I used to like well-worn Rotos 66s, they have a particular thumpy sound that I like. I have found that stainless steels generally sound better when worn than nickel plated steels. But today more than ever I like clarity, so I change my strings every month.
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In Praise Of Old Strings
- Thread starter slam dunk
- Start date
I never had any luck with Roto66's. I tried 2 sets of Rotos on my Rickenbacker 4003 when I first got it.... thinking the first set was a lemon, so I got another set. The strings were dead within 1-2 weeks. Dunlop Super Bright Nickel and Stainless Steels last much longer. Same with EB Cobalts and DR High Beams.
I tried Labella Jamersons once, and found them nearly unplayable. The comparison I made was to compare them to playing "tugboat hawsers." Couldn't handle it, and within a couple of weeks I changed them to the Labella 760FL set in light gauge, .043-.104
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In college, I had one bass, and gigged weekly. I changed strings every 6 months or so, because that's all I could afford. Now, I have a small herd of basses, I gig weekly (and practice a lot more than I ever did in college), and I change strings...about every 9 months., but that's changing al the strings on all the basses every 9 months. I keep track of when I change strings - the data as to how long sets last helps me be wise with string purchases.
Although I used to change strings "more often", that's misleading. College was a while ago, and all the lights were incandescent back then - stages were really hot, and I sweated a LOT, for 3 hours, twice a week.. My strings were drenched in sweat every gig. Nowadays, all the lights are LED's. and the fixtures are much further way - stages are cool nowadays, I don't sweat at all, and I do church gigs - 2 half hour sets a week (and 15 to 20 hours of practice). So, the strings I would change in college were much "older" - more dead than the ones I change nowadays, even though the ones I change now have more hours on them.
Although I used to change strings "more often", that's misleading. College was a while ago, and all the lights were incandescent back then - stages were really hot, and I sweated a LOT, for 3 hours, twice a week.. My strings were drenched in sweat every gig. Nowadays, all the lights are LED's. and the fixtures are much further way - stages are cool nowadays, I don't sweat at all, and I do church gigs - 2 half hour sets a week (and 15 to 20 hours of practice). So, the strings I would change in college were much "older" - more dead than the ones I change nowadays, even though the ones I change now have more hours on them.
There are lots of users saying that, ore or less, LaBella flats have all got a distinctive sound.
The DTF 760FL and the LTF4-A yield similar tones, being the LTF slightly more up-mids oriented.
The 760FL sound is definitely a signature vintage tone!
I have a MIJ Jazz with an almost 5 year old set of GHS Precision Flats on it. They continue to sound great. Tuning & intonation are still holding good.
I recently got a older Mexican Standard Jazz. When I played it, I was stunned by its strong beefy tone. It came with rounds that I couldn't identify so I came here and found out that they're Mexican-era Fender 7250's.
I'm not normally a roundwound player on Fenders but these aren't going anywhere. Just stunned! The finger noise is livable too.
I recently got a older Mexican Standard Jazz. When I played it, I was stunned by its strong beefy tone. It came with rounds that I couldn't identify so I came here and found out that they're Mexican-era Fender 7250's.
I'm not normally a roundwound player on Fenders but these aren't going anywhere. Just stunned! The finger noise is livable too.
