The59Sound Posted December 22, 2018 Share Posted December 22, 2018 Besides Rotosound and Newtone, people often forget about Picato who also make some great strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted December 22, 2018 Share Posted December 22, 2018 (edited) On 21/12/2018 at 07:58, police squad said: Does anyone remember Rotosound Spacer strings? roundwound and black coated? used them a lot in the early 90s but I don't remember what they were like, they looked cool I had them on a bass when I was about 16 or 17 so that would have been around 1991ish. The black coating came off very quickly so they ended up looking patchy and grey. I also remember them being rough as toast Being still at school and only making paperboy wages I had to keep them on for ages until I could afford another set Edited December 22, 2018 by Delberthot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted December 22, 2018 Share Posted December 22, 2018 DR Sunbeams. Peachy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted December 22, 2018 Share Posted December 22, 2018 43 minutes ago, fleabag said: DR Sunbeams. Peachy Yep. I also like the Marcus Miller Fatbeams. Nicely balanced but really punchy sounding. And they last quite well, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted December 22, 2018 Share Posted December 22, 2018 I find Rotosounds quite rough feeling. Also, they don’t seem to last very long, the zing disappears quite quickly. I use d’addarios almost exclusively. Although I do have Fender flats on one bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Posted December 23, 2018 Share Posted December 23, 2018 Been using Rotosound RS66s since 1976, tried one or two others from time to time but I've always gone back with the exception of a set of EB cobalt flats on a Tbird but that isn't a bass I play often Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHUFC BASS Posted December 23, 2018 Author Share Posted December 23, 2018 I managed to get a set of Rotosound R66 Swing Bass strings and put them on the Spector. A few initial observations: 1. Noticaibly less zingy than D'addarios which I'm not sure is a good or bad thing at the moment. Usually with brand new strings (especially the DR Hi-Beams) there's a little too much zing for my liking. 2. Slightly rougher feeling than other D'addarios although not to the point that they're uncomfortable. I don't know if this is going to have an effect on the frets long-term but I'd be surprised if they did. 3. Quite aggressive and "big" sounding without too many overtones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted December 23, 2018 Share Posted December 23, 2018 On 22/12/2018 at 16:56, Marvin said: I find Rotosounds quite rough feeling. Also, they don’t seem to last very long, the zing disappears quite quickly. I love that rough feeling. I’m not generally that keen on smooth feeling strings, one of the things I hate about flats. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted December 23, 2018 Share Posted December 23, 2018 4 hours ago, WHUFC BASS said: 3. Quite aggressive and "big" sounding. That’s what I love about them. As a very light player I need all the help I can get.😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Seager Posted December 24, 2018 Share Posted December 24, 2018 I have used D'Addario for years and never saw reason to change until a tousled hair Orang Utan started making noises in Washington. Shortly after I swore, no more American goods ... not an easy decision because there is so much quality and innovation. I strung my 2nd bass with Rotosound Swings and my first reaction was why did I ever change? Very good. For no reason than fun, my 2nd bass has become my 1st and the strings have been on it for 10 months and still sound fine (I'm not a brightness fan). I'm going to try the nickel set next but no more D'Addario for at least the next few years! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolverinebass Posted December 24, 2018 Share Posted December 24, 2018 I generally find out what strings work for whatever bass I have a mind to use. A while back, I was exclusively using my Wal and was using D'Addarrio pro steels. When they went off, I took out a set of roto66 swing bass. After putting them on I played them for maybe 10 minutes and took them off. Awful. They'd already started going off after 10 minutes and had none of the complex, rich harmonics and overtones which I want. Just not as alive as you would expect straight out of the packet. Maybe I got a bad set, who knows. Ironically, the nickel rounds were great on my Wal, and I use steel rounds on my 8 string which work very well. DR blues turned out to be the sound of me and my Wal in the end. I hasten to say, when the octave G on my 8 string set snapped whilst I was putting it on (I'd only got to C# whilst tuning up) Jason sent me 2 the next day. Customer service and then some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herman Posted December 24, 2018 Share Posted December 24, 2018 On 19/12/2018 at 14:11, stingrayPete1977 said: I've found them consistent for years, one gig, dead. +1 to that !