Default String

[bassist1962]

Just a question that came to my mind while I was meditating on Bass history. When I first started playing in the '70's, the 'Default', or 'Go To' string for Rock was Rotosound RS66. Is this still the case, or has it been replaced by something else? I don't really hear much talk about Rotosound anymore, which I guess is why I am wondering.

[tplyons]

IMO the goto string these days is the D'Addario XL. Readilly available and very consistent. However, with the availability of so many strings out there, many are quick to pick their favorites, and there isn't much of a standard anymore.

[Ampeg SVT]

i dont like rotos, i like Dean Markleys but im trying GHS right now (i hate them). Ernie Ball (too many to list) is pretty comon with rock bassists and Dean Markleys are too (Jeff Ament, Robert Trujillo).

[mimaz]

I strung up a bass with the D'Addario's for the first time in a long time the other day, and man I was disappointed. I think after going throught the Rotos, D'Ads, DRs, GHSs, and I'm sure many others over the years, my go to is now Dean Markley Blue Steel, and has been for quite a while.

[rsautrey]

Concerning Rotosound Swing Bass 66 strings, in the early 70's they were probably one of the only (if not the only) stainless steel roundwounds available. Today there are numerous choices. I would venture to say that any of the DR stainless steel strings would be on the list for a lot of "rock" bassists. Not sure if anyone works in music retail, etc. but I'd be curious to know what bass strings are the most popular sales wise.

[The Craw]

I don't think Rotos were ever the "default" roundwound. They were one of the earlier rounds to be available widely, but a lot of others came along quickly. Most players I knew used nickel rounds, not stainless.

AFAIK they're still big sellers but D'addario, GHS, Ernie Ball and DR are all big sellers.

[ElliotBass]

I'm using elites stadiums, they're pretty sweet for rock. IMO the goto rock string is D'addario XLs also