Roscoe Club

[staccatogrowl]

Relatively, my SKB 3005 nut is 1.8" or about 7.5% smaller than the Classic. Not much of a difference in itself in my mind and experience.

Just for fun 1.75" nut / 4 strings = .4375" nut / string x 5 strings = 2.19" nut. No need for that! Suffice to say, I prefer 1.95" over the proportionate dimension.

In a more practical comparison, nut width of a Sadowsky 5 is 1-7/8", or 1.875", about 1/16" smaller less than the Roscoe.

 

[Bassworship1]

I've been playing this bass every night in hopes that maybe I would adjust. This bass just sounds so good and looks even better.

 

[SteveC]

I like it better with black knobs. Still don't have the $$$$ for it, but that's my $.02 worth of opinion. Only $3,099.98 left to go.

 

[SteveC]

Relatively, my SKB 3005 nut is 1.8" or about 7.5% smaller than the Classic. Not much of a difference in itself in my mind and experience.

Just for fun 1.75" nut / 4 strings = .4375" nut / string x 5 strings = 2.19" nut. No need for that! Suffice to say, I prefer 1.95" over the proportionate dimension.

In a more practical comparison, nut width of a Sadowsky 5 is 1-7/8", or 1.875", about 1/16" smaller less than the Roscoe.

Yep. It's kind of like the 34" vs 35" scale thing. But, that little difference can mean something to some people. I still think it has more to do with the top strap button and how/where the bass hangs in that debate.

 

[Bassworship1]

It does sound minute in difference. All I know is I had never had a bass hurt my hand to play until I played this bass this past weekend. I played it live 4 times and each time my hand hurt. Take of that what you will as it never happened before with any other bass I've owned. Now having said that it's not as bad as it has been the more I do play it but it's still there. Maybe it will eventually go away. I know one thing I wish it would as this bass sounds as good in a mix as any I've had.

 

[emjazz]

It does sound minute in difference. All I know is I had never had a bass hurt my hand to play until I played this bass this past weekend. I played it live 4 times and each time my hand hurt. Take of that what you will as it never happened before with any other bass I've owned. Now having said that it's not as bad as it has been the more I do play it but it's still there. Maybe it will eventually go away. I know one thing I wish it would as this bass sounds as good in a mix as any I've had.

Could Keith put a new bridge with more narrow spacing, and make a new neck for it with a narrower nut? At that point you may be better off having a new bass made, but I know you had searched for a top like that for a long time.

 

[Bassworship1]

Could Keith put a new bridge with more narrow spacing, and make a new neck for it with a narrower nut? At that point you may be better off having a new bass made, but I know you had searched for a top like that for a long time.

I don't think it's the bridge as all my Devons had 19mm spacing. I think it's the width and thickness of the neck.

 

[emjazz]

I don't think it's the bridge as all my Devons had 19mm spacing. I think it's the width and thickness of the neck.

They could always reshape it. No small task, but something you could ask about. Certainly worth it if you like everything else about the bass.

 

[KaseOfBass]

Relatively, my SKB 3005 nut is 1.8" or about 7.5% smaller than the Classic. Not much of a difference in itself in my mind and experience.

Just for fun 1.75" nut / 4 strings = .4375" nut / string x 5 strings = 2.19" nut. No need for that! Suffice to say, I prefer 1.95" over the proportionate dimension.

In a more practical comparison, nut width of a Sadowsky 5 is 1-7/8", or 1.875", about 1/16" smaller less than the Roscoe.

Yep. It's kind of like the 34" vs 35" scale thing. But, that little difference can mean something to some people. I still think it has more to do with the top strap button and how/where the bass hangs in that debate.

I go for ~1.75" on a 5 string and even find 1.875" a tad big (which is what a 1.5" nut four string would come out to be keeping the same proportions). The 1.95" is just way outside my comfort zone down there. Definitely not a slam against 'em, just not my cup of tea.

 

[staccatogrowl]

I played this bass live 4 times and my hand hurt.

Looking at your current profile pic (with you holding the bass), I notice a couple of things that could be part of the pain equation.

1) Your right wrist is bent at an angle. Maybe try repositioning the bass so that your right wrist can be more straight. I would try positioning the bass body lower in the bridge area, and neck higher at the nut.

2) Your left wrist looks fairly straight, but it looks like you're playing some notes that would require less of a reach lower on the neck, where the neck isn't as wide. Play easy to reach notes higher up the neck. Any note that causes strain to reach due to neck width, play lower on the neck near the nut.

3) Pay attention to exactly what you're doing when you feel pain. Try to adjust your positioning and technique to avoid it. The longer you play with pain, the more likely that you will cause an injury resulting in pain on any bass, and in other daily activities, with medical intervention required.

