Alternative for Roto Swing66 lasts longer

[LanEvo]

DR LoRiders (as someone mentioned above) sound and feel very much like Rotosounds but last a lot longer.

Their HiBeams don’t have the same feel: much more “slinky” than Rotos.

 

[Oly Spart]

I'm interested with this subject too, so this is a resume of what's been mentioned so far:
GHS Progressives
Fender 7250ML NPS
GHS Super Steels ML5000
Warwick 42200 Red Label Stainless steels.
Marcus Miller signature Dunlop Super Brights
DR Lowriders SS
D’Addario Chromes
DR Hi Beams
LaBella Bass RX

 

[dukey donkey]

I've had really good experience with the La Bella drop tune set...

 

[Luckydog]

I’ve been using DR Lo Riders for nearly 20 years. Not exclusively, but probably more than any other string. Good longetivity, not crazy in any one frequency, good feel, no silk (which I love!), and cuts in the mix as well as provides good support. Not chimey or ringy. To me they are a good rock string, but can also tame down well with eq. And very consistent. Never had a bad string.

 

[bearfoot]

There is no string that will not lose its initial brightness.

Nickel rounds may last a bit longer. But what you seek does not yet exist. The only real alternative is Elixir Polyweb, but they are going to sound like week-old rounds from day one.

You are better off just accepting the fact that this is what happens with all roundwound strings.

 

[jasonrp]

Fender 7250 gets my vote. They're very close in sound to the rotos even though they are nickel (IMO) and they keep that sound a lot longer.

 

[b/o 402]

Another DR recommendation here.
I faced a similar set of vexations as you,and based on a recommendation from a pro friend, tried the DR. Like another responder, I remembered after trying the RS again recently why I switched.
You may need to try several models but I find the Hi Beams to be the perfect roundwound. Sound exactly the way I want, perfectly balanced, last a very long time.

 

[Amano]

Dean Markley Blue Steel. Had the same question. Now I can play for six months with one set of strings.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[JGbassman]

I was a life long roto 66 user (I still have a few basses I run only them on) so I know exactly what you are talking about. The deep shimmering rich textures of harmonic overtones and growl that seems to last a very short duration. It’s addictive and illusive.

I’ve found DiAddario Pro Steel strings are really close, have all the harmonic richness and growl, but have a slightly smoother feel and last a lot longer before dying. Their “secondary” sound has some really cool growl that I love.
And they are cheaper!

I’ve pretty much switched over to the Pro Steels for most of my SS string basses, and have no complaints.

If you love 66’s, you will love these. It’s worth a try in the least.

 

[4001]

DR LoRiders (as someone mentioned above) sound and feel very much like Rotosounds but last a lot longer.

Their HiBeams don’t have the same feel: much more “slinky” than Rotos.

Hmmm.. I never tried the LoRiders. True..those Hi-Beams were a wee bit slinky from what I remember...

 

[Luckydog]

Lo Riders have more agressiveness than Hi Beams and kick more in the low mids. I tried Hi Beams years ago, and found that while they sounded sweet in the high mids, I never had a need for a string that excelled in that frequency area.

 

[Clemouze]

Ok I tried acetone soaking.
One night.

Works very well. No more dull tone.
Not the fresh out of box sharp razzor tone but the "usable" tone you get after several hours or one day.
Strings ring again

I will also try the dunlop MM to see, next week.

For info I have a modded Geddy Lee jazz.
Rotos are perfect for aggro fingerstyle with the jazz pups full on and passive mode. But I find it lacks something when using the MM Lane poor like pikcup and OBP-1 preamp. Not so good for slap neither I find.

Maybe the dunlop MM Will be the best of both world

 

[JRA]

LanEvo and/or Bass Man Dan : can you define slinky for me? i think i'd love a "slinky" string but i'm not sure what you guys mean by the term. thanks.

 

[Roxbororob]

Ok I tried acetone soaking.
One night.

Works very well. No more dull tone.
Not the fresh out of box sharp razzor tone but the "usable" tone you get after several hours or one day.
Strings ring again

I will also try the dunlop MM to see, next week.

For info I have a modded Geddy Lee jazz.
Rotos are perfect for aggro fingerstyle with the jazz pups full on and passive mode. But I find it lacks something when using the MM Lane poor like pikcup and OBP-1 preamp. Not so good for slap neither I find.

Maybe the dunlop MM Will be the best of both world

Woah, did you really use Acetone (or was that a typo)?

 

[Clemouze]

Woah, did you really use Acetone (or was that a typo)?

It was a true soak of true acetone.
In a not so airtight jar so I let it all the night outside
Few hours after string installation on the bass , no more smell on them

 

[eriky4003]

Clemouze,
Let me know what you think of the MM Dunlop Super Brights. Your memory will likely be better than mine as I may not have used them back-to-back. Either PM me or update this thread. Subscribed!

 

[Roxbororob]

Well I guess if you left the jar outside and dried them well. Denatured alcohol can damage you bass finish if you arent careful but Acetone is even more aggresive.
Au moins tu as eux un bonne resultat!

 

[Roxbororob]

Clemouze,
Let me know what you think of the MM Dunlop Super Brights. Your memory will likely be better than mine as I may not have used them back-to-back. Either PM me or update this thread. Subscribed!

Yes I would like to know as well (too much invested in Rotos right now?).

 

[arbiterusa]

Plenty of awesome strings out there but nothing sounds like Rotosounds.

 

[Clemouze]

I think I will even do a video comparison.
Something like playing direct after installation, 1hour, one day, one week, maybe one month.

And after each take I will put back my current old rotos, and stock the new set.
Like that I will not play them and both will be equal. Rotos seem to dull even when not played!