Rotosound 55's - I don't think so.

[Flatwound]

I recently started using roundwound strings again, since my band is doing Thank You by Sly and the Family Stone. I had been happy with flats, particularly LaBella Low Tension flats. I've always felt that Roto 66's have a very punchy character, so I started using Roto 66LC's, .040-95. As I remembered, they're great, and lasted longer than I expected. I decided to try the 55's, since they're supposed to be pressurewound and smoother.

Last night, at a gig, my G and D strings were pretty out of tune when I pulled my bass out - no surprise, tuners can get knocked around in a gig bag, so I tuned up, and off we went. No sound check, we went on right after the Padres/Dodgers game. During the second song, the D string sounded bad, so I checked it, and it was down to C. Tuned up again. Next song, I could hear the D drifting southward. Tuned again, and it mostly held, although it drifted a little bit again by the end of the set. This was on my 1990 (or so) Jazz Bass Plus, which I've had for maybe a year with no issues. Strings have been on for at least a month.

I have two conclusions: First, obviously, I need to carry spare strings, which I didn't have. Secondly, I don't think I'm going to pay the extra $20 usd that these strings cost over the 66's. I didn't really have any trouble with the 66's, and there's not a significant difference in finger noise for me, anyway. Tonight I have another gig, and the Pro Steels that I have in the queue are going on, and the 55's will be the spares. After this, I'll probably go back to the 66LC's whenever the Pro Steels wear out.

 

[Killing Floor]

That’s your tuner.

 

[michael_t]

As a huge fan of the GHS Pressurewound, I was always curious about the Solo Bass 55 as a stainless steel alternative to the Alloy 52. I finally had a chance to try them about a year and a half ago on my then-newly-acquired Yamaha BB435. Sorry, but no go. Maybe my expectations were too high for them based on my positive experiences with the GHS PW, but they felt just like any stainless steel rounds I had tried. Nothing special or unique, except the dark green silk matched well with the teal body of my Yamaha. I tried the GHS Super Steels shortly after and ended up liking them better.

EDIT: I should point out I did NOT have any tuning stability issue with the 55's.

 

[Flatwound]

That’s your tuner.

I'll be tightening it up. But it hasn't happened before, and I have experienced a core break in the past (as well as other occasional string weirdness), which this fortunately was not. These are Fender "Deluxe" tuners, but I'll have a look. They are 34 years old, after all. Still not paying the extra 20 for the 55's.

 

[michael_t]

Still not paying the extra 20 for the 55's.

I got the 40-100 set when Strings By Mail had it for $34.95. Only a few months later, the same set was $44.95.

 

[MrAB4003]

Sorry to hear about your bad experience OP! Rotosound 55s were my main bass string for a few years after coming from Rotosound 66s. But that all changed early this year.

Last fall, I ordered a set of 55s from Amazon and they were 45-105 gauge. I received the strings and put them on my bass. A few months later, I brought my bass in for a setup. My strings were still new enough that I didn't want to change them yet. My tech looked at my bass and measured my strings with his caliper. He told me that I received the wrong gauges out of the package from Rotosound! I ordered 105s and I got 100s. My tech even showed me the measurements with his caliper and he was right!

Such poor quality control from Rotosound and the cost of their strings made me switch brands after 12 years of loyalty! I switched to D’Addario XLs because my tech recommended them. They’re $20 cheaper, much better sounding, and smoother to the touch than the 55s. That’s not to mention that they stay in tune properly.

 

[JMV]

As bass players we all all angst over these minor nuances, though interestingly our audiences probably don't sense differences. INO rolling with with whatever feels and sounds best will ultimately satisfy all involved - the audience and yourself

 

[Freekmagnet]

I recently started using roundwound strings again, since my band is doing Thank You by Sly and the Family Stone.

Well, the good/bad news is that theoretically, you don’t need rounds to play Thank You! I’m pretty sure Larry Graham used flatwounds on the original recording. Problem solved!

 

[Root 5]

As bass players we all all angst over these minor nuances, though interestingly our audiences probably don't sense differences. INO rolling with with whatever feels and sounds best will ultimately satisfy all involved - the audience and yourself

True. Audiences don’t notice any differences. I always say play whatever gear you like - expensive or inexpensive because the audience doesn’t care if you play flats during Motown covers

 

[Chrisk-K]

I highly doubt the 55s were the culprit. The problem stemmed from either the tuners or how the D and G strings were installed.

 

[JPK_DK]

You might have received faulty strings and the winding started slipping from the core (even though that is rare with hex core strings). Or, this happened during installation when not crimping enough around the tuner...
Not saying that it's your fault, but it can happen.

