Considering Roto 66? My recent experience with them

Norwoodrules · #1 12-20-2010, 09:41 AM

I fell in love with my Geddy Lee jazz bass on Friday and I blame my new Roto 66 stainless steel bass strings.

had a show and needed to restring.

Opted for roto 66 because I had tried several others and wanted to keep searching.

My tone was awesome. and accurate. the strings seemed to bite just a little harder into the fret or something. It provided for a very nice separation between the notes and a great feeling of accuracy where finger meets fret board.

Signal path was finger style perfection punk with a hint of Steve Harris, some aggressive slap, one song with pick > roto 66 45-105 > Geddy Jazz bass > Planet waves tuner ( wall wart) > wounded paw attack goat (battery) > VT Bass (wall wart) Little Mark II > ampeg 8x10.

When i got home that night i actually hugged the bass...for like 2 minutes.

Mind you, the pointer finger on my right (plucking) hand was destroyed.

aside from a big ass blister I actually pulled the nail away from the skin on the very tip of my finger. I think i did this using my finger as a pick during the crescendo and rock-n-roll ending. either way, be warned, these are more violent than other strings. at least at first.

Other strings I have played are: DR coated Black Beauties ( i like them second best so far), Roto 45s (these are okay, but lack the feel), DR Hibeams, DR sunbeams, Chrome flats, and fender standard issue SS and nickel. always 45-105.

So if anyone is considering rotos, hope this helps.

carlos840 · #2 12-20-2010, 10:09 AM

All i use are Roto Swing 66 Nickel, they are great, and in my opinion a lot nicer than the SS, you should give them a try!

UnfortunateTony · #3 12-21-2010, 01:49 AM

Swing 66s will eat your frets and destroy your fingers, but damn if they aren't the best sounding roundwounds I've ever used.

Thrillhouse · #4 12-21-2010, 03:20 PM

All I ever use on my Ric and Ray. It's hard to explain just why they're so great, one just has to experience it for oneself.

carlos840 · #5 12-21-2010, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnfortunateTony

Swing 66s will eat your frets and destroy your fingers, but damn if they aren't the best sounding roundwounds I've ever used.

Thats an urban legend!
They might be responsible for killing a few ricks back in the days, but the fretwire used on them was really soft and thinner than normal.

I have had Swing 66s on all my basses since i started playing and none of them show much sign of wear!

Regarding fingers, in really dont think they are much worst than D Addario or any other brand..
I do have something against the Swing 66 SS, they get you fingers black when they get old.

Apart from that great strings!

**pacojas** · #6 12-21-2010, 07:08 PM

as a beginner i blew a finger out in the middle of a gig... blood everywhere,.. what happened?!!
first time trying a set of "HEAVY GUAGE" Roto's! what a sound, tho!!! been using mediums ever since.

**duff84** · #7 12-21-2010, 09:15 PM

i tried them on my american jazz the sounded great at first but once they die they're kinda blaaaa to me. i do like the nickel version of the swing bass 66's those last longer than the stainless, but they do sound great. yuck man blew a finger out that must have been painful.

Lublin · #8 12-22-2010, 08:26 AM

I swore off Roto's due to those stupid urban legends. They've since become my main strings. Love them with a pick for rock!!!

kenfxj · #9 12-22-2010, 05:48 PM

Best rounds for my Jazz bass, and I've tried many.

Johnny Crab · #10 12-22-2010, 07:00 PM

All I've used since they came out(Entwistle, etc.).

Fret eating experience?
Recent: 200+ shows on a Greco LP clone, minimal fret "damage"
Past: 10+ years on a 64 Gibson T-Bird(1970's~1980's), 1~3 shows per week, lower 5 frets esp. 3rd fret on A string were almost in need of replacement but still played fine with no buzz.

Unless you play 5 times per week, mash down hard, and use massive vibrato(side to side fret grinding)....I doubt it is a problem unless you have garbage for fretwire. Solved it in the past with 3 T-Birds(two 64's and a 76) and rotated them but the one mentioned was the go-to bass. Now? Multiple Greco LP clones of course and they're all set up the same AND sound/play the same so they do get rotated. They will outlast me.

Tim C. · #11 12-24-2010, 01:03 PM

I don't plan on using strings other than the Roto '66 SS's anytime soon. I feel they last longer than most people give them credit for, too.

darkstorm · #12 12-24-2010, 08:42 PM

Been useing rotosound swing66 since the mid 70's. Never had any problem with them finger wise or fretboard wise. Best sound ever. I am useing the new dr neons now for bass. Only string thats impressed me as much as the rotos. And with a touch more low bass difinition and focus.