Rotosound Jazz Bass 77 for Hofner Bass

sir.edjong · #1 05-28-2011, 10:50 PM

Hey folks, good to be here, to talk with you guys.

I have a little problem on finding new string, i currently use a hofner icon violin bass and labella deep talkin' roundwound strings, but i broke the g string 3 days ago. These string i bought 1 year ago, and yes, i love the sound of dead strings.
I'm feeling like i'll have to try buying a flats, since that was the most people do when they have shortscale hollow body bass. Unfortunately, in my area there was nobody who sells flatwounds, all roundwounds...

And when i'm luckily found a flatwound on sale, it was rotosound jazz bass 77.

So sad, i was expecting the first flats i have is labella, pyramid, d'addario chromes, or even rotosound tapewound. The bassy, thumpy flatwound.
So, as there was not many review on the web about this string, will this string be bassy and thumpy, muted enough on hofner? I read in one review that it was very bright so Steve Harris used it. I don't really like bright tones, i play in a jazz trio with a piano and drum, i want to emulate double bass sound without buying one.
I appreciate any reply to this thread, because it's really important. The price of the string is quite expensive, and if it's bright just like a roundwound, why wouldn't I buy a much cheaper roundwound? I don't want to lose that much of money for nothing at all.
Thx

SurferJoe46 · #2 05-28-2011, 11:00 PM

The 77s are sweet, thumpy and really quiet and smooth to play.

I won't go so far as to say that they sound like an upright - but they are certainly some of the finest strings you can get for rounds.

I have them on my Precision and even added the foam mute::

Yeah - they cost a lot - but they last forever too.

sir.edjong · #3 05-28-2011, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

The 77s are sweet, thumpy and really quiet and smooth to play.

I won't go so far as to say that they sound like an upright - but they are certainly some of the finest strings you can get for rounds.

I have them on my Precision and even added the foam mute::

Yeah - they cost a lot - but they last forever too.

thanks a lot for the fast reply,
So i assume for a hollow body it will get thumpy even without a foam?
You said they are the finest strings i can get for rounds, do you mean it was a roundwound not flatwound, or you are talking about the price?
I was quite confused here.

jmceachern36 · #4 05-28-2011, 11:43 PM

You really should check out the Pyramid strings that are made for the Hofner. They will give you a very nice sound. Very mellow. They are also not going to bs as stiff as the Rotos.

sir.edjong · #5 05-28-2011, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmceachern36

You really should check out the Pyramid strings that are made for the Hofner. They will give you a very nice sound. Very mellow. They are also not going to bs as stiff as the Rotos.

Yes, i want to buy them to, but unfortunately there was nobody selling these string in my area, and i don't have any VISA/PalPay/any other online shop account to buy them online. What a shame.
I lived in Indonesia, so my English were not as good as you guys, what does stiff means? Rough?
Btw, thanks a lot for the reply

jmceachern36 · #6 05-28-2011, 11:57 PM

No not rough. I'm refering to the tension of the string. The Pyramids are more flexible. Easier to play. They're also very smooth.

sir.edjong · #7 05-29-2011, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmceachern36

No not rough. I'm refering to the tension of the string. The Pyramids are more flexible. Easier to play. They're also very smooth.

well, honestly, i like high tension because i play with resting my finger on the neck and don't want it to sound sloppy. What i am afraid of is about the brightness.

sir.edjong · #8 05-29-2011, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmceachern36

No not rough. I'm refering to the tension of the string. The Pyramids are more flexible. Easier to play. They're also very smooth.

well, honestly, i like high tension because i play with resting my finger on the neck and don't want it to sound sloppy. What i am afraid of is about the brightness.

Sleeq · #9 05-29-2011, 02:18 AM

I hated the Roto flats. They are not as "flat" as Fenders or Chromes (you can see/feel the string "grooves" between at the wraps) and were very bright sounding.

harmendebresser · #10 05-29-2011, 03:07 AM

If they come in short-scale, they'd work as good as any other flatwound. The initial brightness dies out after about a week (Steve Harris uses a new set for every show ; ). But I would not use long-scale strings on a violin bass due to inherent intonation & maybe even neck problems...

markanini · #11 05-29-2011, 05:25 AM

GHS Brite Flats 108-84-56-40

samjones_de · #12 05-29-2011, 08:11 AM

Rotosound do have a high tension which is probably not great for a Höfner.

For sounds please check out my flatwound shootout:
Flatwound

SurferJoe46 · #13 05-29-2011, 08:29 AM

I have no tension-playing problems with the 77s - they feel to have the same taughtness - but maybe on a Fender they aren't that noticeable.

Perhaps if the Hofner is that weak, then I'd stick with something more along the lines for strings and string designs that the factory originally puts on it. I never knew the Hofners were that flimsy though.

My bad.