Rotosound Trubass RS88 tension on short scale bass

[gtrandbass]

I have read these strings are heavy gauge but low tension...is their tension high enough for a 30" scale bass so that the strings don't feel too "loose" for finger style playing with occasional fast runs? I play mainly blues/jazz/funky-ish stuff, Pastorius has a clear influence in my playing.

I am still trying to figure out which tapewounds I'll get for my short scale Gretsch...the more I read about these Rotosounds the more I am interested in trying them.

[Meatrus]

These Rotos are getting very popular here! I cant say for a 30" bass, but they arent at all floppy on a 34", I would say they are about the same as standard rounds (which is low compared to flats).

[gtrandbass]

Thanks Meatrus. I would then assume on a short scale bass they shouldn't be any floppier than "standard rounds" either. Cool. I need to check how noisy the bass is without grounding the strings, if acceptable then I don't see any reason why I shouldn't get a set of these rotosounds.

BTW, someone wrote here that no tapewounds are built with flatwounds under the tape...you mentioned in the other thread that truebass is flat + tape. Is it possible that they have changed the construction of these strings? I am also pretty sure Fender tapewounds are tape covered roundwounds because they are clearly bumpy.

[brachal]

Every now and then I use a set of these on my Gibson EB-3. Nice sound, very heavy gauge. I find the string tension to be just fine. I would definitely recommend giving them a try.

[hdracer]

I use the RS66's on my shorty. I wrote to Roto and asked about the tension differences between them and the 88's. They will not tell you the tension on any of there strings. I find that odd because most string company's do. All the told me was that they are very compatible. I think that the 77's are on the loose side. I am going to try some Chromes

[Meatrus]

Originally Posted by gtrandbass

Thanks Meatrus. I would then assume on a short scale bass they shouldn't be any floppier than "standard rounds" either. Cool. I need to check how noisy the bass is without grounding the strings, if acceptable then I don't see any reason why I shouldn't get a set of these rotosounds.

BTW, someone wrote here that no tapewounds are built with flatwounds under the tape...you mentioned in the other thread that truebass is flat + tape. Is it possible that they have changed the construction of these strings? I am also pretty sure Fender tapewounds are tape covered roundwounds because they are clearly bumpy.

No problem, I'm sure they would be fine too.

I could agree that most tapewounds are roundwounds, but not all. You would have had to closely look at every brand to say that, are you sure the person who said that had done.....thats the trouble with forums . The Rotos are flats for sure. But the Labellas and Fenders arent, and are bumpy to the touch I have been told. The Rotos are as smooth as very smooth flats (feel very nice). If you do a Google search of Rotosound Trubass flatwound, you will see a lot of links (below the TB ones!) with flatwound mentioned.

[Tahoe_Ed]

I put a set on a Greg Bennet MCR-1, 25" scale tuned EADG, and though the tension was a little looser than I prefer. It played well. A 30" scale should be no problem.

[gtrandbass]

Thanks fellas. Looks like the tension shouldn't be a problem. OTOH if it would one might ask why Rotosound then offers these strings in short scale

I cannot remember who commented on rounds under all tapewounds, I was quickly browsing threads on tapes. Even though I like the Fender tapewounds in my fretless I may go for the smooth and flat Rotos instead of LaBellas...they are cheaper too.

My fretless has P+J style PUPs (and Fender tapewounds) and my short scale has one humbucker. For a bigger difference in tone (ie to cover more sonic ground) perhaps the Rotosounds make little more sense. The stock rounds in have in the short scale are not bad but I prefer mellower tone.