Best strings out there...thus far...

jcalo · #1 03-23-2008, 07:02 PM

I've been playing bass for over 40 years, playing in Rock, R&B, Country, Jazz, Blues, etc., and have tried just about every string that I could get my hands on. Currently playing in a jazz/blues/rock trio on a circa 1970 P Bass. I personally think the Rotosound Swing Bass 66 are the best, most versatile string I've ever used. Any players out there who have used these strings and have moved on to something better? I am certainly open to suggestions...

BillytheBassist · #2 03-23-2008, 07:20 PM

Used to use them........ they are good strings for a particular tone. I guess every string is good for a particular tone depending on the player..... if they work for you then i say stick with em. I moved on to DR sunbeam lites and will never turn back.

Hollow · #3 03-23-2008, 07:24 PM

mmmm i like elixirs. I like the sound and they last long as hell.

capnsandwich · #4 03-23-2008, 07:36 PM

I've since switched to DR and then have been a Sadowsky string lover for the last 2 years. I even love the new Blue Label that just came out. Black labels are good too. Sadowsky stainless steels to be exact.

Parabolic Box · #5 03-23-2008, 07:39 PM

I tried Swing 66's once. They were all right... for a few days.

Right now, I use DR's.

santucci218 · #6 03-23-2008, 07:47 PM

i use D'Addario Nickel wounds .110 - .055

i dig em a ton and they are so darn cheap!

andrew_over · #7 03-23-2008, 07:50 PM

Blake Bass · #8 03-23-2008, 07:55 PM

I used Roto Sounds back in the 80's but have since moved on to D'Addario Nickels ..I'll never go back to Rotosound they are too bright and they feel too rough for me.

ljazz · #9 03-24-2008, 05:29 AM

I think the DR SS LowRiders are a great option for the long time Rotosound Swing Bass 66 user. They have a bit of a darker character to them, which I dig. They also last a heck of a lot longer.

I've since moved away from stainless, as I hate what they are doing to my Jazz Bass frets, and I'm now on the hunt for the perfect nickel wound.

Ljazz

James Hart · #10 03-24-2008, 06:03 AM

I gave up on Rotosounds in the late 80s.

Strings like Rotosounds that I like better....

Ken Smith Slapmasters
D'Addario Pro Steels
SIT Rock Bright Steels

and my favorite Stainless rounds (on 3 of my 4 basses)

LaBella Hard Rockin' Steels

**KJung** · #11 03-24-2008, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcalo

I've been playing bass for over 40 years, playing in Rock, R&B, Country, Jazz, Blues, etc., and have tried just about every string that I could get my hands on. Currently playing in a jazz/blues/rock trio on a circa 1970 P Bass. I personally think the Rotosound Swing Bass 66 are the best, most versatile string I've ever used. Any players out there who have used these strings and have moved on to something better? I am certainly open to suggestions...

Those are classic strings. If you like that tone, and want something that will keep it's brightness over a longer period of time, the DR Lo Riders are pretty cool. They are tighter tension and have more going on in the upper mids than the wonderful DR Hi Beams. They aren't quite as aggressive as the Rotosounds 66's, but they are in that same general tone area and feel, and they last much longer for me than the Rotosounds.

I used them on a passive J instrument I had for a while, on which I wanted a more grindy aggressive 'rock' tone than my typical 'pop/funk' sort of voicing I get with the Hi Beams on my active J's.

They might be worth a try, and they sell for less than the 66's.

IMO.

fuNKmaster83 · #12 03-24-2008, 07:00 AM

i have tried all the brands of strings there are!!! for me the best brands where DR and Pyramid... since DR are hard to come by in my country(they run out of them faster then they stock them) i now use pyramid!!!
there simply isn't any other brand of strings that has such quality/durability/playability... and all other factors that make a great string!!!

the second best to these two are Ernie ball and VINCI

the best bang for the buck compromise is martin Co. DARCO strings!!!

other string brands just don't have the stuff to be on my basses!!! the worst i have tried must be fodera... they are the **** of strings

SLaPiNFuNK · #13 03-24-2008, 01:57 PM

ken smith rock masters FTW

jcalo · #14 03-24-2008, 10:03 PM

Thanks a heap. I just restrung my bass this evening with DR low riders and I really love them. Thanks for the suggestion. I may never go back to Rotosounds again.

jsingles · #15 03-24-2008, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollow

mmmm i like elixirs. I like the sound and they last long as hell.

+1, the way the feel has alot to do with it too for me

doktorfeelgood · #16 03-24-2008, 10:18 PM

I use D'Addario EXL's exclusively now for about 8 years. I was a huge fan of the Slowound series but they discontinued them awhile back, much to my dismay. But they supposedly took the technology they developed to make the Slowounds and started using it for their EXL Nickel Plated roundwound series and the EXL's are great strings. They are extremely consistant with good fat bass, great mids, and good highs. They are sealed in a plastic bag inside the outer cardboard package so they are factory fresh when you buy them. And they are pretty inexpensive as well. How can you beat that? I tried those Roto's only once and could never figure out why so many people were crazy over them. They are way too rough on fingers and frets and they don't last that long. I guess that it all comes down to personal preference. But try a set of the D'Addario EXL 165's (.45-.105) or 170's (.45-.100) and you will definitely feel and hear a difference. You may like it and you may not. But you'll never know until you try. )-(

4-string · #17 03-25-2008, 10:02 AM

Elites - far more consistant than Rotos IME, and lasts a long, long time.

Also, great value. Highly recommended.

Luckydog · #18 03-26-2008, 12:05 PM

After hundreds down the drain, I've settle on Labella HRS for rounds and Sadowsky for flats.

uatubassist001 · #19 03-26-2008, 12:25 PM

Honestly, and some of you may laugh about this, but the best string I've ever played are the Dean Markley Randy Jackson signatures with the gold wrap. I didn't want to buy them, and had an argument with the guy at GC about getting them, and then was offered a full refund if I didn't like them. I couldn't refuse, and they have been a wonderful set of strings so far.

Before I started using the Randy Jackson signatures, I was a big fan of either DR Hi-beams or the Marcus Miller Fat-beams. Both really great strings that I never had problems with.

James Hart · #20 03-26-2008, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luckydog

After hundreds down the drain, I've settle on Labella HRS for rounds and Sadowsky for flats.

I've not tried the Sadowsky flats... but my LaBella flats need another 3 to 5 years of testing before I switch them. They are just starting to get broken in now