Flats: Daddario or Rotosound?

[icefly]

User here of Labella Deep Talkin flats and GHS Precision Flats; so for flatwounds, these are my references.

For reasons of availability and prices, I'm now between Daddario Chromes and Rotosound 77, both .040.

So, between Daddario and Rotosound, which one has darker sound ?

 

[michael_t]

User here of Labella Deep Talkin flats and GHS Precision Flats; so for flatwounds, these are my references.

For reasons of availability and prices, I'm now between Daddario Chromes and Rotosound 77, both .040.

So, between Daddario and Rotosound, which one has darker sound ?

Between D'A and Roto, Roto are probably darker once broken in. Neither is even close to the LaBella or GHS, though.

 

[onda'bass]

well played in chromes are lovely, never kept Roto's on long enough to know, but they die fast and are totally different in a month. Not in a good way.

 

[Killing Floor]

TI. And you’ll never need or want to replace them.

 

[blr2]

Rotos will sound darker, but it will take 20 to 40 hours until they do. Initially, they will be the brightest flats you ever heard. They are also quite a bit lower output than the others.

 

[billgwx]

Depends. If we're talking about a P-bass I'd go with Rotos, if a J-bass Chromes.
The heavy mid emphasis of Chromes just does not work for my ears on a P-bass, but it is pure gold on a J-bass, leaps out wonderfully in a full band mix.
I can't speak for a J-bass with Rotos. Only tried that once very briefly and didn't like it, but I wasn't searching for a darker sound there.

 

[GIBrat51]

User here of Labella Deep Talkin flats and GHS Precision Flats; so for flatwounds, these are my references.

For reasons of availability and prices, I'm now between Daddario Chromes and Rotosound 77, both .040.

So, between Daddario and Rotosound, which one has darker sound ?

I'm assuming that you mean the Roto SM77 Hybrid Flats, since the ones I'm familiar with - the RS77LD's - are 45-105's. In either case, the Roto's should be darker sounding than the D'Addario Chromes. I had an old, well broken in set of the Chromes on a '15 G&L ASAT Bass for... about 2 years, until they just died; wouldn't stay in tune, and absolutely would not intonate. To date, they were the brightest flats I've ever played; and I've played all kinds of flats - almost exclusively - for decades. Luckily for me, the ASAT - in active mode - could dial most of their high end out. That way, they were... OK flats for me. Marginally Okay.... But, I don't miss them; the Fender 9050L's that replaced them don't need any pre-amp fiddling to sound good...
As for the Roto SM77s? They should be dark enough to edge out the Chromes. I've had the slightly heavier RS77LD's on 3 basses, over the years; and, while they are definitely on the dark side of the spectrum? They are not quite the "Old School Thumpers" that the La Bella's are. But, they're definitely in the ballpark. On the '18 Gibson Thunderbird I used to own? It was most definitely thunderous....

 

[thedovewarlord]

Depends. If we're talking about a P-bass I'd go with Rotos, if a J-bass Chromes.
The heavy mid emphasis of Chromes just does not work for my ears on a P-bass, but it is pure gold on a J-bass, leaps out wonderfully in a full band mix.
I can't speak for a J-bass with Rotos. Only tried that once very briefly and didn't like it, but I wasn't searching for a darker sound there.

Interesting, my preference is opposite of yours when it comes to Chromes on a P bass, I actually find them to be pure gold and cut thru a band mix or or subdued and melt into the mix without any extreme EQ'ing. Probably because they are what my ears and hands know, Im able to express myself without needing to think (or over-think) my technique.

I don't have much experience with Jazz basses, other than playing them at a music shop, I dont recall any ever being strung with flats come to think of it, but Id love to try a Jazz with Chromes.

Out of the box I would definitely agree, the Rotos are darker (but not as dark as the Labella's) than the Chromes. Once the chromes are broken in, they retain a more notable definition (I wouldn't call them bright) but I've found them to have more of that thump than any other string I've ever played including the Roto's. I've tried many, but haven't played them all, e.g., Ive yet to try TI's.

Sure, strings do have reputations or natural emphasis tonally, but I think it's all about finding a string (or strings) that get you in the neighborhood and you do the rest.

 

[icefly]

So, here´s choosen one:
Rotosound RS77m
Squier Jaguar H medium scale

Not that dark chocolate tone from LaBella or GHS, but these two brands are rare to find in local stores next to me.

 

[CrimsonGhost]

Chromes all day very versatile until I found labella superpolished

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

Rotos are going to be a workout, which I find I like more these days, they are really stiff, especially for a beginner. The D'addarios came on my Fretless Player Jazz bass and sounded just plain bad. But my reference at the time was Roto flats, Dogal flats, Dunlop flats and TI flats. Rotos definately, but a workout you shall have. Darker? I suppose.

 

[iiipopes]

Let's see:

D'A Chromes zing then thump.
Roto monel flats, except for the lightest gauge set, have too much tension.
I suggest thinking a new approach. First, define the tone you want: traditional, grindy, contemporary, etc. Then tell the forum what you are looking for tonally and then you can get reasonable recommendations for that tone.

For example...
For traditional: LaBella 760FL.
For contemporary, Fender flats.
For grindy, clanky, EB Cobalts.
For long-lasting with a hint of grind, EB Stainless flats.
For dark, going darker, DR flats.
For chocolate luscious goodness, GHS Precision Flats.
For classic Sir Macca tone, Optima RB.
For rubber bands that are too floppy and don't seat or intonate well, TI.
And so on.

 

[CrimsonGhost]

Let's see:

D'A Chromes zing then thump.
Roto monel flats, except for the lightest gauge set, have too much tension.
I suggest thinking a new approach. First, define the tone you want: traditional, grindy, contemporary, etc. Then tell the forum what you are looking for tonally and then you can get reasonable recommendations for that tone.

For example...
For traditional: LaBella 760FL.
For contemporary, Fender flats.
For grindy, clanky, EB Cobalts.
For long-lasting with a hint of grind, EB Stainless flats.
For dark, going darker, DR flats.
For chocolate luscious goodness, GHS Precision Flats.
For classic Sir Macca tone, Optima RB.
For rubber bands that are too floppy and don't seat or intonate well, TI.
And so on.

You got that right on the tension. Years ago I had a 1st gen Geddy Lee jazz and they sunk the truss rod nut into the wood and I had to get a washer kit.