 

[KaseOfBass]

It does sound minute in difference. All I know is I had never had a bass hurt my hand to play until I played this bass this past weekend. I played it live 4 times and each time my hand hurt. Take of that what you will as it never happened before with any other bass I've owned. Now having said that it's not as bad as it has been the more I do play it but it's still there. Maybe it will eventually go away. I know one thing I wish it would as this bass sounds as good in a mix as any I've had.

I don't think it's the bridge as all my Devons had 19mm spacing. I think it's the width and thickness of the neck.

I get it completely. While it sounds minute, a thicker/wider neck causes my hand and wrist to grip the neck differently. Might be fine for some, but has caused pain for me, too, on certain basses I've had.

They could always reshape it. No small task, but something you could ask about. Certainly worth it if you like everything else about the bass.

Definitely an option. I've thought about taking my 5-string P in to have this done to change the taper of the neck down to a 1.75" from a 1.875" nut width. While I'm thinking it would mean a refret, I wouldn't think it'd be a terribly tough job for someone experienced in woodworking.

 

[Thumper]

That is such a beautiful bass, it would be a shame to have to let it go.

The only bass necks to ever cause me pain were a 1.5" on my '66J and more recently a 1.6" 4 string, which caused an issue after approximately 6 months of playing. I put 1.65"-1.75" necks on both and no more pain. So yes, sometimes small dimensional factors can be detrimental despite my skepticism. Funny thing though is how I'm not bothered by bridge or nut width differences, 35 vs 34, 4 vs 5 strings. However, I don't like flat fretboards....

 

[JOME77]

I don't think it's the bridge as all my Devons had 19mm spacing. I think it's the width and thickness of the neck.

This.
I've only played one Roscoe Classic 5 and the feel of the neck, particularly in the lower register felt very uncomfortable to my left hand. Obviously it's not a problem to every player because some seem to love it. Which is why there are so many different widths and profiles of necks out there (by different builders).

Basses can be a bit like shoes. One size does not fit all!

 

[staccatogrowl]

Right, and when you find a bass that really fits and works, it's normal to assume that maybe all basses are like that. Not so much

 

[phillipkregg]

Yep. It's kind of like the 34" vs 35" scale thing. But, that little difference can mean something to some people. I still think it has more to do with the top strap button and how/where the bass hangs in that debate.

If it helps, I used to be diehard against 35" scale.

I've had some wrist issues for years - which have mostly been fixed by working out with kettlebells - that made me shy away from longer scales. In fact, I only played short scale basses for about a year.

I took a chance on the Roscoe that I've got now, and I couldn't be happier with it. It sounds crazy, but it is actually much more comfortable than many of the 34" scale basses I own, and I've got some really really nice 34" scale basses. I've concluded that Mr Roscoe must be a wizard.

 

[Bassworship1]

Taking the add down for a bit and seeing if I can adjust to the neck better. Bass just sounds to good to let go right now. Can't wait to get the 2 black string retainers and 1 of the black Hipshot Clover tuners to finish the hardware. Keith was out of black string retainers and had to use Chrome for those and part of a tuner on the back until his shipment comes in. Hard times for builders getting parts and electronics right now.

 

[JLY]

It does sound minute in difference. All I know is I had never had a bass hurt my hand to play until I played this bass this past weekend. I played it live 4 times and each time my hand hurt. Take of that what you will as it never happened before with any other bass I've owned. Now having said that it's not as bad as it has been the more I do play it but it's still there. Maybe it will eventually go away. I know one thing I wish it would as this bass sounds as good in a mix as any I've had.

I had the same issue with my classic 5. Mechanic was too wide and thick. Playing a different xxl with 19mm - no issues

 

[SteveC]

When I first received my Classic P, I was a little concerned as the nut is the full 1.75" width. In the past, my 4 string basses (mostly jazz) have been 1.5" at the nut. My hand was a little sore for a while. It took a little while but now I am fine playing it. I'm glad, as it was a gift from my wife, and selling isn't really an option. If I didn't "need" the extra range and more aggressive tone that flats don't quite give, it could easily be my main player. The band actually prefers it over my Century 5.

 

[bearhart74]

found this today.. not affiliated at all [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[JOME77]

Taking the add down for a bit and seeing if I can adjust to the neck better. Bass just sounds to good to let go right now. Can't wait to get the 2 black string retainers and 1 of the black Hipshot Clover tuners to finish the hardware. Keith was out of black string retainers and had to use Chrome for those and part of a tuner on the back until his shipment comes in. Hard times for builders getting parts and electronics right now.

Good news Shane. Give it some time before you sell.
I have to say though, that it did make me smile (ok maybe laugh) when I read that in the midst of trying to make a bass work (that’s causing serious hand pain), you’re really excited about getting the black string retainers (to complete the look of the bass)!