String tension: D'Addario ECB81S vs Rotosound RS77S

thrashingbass · #1 07-28-2010, 10:38 PM

Thread title says it all. I m familiar with RS77LE, and short scale Chromes. I miss the rotosound 77 tone, so am looking to MAYBE change my Chromes for short scale Jazz 77 on my short scale bass (nothing wrong with the Chromes, BTW). Are they flabby? Monel seems to be stiffer than other materials, thus my curiosity. Thoughts?

thrashingbass · #2 07-30-2010, 08:23 AM

Or put another way, are RS77S too flabby on a short scale? I suppose there must be a reason they are not popular on these forums (jazz 77 for short scales).

thrashingbass · #3 08-15-2010, 09:44 AM

Just reviving my own thread to perhaps help out anybody that may have my own question.

Although I cannot compare the same exact gauges, the very light RS77S set has indeed less tension than ecb81s, short scale chromes. But thankfully, not to flabby at all, I didn't need a truss rod adjustment, but did have to raise the bridge just a bit. Although all strings are technically higher, the bass is even easier to play. I do wish they had higher tension strings, but the Rotosound Jazz 77 sound fantastic. Bass tone from paradise.

As I said in another thread, I do like the Chromes, but I absolutely love the Rotosound flats, which is why I came to try them on my short scale bass. I have never found them repugnantly bright as many find them. Full sounding, but very articulate, matching the bass and Lollar pickups well.

Try these if you haven't on your shorties! They are not super tense, for better or worse. Great tone nonetheless, mind you. Even with the low tension and very low action, I didn't have problems playing softly or aggressively (I don't mind controlled "clack", as I even use it intentionally some times). I guess the usual stiffness of the monel strings make up a bit for the low tension. They don't flop around too much.

Summary:

-Looser than Chromes, but not by much. (Lighter tension on the Rotos for the short scale set explains why- perhaps if they were the same tension, the Rotosounds might feel stiffer than the Chromes, but I haven't tested it myself.)
-Less sustain with Rotos, but with richer tone quality (utterly subjective, but they have their own beautiful tonal quality which is why I came back to them. Chromes sound a bit honkier and nasal, but not in a horrid way; they also have their own voicing.) They (Chromes) probably have better upper mids, I am not sure, but they do sound different from each other, even if both are often considered bright-Rotos have a better perceived brightness (and openness, IMHO) overall, but neither set is muddy.
-Rotosounds are very full sounding, a detailed attack, but not a roundwound tone at all. Where is this zing? They just sing beautifully! Chromes are also not harsh at all. They are only bright compared to other flats.

Hope this might be of use to somebody in the future. This is not merely a "vs" thread, or "which is better"(the "vs" part was how did their tension compare for their short scale sets, which was my initial question), I did like the D'Addario Chromes short scale set, but leaned towards the great sounding Rotosound Jazz 77 flats, and it felt like going back home.

thrashingbass · #4 08-15-2010, 08:57 PM

After coming back from work today and practicing more with my short scale bass, yes indeed, the Rotosound 77 Jazz Bass set (RS77S) is fantastic! I believe they will be this bass's favored set for as long as I own it. The tension is very good, not tight at all or uncomfortable, but not TOO flabby, which I loved. The feel is awesome, the tone, incredible. Maybe it's their interaction with my bass and its electronics, but really, they work for me better than the Chromes (note, for my playing needs and tonal ideal; I am sure many of you will feel differently, and the Chromes ARE excellent as well.)

Conclusion: Love them or hate them, Rotosound DOES make some of the best strings around!

End of ecstatic rant.

randaddy · #5 08-17-2010, 01:44 PM

Thanks! This is interesting and informative.

I'm in the process of trying several different string types and this info helps.

funkytoe · #6 08-17-2010, 02:13 PM

I've been singing the praises of the Rotosound Monel 77's on my Hofner for years. They are, in my opinion the perfect string for that bass. Glad you like them on your shortie Jazz.

thrashingbass · #7 08-17-2010, 10:22 PM

Really great flats, right? Wish they had more gauges for short scales, but these are great anyway. I assume my current set will last for years!

My short scale is not a Jazz clone, BTW, it's just an Epiphone Flying V, natural "korina" (or whatever wood it REALLY is; great tone nonetheless, especially with the Lollar pickups AND Roto strings.)

Again, the Chromes DO have more sustain and a bit more growl, but I am not missing it. The Rotosound flats tone is just so good.