Rotosound Flats Vs Chromes?

CrimsonGhost · #1 11-29-2007, 08:31 AM

anyone tried both? How ya think they differ in terms of tone and brightness?

Cant decide between chromes and 45-105 rotoflats,
(currently running the 50-110 harris rotoflats but the tension is just too much for the neck and my fingers!.)

thanks,.

markdavid · #2 11-30-2007, 01:20 PM

Rotos are brighter , the rotos sound like rounds to me whereas chromes sound like very bright flats

K-Funk · #3 11-30-2007, 04:22 PM

yeah, and rotosounds last longer as well.... If you want to use flats for rock and metal, use the rotos. I'm putting some on my P-bass tomorrow, as a matter of fact!

BellBottomBlues · #4 11-30-2007, 04:33 PM

The Steve Harris signatures are simply Rotosound RS77LEs with different silk ends and are $5 more.

So the 45-105 is the same string, just slightly slimmer. I like the sound of dead Roto flats...

Sparkdog · #5 11-30-2007, 04:42 PM

If you're used to roundwounds you'll probably prefer the Rotos.

They're really kind of a different animal than most flatwounds. They have that flatwound thump, but they're considerably brighter. Flats in general sound a bit "dead" to me so I've never been crazy about them, but I love the Rotos on the right bass.

I used to keep a set on my Precision, which was cool, but they are simply perfect on my fretless Jazz.

They sound even better to me after they've been on for a few months.

jasper383 · #6 11-30-2007, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markdavid

Rotos are brighter , the rotos sound like rounds to me whereas chromes sound like very bright flats

+1

Good Lord, those 50-110 Rotos must be really high tension. I tried the 45-105s and was surprised at how tense and bright they were.

I like the Chromes 45-100, and have tried both. Not as bright, more flat like. The Rotos were really tangy.

CrimsonGhost · #7 12-01-2007, 05:44 AM

im going to order a set of the 45-105, im tired of the harris set tension being so high its rediculous.

I had them on my 50's classic P and the neck needed like a full turn and a half to straighten up the neck, and then even MORE after it settled in, then the truss rod nut was sinking in becuase the tension is so high.

I emailed rotosound to ask what is the tension on them, and they only told me this.

"The total pull for a 45 to 105 roundwound set is 157lbs. The total pull for a 45 to 105 flatwound set is 159lbs."

THey also said this. just to confirm.
"The Steve Harris set build is the same as the RS77LE 50 to 110; hence there is no fundamental reason why one should be brighter than the other."

So off to order 45-105s. aside from the tension,
the Harris flats are GREAT strings, and i have whored them off on many many people becuase of the tone and feel,

Im hoping the only difference in the 45-105's being a bit more bendable.

DavePlaysBass · #8 12-01-2007, 08:16 AM

Wow. You actually got numbers from Rotosound? You did good. In the past they have claimed that it's an ancient Chinese secret.

I am not sure those numbers add up. A DA XL set of 45-100 is something like 165 or 170?

CrimsonGhost · #9 12-01-2007, 09:21 AM

yep!, thats from Jason how too. But i was really looking to get tension numbers for the harris set so i can go Holy crap!, a big fat "c" neck vintage style P neck is about the stoutest thing out there. and still I would cringe when cranking up that G string,becuase its so tight, feels like the string is gonna snap or the neck is going to cave in!

rickfan63 · #10 12-01-2007, 10:30 AM

Rotosound flats are bright for flats, but they are a little stiff. When they break in, some of the brightness goes away. I used them for a short while a few years ago. But I started getting dead strings in the sets I was getting. I switched to Chromes, which are my favorite flat. The heavier guages, I've heard can be stiff too. I use the 45-100 set. They are also bright sounding, and hold their tone longer than the Rotos IMHO. But when they start to go dead, (they usually last about a year for me) it's time to change them. I know there are those who like a dead thumpy flat, but I play with a pick. Dead thumpy flats don't sound that good with a pick to me. Finger style players would fare better there. If high tension is a concern, go with the lighter guages. D'Addario lists the tension loads on their website.

seanm · #11 12-01-2007, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K-Funk

yeah, and rotosounds last longer as well.... If you want to use flats for rock and metal, use the rotos. I'm putting some on my P-bass tomorrow, as a matter of fact!

How long did the rotos last compared to the Chromes? I've only been playing flats for three years, so I don't know how long the Chromes are good for yet.

Rawkabilly · #12 12-01-2007, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K-Funk

yeah, and rotosounds last longer as well.... If you want to use flats for rock and metal, use the rotos. I'm putting some on my P-bass tomorrow, as a matter of fact!

My experience has been exactly the opposite. I'm not saying thay're not good strings, but Rotosound flat's don't retain that brightness for very long. If you love the tone of fresh Roto's, you're going to be changing your strings pretty frequently.

Nighthawk551 · #13 12-01-2007, 12:06 PM

Roto flats are kind of rough feeling and are very bright. Chromes are bright flats but become thumpy with some definition.

colorblindbass · #14 12-08-2007, 12:43 PM

i have a very well played set of 2 month old RS77LE's on my Jazz
nice and broken in, nothing but good things to say about them

and ive ordered the heaviest set of chromes they make for my newly acquired Precision.

seanm · #15 12-08-2007, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colorblindbass

i have a very well played set of 2 month old RS77LE's on my Jazz
nice and broken in, nothing but good things to say about them

and ive ordered the heaviest set of chromes they make for my newly acquired Precision.

That's the 50-105 set (orange)? I'm interested in hearing the comparison. I've never tried the Rotosounds.

colorblindbass · #16 12-08-2007, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanm

That's the 50-105 set (orange)? I'm interested in hearing the comparison. I've never tried the Rotosounds.

yes the orange ones, but i wish they made a heavier set lol

ill post a comparison as soon as i break um in,

im hopin there high tension, but then again im weird

im just wonderin how big of a sound diffrence there is between them and the heavier roto's.

DavePlaysBass · #17 12-08-2007, 09:45 PM

Anyone use the 40-100 roto flats? Thin sounding?

TBASS · #18 12-09-2007, 04:40 PM

I've used both. After using the Roto 45-105 I no longer care for the chromes. I'm unable to get anything but one sound out of them. Not versitile IMO. Thet also grate on the fret when bending notes. They must be stainless wrapped. The rotos are just wonderful for me. Very nice audible fundimental and I love the feel and sound when bending notes. I find the tension figures from the rep. quoted by crimson hard to believe though as I have had to remove the neck from my jazz and adjust it 3 times since stringing up the roto 45-105 set. Before I was running EBall 50-105 rounds on the jazz. Anyway I love the Rotos and am also running a set on my passive corvette. I've ordered a 40-100 set of rotos to try on my jazz if my latest truss rod tightening does not hold with the 40-105 set.

DavePlaysBass · #19 12-09-2007, 10:03 PM

Anyone know the gauge of roto flats JPJ played back in the day. I was just watching some live Zep, and he did a lot of playing with the right hand at the neck. If the strings are heavy enough, that may not be a bad way to go. I normally use lighter strings and stay more in the middle.

Jason Hollar · #20 12-09-2007, 10:13 PM

I've played the Roto 40-100s -- hated them.

I currently use the 77s 45-130s on my 5er and they are boss. I've used them on all my electrics for several years now.

I do like the Chromes...very smooth feeling & sounding.

I prefer the bite & growl of the Rotos though.