Am I the only one? Rotosound Content

testing1two · #1 11-30-2009, 01:15 AM

So many of my bass heroes have played Rotosounds over the years and every so often I pick up a set of 66's to put on my jazz bass in hopes of some nostalgic inspiration. Today was one of those days. In years past I've had issues with dead Rotosound strings and poor longevity but the thing that has always struck me is how rough they feel under my fingers. I've heard numerous good reports about the improvement in overall quality of Rotosound strings, but am I the only one who still thinks they feel absolutely terrible under the fingers? My basses are typically strung with either Sadowsky steels, DR Fat Beams, or Ken Smith steels, all of which have a more pleasing feel right out of the package compared to the Rotosounds.

Any Rotosound die hards out there care to comment? Am I missing something? More importantly, how/why do you put up with it?

Fine Cut · #2 11-30-2009, 09:02 AM

i've had Rotosound 40-95's on my OLP for about 2 months, and i'm loving them so far. they're still very bright and snappy. as far as the feel, i love the grip. helps with tactile feel, so i have a better idea of where on my finger the string is.

babaseen · #3 11-30-2009, 09:20 AM

I actually love the rough feel of the 66s and of course, the tone (can't find another string that comes close).

As said at the end of Helter Skelter, "I got blisters on me fingers!"

...and if they change the 66s in anyway including the course feel, they have lost me as a customer. I kinda see this course feel thing as a way to keep the lightweights from encroaching on this genre of tonal bliss.

Double Agent · #4 11-30-2009, 09:33 AM

Yeah, I actually like the sound of Roto 66s the few times I used them, but they feel just way too rough for me to use them consistently and they always died very quickly. I found the perfect string (for me) with DR Lo-Riders. They are more comfy on the picking fingers than any other SS string I've ever used, they have a nice, aggressive sound, and they last 3-6 months per set. Before I found Lo-Riders, I changed my strings about once every 3-6 weeks, but the DRs last a lot longer IME and they sound great. I still like the tone of Rotos, but they are not the string for me.

**pacojas** · #5 11-30-2009, 09:38 AM

just put roto's on my fretless for the 1st time!!! omg,.. so much better sounding than stock fender strings. i've tried all the different brands but get the best response from roto's. best sound ever came from a set of HEAVY guage that bloodied my fingers at a show so i had to yank 'em! dumb idea for a beginner over 20years ago.

eddievanbassman · #6 11-30-2009, 09:40 AM

My fingers are so used to them and anyway I love the feel. I couldn't see myself playing any other strings I just love Rotosounds everything about them.

debassr · #7 11-30-2009, 09:41 AM

Ya, Rotos are known to eat fingers. I like the tone but man, it's like playing on a bass strung up with chainsaw chains.

Muyy · #8 11-30-2009, 09:46 AM

I love them, I dont mind the roughness, you get used to it pretty fast.

Deep · #9 11-30-2009, 02:08 PM

How do you guys find the Rotos on your frets? I used to use them back in the 70's and didn't notice any fret wear like many bassists would talk about and I was gigging constantly back then. Been using DR Low-Riders and they have similar characteristics except they have a more polished feel to them even though they are tactile.....which I like.

salman · #10 11-30-2009, 02:19 PM

I've come full circle, started on the steel rotos, swapped out several times over the past year, trying different brands even though my strings were still good. I'm back on the rotos again. Though this time I installed the nickel plated 45-105's. Not quite as rough as the 100% steel but still sound pretty good

ReillyReilly · #11 11-30-2009, 04:57 PM

They are what I use on my 4 strings. I love them. I love their tone and feel. They ARE rougher, and make more noise when you slide across them, but in learning to prevent this noise, I have become better for it. It should really be a non-issue.

When they die, they DIE. That is a downside, but I wouldn't say their longevity is SHORT, just not as long as others. But totally worth it in my opinion. They just sound so crisp. Clean. Sharp - but bassy. Enough boom for the voom.

EagleMoon · #12 11-30-2009, 05:05 PM

I can't really stand them. Don't care for the feel or the tone. Give me DR's anyday.

Meatrus · #13 12-01-2009, 06:11 AM

Play them long enough and the tips of your fingers will go like plastic, then its no longer a problem!

. I dont really mind what strings feel like, I just care about the sound, and to be honest I have never noticed the feel affect my playing.

basspro · #14 12-01-2009, 08:45 AM

I use to string up my old Fenders with rotos, they are a finger toughener for sure,
but add alot of zing and crispness to the notes.
Plus the old strings make for a great cutting tool. Lol

jgroh · #15 12-01-2009, 08:49 AM

I used Rotos for years, however, I used a pick and they never bothered my fretting fingers. Now that I play mostly with my fingers, I hate them. My right hand fingers get "stuck" on them alot. Ive moved on to DR HiBeams.

squashedOpossum · #16 12-01-2009, 08:57 AM

Nothing like the sound of stainless steel Roto66's on a Jazz! Unmistakable growl. And I agree with the statements above: they make you a better player trying to avoid the finger noise and they toughen up your fingers. Real men use Rotos!

SquierBender · #17 12-01-2009, 12:14 PM

Rotosounds do feel rougher to me, And they dont last very long for me either. Thats why I changed to DR Lo Riders.

mcapote · #18 12-01-2009, 12:45 PM

Im using 77s on one of my basses no complaints, never used 66es so i cant say as to that.

**bassybill** · #19 12-01-2009, 12:53 PM

I occasionally try other strings, but usually end up going back to Rotos, which I've been using for over 30 years now.

Differences between string brands in terms of feel, tone and longevity definitely exist, but seem pretty small in my experience. Maybe I just don't have very sensitive finger tips! Most steel roundwounds are roughish, have that great zing for a relatively short while and then settle down to useable-but no-longer-brand-new until it's time to change them. Like I said, there are differences (I quite like the DRs) but they're not that huge, imo.

Over here in the UK, Rotos are more reasonably priced than some other brands of strings and that could have a lot to do with my choices.

I really like the Solo bass pressure wounds that I put on my fretless, by the way. Maybe a little smoother, and they still sound close to true roundwounds tonewise. They're lasting quite well, too. I also liked the Dean Markley Fretmaster strings that I tried a while back, but they're goshdarned pricey over here.

Meatrus · #20 12-01-2009, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

Differences between string brands in terms of feel, tone and longevity definitely exist, but seem pretty small in my experience. Maybe I just don't have very sensitive finger tips! Most steel roundwounds are roughish, have that great zing for a relatively short while and then settle down to useable-but no-longer-brand-new until it's time to change them. Like I said, there are differences (I quite like the DRs) but they're not that huge, imo.

Over here in the UK, Rotos are more reasonably priced than some other brands of strings and that could have a lot to do with my choices.

+1, thats how I feel. The going dead thing is a bit of a myth, I have never tried an uncoated (or a coated one which sounds nice) string which stays sounding exactly the same from the first hour to over 2 weeks.

I have seen High beams recommended as an alternative but they arent even close to my ears, they also cost around double here. So if you want the Roto sound you gotta have the Roto strings....sorry, that was cheesey.

And the roughness is down to the player, it may annoy people, and others may not be bothered. One of the reasons so many brands can exist.