Rotosound Roundwounds

[smithal3]

I bought a set a few weeks ago and installed them, and I was pretty disappointed, I was told by multiple people that they are supposed to have a very bright sound, but instead it was very dull and almost sounded like I had been playing them for a few months right away.


Did I just get a bad set? Does Rotosound sell roundwound strings which actually are quite bright, that's really what I am looking for right now...

[bhass]

You are talking about Rotosound 66's right?

[smithal3]

...honestly I don't know. I was in Guitar Center and asked for Rotosound roundwounds and that's what they handed me, I just put them on and tossed the packaging out.


Let me ask this then: does Rotosound sell bright sounding roundwounds or do I need to look elsewhere?

[CayceG]

What everyone usually gets are RS66's. They're very bright. You may have gotten a bad set, though. Every once in a while you'll see a set with a dead string.

I haven't gotten one yet.

[John Wentzien]

Red silk on the ends?

[Lurker79]

I just got a set with a dead E. Very noticeable, and it sounded really dull. Back to DRs, they feel and sound really consistent for me. How much time did you get out of them until the rotos sounded dead to you? They do have a quick life....

[markdavid]

if they are the stainless steel set then they should be quite bright , if they are the nickel set they will be a lot less bright sounding. The stainless steel set have red silk on the ends and are kind of greyish looking. If you are looking for bright then Daddario Pro steels are very bright sounding (although a little stiff feeling)

[xk3smith]

I had a set of 66s. The E was dead right away and the feel was RAW. Very rough on the hands. I LOVED THEM THOUGH!!!! LOL!!! The sound was awesome. That being said..... I am loving the Sadowsky strings I just switched to. They will be my strings for my fender from now on.

[taygunov]

I tried a pair of roto 66's once. They weren't too bright which I personally like, but they died VERY quickly and began to sound horrible, and the strings are rough themselves. Not worth the money in my opinion

[Joe.shaffer]

I've used rotos almost 11 years haven't ever had a problem. Life doesn't seem any shorter than other strings to me. Maybe I've just gotten lucky? Granted, I do play with a very light touch.

Oh and hell yes they're rough on your fingers, and your fretboard if you have a heavy hand. That's why I started with them in the first place.

[eddievanbassman]

You probably bought the ****** nickel ones.
Get the Swing Bass 66s Stainless Steel they're the classics.

[EZ9R]

Rotosound has definitely got their QC together. In the '80s, getting a dead string was common. Even Billy Sheehan quite using them because of that. He went to Charlie Stringer. They are a family own business and I think they went out of business for a moment when James How died.
But, the Rotosound Swing bass today sound and feel different than they did 20-25 years ago.

[deckard]

I've tried other ss roundwound strings, incl. a set of D'Ad nickel-plated ones, but always came back to Roto RS66LDs - first tried 'em in the early 70s.

Last year I had a new set with a dead E string, so I emailed Rotosound, got a couple of nice replies back & a free replacement string in the mail.

However, a couple of months ago I put on a new set and they just weren't as bright & sparkly sounding (out of the box/package) as I have always experienced in the past when I put on a brand new set.

So I put on the 2nd new set I had & same thing: just not as bright.

Played that set for a few days & just couldn't get over the fact that they were just not as bright as I have come to expect.

I ordered a set of the RS66LCs because I have been wanting to try a slightly lighter gauge anyway - I put 'em on and "Voila!!": definitely as bright sounding as I expected/hoped them to be!

It's now a few weeks later and they still sound great!

Couldn't tell ya what the "issue" was with the 2 sets of RS66LDs - I just know the RS66LCs were and still are much brighter.

p.s./edit - I play an "H.G. Thor-epoxied fingerboard" fretless exclusively and am very happy with the RS66LCs: I was able to lower the action even more than before, and I definitely get more "mwah" and more "note fundamental" - but it has also meant I really have to clean up my technique, + turn up the volume and pick lighter... JMHO.

[jgroh]

They didnt give you a set of flats did they? lol Rotosounds are very bright. If you are not happy, contact Rotosound. I did recently because I got a dead G string. They sent me a new set quickly and were very apologetic.

I am not using Rotosounds as much as I used to. I played with a pick for over 20 years, so the rough strings didnt bother me. Now that I am playing much more with my fingers, my plucking hand gets "stuck" (for lack of a better term) alot more with RS strings. Always seems to happen when you need to really play fast too, so Ive moved on to DR's.

[Eight_Stringer]

FWIW, modern times bring modern problems. Have used and still have on my basses sets of RS66's that are 32 years old, they sound, well how can i say less than "new" bright, however they are playable all the same. With so many strings these days from many different makers the RS66's are less than in a class of their own as say in the 1970's. Bought a set of basses recently and two came with Elixers and one with D'ddario. All round wounds. With active pickups these strings do sound "bright" when turning up and down the active tone controls. However the RS66' have that undefined zing as well as bright that you get when fitting new strings and its that alive zing that fades quickly...mores the pity.

Given that steel making has changed over the years i cannot but feel for Rotosound and making a consistent product that sounds the same over a 40 year span with what ever steel they can purchase must be a nightmare. I am and make no apolgy a Rotosound bigot, they simply remain the best string that inspires my playing. DR and Elixirs are good, Roto's remain better.

Hope that helps.