My first set of Swing 66s

IPA · #1 05-21-2010, 10:28 PM

I was bangin on the old P-Bass today, and the E was farting a lot more than a while ago... had a set of roto swingbass 66 around just in case, so I thought what the hell?

Hot damn, these are GREAT strings! Ive had this P for a few months and never changed the strings--it's a MIM 2006 and I think the strings were original--the bass was hardly played, when I got it it was mint condition with the plastic still on the pickguard(Not a bad deal at all for 210 bucks, I even got the pawn shop to throw in a Malekko Chicklet for another 40).

Never underestimate the power of a good string change, and I would give these Rotos a 9 out of 10! Fantastic really. Just tight enough, the tone I am looking for for sure, and feel is just right too. I hope they last a while.

Have to take a point off for no wrap on the end--I really like how some black or red wraps look up on the pegs

StingrayDerek · #2 05-21-2010, 11:23 PM

I just bought some but haven't but them on yet, your post might make me change my current strings prematurely!!

MysticMichael · #3 05-21-2010, 11:31 PM

I tried 'em a couple of times back in the day (late 70s), but they didn't impress me as much as I'd hoped. While the tone was super aggressive rawk tone, they were also super rough on the fingers - and on the frets.

That, plus the fact that they went dead quite quickly, made them not worth the (considerable) price, IME...

Quote:

Originally Posted by IPA

I hope they last a while.

They won't...

MM

I<34080 · #4 05-21-2010, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IPA

Have to take a point off for no wrap on the end--I really like how some black or red wraps look up on the pegs

? My Rotos have red wraps, I think they also make ones with blue

Daveomd · #5 05-21-2010, 11:47 PM

Maybe if you wash your hands and wipe the strings off every couple of minutes they will last a couple of days. Seriously, I don't know if it's just me, but they go dead FAST. I thought they sounded great for a little while but were way too expensive for what I got out of them. Cheap nickel strings seem to be way more consistant for me

IPA · #6 05-22-2010, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daveomd

Maybe if you wash your hands and wipe the strings off every couple of minutes they will last a couple of days. Seriously, I don't know if it's just me, but they go dead FAST. I thought they sounded great for a little while but were way too expensive for what I got out of them. Cheap nickel strings seem to be way more consistant for me

Hmm that sucks. Are you a hard player/slapper or anything?

If they do go dead on me fast I don't think I can justify the price--what kind of cheaper strings would you recommend instead?

Jim Carr · #7 05-22-2010, 12:27 AM

Sadowsky Black Label Stainless Steel

IPA · #8 05-22-2010, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I<34080

? My Rotos have red wraps, I think they also make ones with blue

These are the nickel ones... maybe that makes a difference?

Daveomd · #9 05-22-2010, 12:47 AM

In all fairness I haven't tried Rotos in 20+ years but I doubt they've changed much. I use Ernie Ball or D'addario, not as bright out of the box as Roto but they even out and last longer. Might just be my chemical make up, I know a guy who will absolutely use nothing BUT Rotos. I think I had better luck with LaBella Hard Rockin' Steels- similar to Roto, maybe even rougher on the fingers.

pnut166 · #10 05-22-2010, 12:58 AM

+1 on the Rotos. Even their flats seem to be rougher on fingers than other brands. But boy, I do love the sound of `em! As far as their longevity, I `ve only owned my current sets. Rounds on a P and flats on a J. They are a few months old, but still sound good. I have noticed, though, that I have to clean them regularly or they get buildup quickly.

Luckydog · #11 05-22-2010, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daveomd

In all fairness I haven't tried Rotos in 20+ years but I doubt they've changed much. I use Ernie Ball or D'addario, not as bright out of the box as Roto but they even out and last longer. Might just be my chemical make up, I know a guy who will absolutely use nothing BUT Rotos. I think I had better luck with LaBella Hard Rockin' Steels- similar to Roto, maybe even rougher on the fingers.

IMO the HRS are MUCH smoother feeling than Roto SS. The HRS are my go-to roundwound, although I pretty much stick with flats nowdays.

kstearmer · #12 05-22-2010, 05:24 AM

I tried these out, liked the tone but didn't like the feel... took them off after a couple of days..

slyderhodge · #13 05-22-2010, 05:45 AM

I've played RS 66s for the past 7 years. I love them. I think it has alot to do with the chemical make up, how much you sweat, and if you clean them. Personally I've found that they do sound really harsh and are hard on the fingers for the first few hours, but after these things break in you can play them for months. I've had a set on for about year now (I don't play as much as I used to) and they are just now starting to show a breakdown in tone.

Meatrus · #14 05-22-2010, 05:48 AM

I wouldnt panic about picking a different make just yet, when the Rotos are broken in they are still very useable. As to replacing them with something similar; that wont be possible, nothing sounds like them.

**bassybill** · #15 05-22-2010, 06:35 AM

I'm just sat here wondering how many sets of Swing 66s I've bought in the last 30 years...

And it's a lot. They're still my go to strings 9 times out of 10.

air_leech · #16 05-22-2010, 09:57 AM

I really don't understand all the talking about the 66 being rough and dying fast.
maybe it's just with the stainless steel version, the nickels feel very nice (though not as smooth as other brands like DR), last a good 2-3 month (and sounds pretty good even when they are worn in) and they sound like nothing else. they are my go to strings for my Stingrays and they sound pretty nice on a Precision too.

Meatrus · #17 05-22-2010, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IPA

Have to take a point off for no wrap on the end--I really like how some black or red wraps look up on the pegs

Oh, forgot to say, but someone mentioned it earlier, they should have red silk on the SS set. But its possible you get them without silk in the US? As I know the pack is (or can be) different for export.

If you should have silk on the US sets (other TBers will know) you probaly have the cheaper version, which is the same string without the silk, but these arent called 66, they are called Rotos or something.

Bassmickeyd · #18 05-22-2010, 10:39 AM

Red rape Roto-66 are great strings. ..... Started using them in the early 70's then stopped in the late 80's when someone suggested Hard Rockin Steel and I liked them a lot. ..... Though I remember Roto's went thru a period of inconsistency in production. ..... Last year I walk into GC and they had them on for $10 a pack, so I bought three.

pnut166 · #19 05-22-2010, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassmickeyd

Red rape Roto-66 are great strings. ..... Started using them in the early 70's then stopped in the late 80's when someone suggested Hard Rockin Steel and I liked them a lot. ..... Though I remember Roto's went thru a period of inconsistency in production. ..... Last year I walk into GC and they had them on for $10 a pack, so I bought three.

"Red rape" ???? I know they`re expensive strings and all, but ...

darkstorm · #20 05-22-2010, 09:14 PM

Been useing rotosounds since the mid 1970's with occassional changes to other brands. The rotosounds last allmost as long as others Ive liked. Allmost 3 months use per set.