Anything similar to Rotosounds but longer?

[RavCat]

First of all, I apologise for starting another "what strings do I need" thread.

For a few years, I've been playing Rotosound Swing bass (stainless steel), and have loved the metallic "zing" they have when new. Recently, I've booght a 5 string, 35" scale Warwick Streamer and the Rotos aren't long enough the long scale length (the red silk goes across the nut).

I bought some D'Addario Protseels, since I've read on this forum that they're similar to the Rotos, but they're not long enough either. My supplier says I'll have to wait 2 months to get the extra long scale strings in I've got bad RSI in my popping finger, so I can't comfortably play anything remotely heavy.

Is there anything out there that:

• is at least 38" from ballend to nut
• can be found in 035s
• has that Rotosound metallic "zing"

I know it's a tall order, but I'm really stumped in this one

Thanks in advance...

[cdb]

Originally Posted by RavCat

First of all, I apologise for starting another "what strings do I need" thread.

For a few years, I've been playing Rotosound Swing bass (stainless steel), and have loved the metallic "zing" they have when new. Recently, I've booght a 5 string, 35" scale Warwick Streamer and the Rotos aren't long enough the long scale length (the red silk goes across the nut).

I bought some D'Addario Protseels, since I've read on this forum that they're similar to the Rotos, but they're not long enough either. My supplier says I'll have to wait 2 months to get the extra long scale strings in I've got bad RSI in my popping finger, so I can't comfortably play anything remotely heavy.

Is there anything out there that:

• is at least 38" from ballend to nut
• can be found in 035s
• has that Rotosound metallic "zing"

I know it's a tall order, but I'm really stumped in this one

Thanks in advance...

I take an exacto knife to the B and cut the red silk off. That is the only one that doesn't seem to be long enough on my 35". If you aren't willing to do that, try ken smith strings -- very similar in sound and feel to rotos.

[Fuzzbass]

Rotosound makes the RS-66 set in Extra Long scale:

http://www.juststrings.com/rts-rs665el.html

[RavCat]

Thanks Fuzzbass, but they only come in 045 gauge.

cdb, that's an idea I've been toying with, although I'd have to remove the silk from all of my strings. Even then, I think the taper may actually be on the nut, so I guess it's not ideal. Out of interest, does the silk remove cleanly, or does it leave loads of fluffy red bits that are impossible to get off?

[fretless Bob]

you can order D'Addario's super longs at www.stringdirect.co.uk and they turn up within two or three days, if not you should try some DR lo riders, real nice strings and they are 38" long, i emailed them and asked a while ago for a 36" scale bass that i am now selling.


Dave

[cdb]

Originally Posted by RavCat

Thanks Fuzzbass, but they only come in 045 gauge.

cdb, that's an idea I've been toying with, although I'd have to remove the silk from all of my strings. Even then, I think the taper may actually be on the nut, so I guess it's not ideal. Out of interest, does the silk remove cleanly, or does it leave loads of fluffy red bits that are impossible to get off?

It leaves some fluffy red tufts, but they are easy to scrape away with the knife. I only had to remove a bit of red silk that was the width of the nut.

[RavCat]

Originally Posted by fretless Bob

you can order D'Addario's super longs at www.stringdirect.co.uk and they turn up within two or three days, if not you should try some DR lo riders, real nice strings and they are 38" long, i emailed them and asked a while ago for a 36" scale bass that i am now selling.

Cheers, but unfortunately, they don't do the extra long in a 035 gauge as standard, and it was in fact StringsDirect.co.uk who told me it'd be 2 months to get the singles in (don't get me wrong, I don't want to sound like I'm bad-mouthing StringsDirect - I've used them for many years and they're a fantastic supplier).

I was using DRs before, and they seemed very heavy because I was using a 040 set - they don't seem to manufacture as low as 035, and it does actually make a lot of difference IMO.

[fretless Bob]

oh well im sorry to give you the info you already knew, i really have any other recomendations, but if Mike flynn chimes in he might have some suggestions as he uses 30 - 90 on his four and i think 30-120 on his 5 so hed have some info for you


Dave