New Strings Day - Rotosound Solo Bass 55

[ClassicJazz]

New string day! Been using GHS Pressure Wounds strings on my ‘72 Jazz. Really like them, have them also on my P-Bass and Fender PJ Boxer bass. But wanted to try something different. So got me some Rotosound Solo Bass 55 Pressure Wound strings. First impressions is good. These are a tad heavier then the GHS which I like. The GHS set is 44-58-80-102. The Rotosound set is 45-65-85-105. I love the Rotosound Jazz 77 Flat Wound strings which is why I am trying these. The tension feels a bit less then the GHS and they feel good playing them. They are a bit rougher feeling then the GHS, but not by much. Probably due to these are Stainless and the GHS are nickel. Through my practice amp they sound punchy and nice mids. The true test will be through my main rig at a gig. But so far, I like them!

 

[michael_t]

Can you post a pic of the headstock? I'd like to see the silk color on them.

 

[MrAB4003]

I used to have these on my basses, but I switched to the La Bella White Nylon tapes (both regular and gold on different basses). They sound and feel even better than the Roto 55s, which are still amazing strings in their own right.

Enjoy them and have fun playing!

 

[ClassicJazz]

Can you post a pic of the headstock? I'd like to see the silk color on them.

They have Green silk on them

 

[michael_t]

They have Green silk on them

I just looked it up online through Google Search. Looks like dark teal green.

They actually might go nicely with my newly-acquired BB435...

 

[michael_t]

They are a bit rougher feeling then the GHS, but not by much. Probably due to these are Stainless and the GHS are nickel.

So, what you're saying is the Solo Bass 55 are smoother in feel than typical stainless steel roundwound but not quite as smooth as GHS Pressurewounds. Is that right?

What about NPS rounds? Are the SB55 still smoother? Or about the same?

 

[MrAB4003]

I just looked it up online through Google Search. Looks like dark teal green.

They actually might go nicely with my newly-acquired BB435...

View attachment 5006591

They're not teal green at all. They're just regular green.

GREEN!

Rotosound stock photo: Its a little more vibrant IRL...

View attachment 1847187

 

[michael_t]

They're not teal green at all. They're just regular green.

At least they're not purple or orange. I'm sure the green would look fine on my "teal blue" bass with a black heastock. Your post got me so curious I just went ahead and ordered a set of SB55 40-100.

 

[MrAB4003]

At least they're not purple or orange. I'm sure the green would look fine on my "teal blue" bass with a black heastock. Your post got me so curious I just went ahead and ordered a set of SB55 40-100.

Nice! I'm glad that I was able to help you make a purchase!

I had them on my Miami Blue P Bass (with a maple headstock, neck, and fretboard) and they looked great. I would get them again if wanted to go back to pressurewounds or Rotosounds in general.

 

[michael_t]

At least they're not purple or orange. I'm sure the green would look fine on my "teal blue" bass with a black heastock. Your post got me so curious I just went ahead and ordered a set of SB55 40-100.

I just realized it was the post by @ClassicJazz that inspired me. I was a little mixed up, sorry.

 

[ClassicJazz]

So, what you're saying is the Solo Bass 55 are smoother in feel than typical stainless steel roundwound but not quite as smooth as GHS Pressurewounds. Is that right?

What about NPS rounds? Are the SB55 still smoother? Or about the same?

Yep. I kind of expected that, nickel strings usually tend to have a smoother feel than stainless. But the difference is not enough to not like them. I actually like the gauges the RS come in better then what GHS.

As far as NPS, they feel about the same

 

[ClassicJazz]

Can you post a pic of the headstock? I'd like to see the silk color on them.

 

[michael_t]

View attachment 5006965

Thanks for the pic. I do like that particular shade of green. Not too bright like the one on GHS Balanced Nickels or Fender 9050 Flats.

 

[PeaveyPlayer]

Thanks for the pic. I do like that particular shade of green. Not too bright like the one on GHS Balanced Nickels or Fender 9050 Flats.

I tried them once

old strings went back on
they were super grabby and sticky

not in a new stainless way but more like
Speed bump feeling like playing just tacky
I remember even making a Facebook post about them lol
And I had them on a classic ray 5

 

[michael_t]

they were super grabby and sticky

not in a new stainless way but more like
Speed bump feeling like playing just tacky

Hmmm... That doesn't sound very encouraging. I just tried the SIT Silencers and had to give up on them because of the sticky feel.

 

[michael_t]

They are a bit rougher feeling then the GHS, but not by much. Probably due to these are Stainless and the GHS are nickel.

they were super grabby and sticky

@ClassicJazz, what's your take on this? I can understand they're "rougher" than GHS PWs due to stainless steel vs. nickel-iron, but what about them being "super grabby and sticky"?

 

[ClassicJazz]

@ClassicJazz, what's your take on this? I can understand they're "rougher" than GHS PWs due to stainless steel vs. nickel-iron, but what about them being "super grabby and sticky"?

Not at all. I don’t find them grabby or sticky at all. Actually they pretty much feel the same as some Dunlop Super Brights Nickel round wounds I have on my Fodera. Which is probably why I don’t mind the feel.

 

[michael_t]

Not at all. I don’t find them grabby or sticky at all. Actually they pretty much feel the same as some Dunlop Super Brights Nickel round wounds I have on my Fodera. Which is probably why I don’t mind the feel.

Thanks for the info. This is going to be the very first time for me to be trying any string from Rotosound, so I'm not quite sure what to expect. I did order a set of GHS Super Steels along with the SB55 as a back-up plan just in case they don't work out.

 

[markanini]

They are my favorite of the pressurewound and groundwounds, because of the tone.

 

[michael_t]

They are my favorite of the pressurewound and groundwounds, because of the tone.

What about their longevity? Do they retain their "nicely broken-in" tone for a long time?