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted December 24, 2018 Share Posted December 24, 2018 I bought some roto 66 nickels the other week when I wanted some 40-100 for my jazz. I used to use them all the time when I was about 20/21. I have to say I’m disappointed, they’re just duff strings. I need to restring all 6 (soon to be 7) basses with the same sets soon. Where do I get good bulk discount? Might have to get in touch with my mate who has d’addario strings in his shop. NYXL’s bit of a treat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smythe Posted December 29, 2018 Share Posted December 29, 2018 (edited) I put a set of Rotosound 40-100 nickels on my Maruszczyk Elwood. They were nothing amazing. Very high tension for 40-100 probably the same as a standard set of 45-105 strings. I had them on my bass for six months so they didn't owe me anything once they were done. The problem arose when it came to changing the strings out. The fretwear presented to me was on par with what my 14year Lakland has that has only ever worn Prosteel and Elixir SS strings it's whole life! This is from 6months usage of the nickel set! I can't imagine how bad itd be from using Rotos flag ship Steel strings! Edited December 29, 2018 by Smythe Grammar/ spelling 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted December 29, 2018 Share Posted December 29, 2018 7 minutes ago, Smythe said: ...The fretwear presented to me was on par with what my 14year Lakland has that has only ever worn Prosteel and Elixir SS strings it's whole life!... This ^^ could also be explained by difference in fret material, perhaps..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The59Sound Posted December 29, 2018 Share Posted December 29, 2018 Nickel strings having fretwear that bad? I'm sorry, but you either have frets made of cheese or an iron like grip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHUFC BASS Posted December 29, 2018 Author Share Posted December 29, 2018 Hmmm .... Did a full set back to back with self practising today (around 3 hours playing) and really noticed the rough feeling of the strings which after a while began to affect my concentration. Not had that before on any other set of strings I've used. Surprises me Rotosound haven't addressed this issue, simply by comparing with other sets of strings from different manufacturers. Also noticing they're starting to sound a lot more dull in a comparatively short space of time. I really want to like Rotosound but they're making it difficult at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The59Sound Posted December 29, 2018 Share Posted December 29, 2018 That's the curse of Rotos - their peak sound lasts not long at all but when they are there, nothing beats them. Try the nickels for a similar flavour or DR SS Lo Riders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smythe Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 (edited) On 29/12/2018 at 11:08, Dad3353 said: This ^^ could also be explained by difference in fret material, perhaps..? Same material. Nickel frets on both. The Elwood had Dunlop Super bright Steels on pretty much from when I bought it 8 months prior to installing the Roto RB40's with tiniest signs of fret wear underneath from the Super Bright Steels. The Roto's caused significantly more wear in their time scale on the bass (around 6 months) . Fortunately, the frets don't require a dress yet, they just have slight flattening of the crowns where the strings go over them. Edited December 31, 2018 by Smythe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The59Sound Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 Roto RBs aren't even known for damaging frets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smythe Posted January 1, 2019 Share Posted January 1, 2019 On 31/12/2018 at 09:51, The59Sound said: Roto RBs aren't even known for damaging frets? They certainly are now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The59Sound Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 Hmmm, I've used them on and off for ten years without any issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubit Posted January 21, 2019 Share Posted January 21, 2019 I can only use stainless steel strings, as I suffer from an allergy to nickel. It's not a bother though, as I prefer the bright sound of steels. I always used to use Elites, but they became so expensive that I changed to Rotosound 66's. If I'm feeling really skint, I will buy Coban stainless strings £ 5.99 a pack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubit Posted January 21, 2019 Share Posted January 21, 2019 Just to add, the swing bass 66’s are my favourite option Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdowner Posted January 21, 2019 Share Posted January 21, 2019 Quote Rotosound 77's - they're my 'go to' strings. I keep going back to them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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