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Roscoe Club
- Thread starter JOME77
- Start date
I had the privilege to play a friends Roscoe Century 4 string Fretless recently. Blew me away! Superb bass with Barts. I actually felt like I could play fretless ...and I really can't! ..But I was reasonably in tune and the fretless growl, mwah and tone was off the hook. Truly great stuff!
I've always heard that Roscoe makes a killer fretless bass. Maybe I am not qualified to really say how great, but it sure made me want one!
In terms of fretted Roscoe's, how different is an SKB3005 from a Century? Feel, weight, tone? Does anything particular stand out as the inherent primary differences between those two models?
I've always heard that Roscoe makes a killer fretless bass. Maybe I am not qualified to really say how great, but it sure made me want one!
In terms of fretted Roscoe's, how different is an SKB3005 from a Century? Feel, weight, tone? Does anything particular stand out as the inherent primary differences between those two models?
I had the privilege to play a friends Roscoe Century 4 string Fretless recently. Blew me away! Superb bass with Barts. I actually felt like I could play fretless ...and I really can't! ..But I was reasonably in tune and the fretless growl, mwah and tone was off the hook. Truly great stuff!
I've always heard that Roscoe makes a killer fretless bass. Maybe I am not qualified to really say how great, but it sure made me want one!
By far the best playing fretless I've tried. My Century with the "JB" placement, mahogany body and diamond wood board is amazing.
Anyone who touches it wants it for their fretless. I actually have to make myself play my fretted Roscoe.
- Apr 1, 2000
- 17,398
- 9,830
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Roscoe Guitars, DR Strings, Aguilar Amplification
The only real difference between the different body styles is, well, the body style. They don't significantly vary in tone or weight. The Century is supposed to feel a little better if the "reach" to the lower positions bother you, but both my LGs and SKBs feel absolutely perfect to me.
That was one of the things that sold me on my SKB. I played it without amp for a while, and loved that touch. Then I plugged it in and heard even the slightest nuances, good and bad, of whatever I played. Now I strive to do it justice!
- Apr 1, 2000
- 17,398
- 9,830
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Roscoe Guitars, DR Strings, Aguilar Amplification
I'm definitely very comfortable on the SKB. My first Roscoe (now gone) and my fretless (still own it) were LGs. My Standard Plus basses (two more) are SKBs, and I do 99% of my gigs on one of those.
I'll jump in. I never considered a Roscoe until I saw the Century body shape, which is a bit larger than the others, and a bit more traditional. Pure IMO, but those really small ones with the slanted pickups are, well, I won't say it (from the Roscoe website, they slanted the pickups on the smallest body style to compensate for the lower mass, smaller body).
The Century body shape is quite similar in look and feel to the MTD basses, and is still quite small (which I like) compared to a standard J body. Even smaller than the Sadowsky 'dinky' J bodies. Really nice on the strap.
- Apr 1, 2000
- 17,398
- 9,830
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Roscoe Guitars, DR Strings, Aguilar Amplification
Completely incorrect. They slanted the pickups at the request of Jimmy Haslip, who wanted to try to tighten up the low B string response while at the same time warming up the C string a bit. Since Mr. Haslip is lefthanded but plays strung upside down, the pickups were slanted in the direction you see most LGs today.
For the record, it works:
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I don't know how many times Gard's posted it, the size measurements of the Century body are the same as a Jazz bass. (top to bottom, horn to strap pin)
Just quoting what they have on their site regarding the slant pickups on the smallest body instrument style. They should probably remove that. I thought it was kind of bull**** when I read it, but read it I did
Also, yes, as with most basses, the horn to strap pin size is relatively constant (or the bass would not balance). WAY different size of the body though when looking at mass (sharper cutouts, thinner body depth, more sculpting, longer, thinner horn relative to the body, etc.... very nice!) That is a good thing IMO. I greatly prefer the look of the Century body.
Here is what I'm talking about. Obviously, again, most basses have similar dimensions from pin to pin for balance reasons. But, even though the Century is the largest Roscoe body style (again, quoting their website), it feels totally, utterly different on the strap than a J bass. With the thinner body width, the smaller body relative to horn, the more extreme cutouts and tapers, it feels about the half the size, which again, is a good thing!
You can see the pretty much identical pin positions, and the 'widest parts of the bodies' (per Gard's measurements) are the same or very similar. EVERYTHING else is different! Actually, brings to mind the Skjold body shape to my eye, and also the 'feel on the strap'.
You can see the pretty much identical pin positions, and the 'widest parts of the bodies' (per Gard's measurements) are the same or very similar. EVERYTHING else is different! Actually, brings to mind the Skjold body shape to my eye, and also the 'feel on the strap'.
Here is what I'm talking about. Obviously, again, most basses have similar dimensions from pin to pin for balance reasons. But, even though the Century is the largest Roscoe body style (again, quoting their website), it feels totally, utterly different on the strap than a J bass. With the thinner body width, the smaller body relative to horn, the more extreme cutouts and tapers, it feels about the half the size, which again, is a good thing!
You can see the pretty much identical pin positions, and the 'widest parts of the bodies' (per Gard's measurements) are the same or very similar. EVERYTHING else is different! Actually, brings to mind the Skjold body shape to my eye, and also the 'feel on the strap'.
Your Century is off the freaking hook! Dibs? Lol
I don't know about measurements and angles and quadratic equations, but Roscoes (especially Century bodies) are about the most comfortable basses I've played - body, neck, etc. That's why after playing just about everything else, I've "settled" on Roscoe.
The Century body seems to be most comfy for me, but I've debated one of the others for my 3rd Roscoe. I think I could "get used to" any of them. They just play so darn nice.
The Century body seems to be most comfy for me, but I've debated one of the others for my 3rd Roscoe. I think I could "get used to" any of them. They just play so darn nice.
+1 Sits on the strap VERY nice, and just eventually feels like the body isn't even there. I dig it.
LilRay
Commercial User
- Dec 27, 2007
- 4,166
- 39
- Disclosures
- Owner: Cockeyed Cow Custom Leathercraft
I played every body style at the last GTG in Greensboro and I agree with this 1000%
I equate it to wearing new underwear. The different bodies "seem" different if you aren't used to switching between them. BUT after 5 minutes there is ZERO difference.
I have to play with a strap,(my lap is nonexistent and I have limited motion in my right arm) and I could play either of them with no issues.
Any perceived difference I think is largely psychosomatic.
Love it Ken!
God Bless, Ray
Now I get it! I've always wondered why when I play my Roscoe fretless, I mess my pants!
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