Roscoe Club

[LightGroove]

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.

That’s why I was wondering how difficult it would be for Keith to take some off of the neck? Heck you may be able to do it yourself. A nice radiused sanding block should do the trick. Get some calipers and write down the specs of the necks that feel good. After that match them up and sand away.

 

[LightGroove]

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.

That was also a thought. Could it be a matter of building new muscles/memory in your hands?

 

[Bassworship1]

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)!

Petty stuff like wrong color hardware drives me crazy lol.

 

[nonohmic]

Glad you're giving that stunner another chance man.

I feel ya though. Since I've been playing a Roscoe a FMIC P bass feels incredibly chunky now, to the point that I am considering selling a bass I said I've never sell.

 

[edbutler3]

Shane -- we chatted about the string spacing on FB Messenger... Last night I measured my Classic with the high mass "KickAss" bridge, and it is definitely less than 19mm. Even with readers on, my old eyes aren't good enough to tell you if it's 18.0, 18.3, or whatever -- but I measured it side by side with my Wyn which is right at 19mm, and the KickAss is definitely narrower.

Point of the story is, swapping the bridge out might bring the spacing in just enough to make a difference for you.

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.

 

[edbutler3]

Guess I could have looked it up before posting... The Hipshot product description says the spacing is adjustable from 17mm to 19mm. It's just a matter of adjusting those side-to-side Allen screws.

https://hipshotproducts.com/products/5-string-kickass-bass-bridge?variant=31564502024

 

[SteveC]

That was also a thought. Could it be a matter of building new muscles/memory in your hands?

My fretless 5 is my nicest neck. Thin front to back, flat, and a comfortable width. My fretted 5 is also very nice, and my go to bass, but it is just slightly thicker front to back than my fretless. My Classic 4 string P is different from both those of course. Different radius and thickness, but after a while, a fun and comfortable bass to play. Not like the Centuries, but it’s it’s own thing. The neck I have trouble with is my G&L jazz bass. It’s a 1.5” nut, but it’s very round and that gives me trouble.

 

[Mighty Thumb]

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

Looks to be an older one going by the serial#. Also looks like maybe the Wilkinson bridge on it which may need to be replaced - that was starting to go on my LG2000 from that era. Could be a good buy with a little haggling if it’s in good condition. I dig the purple.

 

[Bassworship1]

I give it a go again tonight and As much as I love it I’m just going to sale it and get something I know works for me. If any Roscoehead wants a killer bass that sounds better than it looks I’ll do $2999 plus shipping.

 

[5StringPocket]

I give it a go again tonight and As much as I love it I’m just going to sale it and get something I know works for me. If any Roscoehead wants a killer bass that sounds better than it looks I’ll do $2999 plus shipping.

View attachment 4422842

I can understand your angst with this. Years back I had a Lakland Deluxe 55-94 with a beautiful quilt maple top and birdseye board, but its 35" scale and somewhat chunky neck gave me tendon pain in my fretting hand so I sold it. I'd bet if this beauty were an SKB it wouldn't be going anywhere.

 

[Bassworship1]

I can understand your angst with this. Years back I had a Lakland Deluxe 55-94 with a beautiful quilt maple top and birdseye board, but its 35" scale and somewhat chunky neck gave me tendon pain in my fretting hand so I sold it. I'd bet if this beauty were an SKB it wouldn't be going anywhere.

yeah would love to have this top on a SKB or Century. I’ve found the electronics I like best though with this bass. The Quads and Nordstrand Preamp is a winner. Best of both worlds with the Rowcoe warmth and extra clarity and openness of the Nordie preamp.

 

[JOME77]

Nuff said!

 

[edbutler3]

(X-post from FB "Roscoeheads" group)

I'm thinking about doing a 6 string Century Signature build...

Basically this post is fishing for inspiration pics -- or even possibly somebody ready to sell a Century 6 (or maybe an SKB.)

My wood choices are still up in the air. Probably an ebony fretboard, but maybe a nice dark piece of katalox, or cocobolo, or even ziricote, if that's an option. (Not maple. Good tone, but I don't like the look.) For the top I'm considering going with an oil/wax finish because I have the idea it allows better resonance. But unfortunately it doesn't tend to look as dramatic. So I'd lean towards something with an "antique furniture" vibe, like burled maple. But there are many other options, like myrtle, amboyna, bubinga... I'll just have to look at samples.

For pickups and pre I'm leaning towards Aguilar, but also have heard great things about Nordstrand. I don't dislike the default Barts, but they do seem slightly "thick" to me, so I'm considering other options that have a bit more clarity.

 

[JOME77]

(X-post from FB "Roscoeheads" group)

I'm thinking about doing a 6 string Century Signature build...

Basically this post is fishing for inspiration pics -- or even possibly somebody ready to sell a Century 6 (or maybe an SKB.)

