rotosound

Sippy · #1 10-18-2005, 01:50 AM

Ok I just took the Fender Flats off my '73 and put Rotosound 66 on there. Do these strings ever dull? It may be because i'm used to the flats but these strings are BUZZING with life (not literally buzzing but u get the idea).. the sustain never dies. and they are so bright and ... chipper.. lol Do they ever dull down a bit? hehe.

skewh · #2 10-18-2005, 04:55 AM

They do dull down a bit after time, but I've used Rotosound 66's for quite awhile now, and if they do get a little too dull, it's nothing you can't fix with a little treble boost on your amp. And despite the slight dulling, I've never lost any harmonic clarity, so if your into that, these are the strings for you.

Pruitt · #3 10-18-2005, 10:42 AM

I've used Rotosound 66's on my '79 Stingray for 25 years now. Just love the sound! I doubt I'll ever switch to a different brand on that bass.

I just put them on the cheap SX fretless I just bought and they sound great on there too, though I'm gonna try some other strings on there soon.

But yes, they will loose their brightness in a month or two depending on how much you play. But a new set gets that sound back again.

Sippy · #4 10-18-2005, 10:44 AM

Yea i'm doing a lot of weather report tunes. So I switched to the rotosounds because I was told It's the string most like what Jaco used. my flats sounded more like him! hehe

RhythmBassist01 · #5 10-18-2005, 06:20 PM

I've experenced Rotosound 66 D and G string breaking at the bridge after 6 months. If you keep them clean, they seem to retain a certain amount of harmonic overtones. I tend to boost treble when I hear the overtone starting to fad.

Unchain · #6 10-18-2005, 06:46 PM

Do you want them very bright, or want them to tone down a little?

WillBuckingham · #7 10-18-2005, 09:22 PM

Jaco used Rotosound Swingbass 66's standard gauge, just like the ones at Guitar Center. I've read that he cut some of the treble, but not much. He also used more bridge pickup than neck pickup, but I guess that doesn't help much with your p-bass.

I use rotosounds, and change them every 2-3 weeks, I feel like they start to lose their zing at that point. Its kind of an expensive habit.

slugworth · #8 10-18-2005, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillBuckingham

Jaco used Rotosound Swingbass 66's standard gauge, just like the ones at Guitar Center. I've read that he cut some of the treble, but not much. He also used more bridge pickup than neck pickup, but I guess that doesn't help much with your p-bass.

I use rotosounds, and change them every 2-3 weeks, I feel like they start to lose their zing at that point. Its kind of an expensive habit.

>>>>> Yuppp.....Luckily I get them direct from the source at reduced prices.... I don't use anything else..

Slug

Sippy · #9 10-18-2005, 09:50 PM

Yea thats what I have Rotosound 66 roundwound standard gauge. ($22). Any other tips for giving me the "jaco" sound on a P-bass? if I play closer to the bridge that helps out alot. I just love the way he plays Black market.

WillBuckingham · #10 10-18-2005, 09:56 PM

Heh, yeah play by the bridge. Install a bridge J-pickup (is that possible?) I think the bridge pickup might be the key. Good luck.

Sippy · #11 10-18-2005, 11:16 PM

nah this is my '73 and I wanna keep it original.. I'm saving up for a 62' reissue that i'm gonna get fretless. Since I love his sound.

zombywoof5050 · #12 10-19-2005, 12:31 PM

I used mostly Rotosounds for 20+ years. I always liked them most when they got to be about 1-1.5 years old.
Strange but true..

LukeMan970 · #13 10-24-2005, 05:49 PM

How are the rotosounds for slap bass?

skewh · #14 10-24-2005, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LukeMan970

How are the rotosounds for slap bass?

I don't play slap bass often, but when I do the tones are always punchy yet thumpy, a good, balanced slap tone. However that could be due to my active bass . . . but I do know that Stanley Clarke uses Rotosounds too.

**bassybill** · #15 10-26-2005, 01:03 AM

I still love Rotosound rounds, been using them 27 years. Yep, they're certainly brighter than Fender flats! Mine last about a month or so. Slap? They're fantastic for slap.

dave120 · #16 10-26-2005, 05:45 AM

I tried the Rotosound SS Swing Bass and my fingers still haven't forgiven me. So I tried the Nickel version of the Swing Bass and they sound very similiar but are easier on the fingers and frets, and seem to last a little longer too. At about $15 a set they're very nice and they're all I use now besides the bass I use flats on.

tulkas · #17 10-27-2005, 06:02 AM

Everyone tells me very good things about the rotosounds, i never try it...

Probably the next one i will buy, they are cheap. I usually buy Ernie Ball Slinkys but they are a little expensive for the regular changing.

RhythmBassist01 · #18 10-27-2005, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zombywoof5050

I used mostly Rotosounds for 20+ years. I always liked them most when they got to be about 1-1.5 years old.
Strange but true..

I like to sound of well used rotosounds. I have a set of old roto's that I use sometimes. It's a nice contrast to new strings, which I quite like.

#19 10-27-2005, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AerospaceGuy

Yea thats what I have Rotosound 66 roundwound standard gauge. ($22). Any other tips for giving me the "jaco" sound on a P-bass? if I play closer to the bridge that helps out alot. I just love the way he plays Black market.

Don't know if you're willing to hack apart either bass, but Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder) has a bridge J pickup on his P bass, and he gets about as close to Jaco in sound as anybody does. Something to try if you feel like it.

Asaf · #20 10-29-2005, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tulkas

Everyone tells me very good things about the rotosounds, i never try it...

Probably the next one i will buy, they are cheap. I usually buy Ernie Ball Slinkys but they are a little expensive for the regular changing.

the RB series are really cheap i buy them at 14$ a set.
but they have high tension so it will take your bass some time and a good setup to get used to them...but at the end u will get harmonics that will last for hours.