D'Addario vs. Rotosound Nickels

[Toadsmacker]

Hey guys,

I'm well on my way to finding my ideal nickel (or NPS) roundwounds. So far the winners are Dean Markley Nickelsteels and Dunlops, which I found to be practically the exact same string. What I liked about them was their lack of the metallic sound associated with rounds (especially when new) and the fact that they were more focused on the note. I like the roundwound overtones, but I am not looking for the "piano" tone, and the DMs and Dunlops didn't last long enough for me.

The next shootout will take place between D'Addario XL Nickels and the Nickel version of the Rotosound 66s.

The ideal criteria:
-Lots of midrange punch/growl (I play hard rock, usually with a pick but with fingers as well)
-How fast the metallic sound goes away, if it's there at all
-Overall string life (this is the BIG issue, my beloved Dean Markley's could only give me a little less then 3 months)

So, which would you guys pick based on these choices? Please try to stick to these 2 string sets, because I've tried lots and I have based these 2 choices mostly on my budget. Try not to just advertise your favourite brand!!!

[Lowbrow]

I"ll comment on the Roto 66 Nickels:

• lots of emphasis on the note fundamentals
• goodly amounts of mid growl
• far less metallic than steel rounds
• last longer than the GHS Boomer nickels I'd used previously
• treble level easily accentuated/cut with amp EQ

Note that I associate that piano sound with good amounts of mid-to-high mids and growl. I don't know how you classify the sound, perhaps zingy/trebly. These strings have plenty of zing on tap, but nothing like steels - with a good deal less treble.

[Toadsmacker]

Originally Posted by Lowbrow

I"ll comment on the Roto 66 Nickels:

• lots of emphasis on the note fundamentals
• goodly amounts of mid growl
• far less metallic than steel rounds
• last longer than the GHS Boomer nickels I'd used previously
• treble level easily accentuated/cut with amp EQ

Note that I associate that piano sound with good amounts of mid-to-high mids and growl. I don't know how you classify the sound, perhaps zingy/trebly. These strings have plenty of zing on tap, but nothing like steels - with a good deal less treble.

From what I understand here, the Rotos seem to fit my criteria very well. Do you think you could do a lifespan guess in weeks or months? Would you say that they last "a long time?"

[Lowbrow]

Originally Posted by Toadsmacker

From what I understand here, the Rotos seem to fit my criteria very well. Do you think you could do a lifespan guess in weeks or months? Would you say that they last "a long time?"

If by lifespan you mean breakage, I play with a pick and fairly heavy right hand (.100 string set, .88mm tortex pick) and haven't broken one in as long as I can remember. If you mean tone, I've had sets on for a year and still like the way they sound though I do think new sets sounds better. This is subjective, and I think you may like less zing than I do if I read you correctly, so you may feel that they sound good even longer than I might.

Upshot: IMO they are long lasting. With the GHS Boomers I'd want to swap strings every 6 months or so, no such urge with the Rotos.

[Lowbrow]

Originally Posted by Lowbrow

If by lifespan you mean breakage, I play with a pick and fairly heavy right hand (.100 string set, .88mm tortex pick) and haven't broken one in as long as I can remember. If you mean tone, I've had sets on for a year and still like the way they sound though I do think new sets sounds better. This is subjective, and I think you may like less zing than I do if I read you correctly, so you may feel that they sound good even longer than I might.

Upshot: IMO they are long lasting. With the GHS Boomers I'd want to swap strings every 6 months or so, no such urge with the Rotos.

Re-reading my post I slap myself in the forehead for not specifying/realizing that at this point in my 'career,' I rehearse/record with my band about 4 times a month and gig like NEVER. When I was rehearsing 3x week and gigging 4x month, I'd change strings every few months and regularly break strings in the interim (was using Roto 66 steels/GHS Boomers during that period). So the upshot is I'm in no position right now to comment on Roto 66 nickel string longevity as I'm not giving them what I'd call a workout . They do sound really great, though!

[mmbongo]

Get DR Sunbeams and your search might be over.

Circle K's are also excellent strings, and available in balanced tension. Win.

[Toadsmacker]

Originally Posted by mmbongo

Get DR Sunbeams and your search might be over.

Circle K's are also excellent strings, and available in balanced tension. Win.

Sorry, but I mentioned in the original post that I would only consider D'Addario and Rotosound at this time. DRs are way too expensive anyway!

[bassist4dalord]

Do you mean the Rotosound RS66LD Nickel-Plated Steel rounds? I bought two sets for $25 at Guitar Center (45-105) after using Chromes for a year, and I've really enjoyed the RS66LD. They're pretty much everything I was looking for in a roundwound string.

