Rotosound Flats - are they good?

[gsummer]

I am interested in trying Rotosound's Medium Jazz bass strings (flatwound). Does anyone play these (either now or in the past) and what do you think? I want a string that is punchy and deep with some nice growl. Also, how do they compare to Thomastik-Infeld flats? (i.e. tension, sound, feel).

Galen

[Flatwound]

I didn't like them much. I used the Steve Harris guages which are pretty heavy, .050-.110, I think. They were pretty bright, much more than traditional-sounding flats like Fender or LaBella.

I currently have TI Jazz Flats on my Precision, and they sound great. In terms of feel, they're pretty wiggly, being low-tension and round-core, but it's worth it. More midrange than Fender flats, but still with good low-end. I have to play with a pretty light touch, but I'm getting used to it. They're twangy at first, but mellow after a few weeks. After a few months, they're even better.

[gsummer]

You used the steve harris gauges? are they the same strings as the medium jazz flats though? You mention La bellas, are they better than the rotosounds? I don't like the TI's taht much. They sound nice to me, but I would like a little more low end and a little more tension.

[Flatwound]

Originally posted by gsummer
You used the steve harris gauges? are they the same strings as the medium jazz flats though? You mention La bellas, are they better than the rotosounds?

Yes, the SH guages are just heavier. I would prefer LaBellas to Roto flats, but I like traditional thumpy flats. Whether they're "better" or not depends on what you like. I like Fender flatwounds a lot, I just like TI's better at this point. The Fenders, to me, are more URB-ish, and the TI's sustain better. If you want to know about the LaBellas, just listen to some Motown hits with Jamerson playing bass.

[gsummer]

yeah I love jamerson's playing. can a set of la bellas really capture that sound? I've also heard they are really high tension, is that true? I would be interested in a medium gauge so hopefully it wouldn't be that bad. Also, I hate to have to ask, but what do you mean by URB-ish?

[JimM]

G,

Since no one else answered,allow me to butt in.

It means Up Right Bass.I've never tried the Jamerson set, but I hear they are thick.A thick string has to have more tension to bring it up to the same pitch as a thinner string at a lower tension.Imagine tuning your E string to the same pitch as your A,that would be extremely tight,since the E string is so much thicker than the A string.Comprendo ?

[kingmacaw]

i love the sound of the roto 77 monels on one of my fretted basses, especially for their highs & a modern sound, BUT i find the high tension of the strings fatiguing. therefore, i will not use roto flats again. (i had already tried them on my fretless bass with similar results.)

i have TI flats on my fretless warwick & love their low tension & ability to get that standup bass jazz sound. i've tried other strings but nothing else plays or sounds like them.

[jbednarski]

Roto 77s are the string that was used primarialy by Roger Waters and John Deacon. They definitely don't have the LaBella sound and are stiffer. That being said , they last a long time and produce a sound entirely their own. I use them, LaBella and Fender flats on different basses and they all have different sounds.

[SturmUndDrang]

The roto sm77 set is .040 .060 .080 & .100. Wouldn't think the tension would be too high on those. Is it true the monel flats aren't as loud as other strings?

[Ezmar]

Originally Posted by SturmUndDrang

The roto sm77 set is .040 .060 .080 & .100. Wouldn't think the tension would be too high on those. Is it true the monel flats aren't as loud as other strings?

Much of the time, people say tension to refer to the flexibility of the string. I haven't tried the Rotos 77s, but it would make sense from what I know of Rotosound that they'd be stiffer. They're known for relatively stiff strings. That's why I like them, actually. The feeling of the DR Hi Beams is too mushy for me. They're great strings, but I don't like them.

[AdamR]

Im not a big flats fan but Ive used the roto 77s and would use them again.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by jbednarski

Roto 77s are the string that was used primarialy by Roger Waters and John Deacon. They definitely don't have the LaBella sound and are stiffer. That being said , they last a long time and produce a sound entirely their own. I use them, LaBella and Fender flats on different basses and they all have different sounds.

Agreed.

[steamthief]

Originally Posted by AdamR

Im not a big flats fan but Ive used the roto 77s and would use them again.

This. If and when I ever go back to flats, it'll be a set of Monels.

[strappa]

Roto 77s were my favorite flat
when i bought my Lakland HB the store did not have the Rotos
so the guy suggested Sadowsky flats
I would still use Rotos but Sadowskys are my #1

[capncal]

i recently put Steve Harris signatures on my Am. Standard P bass and effin' love them! They are high tension so it's like twice as hard to play. i've noticed left hand fatigue setting in about a quarter way through my band's rehearsal. we typically go for about 2 hours.

but i can feel my left hand getting stronger and these strings give the impression of more power under my fingers. i seem to have more volume control too. i feel that i have a greater dynamic range. i can play real soft, then get real loud, just with my right hand.

i love my SH rotosound flats!

[jasper383]

The 45-105 is a great set if you're looking for a genuine old school, heard on lots of '60s UK songs sound.

Quite bright at first, they mellow out quickly and are a very nice sounding string.

The heavier set is really, really stiff.