Fear of using Rotosound Roundwounds??

Eyesee7 · #1 03-14-2009, 12:16 PM

I have an SX jazz bass and play in a once-a-year Rush jam.

I currently have DR Low-rider strings on the bass. I've been thinking about putting on a set of the Rotosound Swing Bass strings that Geddy uses, but I've read that they tear up your fingers and the fretboard as well.

If you've made a switch over to Rotosounds, how long did it take your fingers to get used to the extra "drag", and how long before you started to notice wear on your frets/fretboard??

thanks.

SpamBot · #2 03-14-2009, 12:23 PM

I've only experienced wear from Rotos on fretless.
Also, they haven't torn up my fingers or "dragged" noticably.
The complaints against them are exaggerated IME.

markdavid · #3 03-14-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpamBot

I've only experienced wear from Rotos on fretless.
Also, they haven't torn up my fingers or "dragged" noticably.
The complaints against them are exaggerated IME.

+1 , I use rotos and they dont seem any rougher than any other roundwound and feel smoother than some strings ive used

OriginalCrash · #4 03-14-2009, 02:33 PM

+1. Take it from someone who played Rotos for several years. They were never trouble on my fingers. And while there was fret wear (but not that much worse than any othe SS string I'd imagine) they never hurt my fretboard.

Brian

Matt R. · #5 03-14-2009, 02:47 PM

I love my roto's but I do notice finger drag as compared to ernie ball or d'addarios which I usually use. great sounding snarly nasty strings though. just use them, they won't harm your bass. best o' luck to ya

king_biscuit · #6 03-14-2009, 06:23 PM

Most SS rounds seem to be stickier than nickels until broken in.

Eyesee7 · #7 03-14-2009, 07:06 PM

Thanks fellas, I will give them a try.

Ric5 · #8 03-14-2009, 07:19 PM

Rotosound strings will work fine on an SX bass ...

India_Sierra · #9 03-14-2009, 07:21 PM

Rotosound strings have been one of my "go to" brands for years. They don't chew or drag. They are sleek, smooth feeling strings. I primarily play fretless, and I'd be happy to put Rotos on any bass of mine!

Jim Carr · #10 03-14-2009, 07:28 PM

They are OK. I would put them about average when it comes to fret wear, but it depends on what you are comparing them to, IMHO.

MetroBass · #11 03-14-2009, 07:39 PM

I've had them on my Thunderbird since I purchased it and have never experienced any troubles. Frets and fingers are fine!

Ronbo61 · #12 03-14-2009, 07:47 PM

I've used stainless steel Rotosounds on my Cirrus 5-string for 8years and haven't had any fret wear.

danomite64 · #13 03-14-2009, 07:57 PM

Rotosounds aren't all stainless; I've been using Roto nickel rounds on both my fretless and fretted Jazz basses for over 5 years now, with no appreciable fret wear, and certainly no finger damage. Brain damage, on the other hand......

Basstovsky · #14 03-14-2009, 11:00 PM

Once they wear in a bit they're fine, but at first they can be a bit harsh. Only had them on a few months, so not real long-term testing, but so far no fret wear. They sound too good for me to take them off....

Skyblue977 · #15 03-15-2009, 03:06 AM

I disagree with most comments here. I use Roto's on one of my basses and definately find they kill my fingers and do hurt frets but the the tone! Oh the tone!

Catalin · #16 03-15-2009, 04:50 AM

I use Roto's for many years and i have no problem.

Wolf · #17 03-15-2009, 04:59 AM

Any string will wear out your fretboard over time. Would said time be considerably shorter when playing Rotosounds? My answer is - no. Maintenance & repair are part of the whole playing schtick. With each passing jam you're inching towards your next fret-job. Might as well play the strings you like. I highly recommend the rotos. I've used them on my Jazz for ages. Then a couple of years ago I put Elixirs on it, and they've been on there ever since.

rtav · #18 03-28-2009, 08:31 AM

I've been using nothing except Rotosounds on my 67 P bass for decades. I've heard some people say that they are "stickier" than other strings, but I haven't found that to be the case at all - and I have to play some very fast stuff (Dream Theater, Billy Sheehan, etc.) I'd be dead with a string that wouldn't release instantly.

Do they tear up your fingers? No more than any other non-coated roundwound, but the wear and tear on the digits is due to several factors:
a. Your technique (how you pluck the strings, hand/wrist positioning, etc.)
b. Your anatomy (hand strength, hand size, etc.)
c. Your amplification, compression and tone (poor amplification can make you play harder than you would with a good amp and sound)
d. The volume that the other band members play at
e. The tone you want
f. The song itself (musical dynamics)
g. How well the guitar is set up (action, neck tension, pup height, etc.)

Strings make up only a part of the overall issue of hand wear and tear; and with the Rotosounds, they're no more abrasive than any other non-coated roundwound string.

And the Rotosound sound is incredible........

Joe Nerve · #19 03-28-2009, 08:44 AM

If you're thinking about the rotosounds because of the rush thing and the fact that geddy uses them - I think you'd do better to keep your current strings and switch what's underneath them. Your bass.

edbass · #20 03-28-2009, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolf

Any string will wear out your fretboard over time. Would said time be considerably shorter when playing Rotosounds? My answer is - no. Maintenance & repair are part of the whole playing schtick. With each passing jam you're inching towards your next fret-job. Might as well play the strings you like. I highly recommend the rotos. I've used them on my Jazz for ages. Then a couple of years ago I put Elixirs on it, and they've been on there ever since.

+1
It's not like frets are "forever". It's a maintanence issue, like a car. Every so many hours you need new strings, intonation, fret dress, refret job, etc. It varies by the player/bass/setup, but it's inevitable. I've used Roto's for decades and still get stoked by the sound of a fresh set.
I don't know about the Elixirs, never used them.