar feel.
Love them both and honestly don’t really notice a difference.
Of course I play a LG Roscoe and don’t notice any difference between it and the SKB and Century models that I’ve owned.
I’m just not as sensitive as some of the Roscoeheads on this thread.:)

Bunch of sissy’s!:D
Oh, and ball ends all in alignment is not being sensitive, huh? :D
 
I completely agree with your “varied woods” statement. I played 2 MTD 535 with identical electronics side by side and they were wildly different.

I think the Roscoe better fits an open slot in my arsenal, but I can’t say I’m leaning that way.

Let me ask you this…

I’ve played 6’s before, but don’t have one now. I let them all go, because I never touched the C in a performance setting. I’m not sure that has changed. I’m debating on getting a 6 again. Do you like going back and forth? I play on a worship team unlike any other I’ve played on before. They feature the bass. There is a lot of gospel music going on. They want me to play fills and frills.

So… I’m thinking about a 6. Again. Not sure. Any thoughts?
My first build from Keith was a Century Standard Plus 6 string JJ. It was an amazing bass - looks and sound. The neck was extremely playable. Almost as nice as their 5 string necks. I was playing lots of smooth jazz at the time (Jimmy Haslip inspired) so I thought this would be my "be all end all one and only" bass. 6 strings, jazz pups, can do anything. It could.
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I sold it - and bought it back 3 times. My wife almost killed me - as did most everyone. I wanted to love that bass. I thought I didn't try hard enough to adapt. So I tried again. I sold again. I even bought it back for nostalgia. First build and all that. I could never make real use of the C string - other than soloing. I finally decided that 5 was all I needed.

Not sure if that helps or is just mindless dribble. I currently play my Classic P more than anything else. Passive 4 string with flats.
5F14CC3B-306B-476B-94D9-5DE9A6DF00A2_4_5005_c.jpeg
 
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lol

touché :D

But ball end alignment affects the tone!
Well, not really true either! It’s the loop at the ball ends coming in contact with bridge that could impact tuning. Something that guitarist have to be aware of. I’m not sure if bassists need to be concerned about that, but who knows what cheap strings with cheap bridges are being sold/used out there.
But in any case, if the loop in the string at the ball ends isn’t touching the bridge or whatever is there to receive that end of a string, then the ball ends can be out of alignment all they desire to be. :)
They can be in perfect alignment and all or some the string loops are touching the bridge and you will/might have tuning issues.
It’s like, Damn the lights (ball ends), watch the cars (string loops)!:D
 
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I asked the similar question in the MTD USA forum. I feel it’s fair to ask here as well.

Any Roscoe fans also own MTD 535’s? How would you compare it to a Century?
So a lot has already been discussed with the Roscoe vs MTD. They are both really nice. I prefer the 18.3 neck of the Roscoe. Sonically, to me they both sound modern. I would say the Roscoe has a very pronounced "rasp" to the midrange that is very distinct if you have the bartolini soapbars. The Classic Barts have a bit of a Ken Smith "ping" to the ghost note pops on a G string in my opinion. I would say the Roscoe sounds more similar to a Ken Smith. The MTD has an excellent slap tone and is super transient. The neck I believe is a bit flatter than the more C shaped Roscoe and Smith. The 535 I played was 19 MM spacing like an Elrick US model. To me if you are a slap machine the MTD 535 with the 19 MM Spacing is boss. The Roscoe is no slouch either and but has more of that Ken Smith slap tone if that makes since. Just a different "raspy" compressed sound compared to the razor sharp transients of the MTD. These are just my observations. I've played a Roscoe for over 20 years so it's kinda my happy place.
 
I picked up the Century 5 this morning. It has two tiny indentations on the back and no other marks or wear. It is in better condition than most new basses in a store.

Here are the promised Roscoe family photos.

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IMG-4054.jpg


IMG-4055.jpg


IMG-4056.jpg


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As you can see, the SKB 3006 has a Mahogany body, the Century 3005 has a Swamp Ash body and the Century 3006 FL has a Spanish Cedar body. The tone of the two 6 strings is identical which surprised me. The 5 string sounds different but has strings of unknown make on it and I will put on a set of D'Adarrio XL's later today.

I am pretty well set now. These are killer basses. I was a little worried about the battery compartment in the 5 string since it has been under a bed for a long time and I was afraid the batteries might have leaked. I was relieved when I removed the battery cover as all was clean. New batteries are installed and new strings and a set up later today.
 
