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D'Addario vs. Rotosound Nickels

T

Toadsmacker

Jun 21, 2009
93
3
Niagara on the Lake, Ontario
#1
Hey guys,

I'm well on my way to finding my ideal nickel (or NPS) roundwounds. So far the winners are Dean Markley Nickelsteels and Dunlops, which I found to be practically the exact same string. What I liked about them was their lack of the metallic sound associated with rounds (especially when new) and the fact that they were more focused on the note. I like the roundwound overtones, but I am not looking for the "piano" tone, and the DMs and Dunlops didn't last long enough for me.

The next shootout will take place between D'Addario XL Nickels and the Nickel version of the Rotosound 66s.

The ideal criteria:
-Lots of midrange punch/growl (I play hard rock, usually with a pick but with fingers as well)
-How fast the metallic sound goes away, if it's there at all
-Overall string life (this is the BIG issue, my beloved Dean Markley's could only give me a little less then 3 months)

So, which would you guys pick based on these choices? Please try to stick to these 2 string sets, because I've tried lots and I have based these 2 choices mostly on my budget. Try not to just advertise your favourite brand!!!
 
#2
I"ll comment on the Roto 66 Nickels:
  • lots of emphasis on the note fundamentals
  • goodly amounts of mid growl
  • far less metallic than steel rounds
  • last longer than the GHS Boomer nickels I'd used previously
  • treble level easily accentuated/cut with amp EQ

Note that I associate that piano sound with good amounts of mid-to-high mids and growl. I don't know how you classify the sound, perhaps zingy/trebly. These strings have plenty of zing on tap, but nothing like steels - with a good deal less treble.
 
#3
Lowbrow said:
I"ll comment on the Roto 66 Nickels:
  • lots of emphasis on the note fundamentals
  • goodly amounts of mid growl
  • far less metallic than steel rounds
  • last longer than the GHS Boomer nickels I'd used previously
  • treble level easily accentuated/cut with amp EQ

Note that I associate that piano sound with good amounts of mid-to-high mids and growl. I don't know how you classify the sound, perhaps zingy/trebly. These strings have plenty of zing on tap, but nothing like steels - with a good deal less treble.
Click to expand...

From what I understand here, the Rotos seem to fit my criteria very well. Do you think you could do a lifespan guess in weeks or months? Would you say that they last "a long time?"
 
#4
Toadsmacker said:
From what I understand here, the Rotos seem to fit my criteria very well. Do you think you could do a lifespan guess in weeks or months? Would you say that they last "a long time?"
Click to expand...

If by lifespan you mean breakage, I play with a pick and fairly heavy right hand (.100 string set, .88mm tortex pick) and haven't broken one in as long as I can remember. If you mean tone, I've had sets on for a year and still like the way they sound though I do think new sets sounds better. This is subjective, and I think you may like less zing than I do if I read you correctly, so you may feel that they sound good even longer than I might.

Upshot: IMO they are long lasting. With the GHS Boomers I'd want to swap strings every 6 months or so, no such urge with the Rotos.
 
#5
Lowbrow said:
If by lifespan you mean breakage, I play with a pick and fairly heavy right hand (.100 string set, .88mm tortex pick) and haven't broken one in as long as I can remember. If you mean tone, I've had sets on for a year and still like the way they sound though I do think new sets sounds better. This is subjective, and I think you may like less zing than I do if I read you correctly, so you may feel that they sound good even longer than I might.

Upshot: IMO they are long lasting. With the GHS Boomers I'd want to swap strings every 6 months or so, no such urge with the Rotos.
Click to expand...

Re-reading my post I slap myself in the forehead for not specifying/realizing that at this point in my 'career,' I rehearse/record with my band about 4 times a month and gig like NEVER. When I was rehearsing 3x week and gigging 4x month, I'd change strings every few months and regularly break strings in the interim (was using Roto 66 steels/GHS Boomers during that period). So the upshot is I'm in no position right now to comment on Roto 66 nickel string longevity as I'm not giving them what I'd call a workout ;). They do sound really great, though!
 
#8
Do you mean the Rotosound RS66LD Nickel-Plated Steel rounds? I bought two sets for $25 at Guitar Center (45-105) after using Chromes for a year, and I've really enjoyed the RS66LD. They're pretty much everything I was looking for in a roundwound string.

Nice warm, punchy tone
Can get aggressive (in true P-Bass character)
Easy on fingers
Great price
 
#9
Yes, I do mean the Rotosound RS66LD NPS Rounds. They are a little more pricey here in Canada at about $26 for one set, which is where I draw the line (I stopped buying Ernie Ball rounds because they would go over $30 with tax). I can get 2 sets of D'addarios for a little more than 1 set of Rotos, so they are a bit more wallet-friendly, but does anyone know how they compare to the tone/lifespan of the Rotos?
 
#11
Lowbrow said:
These are the one's I'm talking about... [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

Oops, my bad. I read the other guy's post a bit too fast. The RS66LD are the stainless steel rounds, and the RS66LN are the NPS rounds. I am definately talking about the RS66LN, so you have offered facts about the right product

EDIT: the prices that I referred to in one of my other posts were for the RS66LN strings in comparison to the D'addarios
 
#12
I'm currently trying a set of Rotosound's NPS roundwounds on my 5-string Lull, which I usually string with D'Addario XL's NPS.

IMO the Roto's have a similar feel to the D'Addario XL's, but I feel the Roto's have a bit more of a raw sound to them. -More of a Rock sound compared to the XL's IMO. Tone-wise, I'd say the Roto's and the Boomers are very similar. Both have a great tone for Rock.



I can't comment on the Roto's lifespan though. Honestly, every brand of strings I've used tend to lose their zing quickly. I don't have sweaty hands, but something with my body chemistry makes a new set of strings sound dead in about a month.
 
#13
re. Roto Swing Bass 66 nickels - I may be wrong, but believe these are pure nickel wrap rather than NPS; I say this as the Invalid Link Removed nickels are specified as nickel-on-steel, while the Invalid Link Removed are described and packaged simply as 'nickel roundwound.'

Again, just a deductive guess.
 
#14
Lowbrow said:
re. Roto Swing Bass 66 nickels - I may be wrong, but believe these are pure nickel wrap rather than NPS; I say this as the Invalid Link Removed nickels are specified as nickel-on-steel, while the Invalid Link Removed are described and packaged simply as 'nickel roundwound.'

Again, just a deductive guess.
Click to expand...

The set I'm currently using is the Swing Bass LDN set for 5-string. Blue package. I thought the package said they were nickel plated steel (NPS), but I'm not sure.
 
#18
My string package says "Rotosound Swing Bass 66 RN66LD: The Nickel-on-Steel Roundwound Bass String"

37267991-260x260-0-0_RotosoundRotosoundRN66LDNickelSwingBassStrin.jpg
 
#20
Lowbrow said:
Now that's an old package and they've also revamped their naming... the 'RN' denoting nickel is gone replaced by an N for nickel at the end of the product code.. but it's all pretty wacky, right?

Strings still sound great.
Click to expand...

That could explain the two-for-$25 sale GC was having. I'm really enjoying these strings. When it comes to nickel rounds, I like to keep them on my P for a good long while, so I'm set, for now...

We shall see. I'm not sure where to look for these strings now, if they've been renamed or whatnot.

To the OP: Sorry for the major thread derail. Back OT, I have had D'Addario Nickel rounds on a few Jazz-types, and I've been impressed with those, too. Ultimately, it comes down to trying both, but I will say that you can't go wrong with the two-pack of D'Addarios.
 

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