Roscoe questions and advise?

[Thumper]

Most do seem to favor the Century, however, for aesthetic reasons I prefer the SKBs. IMO the dimensions seem to come together in a more pleasing way. Having gigged SKBs, I haven't noticed any balance issues. My current SKB has slanted PUPs and is the best sounding of the 5 Roscoe's I've owned.

 

[AndyW83]

Does anyone have an skb and a century they can post pics of side by side? I know its a long shot but worth asking. I am defintely going with one of these two. Also, ive always played a 34' scale but im looking forward to the 35" for a little more tension on that B string. Does it take a lot of getting used to?

 

[KJung]

Does anyone have an skb and a century they can post pics of side by side? I know its a long shot but worth asking. I am defintely going with one of these two. Also, ive always played a 34' scale but im looking forward to the 35" for a little more tension on that B string. Does it take a lot of getting used to?

IMO and IME, no. That is a very slight increase in the length of the fretboard, and when you divide that one inch over all those frets, for most, it is trivial.

Also, the impact on the B string is pretty minimal also, as the stiffness of the neck (which is WONDERFUL on the Roscoe's), and pickup voicing and position (those big, warm, fat soaps sitting close to the bridge) has as much to do with the 'feel' of the B string as the scale length. The Roscoe B string is just stunning IMO and IME.

It will allow you to use a slightly lower gauge of B string (I use a 125 on mine) and keep the same tension as a slightly larger gauge (128 or whatever) on a 34" instrument, which is cool, since the lower you keep the gauge of the B, the less issues with intonation and overtones and all kinds of stuff.

If you are coming from a more classic instrument, the biggest difference IMO will be the 24 fret neck and the way first position is placed (a bit more to the left of your body), which kind of moves everything a bit, the relatively narrow 18.3mm bridge spacing versus the more typical 19mm (5 string), and the super thin (front to back) neck format. It really does feel like a 'race car' compared to the typical J or P styled neck.

Hopefully, someone will post up a pic of those two body styles side-by-side for you. That will really give you a feel of size, aesthetics and where that top horn sits!

 

[AndyW83]

Your talking about the Bartolini Soapbars? Is that the standard pickups they put in the SKB and LG? I think gard said something that Bartolini makes pickups JUST for these basses. Do you like the soaps better?

 

[KJung]

Your talking about the Bartolini Soapbars? Is that the standard pickups they put in the SKB and LG? I think gard said something that Bartolini makes pickups JUST for these basses. Do you like the soaps better?

Best to talk directly with Gard about that. The 'stock' pickups in the Roscoe line (maybe, 'classic' is a better term, since they also now carry the full line of Aguilar pickups as options) are Bartolini soaps. In the 'lower end' models, they are stock Bart soaps (CS or whatever they are called). In the higher end models, those Bart Soaps are tweaked a bit for Roscoe (more mid response from what I've been told... never directly A/B'd them side by side). More similar than different I would guess.

So, the classic Roscoe tone that has been around for years and years is IMO and IME driven by a combination of unique pickup placement (both soaps closer to the bridge than the classic 'J' placement), and the mid present warm, fat, upper midrange smooth and upper treble ping voicing of the Bart Soaps in one form or the other.

You now, however, have the option of different pickups (J, P. Aguilar soaps, and Bart or Seymour MM), in 'classic' pickup positions or unique ones (e.g., that dual J Bart pickups stacked very close to the bridge to give you the mega burp, or a PJ configuration, or an MM configuration in MM pickup positionl or a J/MM, etc.).

However, the traditional Roscoe tonality is IMO those Bart soaps in the 'Roscoe pickup position'. That is what I went with, since I wanted a 'classic Roscoe' tone.

Nice that they provide all these options for those who want the look and playability of a Roscoe, but with a more 'traditional' tonal profile.

All good stuff!

Edit: One more decision also! The 'classic' Roscoe tone is not only driven by the Bart Soaps in Roscoe position, but also the Bart three band preamp that they have used for years. You now have the option of an Aguilar OB3 or OB1, with any pickup combination for a bit different tonality, which I will let others with more experience with those different pre's in the Roscoe comment on.

 

[AndyW83]

Im gonna stick with the barts all the way around... they're phenomenal IMO

 

[KJung]

Im gonna stick with the barts all the way around... they're phenomenal IMO

I dig them also for what they are. I have a P Bass for the 'upper midrange grind' that the Barts won't do. For fat, clean, punchy tone with a nice upper treble extension that isn't harsh, the Barts are great, and that Roscoe pickup location (somewhat similar to the Sadowsky Modern and Ken Smith basses, which also stack big soaps close together and close to the bridge) really makes the notes jump... lots of 'space between the notes' with this design (articulate and precise, with a very 'playable' B string IMO).

 

[AndyW83]

The wood, top, stain, fretboards, and pickups I all have fuigured out. Its the darn body shape thats holding me up!

 

[bass12]

I tried some Centuries at a shop not too long ago. I really don't like the look of the other models but I really like the Centuries. I was really impressed with the playability and sound of the Roscoes. The only thing that surprised me in a negative way was the gaps between the neck and edges of the neck pocket on both sides (and this was on at least three of the Roscoes I looked at).

 

[Freddels]

Does anyone have an skb and a century they can post pics of side by side?

There used to be pics of them side by side in the old Roscoe Forum (which is read only now) but all the pics are gone from that forum.

