Am I imagining things? rotosound steels

Ripper75 · #1 08-25-2005, 05:47 AM

ok, I put on a set of steel rotosounds on and having a hard time moving around. it's like my fingers are stuck to the strings, they are so rough and raw. does anyone else have this problem. maybe i just need to build more callus. what is a good smooth string that has balls to it?

JimmyM · #2 08-25-2005, 06:16 AM

I feel the same way about stainless steel strings. I use D'addario XL nickels, but any nickel roundwound will be smoother.

Ripper75 · #3 08-25-2005, 06:18 AM

what about fender super nickelplated steels? are they smooth?

TechZilla · #4 08-25-2005, 10:04 AM

Give the rotos a chance, after they get a little "broken in" most of that rough edge feel will start to go away. I've noticed this on most stainless steel strings but rotosounds seem the stickiest by far.

**bassybill** · #5 08-25-2005, 10:52 AM

Just a question of what you're used to, I guess. I find Rotosounds pretty comfy to play myself, but then again I've been using them a long time and I confess to being a big fan. If you want "balls" from your strings, persevere with the Rotosounds, they are worth it.

EricTheEZ1 · #6 08-25-2005, 11:45 AM

Not all steels are like that. I found rotos to be SO raw that they hurt my already callused fingers and impeded my playing. I now use DRs exclusively. You should really look into some Hi-Beams, Fat Beam, or Lo-Riders; depending on exactly what sound you're looking for.

They're a lot easier on the fingers than Rotos, for sure.

jbennardo · #7 08-25-2005, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricTheEZ1

Not all steels are like that. I found rotos to be SO raw that they hurt my already callused fingers and impeded my playing. I now use DRs exclusively. You should really look into some Hi-Beams, Fat Beam, or Lo-Riders; depending on exactly what sound you're looking for.

They're a lot easier on the fingers than Rotos, for sure.

I totally agree. I played nickels exclusively for years because most steels were so rough. DR's really are a nice bright string that doesn't saw your fingers off. My problem wasn't so much my skin, I just felt like I stuck to them too much.

Very happy with DR's. Wouldn't have found them if it wasn't for this board!

elwood · #8 08-25-2005, 12:45 PM

Rotos are the roughest string I've ever felt, for sure. But they really sound great. Too bad I can't go hang with the feel.

dave120 · #9 08-26-2005, 06:03 AM

I tried Roto steels a while back...REALLY rough on the fingers for sure. Not quite as bad once they're broken in, but I much prefer their nickelwound version. Easier on the fingers/frets and just slightly less bright which is the sound I like. Harder to find though, I usually have to order them online.

Ripper75 · #10 08-26-2005, 06:58 AM

Besides my fingers sticking to them like flypaper, the stiffness of the steels bothers me. I like a flexible string, something that gives and feels fluid when I play. Anyone know a good flexible string that has bottom end and brightness? I ordered some Fender super 8250's so I can string thru body, but not sure if they will be flexible enuff for me. The more you play, do strings get more flexible? I took those rotosteels off and put some old strings on and it was like butter. Also raised the action a bit because of some flat notes I was getting. This is a new guitar and still trying to get it right.

bigcatJC · #11 08-27-2005, 11:18 PM

I'm going through the same thing, but from a different perspective. After years of trying coated (Elixers) and nickle (Thomastik, etc) strings, I've returned to my first love - Rotosound steel. My last set was the Thomastik jazz round - round core, flexable, easy on the fingers, very smooth. Excellent strings. But I was in a music store yesterday and thought "What if..."

Now I'm so thrilled with with the sound of Rotos, I'm willing to deal with the chewed-up fingers (And yes, they hurt like a %&#% for the first half hour)! You forget how bright they really are after using something else for a while. I play a Moses-necked fretless, btw, so I don't worry so much about wear and tear on the bass itself.