Roscoe Club

[JOME77]

Hi all! New owner of a circa ‘97-‘98 LG 3000. It’s far from a closet queen, but I like ‘em a bit rough around the edges.

One oddity though. I’ve done several searches of this thread and others, and I think I figured it out, but I don’t see the exact same issue. Forgive me if I missed something.

There’s a thick black layer (“Uber shim”?) between the neck and the body, looks like ebony. Seems like this may have been done to facilitate swapping the original bridge for a brass Hipshot A, based on what I’m reading here about the proprietary Roscoe bridge being thinner. Any thoughts?

View attachment 5190000 View attachment 5190002

The Roscoe bridge is thicker, it follows the radius of the fingerboard- the one you have on there now looks like it. The stock Hipshot (from Hipshot, not the Roscoe special order one) type A has a thinner base plate.

Matt is correct. The proprietary Roscoe Hipshot bridge has a staggered height base and that is the bridge installed on your bass. It appears that someone installed a rather thick shim (spacer) in the neck pocket to accommodate the bridge. It probably wouldn’t have been required if they had gone with the standard Hipshot type A bridge. But then again, that’s a really thick shim so even the standard Hipshot bridge might have required a shim.
It does appear to be done professionally though. As long as it’s a good smooth bond it shouldn’t affect sustain too much. I suspect that they had to use longer screws too.

 

[6and5]

The Roscoe bridge is thicker, it follows the radius of the fingerboard- the one you have on there now looks like it. The stock Hipshot (from Hipshot, not the Roscoe special order one) type A has a thinner base plate.

Ah, my mistake. Must have skimmed too fast and mixed those up. Thanks for the info.

 

[6and5]

Matt is correct. The proprietary Roscoe Hipshot bridge has a staggered height base and that is the bridge installed on your bass. It appears that someone installed a rather thick shim (spacer) in the neck pocket to accommodate the bridge. It probably wouldn’t have been required if they had gone with the standard Hipshot type A bridge. But then again, that’s a really thick shim so even the standard Hipshot bridge might have required a shim.
It does appear to be done professionally though. As long as it’s a good smooth bond it shouldn’t affect sustain too much. I suspect that they had to use longer screws too.

I appreciate the info. I had my local luthier do a quick neck inspection for major issues when I got it, and he kind of laughed and said, “Almost looks like someone set the router a bit too deep when they did the neck pocket.” He was joking, of course. Haven’t had it back to him for a full setup yet. I think I’ll see what he recommends as far as pulling the spacer and swapping the bridge, just because I’m not really a fan of monkeying with original designs too much. Somehow a bridge swap seems like less deviation than a 1/4” neck shim.

 

[Skip Chucker]

Hi all! New owner of a circa ‘97-‘98 LG 3000. It’s far from a closet queen, but I like ‘em a bit rough around the edges.

One oddity though. I’ve done several searches of this thread and others, and I think I figured it out, but I don’t see the exact same issue. Forgive me if I missed something.

There’s a thick black layer (“Uber shim”?) between the neck and the body, looks like ebony. Seems like this may have been done to facilitate swapping the original bridge for a brass Hipshot A, based on what I’m reading here about the proprietary Roscoe bridge being thinner. Any thoughts?

View attachment 5190000 View attachment 5190002

Back in 97/98 Keith was using Wilkinson bridges which where much lower profile than the Hipshot that you've got on there now. That's the reason for the shim.

 

[6and5]

Got a response from the man, himself:

I think we added that spacer to allow the neck to be reangled. It is glued into place and does not just dropout.

Keith

Very cool that he responds to emails so quickly. I can’t say that’s been my experience with all builders, especially when there’s no $ involved.

I’m even more of a fan now.

 

[Funkinthetrunk]

Got a response from the man, himself:

I think we added that spacer to allow the neck to be reangled. It is glued into place and does not just dropout.

Keith

Very cool that he responds to emails so quickly. I can’t say that’s been my experience with all builders, especially when there’s no $ involved.

I’m even more of a fan now.

I like the way it looks

 

[JOME77]

Got a response from the man, himself:

I think we added that spacer to allow the neck to be reangled. It is glued into place and does not just dropout.

Keith

Very cool that he responds to emails so quickly. I can’t say that’s been my experience with all builders, especially when there’s no $ involved.

I’m even more of a fan now.

Awesome. Consider it part of the body.

 

[shwashwa]

wondering the typical string spacing of a sig plus 6 string. i asked seller and he said 19, but to my eye looks 18. i know bridges have changed over time. this is the bridge:

 

[Pacman]

Standard spacing is 18.3mm

 

[Mighty Thumb]

wondering the typical string spacing of a sig plus 6 string. i asked seller and he said 19, but to my eye looks 18. i know bridges have changed over time. this is the bridge:

View attachment 5191123

That looks like a Wilkinson bridge which haven’t been used in a long time so that is likely an older bass. My first Roscoe in the mid ‘90s had one. It was a four string though so I’m not much help on the string spacing. What does the rest of the bass look like?

 

[shwashwa]

That looks like a Wilkinson bridge which haven’t been used in a long time so that is likely an older bass. My first Roscoe in the mid ‘90s had one. It was a four string though so I’m not much help on the string spacing. What does the rest of the bass look like?

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[Mighty Thumb]

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That’s a beautiful finish! Those oval inlays are vintage too and no longer offered I think.

 

[shwashwa]

i guess if i dont like the spacing i can change the bridge?

 

[JOME77]

i guess if i dont like the spacing i can change the bridge?

You can but the Wilkinson bridge saddles are adjustable (for spacing). They basically just slide onto an extrusion (which is the base plate) and lock into place via an allen screw.

 

[shwashwa]

You can but the Wilkinson bridge saddles are adjustable (for spacing). They basically just slide onto an extrusion (which is the base plate) and lock into place via an allen screw.

i dont think i understand

 

[JOME77]

i dont think i understand

Each saddle slides on the the bridge base plate and locks into place (and can be adjusted for string spacing from saddle to saddle). Wilkinson designed it so the bridge base (actually a aluminum extrusion) could be cut to length to accommodate 4, 5, 6 or more saddles. And you could space each saddle as far apart as the player prefers. Cool design.

 

[JOME77]

i dont think i understand

To simplify … simply loosen the Allen screw on each saddle and slide them closer together for tighter spacing or further apart for wider spacing

 

[shwashwa]

awesome

 

[SteveC]

I love those ovals.

 

[shwashwa]

bought it...