 

[KJung]

I tried some Centuries at a shop not too long ago. I really don't like the look of the other models but I really like the Centuries. I was really impressed with the playability and sound of the Roscoes. The only thing that surprised me in a negative way was the gaps between the neck and edges of the neck pocket on both sides (and this was on at least three of the Roscoes I looked at).

Interesting in that the neck pockets on the 6 or 7 I've played over the years have been absolutely tight (I mean, almost like a neck through tight). Roscoe's are actually known for that.

 

[Gard]

I tried some Centuries at a shop not too long ago. I really don't like the look of the other models but I really like the Centuries. I was really impressed with the playability and sound of the Roscoes. The only thing that surprised me in a negative way was the gaps between the neck and edges of the neck pocket on both sides (and this was on at least three of the Roscoes I looked at).

?????

Were these all Custom or Signature models? If so, that would explain the "gap" you think you see.

The edge of the neck pocket is rounded over slightly at the very top, unlike a Fender-style neck pocket that is a sharp corner. I can tell you from direct contact with each and every bass that ships, there are no "gaps" in our neck pockets.

 

[KJung]

?????

Were these all Custom or Signature models? If so, that would explain the "gap" you think you see.

The edge of the neck pocket is rounded over slightly at the very top, unlike a Fender-style neck pocket that is a sharp corner. I can tell you from direct contact with each and every bass that ships, there are no "gaps" in our neck pockets.

Ah, that is probably what he is talking about. I did a quick double take on my Signature neck pocket when I first got mine for the reason you mention. You couldn't get a piece of paper into that gap.

Almost perfect woodwork on these.

Hey Gard, do you have a shop picture laying around for the OP with the bodies of the different bodies right next to one another, like my J/Century picture?

 

[bass12]

?????

Were these all Custom or Signature models? If so, that would explain the "gap" you think you see.

The edge of the neck pocket is rounded over slightly at the very top, unlike a Fender-style neck pocket that is a sharp corner. I can tell you from direct contact with each and every bass that ships, there are no "gaps" in our neck pockets.

These were Customs at Club Bass in Toronto. I'm used to the rounded tops on MTDs but the Roscoes struck me as having obvious gaps. But I won't insist as I don't have the basses here in front of me to verify this. Maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me as you've suggested. Regardless, I figure a Century will be in the cards for me at some point in the future.

 

[JohnnyR]

I've owned LGs, SKBs and Centuries. IMO the body style alone is strictly a matter of personal preference. I've never had an issue with any Roscoe I've played.

Gard will help you tailor your selections to you personal taste and the tone you're targeting. He's a patient guy (he survived my Century Custom build) and the whole crew will bend over backwards to make sure you're happy.

You're right, a new build is not inexpensive. But, I'd put the materials, workmanship, look, feel and sound from my new Century Custom up against anything costing 2 to 3 times what I paid. You can pay much more, but you won't get any better (as long as you get black hardware).

I spent a few years in the "previously owned" market before getting my personal Century Custom because that made me more comfortable, but if you're sure go for it.

If you feel comfortable with the SKB, go for it because they are all good (as long as they have black hardware).

 

[Gard]

These were Customs at Club Bass in Toronto. I'm used to the rounded tops on MTDs but the Roscoes struck me as having obvious gaps. But I won't insist as I don't have the basses here in front of me to verify this. Maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me as you've suggested. Regardless, I figure a Century will be in the cards for me at some point in the future.

I'm very familiar with Mike's basses (sold them for a long time at Bass Central, and am friends with him personally), his neck pocket has a "hard corner" instead of our more rounded edge, so a cursory visual comparison would possibly lead one to thinking there was a gap where one did not exist.

Ken, we had a good photo of the three bodies superimposed over each other, but I can't seem to find it now...I'll keep searching and post it if/when I do track it down.

 

[KJung]

Ken, we had a good photo of the three bodies superimposed over each other, but I can't seem to find it now...I'll keep searching and post it if/when I do track it down.

I actually think a 'side by side' would give the OP the info he's looking for (similar to my J/Century picture. I assume someone has one who owns both models.

 

[jim777]

However, be advised, per that link:

NOTICE!! - THE BENSALEM, PA STORE IS NOW CLOSED! - BASS SPECIALTIES WILL CONTINUE AS AN ON-LINE ENTITY

The site, which has not been updated for a while, does show 'By Appointment Only' at a Langhorne location. It does show some Roscoes 'in stock' but that was a while ago.

Could well still be worth a trip, but make your arrangements first.

You probably won't find any Roscoe haters in this thread ;-) There's a lot of Roscoe information in the two Roscoe Club threads, as well as the (now closed but available for viewing) Roscoe Forum.

I love mine and I haven't even had it that long. (SKB).

Oh, that's both a surprise and waaay too bad! They were a small shop that had absolutely fantastic instruments, much better selection than almost anyplace I can think of, including ALL the stores in Manhattan

 

[Freddels]

Here's a side by side pic. Post #21 in this thread.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f192/roscoe-pictures-roscoe-forum-625287/

 

[SteveC]

I've tried a couple SKB's and I didn't care for the shorter horns. Felt like it was slipping off my lap when I was sitting down. I love the Century body. My favorite Roscoes have been Century bodies. That's just me.

There are a bunch or really nice used Roscoe basses for sale right now and you can save some bucks. But if you know what you want, go for it. I have been through a couple builds with them and they are very patient and helpful.