 

[Plain Old Barry]

Last fall, I ordered a set of 55s from Amazon and they were 45-105 gauge. I received the strings and put them on my bass. A few months later, I brought my bass in for a setup. My strings were still new enough that I didn't want to change them yet. My tech looked at my bass and measured my strings with his caliper. He told me that I received the wrong gauges out of the package from Rotosound! I ordered 105s and I got 100s. My tech even showed me the measurements with his caliper and he was right!

Such poor quality control from Rotosound and the cost of their strings made me switch brands after 12 years of loyalty!

Are you sure it wasn't an Amazon / seller issue? I've purchased fake D'Addario strings from Amazon.

 

[Five or Six]

What Killing Floor said. This is where a second bass comes in handy. How long since a setup or, even a quick going over? Strings been on a month. How much play time have they seen? I'd give them all a stretch, tune, and see what shakes out tonight. Take a second bass.

 

[Geri O]

I’m gonna jump in because of “the audience doesn’t care” mantra.

While it’s true on its face that audience doesn’t care about things like strings, what they do care about and will notice is an inspired or an uninspired performance because of things that may be affecting a player’s mood during a performance.

It’s very true that players need to “suck it up” when things go awry or wrong at a performance and I’ve run the gamut with issues that have popped up and I’ve had to play through with a smile and a solid (as possible) performance.

But to assert that strings do not matter because the audience doesn’t care is inappropriate when a string choice is so easy with all the choices out there. A good choice of strings, among other things, will inspire performances and that’s what the audience will feel.

Let the flames, dissent, backlash, etc begin. I just came in to make that point, not to start and engage in a debate.

 

[michael_t]

While it’s true on its face that audience doesn’t care about things like strings, what they do care about and will notice is an inspired or an uninspired performance because of things that may be affecting a player’s mood during a performance...

But to assert that strings do not matter because the audience doesn’t care is inappropriate when a string choice is so easy with all the choices out there. A good choice of strings, among other things, will inspire performances and that’s what the audience will feel.

+1

It has been my experience that people do notice it when I play better, including the rest of the band. And I play better when I'm not distracted by a piece of gear that doesn't inspire me, including a wrong choice of strings. It's true people in the audience don't care about WHAT I play but they DO care about HOW I play.

 

[Flatwound]

Thanks for the replies. I did switch to the Pro Steels, which were very stable after a tune and stretch, and sounded excellent to my ears. As far as string installation goes, I've been installing bass strings for more than 40 years, and I've learned from making a lot of mistakes, and learning from Talkbass and other sites. I'm pretty particular in the way I do it, and while there is the possibility that I did something wrong (nobody's perfect), it's unlikely. Likewise, I took a good look at the tuner, and it ain't slippin'. I'm convinced that this was a string issue.

The good news is how nice the Pro Steels are. It's been years since I tried them last, and they're nice so far. I'll probably drop back to the 66LC's after this, but if I have any trouble with them, it's nice to know that I like the Pro Steels. My other Jazz Bass is currently wearing Hi Beams, and I think I like the Pro Steels better. And they're pretty inexpensive.

 

[MrAB4003]

Are you sure it wasn't an Amazon / seller issue? I've purchased fake D'Addario strings from Amazon.

View attachment 7052569

I didn't see any indications of the strings being made in China. But I wouldn't be surprised if they were.

Regardless, I've since switched to D'Addarios and I only buy those strings directly from the D'Addario website or at Guitar Center. I haven't had any issues like that since

 

[Flatwound]

I didn't see any indications of the strings being made in China. But I wouldn't be surprised if they were.

Regardless, I've since switched to D'Addarios and I only buy those strings directly from the D'Addario website or at Guitar Center. I haven't had any issues like that since

I think I got them from Strings By Mail.

 

[michael_t]

I think I got them from Strings By Mail.

I've been dealing with Matt at Strings By Mail for almost 10 yrs now. It's one of the most reputable and reliable place to shop for strings.

 

[Iristone]

Could be too short winding around the tuning post? I've played Rotosound 55's and haven't encountered that issue.
I, too, am a fan of Rotosound 66s. I find the 55s have a "sheen" whereas the 66s "zing". I use the normal 45-105 sets (both LD and LF), but I may use the 40-100 set if I want it lighter, as I prefer its balanced tension to the 40-95.

I didn't see any indications of the strings being made in China. But I wouldn't be surprised if they were.

It's not "made in ..." issue. You can find good strings made in China, Korea, etc.. In fact, traditional Chinese instruments such as Guqin and Guzheng requires far more and more meticulously crafted strings, much like a piano!
It's either a fake, or Amazon made a mistake. In the latter case, what if Amazon wrongly sends a fake pack or a reject pack?