Should I ditch my TI jazz flats for Roto 77s?

RCCollins · #1 09-06-2010, 10:48 AM

While I absolutely love them on my Flashback, I have to admit that I'm getting a little fed up with the low tension of Thomastik jazz flats.

I picked up a shortscale bass with roto 77s this spring, and was really impressed by their sound as well - far brighter than the thomastiks, with more of a rock "edge" for flats, and quite high tension, but not without the appealing "stick" to the fingers that I like about the TIs.

Am I nuts if I think about swapping out the TIs for the rotos? Any other ideas? I KNOW that nothing's gonna sound the same, but the fact is that the TIs just don't suit my fingerstyle playing, something I've been denying a long time.

Please don't recommend Chromes (I don't like 'em)

jscomposer · #2 09-06-2010, 10:55 AM

I did that, and noticed a significant drop in output. So much so, I had to crank the gain on my Sansamp, which increased the noise floor. I may try them again though when I'm done replacing the relatively low output Q-tuners with high output Rio Grande Muy Grandes.

RCCollins · #3 09-06-2010, 01:46 PM

you found a drop in output switching from pure nickel wraps to monel SS?

Santraginus · #4 09-06-2010, 01:49 PM

I found it incredibly difficult at first - but after a while I adjusted to their tension, and in fact developed both a much lighter touch as well as a new way to approach intensity in my playing. I'd recommend to keep on trying... just my 0.02........

jscomposer · #5 09-06-2010, 01:51 PM

Yes. In fact, I changed the strings one by one and played it each time, so the difference was obvious.

I suppose it could have been the Q-tuners' weird magnet? I'll have to try them again with the Rio Grandes. Just waiting for the neck pickup to arrive.

Mastermold · #6 09-06-2010, 04:45 PM

I love my TI flats but sounds like Rotos are more what you want. Only way to know for sure is to try a set.

SurferJoe46 · #7 09-06-2010, 07:55 PM

I was gonna dump a P until I put the 77s on it and now it's in the front lineup.

RCCollins · #8 09-07-2010, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mastermold

I love my TI flats but sounds like Rotos are more what you want. Only way to know for sure is to try a set.

well, i ALMOST always love like the sound of the TI flats, but there are occasions when I feel like the mids are too strong for my mid-rich mesa rig. So I should add that to my gripe list.

I'm still a little concerned that the rotos will be too harsh sounding - but I can always roll down my tone knob, right? right?

TMacATK · #9 09-11-2010, 08:06 PM

I used to have a fretless P strung with 77s and I loved them. Find a good deal and try a set!

4Mal · #10 09-11-2010, 08:17 PM

I found the roto's to be incredibly stiff playing and tonally - nothing to write home about.

IMO - learn to play with a lighter touch, maybe raise the action a tad - heresy I know ... but actually it can sound better as well as help you deal with the low tension. Utimately, your hands may thank you as the lack of stain on them can help extend your playing career. Lot's of guitarists with stuff like 'trigger finger' are advised to more to lighter strings afer surgical correction ... woulda been easier to do it before ...

work the mid's on that rig of yours. The difference in those 2 string sets shouldn't account for all that much ...

FWIW - I also like Chromes after they break in ... off the shelf they are kinda steely ...

RCCollins · #11 09-11-2010, 10:00 PM

i went with rotos and am really digging them so far. just put 'em on today though, and the tension difference is tremendous, so it will take a few days for the truss rod adjustment to set in and get 'er set up properly again

loved the TIs but in the end they just werent for me - the rotos have better string balance IMO, are not harsh or overly bright, and really have the snappy feel I like for fingerstyle playing

FenderP · #12 09-13-2010, 07:07 AM

I've been using RS77s for over 20 years now. No complaints. They're definitely not for everyone, but they work well for me - especially with high action, high tension setups

derridiandrift · #13 09-13-2010, 07:55 AM

I haven't tried TI flats but I don't like RS77s. Tried really hard to like them for a really long time. LaBellas too. Hmmph. If you're gonna throw those Thomastiks away, send them to me so I can try them out. Still haven't found what I'm looking for.

RCCollins · #14 09-13-2010, 08:00 AM

Got my setup together and am still really digging the RS77s - the high tension suits my playing style, and more and more I am concentrating on heavy rock (which is not to say that the RS77s are poor for "old school" tone - roll off the highs and sound fat and round as any flats.

their "tack" reminds me a bit of the gap in TIs - loved the sound of those strings, even if it wasn't for me - and I gave myself enough time to adapt to the low tension - wasn;'t for me

so I've gone from one "cult" flatwound to another

WoollyMammoth · #15 12-05-2010, 03:22 AM

I use both strings and like both. I play closer to the bridge with TIs and that fixes any felt low tension.

JehuJava · #16 12-05-2010, 03:36 AM

Dude...a sets like $30. Try 'em and decide. If you hate 'em (which it sounds like your not gonna) you can always sell 'em here.

I'm a TI fan, but if your not stoked on 'em you'll never be happy with your setup until you find "the one." For me it's TI Jazz Rounds. I want nothing else.

Chris K · #17 12-05-2010, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JehuJava

Dude...a sets like $30. Try 'em and decide. If you hate 'em (which it sounds like your not gonna) you can always sell 'em here.

I'm a TI fan, but if your not stoked on 'em you'll never be happy with your setup until you find "the one." For me it's TI Jazz Rounds. I want nothing else.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

CrimsonGhost · #18 12-05-2010, 10:32 AM

I have been using the rotosound flats for the past 8-10 years exclusively, started with the 50-110 set, way too much tension.

went to a local shop and they only had chromes in stock and i needed something,
to my surprise and saving a crapload of money $18.99 vs $39.99 the chromes sound great!, they have way more of that nice low mid and classic p-bass with flats tone,

the rotos in comparision seem to be really be cut on the mids-low mids, they are all clank.