Roto 77's vs. Lo Riders

ebonalley · #1 03-10-2011, 04:12 PM

Got a new SR505 and am getting some clack on the B when I play the E. I guess this is pretty normal but am considering either some Roto 77's or Lo Riders (probably nickel). Anyhow, just wondering if anyone has first hand experience with both of these. I understand the Roto's are pretty firm and bright but the Lo Riders have the hex core. I play rock with fingerstyle.

nukes_da_bass · #2 03-10-2011, 04:20 PM

Currently I have DR's on several basses and they last a long time and sound great. Rotosound rounds wear out quick IMO and are often too bright at first and too dull afterwards.

J-O · #3 03-10-2011, 04:21 PM

First thing I'd do is get a proper setup done.

The roto 77's are great strings, but they are very high tension. I'd try the DR's first unless you are used to flats.

ebonalley · #4 03-11-2011, 06:29 PM

BigOldHarry · #5 03-11-2011, 06:51 PM

new strings won't solve "Clack".

You need a good setup.

Michael Jewels · #6 03-12-2011, 12:31 PM

I've used both these strings, and like them both for different reasons.

Roto 77s have reasonably high tension, and are bright for a flatwound. They also have a very smooth feel to them, and you might not like this, as your fingers may slip a little on the string as compared with round wounds.

I have a set of these on my Filakovsky Jazz bass right now which has Sadowsky pups and the VTC circuit.
This bass is my Motown Machine.

I've also used the DR Lo Riders on my Stingray 4, and loved them.

They're a bit stiffer than most round wounds, but I liked the feel.

Once you've had them on your bass for a few days, you'll realize how predictably they respond between a light touch or digging in.

If you're asking for an opinion on which set to buy, I'd recommend the Lo Riders as a starting point.

I think you'll be happier with them than with the Roto 77s.

Also, if your bass is a 5 string, I would recommend getting a tapered B string for whichever set you get.

I once had a set of Lo Riders on my Ibanez BTB1205E, and the B string, which wasn't tapered sat up much too high on the saddle, and was lower in volume than the other strings.

Good Luck.

Mike

conqr · #7 03-12-2011, 06:32 PM

Rock fingerstyle huh - you probably dig in when you're flying, slapping that B against the fretboard after plucking the E. In addition to seeking a stiffer B you can also adjust technique, maybe experiment with playing closer to the bridge and/or raise the height of the B.

lowgroove677 · #8 03-12-2011, 09:55 PM

I have a sr505 with chromes on it. Never played the 77s but I have learned that a lighter touch on the B string helps alot. I'm very heavy handed so the combo of flatwounds and a lighter touch help me with the clank, just took me awhile to get used to not digging in so much. I never realized how much right hand control has on my tone. Give a shot, heck of alot cheaper than new strings.

Darkstrike · #9 03-12-2011, 10:09 PM

This is like compairing apples and bicycles, nothing alike in any way, to be quite honest.

But yeah, teh 77's, they're such high tension, they should deal with clack completely, unless you beat your strings.

darkstorm · #10 03-13-2011, 01:12 AM

flats versus rounds. Hum, Id allways go with rounds. Better comparison would be betweeen roto swing66 and dr low riders. Then your deciding between two roundwound strings.

ebonalley · #11 03-14-2011, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkstorm

flats versus rounds. Hum, Id allways go with rounds. Better comparison would be betweeen roto swing66 and dr low riders. Then your deciding between two roundwound strings.

Thanks, ultimately I'm just looking for tight and bright. I just figured the 77 were a big more stiff since they were flats and the Lo Riders have the hex core.

5string5fingers · #12 03-14-2011, 10:35 PM

I have found D'addario nickels,medium gauge 135-50s work well with 5 strings. the 135 B string helps out with floppiness on my ESP, and have decent tension. That combined with right technique using the B string, and little bit of neck relief.

guroove · #13 03-14-2011, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebonalley

Thanks, ultimately I'm just looking for tight and bright. I just figured the 77 were a big more stiff since they were flats and the Lo Riders have the hex core.

If you're looking for tight, I would just go heavy as opposed to going with flats unless flats are specifically what you want. Roto 77s are bright for flats, but they are still flats. You will still miss out on the sizzle and the midrange grind of rounds.