Finally tried a set of Rotosound 66....

steamthief · #1 08-12-2011, 04:45 PM

...on my Fender P/J. Wow! The sound is incredible, way better than the SS Lo-Riders that were on the bass, which quite frankly surprised the heck out of me.

A little rougher to the touch, but nothing that's going to tear up my callouses. Maybe even a little grabby, but in a good way.

Time will tell if they stay sounding good for a while, but so far, I'm most impressed!

eddievanbassman · #2 08-12-2011, 04:49 PM

Definitely my favorite strings, I love em.

tangentmusic · #3 08-12-2011, 04:52 PM

I've been using 66's for years. I think they are great. They stay bright & punchy for quite a while (for me anyway)

steamthief · #4 08-12-2011, 05:25 PM

Yes, it's the punch that's blowing me away. The 77 flats were also very punchy.

Johnny Crab · #5 08-12-2011, 07:37 PM

Been with them since they "came out", great strings.

The best way to keep that sound and help your budget is to find a place that does multiple set discounting and free shipping. I usually throw down about $70~$100 for a box of sets once a year or so, put new ones on basses as needed, and rotate about 3 or 4 basses(50~80 shows per year). Also, sometimes the "dead set" bass can sound better than the "zing" one in certain rooms.

Fret eating?
Unless you only have one bass and play/fret/bend notes/ABUSE it, you should have no problems. I've had(sold now) one 64 T-Bird that saw a decade of being a MAIN player and it never got new frets. Frets 3 and 5 showed a lot of wear but it still played fine.

darkstorm · #6 08-12-2011, 09:09 PM

The only DR strings Ive tried and liked are the neons and sunbeams. Did try the loriders and they got taken right back off. Mainly been a rotosound swing 66 user since the 70's.

Toptube · #7 08-12-2011, 11:18 PM

yeah, nothing else like them. They have nice a mid/high mide chime that no other string can copy. the low mids are nice and articulate and there is that certain punch to the whole thing that you mentioned.

If you decide you hate the feel, the nickel version is remarkably close in sound for being a nickel. Some of that punch and that chime isn't as ON, but they do bark really nice. The .100 set has fairly balanced tension, too. I love the SS rotos, but thought I'd give the nickel a try one time just to see.

Catbuster · #8 08-13-2011, 12:24 AM

I use the Steel 66 sets exclusively in the LF & LD sets. (.45-105 & .50-110) They're punchy and cutting in the high mids that is absolutely killer in every way when paired with a '70s Jazz. And they really make my P come alive in a way it doesn't with any other string.

Duke21 · #9 08-13-2011, 12:31 AM

I use the 66 nickel. I love Rotosound 66 but I prefer the softer feel of the nickels and they are kind on the frets. They sound pretty close to the steels but a tad warmer and not as zingy. 66 nickel are perfect on a Geddy!

Jay2U · #10 08-13-2011, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steamthief

...on my Fender P/J. Wow! The sound is incredible, way better than the SS Lo-Riders that were on the bass, which quite frankly surprised the heck out of me.

A little rougher to the touch, but nothing that's going to tear up my callouses. Maybe even a little grabby, but in a good way.

Time will tell if they stay sounding good for a while, but so far, I'm most impressed!

This surprises me.

A few months ago, I invested in Rotosound 66's. They were on the bass for less than 24 hours.

They gave far less output than the d'Addario's and Fenders I'm used to. Somehow they did slow me down. It may be due to my playing style and the gear I use. Maybe, one of those days, I'll put 'em back on and see / hear whether I can appreciate them more....

bassgod0dmw · #11 08-13-2011, 06:09 AM

I used them and enjoyed them until I got a few sets with dead strings in them. I hear they will replace them for you, but why deal with that kind of hassle when I could just get a good pack from the beginning? I switched over to DR and have never looked back.

Jay2U · #12 08-15-2011, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

I used them and enjoyed them until I got a few sets with dead strings in them. I hear they will replace them for you, but why deal with that kind of hassle when I could just get a good pack from the beginning? I switched over to DR and have never looked back.

Maybe that's the case with mine: d.o.a!

IconBasser · #13 08-15-2011, 01:45 PM

I like the sound of the 66's on my Carvin, but they go dead so damn quick! With some dead strings, I can still play them and they'll sound ok, but with these, I have to use about double the force for my fingers to make each note audible.

jnuts1 · #14 08-15-2011, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay2U

This surprises me.

A few months ago, I invested in Rotosound 66's. They were on the bass for less than 24 hours.

They gave far less output than the d'Addario's and Fenders I'm used to. Somehow they did slow me down. It may be due to my playing style and the gear I use. Maybe, one of those days, I'll put 'em back on and see / hear whether I can appreciate them more....

i think they even made it a little over 24 hours with me. & that was just to give them a chance. but really they make me feel like i have rubber tipped fingers. or maybe honey tipped they were so sticky. never played another string like them

TBAR Shane · #15 09-17-2011, 08:58 AM

I just put some 66's on my Corvette, first time trying them. I just don't like them. A bit too aggressive for me, and I can't stand that they're not tapered at the bridge.

Venom of God · #16 09-17-2011, 09:03 AM

I love them, only fault is they don't last that long, but if the tone were to change even slightly for longer life I wouldn't be happy. Unbeatable for me.

Gord_oh · #17 09-17-2011, 09:07 AM

they just became my favorite strings.
i bought them for my jazz and it really improved the overall tone and feel of the whole bass!
im putting on a set on the pj i am finishing up, then ill probably use them on my MIA p as well.

Bean639 · #18 09-17-2011, 09:13 AM

Just wondering...

How do they compare to the Billy Sheenen(sp?) Rotos? I recently put a set of those on my G&L and... Well, what do you guys think?

GLEN18INCHSPICA · #19 09-17-2011, 09:15 AM

I've tried every set of stainless roundwounds & Rotosounds are still at the top of the heap for me. Others I like & currently use are Dean Markley SR2000 & Skull Busters which are the same as Blue Steels just a different gauge & silk color & cheaper. I liked Labella Hard Rockin steels as well as DR Loriders, both were good strings just not as good to my ears & cost more. When they lose the new string zing I take them off & give them a bath for a day or so in denatured alcohol, let them air dry & put them back on for a month or two. I've tried all the popular sets of nickel steel strings & a few sets of flatwounds in my quest for tone, I guess I'm addicted to the raw piano string tone of my first set of Rotosounds back in the 80's when John Entwistle was on the package with an Alembic explorer bass.

TBAR Shane · #20 09-17-2011, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnuts1

i think they even made it a little over 24 hours with me. & that was just to give them a chance. but really they make me feel like i have rubber tipped fingers. or maybe honey tipped they were so sticky. never played another string like them

I agree, I got the same feeling from them. I put them on last night, but I took them off about an hour ago. I have a gig tonight, and I'd rather not deal with the distraction.