Rotosounds…great sound, rough feel

[kmon]

I’d never tried rotosounds and decided to put some on my first Ric. I had used lots of roundwounds, and only roundwounds, since picking up the bass a decade ago. They've all had a similar feel in terms of texture and relative smoothness. I'd never noticed much difference in feel at all.

So I was surprised by the Rotosounds...the feel is distinctly different, and for me anyway it's not particularly subtle. They feel dry, not slick. Rough, not smooth. Kind of grabby/sticky. I wondered if I'd gotten a counterfeit set or something...I tried some fast fret, wondering if they'd gotten dirty, or had responded negatively to something in the air...nope, google set me straight, it seems that I'm not the only one to experience this...

It's too bad, I love the sound, but the feel is not for me. Especially since I rotate between several basses and the others have D’Addario XLs for the most part, so the difference is probably a lot more jarring than if I had rotosounds on them all.

Anyway, I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I thought I'd share. I'll hang on to the rotosounds but I'm gonna switch them out for some more familiar rounds while I continue the somewhat rocky bonding process with the Ric...

 

[buldog5151bass]

They have a reputation for being rough, but I think it's overstated (same complaints by some about durability). I've been using them for three decades, and like them very much. Give them a little time.

 

[Killing Floor]

Yep. They sound rock’n’roll but you can shave with them.

 

[eriky4003]

If you liked the sound of Roto's, jump in your DeLorean, dial back to the mid-80's and pick up a crap load of Dean Markley's Superwounds which were designed to be Rotosound-like only made in the U.S. If you don't feel like doing that, I'd recommend Marcus Miller Dunlop Super Brights which to me sound the most like Roto 66s.

 

[mapleglo]

I've been using Rotosounds since the 70's. I suppose I've become used to them.

 

[andysick]

I’d never tried rotosounds and decided to put some on my first Ric.

Rotos on your RIC. The perfect string for a 4003 IMO. I'm sure I'm not alone.

 

[gazzatriumph]

I didn't like the feel either so switched to nickels and stayed with them.

 

[BassFishingInAmerica]

All I use are Roto 66s.
Just like everything else I’ve ever tried with the bass (new strings, string gauge, picks, neck scale, setup, bass model), there is a period of getting used to anything new. I’d give it some time before you make a decision.

 

[staurosjohn]

I’ve been using them (SS) for 40+ yrs… recently began using NPS… I did have *this* happen - a few years ago

Back in 1980ish… RIC & Roto’s are made for each other!

 

[Vinny_G]

They feel dry, not slick. Rough, not smooth. Kind of grabby/sticky.

Have you ever tried stainless steel strings? Because what you are describing is exactly that, and not just with Rotosound (which also makes nickel plated steel roundwound strings, by the way).

That said, not all stainless steel strings are the same in this area. I find the D'Addario Pro Steels a bit smoother, for example.

Either way, they lose these characteristics pretty quickly, in my experience.

 

[jdjk7]

I’d never tried rotosounds and decided to put some on my first Ric. I had used lots of roundwounds, and only roundwounds, since picking up the bass a decade ago. They've all had a similar feel in terms of texture and relative smoothness. I'd never noticed much difference in feel at all.

So I was surprised by the Rotosounds...the feel is distinctly different, and for me anyway it's not particularly subtle. They feel dry, not slick. Rough, not smooth. Kind of grabby/sticky. I wondered if I'd gotten a counterfeit set or something...I tried some fast fret, wondering if they'd gotten dirty, or had responded negatively to something in the air...nope, google set me straight, it seems that I'm not the only one to experience this...

It's too bad, I love the sound, but the feel is not for me. Especially since I rotate between several basses and the others have D’Addario XLs for the most part, so the difference is probably a lot more jarring than if I had rotosounds on them all.

Anyway, I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I thought I'd share. I'll hang on to the rotosounds but I'm gonna switch them out for some more familiar rounds while I continue the somewhat rocky bonding process with the Ric...

A lot of stainless steel strings are like that. I have the Rotosound Alloy 52 strings and they are much smoother in feel. I got a bass with what I suspect are steels and they feel a lot rougher... really shredding my fingers.

 

[TheSeagoats]

I've never used the Rotosound strings but I do use the D'Addario Prosteels and they're definitely a bit more textured feeling than a nickel roundwound string, but in my experience the hands will adapt pretty quickly and then it's just the new normal.

 

[g-dude]

I've used Rotosound flats...and once I switched to Thomastik Infeld, I never looked back when it comes to flats.

I once put Rotosound rounds on my bass...actually, I put two stings on, and hated the feel so much that I took them off immediately. HATED the feel. I'd never willingly play them.

 

[80jazz]

I like Rotos but use lighter gauges. I am either used to the roughness or it isn't as noticeable.

Perhaps a lighter gauge would help?

They do have a sound unique to them, so I can see the appeal in these strings.

 

[aprod]

Years ago a music store employee I knew showed me under a microscope a Rotosound string and it looked like a chain saw. We compared it to a Dean Markley string (popular at the time) and it was smooth. You could still see the wraps but a world of difference. Fret eaters for sure.

 

[JRA]

They feel dry, not slick. Rough, not smooth. Kind of grabby/sticky.

most of that goes away, especially the "grabby/sticky."

i've been using them for so long that other strings just seem a little smoother. they sound so good that i don't notice the break-in feel so much.

 

[g-dude]

most of that goes away, especially the "grabby/sticky."

i've been using them for so long that other strings just seem a little smoother. they sound so good that i don't notice the break-in feel so much.

I'll offer this as an analogy:

Rotosounds : TI Jazz Rounds :: Cheese graters : satin sheets and a Barry White album

 

[Grinderman]

45-105 SS Roto 66 rounds were my training wheel string when I started in the late '80s. I might have permanent calluses, but I agree that the new grabby/sticky feel disappears after a while.

I moved on to nickel rounds many years ago and flats more recently. Now I notice some complaints that Roto 77 stainless monel flats feel rough.

 

[REMBO]

I Love Roto’s

 

[kmon]

After 10 years of FSOs and XLs I think I got a little overly ambitious going full Ric/Roto. I’m gonna finish the Ric bonding with some XLs. I’ll throw the rotos back on after that. Baby steps…