Short scale Rotosound RS77S vs Chromes?

[MidlifeBeginner]

The EB short scale cobalt flats are great. I am using the 45 to 105 set on my short scale Jaguar. The tension is kind of odd. Before you put them on, they flop around like wet spaghetti. The stiffness of the feel does not change much being tuned drop D versus E. There is enough stiffness to get action low and down tune on a 30 inch scale, but no more than necessary. Tone is different. It mellows some, but still growls. I like how they pair with short scale PJ.

Ivan somehow put a long scale set on for this video before the short scale sets were available.


I seriously considered Chromes, but don't like the high frequencies on them.

 

[project_c]

The EB short scale cobalt flats are great. I am using the 45 to 105 set on my short scale Jaguar. The tension is kind of odd. Before you put them on, they flop around like wet spaghetti. The stiffness of the feel does not change much being tuned drop D versus E. There is enough stiffness to get action low and down tune on a 30 inch scale, but no more than necessary. Tone is different. It mellows some, but still growls. I like how they pair with short scale PJ.

Ivan somehow put a long scale set on for this video before the short scale sets were available.


I seriously considered Chromes, but don't like the high frequencies on them.

Interesting, thanks for the input. I keep wondering about Cobalts. The thing putting me off them is that I’ve heard them described as having a scooped tone - would you say that’s an accurate description? How are the highs different from the Chromes? Chromes somehow manage to retain those high frequencies even when they die but I agree they are not a particularly nice or useable frequencies, especially when they lose the rest of their definition.

 

[MidlifeBeginner]

Interesting, thanks for the input. I keep wondering about Cobalts. The thing putting me off them is that I’ve heard them described as having a scooped tone - would you say that’s an accurate description? How are the highs different from the Chromes? Chromes somehow manage to retain those high frequencies even when they die but I agree they are not a particularly nice or useable frequencies, especially when they lose the rest of their definition.

Think Chromes with the highs shifted down. I considered it a bit of a risk paying $43 for the set of strings, but have been pleased. I was looking for flats that still had some bite, but wasn't fond of the highs on Chromes.

The video I shared was the one after the strings mellowed. They keep character. It especially is heard more when you pluck harder or play with a pick. The cobalt flat tone is very good for rock and funk. Perhaps it is scooped, but so are Chromes is a different way.

A couple things to be aware of is cobalt does not feel as smooth as stainless steel, and can rust if you don't clean your strings. They do get smoother after playing. I buffed mine with a cloth a bit right after installing. A positive of cobalt is pickup output goes up some.

 

[thrashingbass]

I love Roto flats on long scale basses but the short scale sets are horrible IMO. They are far too light gauge/floppy IMO. In fact, I could say the same about all Rotosound short scale sets. The Roto 66 roundwound sets are actually even worse. Possibly the worst set of strings I've ever played.

With D'Addario Chromes it's the other way around. I find the long scale sets too stiff and inarticulate, but that stiffness can be an advantage with the lower tension on short scale basses. I actually like the short scale set, even though D'A Chromes are a bit clanky/harsh sounding in the upper mids for my taste.

I am not sure if the worst, but definitely not on the same level of the long scale Rotosound sets. I love my SM77 and BS66 regular sets, but on my short scales, both "equivalents" were indeed not very successful-last year's Rotosound 66 experiment on my Bronco was utterly sad, and I was compelled to take them off almost right away, as the E would not intonate. Not old stock-their newer, sealed packaging. The Sheehan "Swing Bass" set has never had bad strings, my short scale Roto set just seemed poor quality. i love Rotosound!-they just need to update these strings, or at the very least at newer gauges, but I simply doubt they ever will, content to put out the older sets I am sure some may love after years using them. But I agree they are not the same, even if branded as for "short scale", and it's not just their floppy gauge that differs.

Did use Chromes on a shortie eons ago, but my preference for flats now are the Ernie Ball Group I flats, as they do exactly what I wish the 77 flats were-a very nice, stiff tension that still isn't too much due to the shorter scale, a perfect feel, and nice articulation (not bright, but with good mids.) Because I do use a Xtender, the thick E works for me, never getting floppy.

If they made thick Swing Bass 66 for short scale instruments, I would be all over them!!!