Fender nylon wraped strings?

AmadeusXeno · #1 03-27-2011, 06:31 AM

I am planing to buy some new strings soon. I've tried thr Rotosound nylon wraped strings before and really liked the tone and feel of them. Are the Fender nylon wraps similar in tone? I know they are about half the price of the Roto's. Any other differances besides the price?

Abner · #2 03-27-2011, 06:58 PM

I found the Rotosound nylon is thicker and smoother finished, perhaps harder, too. The Fender nylons look more like they are dipped in gloss black paint. They feel softer, but the glossy finish makes them feel a little sticky.

I currently have the Fender's on a Michael Kelly fretless acoustic, and I like the sound -- acoustically. I liked it so much, I figured I'd try a set on an Ibanez Musician fretless that is currently sporting the Rotosound tapewounds. I got as far as replacing the E string before deciding they were not for that bass. I put the Rotosounds back on.

I'd say the Fender's have much more midrange than the Rotosounds. To me, it sounded like I was playing with loose springs.

But your mileage may vary, I'm still hunting for the right strings for this bass, and think I may be changing the pickups.

fretlessguy · #3 03-27-2011, 07:02 PM

I've never tried the Rotos, so I cannot vouch for them, but I have used the Fenders and can tell you about them. They are the least tensioned strings I have ever used, including TI Jazz Flats. They have a very deep-bodied tone, and you will have to be a little creative with your EQing to keep the E and A strings from drowning out your D and G strings. May take some compressing as well.
They last for quite a long time and hold their tuning well. The price is good, and there are plyers here at the site who have used them exclusively for years. Since Fender has gone to an outside source to make them now, I cannot tell you how the new ones stack up.

FretlessMainly · #4 03-27-2011, 09:58 PM

Just to be sure we're discussing the same thing, I'm assuming that you're asking about the Roto TruBass 88's and the Fender 9120's. I've used both on fretless.

To me, the Rotos are so smooth, they actually feel like they are dipped rather than wrapped in nylon. The Fenders are more like rounds in my book. The Fender wraps are quite rounded and are very visible and noticeable to my fingers (but quiet, unlike many metal rounds). The Fenders have much more "snap" than the Rotos, and overall, the tone of the Fenders is much better from a broad sonic range perspective.

The Rotos provide more of what many bass players think of when they consider flats. The Fenders are much more aggressive. Both are good strings, but for different applications.

Fretlessguy is correct about the need for compression/EQ. Both of these sets will absolutely kill in the low end and tend to get weak in the D and G strings (the Fender set perhaps a bit moreso). I always use a small amount of compression, and that helps, but I also adjust my pickups (mainly the neck pickup) to slant substantially upward from the E side to the G side to even out the response.

Edited to add: I'm actually having adjustable-pole diMarzios installed in my CIJ Fender Jazz fretless as we speak to aid in this balancing (this bass has the 9120's on it). In the past, I've used the Rotos on this same bass. I also have the 9120's on a fretted Jaguar and the edgy tone is just ridiculous.

queevil · #5 03-30-2011, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FretlessMainly

Just to be sure we're discussing the same thing, I'm assuming that you're asking about the Roto TruBass 88's and the Fender 9120's. I've used both on fretless.

To me, the Rotos are so smooth, they actually feel like they are dipped rather than wrapped in nylon. The Fenders are more like rounds in my book. The Fender wraps are quite rounded and are very visible and noticeable to my fingers (but quiet, unlike many metal rounds). The Fenders have much more "snap" than the Rotos, and overall, the tone of the Fenders is much better from a broad sonic range perspective.

The Rotos provide more of what many bass players think of when they consider flats. The Fenders are much more aggressive. Both are good strings, but for different applications.

Fretlessguy is correct about the need for compression/EQ. Both of these sets will absolutely kill in the low end and tend to get weak in the D and G strings (the Fender set perhaps a bit moreso). I always use a small amount of compression, and that helps, but I also adjust my pickups (mainly the neck pickup) to slant substantially upward from the E side to the G side to even out the response.

Edited to add: I'm actually having adjustable-pole diMarzios installed in my CIJ Fender Jazz fretless as we speak to aid in this balancing (this bass has the 9120's on it). In the past, I've used the Rotos on this same bass. I also have the 9120's on a fretted Jaguar and the edgy tone is just ridiculous.

As someone who has been using 9120's for a while I can say that this description is accurate. They are bright for the kind of string that they are, they last a very long time and they're cheap. Underneath the black tape they are a roundwound string. I think they're great.

MarkusBass · #6 03-30-2011, 05:30 PM

Just put a set of Fenders on my Darkstar'd P bass! So far I love 'em!

4Mal · #7 03-30-2011, 07:20 PM

I prefer the LaBella tapewounds but I'm also running them on piezo basses so that may color my thinking. I find the LaBellas to be 'woodier' and warmer than the Roto's or the Fenders. I've tried all three on my Godin Acoustibasses, Tacoma Thunderchief (K&K purse system) and Barker Brio (graphtech piezo system). Eletronically the Barker is a P Bass with piezo bridge and preamp. Wired Vol/Vol, no tone.

FretlessMainly · #8 03-30-2011, 07:47 PM

I agree with you on the tone of the LaBellas, but before I bought a set I did some checking around and the word was that their manufacturing was a bit inconsistent, leading to certain strings that felt unlike the others. But, I was on a string-testing kick, so I got a set and whatta you know? E, A and G felt great; the D was rough and irregular. They lasted about 2 days and they're back in the string drawer.

I will say that I really like the "regular" Deep Talkin' Bass flats, so the tapes seem to be an abberation.

4Mal · #9 03-30-2011, 10:22 PM

Want to try a set of Roto tapes ? I have a set cut for 4 in line. My Barker... They have a couple of hours. I can use those LaBellas as singles...

FretlessMainly · #10 03-30-2011, 10:58 PM

I have a 12-year old set of Trubass 88's (I left them on for about 10 years!) and an almost new set that I took off my CIJ FL Jazz in favor of the 9120's. But, I'd be happy to send you the set of LaBella 760N's. Got any others in place of the Rotos? If not, no big deal. Send me your address and I'll ship out the LaBella's. The D is trash (I'll include for reference), but the others are almost new (but were cut for a 2+2 - Warwick Corvette FL).

mr.black · #11 03-31-2011, 08:48 AM

is it me of did fender change the wrap to glossy on these? i remember about 10+yrs ago when i got a set they were not glossy and from what i remember they were not gauged like a standard med set they were heavier on the A n D i think?

had them on an Ibanez fretless the whole time till i sold it with them last week. good strings. Got labellas on my fretless jazz for like 13 yrs. never changed, great strings. got a set of Daddario's black tapes new last year. but may never use them cuz theres no good reason to ever take an old set off.