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Brand new dull E string
- Thread starter GED2112
- Start date
Why? Because they're Rotosounds. This is nothing new.
Many bass players have that problem with Rotosound, and they often have to go through three or four sets in order to put together one good sounding well matched set. I gave up on Rotosound in 1975.
okcrum
in your chest
Make sure you have not twisted the string while installing it. That's the best way to kill a new string that's not already defective.
Nothing is as bright; ringy-zingy, or klanky-wanky as Rotosound.
D'Addario is the world's largest selling string winder, and winds about half the strings available for sale according to Jim D'Addario.
The Pro Steels do get good reviews around here, although I don't have any personal experience with them.
Depends on which D'Addario set you get. I was a big fan of the stainless Roto 66 rounds, until the quality started to vary set to set like others have mentioned. I bounced around various brands. Lately, I've been playing the stainless La Bella RX strings. They're plenty bright, seem to stay bright as long or longer than other brands, and feel smoother and less coarse to my fingers.
- Aug 21, 2003
- 11,618
- 18,694
- Disclosures
- A-Designs Mike Lull GK Tsunami Cables GHS Strings RMI Basswitch Nordstrand Pickups Darkglass
I have never had one dead GHS out of the package...
Good Point! GHS Super Steels might be a good choice.
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Leland Sklar once commented on using Rotosounds in the very early part of his career - how he would have to go through three sets of them to get one good set.
Then he switched over to the GHS Super Steels in the mid-70's and no more issue with dead strings out of the package whatsoever.
Dean Markley Blue Steels are very zingy, similar to Rotosounds ... but Blue Steels last just about forever and I've never had a dead string. They don't get much love around here though - most TB posts I could find seem to be negative towards them.
That must be exactly who I was thinking of, although Lee isn't the only one. So GHS Super Steels, eh?
Here's the surprising part about what Lee was saying about the Super Steels...
He actually prefers their "broken-in" tone, so he only changes them only about twice a year. This coming from one of the busiest session/touring pros around.
- Aug 21, 2003
- 11,618
- 18,694
- Disclosures
- A-Designs Mike Lull GK Tsunami Cables GHS Strings RMI Basswitch Nordstrand Pickups Darkglass
I always liked the way they are packed
If the strings are not sealed airtight, by the time they get to us, “dead-city”
I'm a longtime Rotosound 66 user. I bought a used bass online. Played the strings it had and thought "these are the closest things to Rotos that I've played." Found out there were Blue Steels. For anyone who likes the Rotosounds, Blue Steels shouldn't disappoint.
Edit: Just read the latest thread on Blue Steels. I must have had an older set. Didn't know they quit making them with the silks.
Last edited:
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
I used to use rotosounds and this happens from time to time … these days I use D'addario
well, I'll have to do more research ..our local big box music chain has Roto 66's on sale next week and I was thinking of giving them a try....sounds like I may give them a pass
