• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Best strings out there...thus far...

#23
I'm using the roto 66's right now as well, mainly because the players I thought sounded the best used them. I would like to try out a bunch of different strings in the future... they are fricking expensive.
 
#25
I have used the swing 66's for the last few months and thought they were very good strings, great sound ,feel, etc. However I felt they lost their tone too quickly .I was disappointed withe the D string especially, I have switched to DR Lo-Riders after many people hounded me too try them, and I honestly don't think I will ever change. I love em.
 
#27
Haven't used Rotosound Swing '66 since the early-mid 90's. I liked them I did use them. I may come off sounding a bit insane here, yet I've had good luck with Dean Markley (SR 2000 and Blue Steel) - those tend to last about a year. Of course at that point they tend to unravel on me...

I did use Labella HRS way back when, but stopped using them once they became harder to find, which is probably when/why I switched to Dean Markley....
 
#31
jcalo said:
I've been playing bass for over 40 years, playing in Rock, R&B, Country, Jazz, Blues, etc., and have tried just about every string that I could get my hands on. Currently playing in a jazz/blues/rock trio on a circa 1970 P Bass. I personally think the Rotosound Swing Bass 66 are the best, most versatile string I've ever used. Any players out there who have used these strings and have moved on to something better? I am certainly open to suggestions...
Click to expand...

Funny you should ask - I just happened to post this in another thread:

I used Roto's Swing 66 45-65-80-105 for several years but was also plagued by the short tone life and premature fret wear. A friend and former user of the Rotos then told me about GHS Supersteels, which are their stainless steel roundwounds. The STB 46-67-84-106 gauges I use feels closer to the Rotos than any other type I've tried, but last virtually forever, can be boiled back to life a couple of times, and baby the frets. They are also very evenly gradiated tonally from string to string, very consistent. I've been using them for 20 years now.
Click to expand...

The GHS Supersteels also follow the nuances of your attack hand very well, which I love. They can be a little wild for the first few days, but then settle in great.
 
#33
The best brand I've used so far is D'addario. Their nickels mellow very well and last for quite a while. The Dean Markley sets I used sounded too sterile and hurt my hands. The Ernie Balls sounded good but died fast. The LaBellas I have on now have too much top-end. I'm debating wether or not I want DR Sunbeams, GHS Boomers or going back to D'addarios.
 
#34
jcalo said:
I've been playing bass for over 40 years, playing in Rock, R&B, Country, Jazz, Blues, etc., and have tried just about every string that I could get my hands on. Currently playing in a jazz/blues/rock trio on a circa 1970 P Bass. I personally think the Rotosound Swing Bass 66 are the best, most versatile string I've ever used. Any players out there who have used these strings and have moved on to something better? I am certainly open to suggestions...
Click to expand...

I just went through about a half dozen string types experimenting on my P bass. I liked the Rotosound Swing Bass 66 second best. I liked the TI flatwounds the best.

Out of curiosity, what gauge strings do you use? I used the 45-105. However, I have a pack of 50-110 that I haven't yet tried. Given that I liked the lower end (E, A strings) better than the top end (D,G strings) I 'm thinking I might like the 50-110 better than the 45-105.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back