Switching from rotos?

BassoP · #1 11-21-2008, 12:03 AM

I've played various gauges of Rotosound 66s pretty much forever, but am looking to branch out (I've always thought they felt a little rough, and their lifespan is dismal). I've got High Beams on one of my other basses, and really like them BUT I want something with more mid punch for this bass, less zingy. Thoughts? Recommendations? It's for a 6, so I need singles.

ljazz · #2 11-21-2008, 02:39 AM

The SS Loriders..... They are zingy when you first get them, but settle in wonderfully. They got this "dark" sound happening, and I love the low mids. And they last a heck of a lot longer than the Roto's.

BassoP · #3 11-21-2008, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljazz

The SS Loriders..... They are zingy when you first get them, but settle in wonderfully. They got this "dark" sound happening, and I love the low mids. And they last a heck of a lot longer than the Roto's.

Any sense of how stiff they are compared to rotos? I've been playing roto super lights on this bass (maybe the funk masters, I forget, they are old), and the lo riders dont' seem to come quite as light

ljazz · #4 11-21-2008, 10:54 AM

Good question, as it's been almost 20 years since I've used roto's.

I typically use the .105 - - 0.45" gauge in the LR's..... But there are lighter gauges.

Ljazz

Luckydog · #5 11-21-2008, 11:04 AM

You don't hear too much about them, but there are a few folks here that like them. I know I do. They are Labella Hard Rockin Steel, with a few weeks of play time on them. These strings are pretty cheap, not hard on your fingers, and they have a beautiful and aggressive mid-range bloom after the zing wears off. They are my favorite rounds.

babaseen · #6 11-21-2008, 11:06 AM

In regards to my Jazz Bass experience, I drifted from the Roto Swingbass 66 many years ago and went thru a phase (years) with Ken Smith Rock Masters, then DR Highbeams, and finally Labella Hard Rockin Steels, all great strings (from a playability and durability standpoint)...also available in light gauges. However I have come full circle, I'm back to Roto Swingbass 66 and like the way they feel.

One set that seems to be overlooked that I would highly recommend is the GHS Super Steels (they even have contact cores)

babaseen · #7 12-07-2009, 09:18 AM

anyone experience an E string that just doesn't want to bloom on the Swing Bass 66 set (according to the guitard) after it's been on for three months...maybe need to change them more often

air_leech · #8 12-07-2009, 09:54 AM

try the Roto 66 nickel.
yeah, I know - it wont do much to that feeling you might be missing something with the other brands out there but this set saved one of my Stingrays which I was going to unload and is now my go to bass and it sounds pretty nice on a Precision too.

I say give it a shot, I like these better than the DRs I had on my Rays, Ps and Warwicks (lo riders steels, lo riders nickel, sunbeams).