The e-string sounded weird. My theory is that the light string reacted strangely with the EB-0 pickup position. The same exact string sounded fine on an Höfner Shorty that has its only pickup on the bridge position.
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The e-string sounded weird. My theory is that the light string reacted strangely with the EB-0 pickup position. The same exact string sounded fine on an Höfner Shorty that has its only pickup on the bridge position.
The 090 low E in the short- and medium-scale Rotosound Jazz Bass flatwound sets (RS77S, RS77M) is, simply put, not a good string. IME it's very smooth (unlike its long-scale counterpart), but somewhat tubby-sounding from the get-go (also unlike the longies); more importantly, it is low-tension and high-stiffness at the same time, which causes a number of problems: jumpy pitch upon the attack, hard to intonate, and - I can't remember, but I wouldn't be surprised - possibly also some inharmonic, chorusy element to its tone.
My only experience is with the RS66S which I would buy again in a heartbeat.
But I realize RS must have some issues since there's a thread dedicated to them...057912
Chromes on my -67 EB3 too.
Similar experience with the Rotosound flats. I could live with them, and had them on for years, but after changing to Chromes, the EB3 came to life…
Interesting string chat. I'm using La Bella 760FS S flats on my reissue Rivoli. They seem to be a good balance of tension and brightness and fairly evenly voiced.
I've never used a Rotosound string I actually like. The rounds do that Chris Squire thing for a few hours then fade and have a slightly detuned 'boing' in the fundamental.
I had their black tapewounds on my Rivoli for a few weeks. I've no idea why these are available for sale as they are useless. Annoyingly plastic-y 'clack', sloppily low tension, horrible amplified tone. Notes on the E string sound like a mismatched set of random, tuneless harmonic overtones. A good string in 1964 maybe.
I've never used a Rotosound string I actually like. The rounds do that Chris Squire thing for a few hours then fade and have a slightly detuned 'boing' in the fundamental.
I had their black tapewounds on my Rivoli for a few weeks. I've no idea why these are available for sale as they are useless. Annoyingly plastic-y 'clack', sloppily low tension, horrible amplified tone. Notes on the E string sound like a mismatched set of random, tuneless harmonic overtones. A good string in 1964 maybe.
Two years ago I bought an Epi EB3; the bassist who sold it to me couldn't send it in a cardboard box, the airline wouldn't allow it; he had to get a hardcase (he told me "case is in bad shape, but will fit for shipping"). EB3 "unboxing"
Last year another seller, this time a guitarist, sold me an Epi EB0, this time the bass comes unassembled, cardboard box, some bubble wrap, reasonable protection. No EB0 unboxing pics.
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Two years ago I bought an Epi EB3; the bassist who sold it to me couldn't send it in a cardboard box, the airline wouldn't allow it; he had to get a hardcase (he told me "case is in bad shape, but will fit for shipping"). EB3 "unboxing"
Last year another seller, this time a guitarist, sold me an Epi EB0, this time the bass comes unassembled, cardboard box, some bubble wrap, reasonable protection. No EB0 unboxing pics.
I would have complained but the problem was I was in Lima and had it sent to my brother's house in Mass, he said he looked at it and it looked fine (I question whether he really looked at it
) and I didn't see it for several months so too late. It was in one of those flimsy Gibson cases they used to use. That case is much better than the one that mine came in.
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They have improved Rotos a lot over the years, they're my favorite string, they sound good for at least a year now. I used them for years until I started getting dead E strings during the mid nineties and started using them again a few years ago, they're fine. The problem with the short scale strings is that they are extremely light with a .90 E, that would be light for a long scale bass, never mind a SS. I have Swing 66's on four out of six basses here in Lima. I also like La Bella DTB which I have on an EB4-L here. DR High Beam are nice strings for a short scale bass, stainless steel round wounds with a 105 E string, I have them on a '65 EB-3.
Try DR High Beams, stainless round wounds that come in a medium gauge set, 105 E string.
A set of strings with an 090 E string for a SS bass is ridiculous, I tried the round wounds, Swing bass RS66's, once on an EB-3 (and I love Rotos), they felt like rubber bands and never stopped stretching.
Very pleased I was with these as well. Like old-time-Rotos but less harsh.
Noted. Many moons ago I tried they Ernie Ball 2837 (a bass VI set) on my Silhouette Bass Guitar copy (OLP MM5 Baritone) and in my recollection the roundwound 090 sort of worked. However, I wanted flats, and gradually transitioned to a 105 low E.
Yes, very close. Dean Markley Blue Steels were pretty close too which is what I switched to from Rotos years ago. Do you mean the sound or the feel? They feel more harsh to me than most but I like it. There's something about Rotos I love both in the feel and the sound, when I first went back a year or two it was like going home and I hadn't used them for a good twenty years.
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