Rotosound Jazz Bass

OriginalCrash · #1 04-05-2007, 01:58 PM

I'm sure some people here have used Rotosound's flatwounds. How do they compare to others? They were the first set of strings I purchased years ago after I got my bass. I liked 'em, but I went back to roundwounds and have played them ever since. Anyway, reading some posts about how much people are playing and loving flats, I thought I'd see how Rotosound's monel flats compare (particularly to D'addario Chromes and TI Jazz Flats... I've been impressed with people's opinions of them so far). Thanks.

Brian

clockworkwar · #2 04-05-2007, 02:05 PM

I have Roto's flatwounds, they are amazing strings, while the new ring stays but after they go dead, they still sound good, just lack the awesome highs.

OriginalCrash · #3 04-05-2007, 02:15 PM

Can you compare/contrast them to any other flats? I'm just asking because those were the only flats I've played and that was years ago. So I'm just trying to get an idea of how the different flatwound strings compare to each other, in case I decide to give 'em another shot. But, strings in general, I love Rotosounds! I played the Swing Bass for a while and am currently playing the Solo Bass. I bought a set of the PSD's but haven't put 'em on yet, as I may be getting a new bass soon. I'm a little worried about them, though, as some of what little information I've found on those has me wondering if they're gonna make a "chorus-y" sound on the higher frets. I've never had any trouble with dead strings with Rotosound, though, so either I've been very lucky or that's just an older problem that Rotosound seems to have taken care of.

Brian

43apples · #4 04-05-2007, 05:15 PM

I tried a set of them, didn't like them at all.

They were very very coarse to the touch, and had very high tension (compared to other flats i've tried). The tone wasn't what i wanted either, it was more of a roundwound growl than a flatwound thump.

JimmyM · #5 04-05-2007, 05:36 PM

I don't like them, either. Too coarse and too ringy.

bocasfx · #6 04-05-2007, 05:41 PM

I have them in my Jazz Fretless and I also have a set of Fender Flats in my Stingray. I like the feel of the Rotosounds better in comparison with the Fenders mainly because the fenders are smoother and my fingers don't slide as easy as they do with the rotosounds. Also the fenders are brighter which i don't like.

Bass Below · #7 04-06-2007, 06:53 AM

I just started using the Rotosound Monel Flats (heavy gauge) and what others have said is true, they are a bit coarse, tight and ringy compared to other flats (I switched from Chromes) but that's exactly what I was looking for because I down tune quite a bit and the thump was too low and the strings were too loose. These are perfect for me.

The Rotos so far seem to be extremely high quality. If you play with a band, you'll definitely cut through the mix more than you would with a flat like a Chrome. If you tune standard, the tension is going to increase a bit, so give your fingers some time to adjust, but otherwise, enjoy!

FenderP · #8 04-07-2007, 11:07 PM

The Rotosound RS77LE has been my string of choice going on 20 years now. I've flirted with other vendors once or twice, but none have that feel or sound - at least on my basses. I keep 'em on for 3, 4, 5 years at a time.

The ones I tried for longer than others were the James Jamerson set. Those were the worst feeling, deadest sounding strings ever. I like flats, but those were insane. The feel just wasn't right at all.

The RS88 set has been my standard fretless set and sounds great. Not the same sound as the RS77.

Mark Perry · #9 04-11-2007, 02:12 PM

I got a set 2 weeks ago, they've been on my bass ever since. There the only type of Flatwound i've tried so far, so i'd love to know how they compare to other brands as well. In my experience they are certainly a lot brighter than i'd expect flats to be.