My wood choices are still up in the air. Probably an ebony fretboard, but maybe a nice dark piece of katalox, or cocobolo, or even ziricote, if that's an option. (Not maple. Good tone, but I don't like the look.) For the top I'm considering going with an oil/wax finish because I have the idea it allows better resonance. But unfortunately it doesn't tend to look as dramatic. So I'd lean towards something with an "antique furniture" vibe, like burled maple. But there are many other options, like myrtle, amboyna, bubinga... I'll just have to look at samples.

For pickups and pre I'm leaning towards Aguilar, but also have heard great things about Nordstrand. I don't dislike the default Barts, but they do seem slightly "thick" to me, so I'm considering other options that have a bit more clarity.

Sounds exciting! Don't rule out the Roscoe Bart Quad Coil pickups though. If the Roscoe Barts are paired with a Nordstrand, Pope or East preamp it really opens up the sound. It'll still be a bit compressed but in a really good way. The Demeter preamp sounds great with the Roscoe Barts too but it doesn't allow for much tailoring of the the tone (not real aggressive boost or cut). I haven't tried the Aguilar SB's pickups but the Nordstrand pickups just take me a bit too far away from the signature tone of a Roscoe. Based on the Aguilar PJ's in my Roscoe Custom PJ (and sound clips that I've heard) I'd guess that the Aguilar SB's would be more similar to the Nordstrand pickups (than the Roscoe Bart's). The signature sound and neck of a Roscoe is what keeps me around.
The only other thing that I'd suggest on your signature is go with the Wenge wedge neck. Nothing else compares!

Good luck with your custom build.

 

[Bassworship1]

The Aguilar Super Doubles are probably the most open pickups I’ve heard in a Roscoe I’ve owned. More open than the Nordstrand DC’s I’ve had and without the harshness that the DC’s have at times. Really good pickups but I don’t care for the Aguilar Preamps at all.

 

[emjazz]

Sounds exciting! Don't rule out the Roscoe Bart Quad Coil pickups though. If the Roscoe Barts are paired with a Nordstrand, Pope or East preamp it really opens up the sound. It'll still be a bit compressed but in a really good way. The Demeter preamp sounds great with the Roscoe Barts too but it doesn't allow for much tailoring of the the tone (not real aggressive boost or cut). I haven't tried the Aguilar SB's pickups but the Nordstrand pickups just take me a bit too far away from the signature tone of a Roscoe. Based on the Aguilar PJ's in my Roscoe Custom PJ (and sound clips that I've heard) I'd guess that the Aguilar SB's would be more similar to the Nordstrand pickups (than the Roscoe Bart's). The signature sound and neck of a Roscoe is what keeps me around.
The only other thing that I'd suggest on your signature is go with the Wenge wedge neck. Nothing else compares!

Good luck with your custom build.

It depends which Aguilar soapbars you're speaking of. The original DCB soaps lie somewhere between a Bartolini and an EMG. Very clean, but with a muted top end like a Bart. The other SBs in the line are more vintage leaning for sure.

Nordstrand pickups are all vintage leaning for sure, with the blades leaning more modern. I would love to see someone put some BigRigs in a Roscoe. That would be great.

I still feel like the Roscoe Barts are the Roscoe sound. Use a more neutral preamp with them and they open up for sure.

 

[edbutler3]

Sounds exciting! Don't rule out the Roscoe Bart Quad Coil pickups though. If the Roscoe Barts are paired with a Nordstrand, Pope or East preamp it really opens up the sound. It'll still be a bit compressed but in a really good way. The Demeter preamp sounds great with the Roscoe Barts too but it doesn't allow for much tailoring of the the tone (not real aggressive boost or cut). I haven't tried the Aguilar SB's pickups but the Nordstrand pickups just take me a bit too far away from the signature tone of a Roscoe. Based on the Aguilar PJ's in my Roscoe Custom PJ (and sound clips that I've heard) I'd guess that the Aguilar SB's would be more similar to the Nordstrand pickups (than the Roscoe Bart's). The signature sound and neck of a Roscoe is what keeps me around.
The only other thing that I'd suggest on your signature is go with the Wenge wedge neck. Nothing else compares!

Good luck with your custom build.

Yeah, I forgot to mention the Wenge wedge neck. That's the main reason for going with the Signature model. I'm leaning towards the version that has wenge on the outside. I have a fretless 6 with that style neck, and I think it looks amazing. Honestly it's hard to tell what it does to the tone since it's a fretless and that changes things so much.

 

[Skip Chucker]

*Sigh*

Cue the War music: "Why can't we be friends?!"

Hate to see it, I understand it, but I hate to see it.

 

[LightGroove]

Um, Did I miss something? Shane is suspended???

 

[Nightman]

It’s quiet up in this camp, now!