Rotosounds very "sticky"??!!

kramer.j · #1 05-02-2009, 01:56 AM

Hi,

I just put a set of 095 Rotosound Swingbass 66 strings (actually, a 5-string set) in my fretless bass. I've been using Elixir strings on my basses for the last couple of years, and the first thing I noticed is that both my left and right hand keep "stumbling" over the Rotosounds. I rubbed the strings with Fastfret, but that only helped a little.
Is this typically a Rotosound thing, or have I become too much used to the "lubricated" feel of Elixirs?? I also realize that a lighter set is more "rubbery", which may add to my right hand getting "stuck".
Does anyone have a trick to "lubricate" the strings without messing up my ebony fingerboard??
By the way, the sound of the Rotosounds is fine :-)
Thanks!
Regards,
Jaap

varunkapahi · #2 05-02-2009, 02:06 AM

i hate that sticky feeling myself but i really dont think i'd put on swingbass 66 strings as they'd eat the fretboard

PBass101 · #3 05-02-2009, 02:28 AM

I've only heard of using Rotosounds roundwound's on a fretless after the fretboard has been treated.

Other than that, I'm a lifetime RS Swing '66 user, gone through many sets - and they are the most comfortable strings I've ever used. Not sticky, harsh, etc. Maybe you just need some getting used to.

But I would ask around about using some roundwounds with a fretless, especially stainless steel.

choo5 · #4 05-02-2009, 02:47 AM

bought some rotosound rounds and the D string is pretty rough, the A aswel, other strings are fine; bit disapointing concidering how much I had to pay for em! ($80AUD - ~$60USD)

PBass101 · #5 05-02-2009, 02:52 AM

Were these the regular SS Rotosound '66? Man, I get 'em for fifteen bucks off of a major online retailor...

dmusic148 · #6 05-02-2009, 03:02 AM

Well, after playing Elixir's for a couple of years, you will most definitely have some adjusting to do going to Roto's. Way, way different feel, as you have found.
If you like the sound, you'll adjust. And yes, they do smooth out with a few hours of playing. No, they'll never feel like Elixir's(but they'll sound better!).

PBass101 · #7 05-02-2009, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmusic148

No, they'll never feel like Elixir's(but they'll sound better!).

*If you keep them fresh - ie. replace them after they go 'dead.' Rotosounds sound amazing but unfortunately the nature of the material and string winding does not make for longevity.

Hutch1 · #8 05-02-2009, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PBass101

Were these the regular SS Rotosound '66? Man, I get 'em for fifteen bucks off of a major online retailor...

$15 you say? Where is that? The place I get them from online had them for $19.95 or something, then they went up to $23 or so, and now they're $21.29.

The first time I tried the Swingbass strings it took a bit getting used to their feel (I hadn't used stainless steel prior to that), but now they feel comfortable as anything I've played. I haven't noticed any significant fret wear.

Bassman316 · #9 05-02-2009, 06:14 AM

I'm primarily a flatwound player now, but I still have nickel-plated steel roundwounds on a couple of my basses. I've read that stainless steel strings can feel rougher on the fingers than nickel or nickel-plated steel strings, especially when they're new, and I can vouch for that. I picked up a set of Rotosound 66's back in October at GC when I was visiting my friend up in Raleigh, and my first reaction was how different they felt (I went from a set of D'Addario XLs to Roto 66s). To me anyhow, they did feel a bit sticky and definitely more harsh than XLs. But to be fair, XLs are nickel plated and 66s are stainless steel. To each his own, of course. I prefer nickel plated.

conqr · #10 05-02-2009, 09:26 AM

Last set of Roto 66LDs was the last straw for me - I hate that initial finger snagging coarseness, no matter how good they sound. There's steel alternatives that feel way better from day 1 and sound just as good.

OriginalCrash · #11 05-02-2009, 09:39 AM

I'm playing DR Sunbeams now, but I was a Rotosound player for years before (Swing Bass and Solo Bass, mostly)... I'd have never called them "sticky." A little rougher on the fingers (and frets) than nickel and certainly moreso than coated strings, I'm sure, but not sticky. As far as using 'em on a fretless... I've read/heard different things. That said, I've also heard that they "eat frets," and I never found them to be noticeably rougher on frets than any other stainless steel strings I tried... I certainly never had to have any work done on the frets due to playing Rotos specifically...

Brian

jgroh · #12 05-11-2009, 01:24 PM

I totally know what you mean about them being sticky. I posted in another thread about this but, I used RS for years without any trouble, but I was using a pick 100% of the time. Now that I use my fingers 50-75% of the time, they are definitely sticky on my plucking fingers and it seems to only really bother me when gigging or practicing with the band (the two worst situations for strings to cause you trouble)

I just bought some DR Hi Beams and so far, I am really digging them and they are not sticky.

Anonymatt · #13 05-11-2009, 01:42 PM

I have a fretless. I just did this thing where I was using rounds and switched to flats (to experiment with tone) for about two weeks, then I came back to using rounds (I wanted my tone back). All Rotosound's stuff. The lefthand slickness was neat with the flats. My callouses changed slightly. Back on the rounds, there was stickiness on the left hand until my callouses got back to the way they were. Just something about the top millimeter or so of my fingertips.

Funny thing, it was my first experience with flats in a while, and I thought the right hand action was "sticky" despite the smoother string. Something would catch, or become tacky with my sweat. Dunno.

Anyway, my left hand now zips around better than ever on the rounds. You're probably having problems correcting intonation issues on the fly. Maybe you'll get used to it. Never used any slippy products to help, maybe I'll try it someday for fun. There's the Jaco folktale about the chicken grease. Anybody who grew up down south (like me) probably is into some fried pretty frequently anyway.

Eight_Stringer · #14 05-19-2009, 07:34 PM

Just about to order some more strings, so this topic is interesting. Played RS66's for 33 years. The odd brand change in the early days, half rounds were awful! Boiled my fair share of RS66's to keep used ones bright ( still have used strings in packets from 1978 ). FWIW, they do wear out frets, though only on my 1975 P Bass. Rick 2002 is holding up much better. Been said before by notables, RS66's are like rubbing your hands up and down a file all night, both my hands used to blister and bleed on 3 hour gigs, right hand strike fingers ( used to play 3 fingers ) bleed mostly. Used finger ease, though this only allows to rub faster up and down the strings, still rips your finger pads until skin hardens. Good reason to practice daily.

Bright sound does fall away quickly, though even at that point the sound way better than what other brands i tried, new or used. Perhaps there are better modern strings like DR's in this regard?

Regards.