rotosounds killing my fingers

snake23 · #1 02-08-2007, 04:39 PM

I have the swing 66 strings that I just put on,I love the way they sound but hate the way they feel.Is there a comparable string soundwise but easier on the fingers?My last set were Elixirs so these feel really harsh on my fingers.

lavaman67 · #2 02-08-2007, 04:55 PM

I personally don't like Rotosound at all. I swear by DR. I really like the High Beams, but my personal favorites are the Sunbeams. They are very comfortable for fingerstyle playing and sound great. They are definitely more expensive, but I think you get what you pay for with DR.

**petch** · #3 02-08-2007, 05:18 PM

Yep, DR Sunbeams are awesome. High quality, smooth feel, modest tension, nice midrange. I have tried many a nickel roundwound to arrive at this conclusion! They are currently on 2 of my basses. I like 45-65-80-100 gauge.

ProfGumby · #4 02-08-2007, 05:44 PM

On my old T 40, I fell victim to the Rotosound hype and strung up a set. They were on the bass for exactly 40 minutes....

Didn't like them at all, the sound was great, but it was a bitch to play with them..and don't ever slide with them on a bare finger.....

Standalone · #5 02-08-2007, 05:52 PM

I rock rotosounds on my fretted and slide all over the place! Toughen up and take it for the team!

That said, I'll try some DRs as the above poster said, (maybe I'm missing something) but I love me some rotosounds.

JacoLesFlea · #6 02-08-2007, 05:55 PM

BUNCH A PUSSYS!!!! let your fingers bleed!!!!!!!!! and play them rotosounds!!!!!

snake23 · #7 02-08-2007, 06:49 PM

I'll give the Roto's another week.If ican't used to them,the DR sunbeams or hibeams will get strung up.The Roto's sound killer though.

ProfGumby · #8 02-08-2007, 06:54 PM

In retrospect, I probably could have left them on a while longer, but I liked the strings that were on the bass when I got it and had the local shop string up a new set for me while I was at work the next day.

To this day I have no friggin idea what brand, etc those strings were, but I loved them!

I am making no statements against Rotosounds or their quality. Like I said the sound was great, but then so was the sound out of the mystery strings....The Roto's just did not feel right or good to me....to each his own I guess.....

1kinal · #9 02-08-2007, 09:18 PM

The DR Lo-Riders stainless are the closest in tone to the Roto's 66. Great mid growl with better low end IMO.

The other DR sets (sunbeams, hi-beams) are great but doesn't sound as close to the Roto's to my ears.

4-string Steve · #10 02-09-2007, 06:14 PM

I put on some Rotosounds just last night, 2nd pair I've had I believe, and I love them. I don't think they chew up my fingers that bad at all.

rsautrey · #11 02-09-2007, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1kinal

The DR Lo-Riders stainless are the closest in tone to the Roto's 66. Great mid growl with better low end IMO.

The other DR sets (sunbeams, hi-beams) are great but doesn't sound as close to the Roto's to my ears.

I've always thought this too but most people I know always compare the Hi-Beams to Rotosound Swing Bass 66. I don't think they are alike at all. The Hi-Beams are very "hi-fi" while the Swing Bass and the Lo-Riders seem more aggresive to my ears anyway.

BetterBottomEnd · #12 02-09-2007, 08:01 PM

Going from Elixer to Rotosounds is going to kill. I'd try like others have suggested Sunbeams or nickel Lo-Riders. In terms of feel I'd go to a nickel string for a while then giving SS another shot.

Jazzdogg · #13 02-09-2007, 08:46 PM

If you have a chance, test drive the Thomastik Infeld Jazz Flats. I have them on two of my basses, and I'm planning to try them on my ABG. Lots of threads you can search for here on TB.

snake23 · #14 02-10-2007, 04:45 AM

I'll probably try a few sets of strings in the next couple of weeks.

Dincrest · #15 02-10-2007, 06:15 PM

For a reasonably priced alternative, try D'Addario ProSteels. The ProSteels are D'Addario's take on the Rotosound thing. Like Rotos, people either love or hate ProSteels.

jmceachern36 · #16 02-10-2007, 09:17 PM

I've been using Roto 66's for a long time. They smooth out after a bit. A couple of days? You'll also get used to how they feel new. Give them time they're great strings.

m.oreilly · #17 02-10-2007, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmceachern36

I've been using Roto 66's for a long time. They smooth out after a bit. A couple of days? You'll also get used to how they feel new. Give them time they're great strings.

+1 i have tried so many makes and gauges of strings. but i always come back to the roto 66.

Captain Chaos · #18 02-10-2007, 10:01 PM

I've been using Rotosounds for 2 years and they feel smooth like silk.

Eminentbass · #19 02-11-2007, 12:35 AM

I used Rotosound for about two years. I loved the sound but I found they lost their tone quickly. I started to gig up to six nights a week and they just didn't hold up to it. I'm now using SIT rock steels and I'm happy with those.

DavePlaysBass · #20 02-11-2007, 04:29 PM

It's bee n a long time since I played Rotos. They always died on me too quick when I was a teenager. If memory is correct, the DA ProSteels and the Sadowsky steels have a grindy high end that is in the Rotosound camp. I prefer LaBella Hard Rockin's Steels which are bright but a little more subdued, smoother to the touch, and more flexible.

Dave