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My Rotosound Dilema

W

wallshakerpbass

Jun 18, 2009
122
2
#1
I don't know how many near exact duplicates of this thread pop up each month (I'm guessing a lot) but I'm starting my own.

I use Rotosound RS66 stainless steel strings. I LOVE the sound they give me, as I worship at the altar of John Paul Jones:smug:.
Yes, they die quick, but that's not the issue I have. My problem is that THEY EAT MY FRETS LIKE BEAR BEFORE HIBERNATION! If I keep using them for too long, I'll need a fret job:(. Worse even, I've had my bass less than five months.
Is it worth it for that sacred to just keep using them, and just take the hit of a fret job every so often?
Are there less abrasive strings that can still dish out that tone?
:help:
 
#3
What kind of bass do you have? Like what kind of fretboard & stuff? I use RotoSound RS66's too, and my basses frets are peachy keen, jelly bean.

Btw, I haven't found anything with a tone near as great, but I have a set of RotoSound PSD99's I need to put on, it's what Jones uses uses currently... you cut the wire and put the ball on yourself, better tone apparently, and they last longer than RS66's.
 
#4
Yeah. I used those rotosounds stainless roundwounds on my EB-3 (short scale) back in the 70s and had to have it refretted after 6 or 7 years. I did do a lot of playing during those years, but still . . . the new frets began wearing, too. Some time afterward I got a Steinberger copy and used some sort of Rotosound double-ball end strings (that I can't find anymore) that didn't eat into those frets. I've since pulled the EB-3 out again, gotten the frets redressed and I'm using the rotosound stainless flats. So far, so good.

I used to swear by Rotosounds for roundwounds. Now I'm using DR High Beams. They are very bright at first, but settle after a week or so.
 
#5
I've used both the PSD99's and DR Hi-Beams. The 99's absolutely do not last longer. They do sound amazing when you put them, but they're a pain in the a$$ to get those ball ends on for the right length, and they literally sound as dull as flats within a month IME.
The Hi-Beams sound pretty good, but my D string actually popped open when I was playing them after having them on for around a week. My friend also had the same problem with them. When I had them on they sounded great, but they cost $10 more than the Rotosounds.

BTW, I play an '09 Fender American Pbass
 
#6
First, don't blame the strings off the bat. Look at your fretting-hand technique. If you press hard with your fretting fingers, if you bend strings, and you attack the strings hard, you're going to have a LOT more fret wear than someone playing the same bass and strings with a more gentle approach.

RS-66 do have a (deserved) reputation for chewing up frets. That's because the outter alloy is harder than most other SS strings, and they use a bigger wrap wire so its more coarse. Those factors also contribute to the characteristic sound. So, other SS rounds don't cause as much wear with the same playing approach. I like DR Hi-Beams, but then I never liked RS-66 at all despite my appreciation for Entwistle and Jaco.

So, the lessons would be:
A. Look at your technique
B. Try other strings
C. Don't make choices based solely on what your hero(s) use.

John
 
#7
Maybe Rotosound are eating your frets. But, that whole "Rotosounds Are Fret Eaters" comes from them being the 1st company to make roundwound bass strings that happened to be stainless steel. And if you read BP Chris Squire cover story about him putting rotos on his Ric. Players wanted to emulate his sound, but the Ric 4001s where made with soft frets.
I've used them for years and never had issues eating my frets.
 
#10
I too moved from rotos to DRs... And yes, rotos tore up my '89 Fender real good - but those had fairly soft frets.

Why did I stray from Rotos? They started having quality issues - I got several dead strings in a row so I started looking around... that was... 1995? I've been on DRs ever since (lowrides, baby! Hi-beams are too zingy for my tastes). They last longer and sound better... but there is no doubt - A set of Roto Swingbasses on that PJ fender led to some nice recordings / performances... And more than a few fret-dresses!
 
#13
I have been using RS66's on my cheap Ibanez for over a year and there are no signs of any significant wear at all.
Click to expand...

Ditto. I've got that exact bass as well as a fairly low end LTD and have not had any issues with the Rotos. I have always suspected that this issue was overstated- clearly it does happen to some extent, but could depend on variety of factors (as been mentioned) like how you play them and the particular bass they are used on.

The comparisons between the HiBeams and the Rotos are valid, IMO. They have a similar tone and feel, but I am really hooked on the Rotos. I tried the HiBeams and didn't like them quite as much, but they were obviously designed to steal Roto market share while advertising that they DONT chew up fret boards (there was actually a plug from Marcus Miller on the back off the package attesting to this fact :/)


YMMV- I put the HiBeams on my main bass for a few months, them took them off in favor of Rotos and found I liked the Rotos MUCH better. Then I pulled the old Rotos off my back up bass and threw the very same HiBeams on that bass- and liked it a lot more than when Rotos were on it (maybe just cuz they were newer?). But definitely different basses seem better suited for different strings.

I've finally come to the conclusion that it's nearly impossible to get a an accurate representation of how strings will feel and sound on YOUR bass with YOUR set up and with YOU playing-just by asking about it (beyond the basics, anyway). And for the most part, I have stopped asking for reviews on particular brands unless I have a very specific question. But I am always happy to share my personal experience when people do. Just be sure to take it with a big grain of salt.

If I am feeling like I need something new or adventurous, I just roll the dice and try a brand and kiss the $30 bucks goodbye and hope for the best.
 
#14
I also tried DR Hi-Beams on a SR300 Ibanez I previously owned and way to zingy compared to the Rotos. Now as mentioned on my Ibanez there was no issue with my frets but I just purchased a an 08 MIA Jazz that I will probably change to Rotos. I love a low action which is just how my Ibanez is set up so I am not worried.
 
#19
I was a Roto S heavy user for several years (about 21) but I give a ride to D addarios (5) look for a more boomie tone... but I never have fret wear problem (in exception in just one Washburn bass) I use Yamaha Basses.
 
#20
First, I just need to clear up, I do not just use Rotos because JPJ used them. I am personally in love with their tone.
I find any other strings to be a compromise from their tone.
I do have at the strings fairly aggressively, but it's not like I'm some metal bassist that wants to simply hammer on his bass (no offense all you metal guys).
One bit I will admit to, up until quite recently, I played my bass with super-high action. I did have to press down hard to keep them fretted. Might that be a significant factor?
 

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