Comparing my Rotosound RS77M on a short scale vs. Alice A648 stainless on a long scale:
Tension: the Rotosound is obviously lighter than the Alice, being smaller gauge and shorter scale.
Left hand: the Alice is surprisingly easier to press. Could be the flexibility, or the higher tension leading to lower buzz-free action?
Right hand: I prefer the Rotosound feel, but mainly because it's flatwound. The Alice has a rather coarse outer wrap, maybe it makes for a small core ie flexibility?
Intonation: the Rotosound E string gets a bit chorusey, could be stiffness plus short scale? The Alice keeps in tune very well.
Balance: the Rotosound is breaking in and becoming balanced, I remember the tubby E when new while the A string was too bright. The Alice has relatively tubby E and A, similar to other "flexible rounds" I've tried such as La Bella Rx (but not quite that bad).
Tone: the Rotosound is darker, more focussed, thumpier, twangier etc. being flatwounds. I like how it has the "heated" harmonics similar to an electric guitar, especially when slightly overdriven. The Alice is ultra bright and responsive, if a bit scooped compared with the former Roto 66s on that bass (which also had better string balance, but were tight and not exactly smooth).
Conclusion: both light tension and more flexibility will help with playability. Tone-wise more flexibility may lead to a scooped bright sensitivity, while a thicker core gives more present mids, defined attack and better low strings (to a point).
Future plan: my light Dean Markleys (reissue) will arrive soon, and I'll try it on a bass that normally feels stiff to play. I wonder if their graduated winding approach will help with string balance and smooth feel?
Tension: the Rotosound is obviously lighter than the Alice, being smaller gauge and shorter scale.
Left hand: the Alice is surprisingly easier to press. Could be the flexibility, or the higher tension leading to lower buzz-free action?
Right hand: I prefer the Rotosound feel, but mainly because it's flatwound. The Alice has a rather coarse outer wrap, maybe it makes for a small core ie flexibility?
Intonation: the Rotosound E string gets a bit chorusey, could be stiffness plus short scale? The Alice keeps in tune very well.
Balance: the Rotosound is breaking in and becoming balanced, I remember the tubby E when new while the A string was too bright. The Alice has relatively tubby E and A, similar to other "flexible rounds" I've tried such as La Bella Rx (but not quite that bad).
Tone: the Rotosound is darker, more focussed, thumpier, twangier etc. being flatwounds. I like how it has the "heated" harmonics similar to an electric guitar, especially when slightly overdriven. The Alice is ultra bright and responsive, if a bit scooped compared with the former Roto 66s on that bass (which also had better string balance, but were tight and not exactly smooth).
Conclusion: both light tension and more flexibility will help with playability. Tone-wise more flexibility may lead to a scooped bright sensitivity, while a thicker core gives more present mids, defined attack and better low strings (to a point).
Future plan: my light Dean Markleys (reissue) will arrive soon, and I'll try it on a bass that normally feels stiff to play. I wonder if their graduated winding approach will help with string balance and smooth feel?
