DR to Roto or Roto to DR? What did you do?

[fendervox]

I've been searching for a new set of strings. I've currently been using the strings that came on my bass (no idea what they are). I've always used Ernie Ball Hybrids on electric and unless I can be convinced otherwise, will probably stick with them on bass too.

A lot of people seem to prefer Rotosound and DR. I'd say these are the two that most people 'swear by'. But I'm curious, how many of you played DRs and then switched to Rotosound? And how many of you played Rotosound and then switched to DR?

Also, why did you do it?

[Ric5]

D'Addario

[qball26]

I like the Rotosound Swing 66 (bright and punchy). Never tried the DR. Tried the EB Hybrids, but they seem to die out after a few gigs.

[sbassface]

Of the DR and Rotosound Swing 66 I tried really liked the Roto,

[Double Agent]

I always liked the sound of Rotos. However, they gave me two problems. First, they die really quick and I don't like how they sounds after they die. Second, they shred my fingers like a cheese grater. They are the absolute roughest strings I've ever played. I tried Rotos long before I tried DRs because DRs were more expensive and Geddy uses them, so I wanted to give them a try.

Fast-forward to now, I only play stainless DR Lo-Riders for rounds. They are fairly easy on the fingers compared to other stainless rounds and they last forever. I now wish I had tried DRs a long time ago, but I've been playing them exclusively for the last 3-4 years and I can't see myself switching. Now, I haven't tried the Hi-Beams and I don't know if they would be my thing because of the low tension. But, the Lo-Riders are the ultimate string for me.

[Meatrus]

I went from DR (highbeams and Extra life coloured) to Rotosound, but it does seem common to go the other way around.

The DRs sounded a little bland to me, the coloured ones were especially dull, and the Highbeams sounded good, but still a bit bland compared to Rotosounds 66.

Another reason why I would always choose Rotosound over DR is that they are almost half the price of DRs in the UK. The highbeams lasted a really long time for an uncoated string though, but just lacked anything special tone wise for me.

The Rotosounds are quite rough at first but they seem to get smooth quite quickly, and your fingers will tough up fast anyway. If you keep them clean you can (at least I can) make a set last 3 to 4 months.

Hope this helps, and I really cant reccomend the Rotosound 66s enough.

[Ron G]

I tried Roto, GHS, Dean Markley, and Fender before using DR "Fat Beams". I like the sound of a round core strings Dean Markley and Fender were round core.

http://www.ipass.net/davesisk/music/...eviewDec04.pdf

[4Mal]

Thomastic Infeld Super Alloy's for rounds. Much more body,plenty of zing and the life span is extremely long. After trying just about everything I could, I just have way better luck with TI. They do cost a little more but they sound like it and last like it...

[BuckoSama]

Rotos make my Ric sound like a piano. I'm never switching. If that makes me incurious or silly or willfully ignorant, I'll take that criticism. I know what I like.

I threw some slinkys on my Fender (my B Bass) to see what I felt about them, and replaced them with Rotos again within a week. Made it unplayable.

[ksandvik]

I use both. Even if I like DR Low-Riders somewhat more just now. I think someone using Rotos should not have a hard time adjusting to Low-riders. They are somewhat more stiff, but at the same time they ring out more compared with Rotos for certain sounds where you need that ringing sound (like slap funk.) Rotos are excellent for heavy rock and so on, but for more varied gigs they tend so sound too much the same across songs -- just my opinion.

[dmusic148]

My friend is a to-the-death Roto man, absolutely will not use anything else. But then he bought a 6 string and couldn't get the sets he wanted in a Roto, so I suggested DR, being a user. He swears that HiBeams are the closest he's found to Rotos, and is happy with them on the sixer.

[John Wentzien]

I used Rotos for about 30 years exclusivley.
About 5 years ago I started getting "bum" strings fairly regularly.
I changed strings every month religiously as I play many hours everyday and was on the road constantly.
Never broke one.
They have a unique tonality that you just can't get from any other string.

For the last few years I've been usung Webstrings 105-45 SS that are guaged the same as Rotos---"80-A string" and will never switch back.

More low-end and more even highs..

I buy them 12 sets at a time---$8.99 a set---free shipping!

The best strings are NEW strings IMHO

DR High Beams all the way!

[millsbass5]

I usually go w/a set of stainless steel strings.DR is what is available in my area.Carvin makes wonderful bass string,IMHO.If I'm not in a pinch,I order Carvin SS strings.But,my local music store mainly stocks D'Addario strings.For nickle strings,they are awesome.Plus,they have a two for one price on them,for around $25.00 for 2 sets.D'Addario's last a long time for me.I usually put new strings on my main bass about every 10 to 14 days.

[Gin]

RS 66s all the way! Went from Ernieball regulars to D'Addario to Rotos, and I must say, I love the sound and feel Rotos more then anything. Although the music dealer in the city distributes Rotos, they never have them in unless you ask them to order them.

[Mojo-Man]

I started out using RS 66s, and LaBella flats. (I used these for years)

Now it's, TI-Flats, and DR Sunbeams.

[superfunk47]

DRs all the way for me. Tried Rotos, found them too rough, didn't care for the sound.

I used Hi-Beams for a long time, then tried Sunbeams, and have been content since. DR makes every kind of roundwound I could ever possibly want.

[fendervox]

I put on my first set of Rotosound Swing 66's today. Definitely find them bright and they do have a neat characteristic sound to them. The store I went to didn't carry DR strings, which made my decision easy enough. If I see some DR strings I'll grab them and try them out too. So far I'm really liking the Rotosounds.

[One Drop]

I use Rotos in in our cover band, except for some downtuned stuff where i use a second bass with DR Lo-riders. I find I can tame the Rotos a bit by rolling off some treble, but I can't get the same clank and grunt from DRs.

Both wonderful strings, overall I would say the DRs in general are a bit more versatile and 'musical', but the Rotos just plain rock.

[Catalin]

I played DR low-riders and came back to Rotosound. I fact i tried a lot of strings and always came back to Roto's.