what can I replace rotosound 66 strings with?

[the_hook]

I currently have a set (probably a year old by now) on my SX Jazz SX SJB-62CT 3TS (http://www.rondomusic.com/sjb62ct.html).

They give the bass a very deep, dark tone with a bit of bark. I'm curious about trying something different, but don't want to stray too far from what they provide.

I do find I can't play quite as fast with these strings as well due to the grittier feel. So another consideration is close to similar tone, but something a bit 'faster' to play on? At this point I'm playing a lot of classic rock (Rush, Zeppelin, etc.).

[RickenBoogie]

Try out some EB Slinky's. I find them to sound like a broke-in set of Roto's, but they last a bit longer. They have every gauge imaginable, stick with the size you have now, to avoid needing a set up.

[One Drop]

DR Lo-Riders are the closest I've found for matching the low mids punch and general voicing of the Rotos. But nothing other than Rotos will sound just like them.

[SquierBender]

DR LO RIDERS!

[the_hook]

I'm going buy some new strings soon, wondering if there are any others I should look at?

I like the sound of the Rotosounds, but don't really like the stickiness of them, I'd prefer strings that are smoother to the touch, allow for quicker movement. I also find they're very 'clacky' over the frets when I play hard.

Guage would be the same as what I have now. I play primarily classic rock, reggae, and some R&B at this point on my SX Jazz.

[Chrisk-K]

DR Hi-Beams or Lo-Riders.

[BigOldHarry]

Originally Posted by One Drop

DR Lo-Riders are the closest I've found for matching the low mids punch and general voicing of the Rotos. But nothing other than Rotos will sound just like them.

+1. My string of choice. Hi beams are too zingy for me... Lo Rides are *it*.

[squashedOpossum]

Originally Posted by the_hook

I like the sound of the Rotosounds, but don't really like the stickiness of them, I'd prefer strings that are smoother to the touch, allow for quicker movement. I also find they're very 'clacky' over the frets when I play hard.

You take the good with the bad on Rotos. Yeah, they're rougher than a lot of strings out there, but NOTHING will match the sound of Rotos on a Jazz, especially for classic rock. I had to learn to adjust my playing style to the Rotos if I wanted that sound.

[Mekanic]

I ordered a set of Roto Nexus the other day. Supposed to be here tomorrow or monday. Supposedly they give nearly all the roto 66 tone, with the coating so they last like elixir's and are much smoother.

I'll have to see when I get them.

Oh, and theyre black, so you KNOW its gonna make your bass sound a million times better just because of that.

[jasper383]

Give us a review of the coated Rotos once you have them strung up!

I have found La Bella Hard Rockin' Steels are pretty close to the Rotos. Get them from Carvin, very inexpensive.

[John Wentzien]

Dunlop SS ...Smoove as a baby's butt....and last a lot longer than Rotos..

[darkstorm]

I used nothing but rotosounds for more then 20 yrs. Other brands just didnt cut it to my ears once I had my own voice. Today and for the past 10 or so hyears GHS Boomers have been my alternate choice as best sounding. They do feel smoother then rotosounds and also do smooth bell tone harmonics a little nicer imo. Rotosounds do scrape harmonics and such a little bit better in regards to nice nasty harmonic sound imo. If however you think your instruments could use a little more crunch, then Ernie Ball is suggested as good choice. Rotosounds are not as bright sounding as most stainless steel strings Ive tried. Other brands like Daddario, DR, Elixer, just sound bleh to me compared to Rotosound 66's and GHS Boomers. But thats just me, I do use heavy overdrive, and ring mod set to give a darker bass synth like char to my bass voice. I use Rotosounds and alternately GHS Boomers on both bass and guitar btw. I like crunchy rather then smooth voice, except for bell tone harmonics in which case I prefer smooth dark ones. For other types of harmonics anything from smooth to just nasty is fine for me. Lol. I play 99% of the time with a pick.

I'm doing GHS Boomers for now, Finished restringing both basses and both guitars yesterday. When I go back to rotosounds itd be again for both basses and both guitars.

[countrybassist]

LaBella Rockin Steel.