Nice warm, punchy tone
Can get aggressive (in true P-Bass character)
Easy on fingers
Great price

[Toadsmacker]

Yes, I do mean the Rotosound RS66LD NPS Rounds. They are a little more pricey here in Canada at about $26 for one set, which is where I draw the line (I stopped buying Ernie Ball rounds because they would go over $30 with tax). I can get 2 sets of D'addarios for a little more than 1 set of Rotos, so they are a bit more wallet-friendly, but does anyone know how they compare to the tone/lifespan of the Rotos?

[Lowbrow]

These are the one's I'm talking about... RS66LN

[Toadsmacker]

Originally Posted by Lowbrow

These are the one's I'm talking about... RS66LN

Oops, my bad. I read the other guy's post a bit too fast. The RS66LD are the stainless steel rounds, and the RS66LN are the NPS rounds. I am definately talking about the RS66LN, so you have offered facts about the right product

EDIT: the prices that I referred to in one of my other posts were for the RS66LN strings in comparison to the D'addarios

[Arthur U. Poon]

I'm currently trying a set of Rotosound's NPS roundwounds on my 5-string Lull, which I usually string with D'Addario XL's NPS.

IMO the Roto's have a similar feel to the D'Addario XL's, but I feel the Roto's have a bit more of a raw sound to them. -More of a Rock sound compared to the XL's IMO. Tone-wise, I'd say the Roto's and the Boomers are very similar. Both have a great tone for Rock.



I can't comment on the Roto's lifespan though. Honestly, every brand of strings I've used tend to lose their zing quickly. I don't have sweaty hands, but something with my body chemistry makes a new set of strings sound dead in about a month.

[Lowbrow]

re. Roto Swing Bass 66 nickels - I may be wrong, but believe these are pure nickel wrap rather than NPS; I say this as the Rotobass nickels are specified as nickel-on-steel, while the Swing bass strings are described and packaged simply as 'nickel roundwound.'

Again, just a deductive guess.

[Arthur U. Poon]

Originally Posted by Lowbrow

re. Roto Swing Bass 66 nickels - I may be wrong, but believe these are pure nickel wrap rather than NPS; I say this as the Rotobass nickels are specified as nickel-on-steel, while the Swing bass strings are described and packaged simply as 'nickel roundwound.'

Again, just a deductive guess.

The set I'm currently using is the Swing Bass LDN set for 5-string. Blue package. I thought the package said they were nickel plated steel (NPS), but I'm not sure.

[Lowbrow]

Originally Posted by Arthur U. Poon

The set I'm currently using is the Swing Bass LDN set for 5-string. Blue package. I thought the package said they were nickel plated steel (NPS), but I'm not sure.

Not seeking to belabor the point, I just really have nothing better to do with my time at the moment, and I'd welcome a definitive determination:

[mmbongo]

Originally Posted by Toadsmacker

Sorry, but I mentioned in the original post that I would only consider D'Addario and Rotosound at this time. DRs are way too expensive anyway!

That's too bad. DR's are well worth the extra $6. I didn't realize you were looking for the cheapest string, I thought you wanted the best sounding string. My bad.

[Arthur U. Poon]

Originally Posted by Lowbrow

Not seeking to belabor the point, I just really have nothing better to do with my time at the moment, and I'd welcome a definitive determination:

Same set I'm using, -but for 5-string.

[bassist4dalord]

My string package says "Rotosound Swing Bass 66 RN66LD: The Nickel-on-Steel Roundwound Bass String"

[Lowbrow]

Originally Posted by bassist4dalord

My string package says "Rotosound Swing Bass 66 RN66LD: The Nickel-on-Steel Roundwound Bass String"

Now that's an old package and they've also revamped their naming... the 'RN' denoting nickel is gone replaced by an N for nickel at the end of the product code.. but it's all pretty wacky, right?

Strings still sound great.

[bassist4dalord]

Originally Posted by Lowbrow

Now that's an old package and they've also revamped their naming... the 'RN' denoting nickel is gone replaced by an N for nickel at the end of the product code.. but it's all pretty wacky, right?

Strings still sound great.

That could explain the two-for-$25 sale GC was having. I'm really enjoying these strings. When it comes to nickel rounds, I like to keep them on my P for a good long while, so I'm set, for now...

We shall see. I'm not sure where to look for these strings now, if they've been renamed or whatnot.

To the OP: Sorry for the major thread derail. Back OT, I have had D'Addario Nickel rounds on a few Jazz-types, and I've been impressed with those, too. Ultimately, it comes down to trying both, but I will say that you can't go wrong with the two-pack of D'Addarios.