So, even though I think the D'Addario nickel strings are part of the "Roscoe" sound, I ordered some DR Hi Beams. As you know, I am looking for a little more "aggressive" tone for some songs with the cover band. I have been using a Sadowsky 5JJ which is a nice bass and has a great tone, but it is a little bright (I have to dial back the VTC quite a bit) and the neck, while nice and playable and I'm getting used to it, is not a comfy Roscoe neck. I'm hoping that maybe some brighter, stainless steel strings may help get me closer to a sound I can use with my Century 5.

I may take the plunge and try new pickups. Maybe Bart Quads? Or Nordstrand? Not sure yet.
 
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I picked up the Century 5 this morning. It has two tiny indentations on the back and no other marks or wear. It is in better condition than most new basses in a store.

Here are the promised Roscoe family photos.

IMG-4049.jpg


IMG-4050.jpg


IMG-4051.jpg


IMG-4052.jpg


IMG-4053.jpg


IMG-4054.jpg


IMG-4055.jpg


IMG-4056.jpg


IMG-4057.jpg


As you can see, the SKB 3006 has a Mahogany body, the Century 3005 has a Swamp Ash body and the Century 3006 FL has a Spanish Cedar body. The tone of the two 6 strings is identical which surprised me. The 5 string sounds different but has strings of unknown make on it and I will put on a set of D'Adarrio XL's later today.

I am pretty well set now. These are killer basses. I was a little worried about the battery compartment in the 5 string since it has been under a bed for a long time and I was afraid the batteries might have leaked. I was relieved when I removed the battery cover as all was clean. New batteries are installed and new strings and a set up later today.

What a lovely family Chuck. Absolutely gorgeous additions sir. :)
 
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Reactions: Chuck M
So, even though I think the D'Addario nickel strings are part of the "Roscoe" sound, I ordered some DR Hi Beams. As you know, I am looking for a little more "aggressive" tone for some songs with the cover band. I have been using a Sadowsky 5JJ which is a nice bass and has a great tone, but it is a little bright (I have to dial back the VTC quite a bit) and the neck, while nice and playable and I'm getting used to it, is not a comfy Roscoe neck. I'm hoping that maybe some brighter, stainless steel strings may help get me closer to a sound I can use with my Century 5.

I may take the plunge and try new pickups. Maybe Bart Quads? Or Nordstrand? Not sure yet.
Barts will still be dark, unless you go with classic bass, or the newer singles (singularity?...can't remember). Nordstrand will sound more traditional
 
I picked up the Century 5 this morning. It has two tiny indentations on the back and no other marks or wear. It is in better condition than most new basses in a store.

Here are the promised Roscoe family photos.

IMG-4049.jpg


IMG-4050.jpg


IMG-4051.jpg


IMG-4052.jpg


IMG-4053.jpg


IMG-4054.jpg


IMG-4055.jpg


IMG-4056.jpg


IMG-4057.jpg


As you can see, the SKB 3006 has a Mahogany body, the Century 3005 has a Swamp Ash body and the Century 3006 FL has a Spanish Cedar body. The tone of the two 6 strings is identical which surprised me. The 5 string sounds different but has strings of unknown make on it and I will put on a set of D'Adarrio XL's later today.

I am pretty well set now. These are killer basses. I was a little worried about the battery compartment in the 5 string since it has been under a bed for a long time and I was afraid the batteries might have leaked. I was relieved when I removed the battery cover as all was clean. New batteries are installed and new strings and a set up later today.
Wow! what a collection
 
  • Like
Reactions: staccatogrowl
I picked up the Century 5 this morning. It has two tiny indentations on the back and no other marks or wear. It is in better condition than most new basses in a store.

Here are the promised Roscoe family photos.

IMG-4049.jpg


IMG-4050.jpg


IMG-4051.jpg


IMG-4052.jpg


IMG-4053.jpg


IMG-4054.jpg


IMG-4055.jpg


IMG-4056.jpg


IMG-4057.jpg


As you can see, the SKB 3006 has a Mahogany body, the Century 3005 has a Swamp Ash body and the Century 3006 FL has a Spanish Cedar body. The tone of the two 6 strings is identical which surprised me. The 5 string sounds different but has strings of unknown make on it and I will put on a set of D'Adarrio XL's later today.

I am pretty well set now. These are killer basses. I was a little worried about the battery compartment in the 5 string since it has been under a bed for a long time and I was afraid the batteries might have leaked. I was relieved when I removed the battery cover as all was clean. New batteries are installed and new strings and a set up later today.

Beautiful family!!