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Stingray Flats - Roto77s are nice but...

Discussion in 'Strings [BG]' started by Alien8, Dec 4, 2014.

  1. Dec 4, 2014 #1
    Alien8

    Alien8

    Jan 29, 2014
    I've been playing a set of Rotosound 77 monel flats for about two years on my EBMM4 stingray and have enjoyed them. Originally I liked the zing they had, but have grown to want something with a stronger fundamental, higher output and clear sound. The Rotos seem to have lost their mojo, and I'm using some effects that need a stronger fundamental. I can always use the treble to get back some highs.

    I've been surfing all of the reviews for flats and vids out there but just can't seem to settle on a set. I think I like the TI sound on a P, but wanted to hear your experience with TIs on a ray!

    I play groovy funky dub & heavy as well as ambient tunes with synth, auto filters and delays. Mostly finger style and sometimes a pick. I have a second bass, a P strung BEAD that has rounds on it.
     
  2. Dec 4, 2014 #2
    hotbass57

    hotbass57

    Nov 27, 2011
    Fairfield,Ohio
    The new labella low tension flats and Sadowsky flats are getting a lot of buzz around here. GHS are nice with the old low school thump after their break in period. You could email jason @ www.bassstringsonline.com he may able to help. Good luck!
     
  3. Dec 4, 2014 #3
    StevieMac

    StevieMac

    Mar 17, 2005
    Vancouver, BC
    Roto flats and TI jazz flats are at the opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of tension. TIs sounds great, but that's a huge change in terms of feel IMO.
     
  4. Dec 4, 2014 #4
    Pier_

    Pier_

    Dec 22, 2013
    Roma, Italia
    you can get used to the feeling in less than a week, just by playing.

    for two months I had the La Bella Jamerson (52-73-95-110, hex core) on a bass, and the Thomastik Jazz (43-56-70-100) on another one, and after the first period of "OMG HOW THE FCUK I SHOULD PLAY THESE CABLES?!", I got used to the higher tension La Bella, so going from one to the other was no big deal.

    I've used them not on a Stingray, but on a G&L L1500, single pickup in a bridge position, slightly nearer to the bridge than the Stingray. they sounded awsome (they are however my favourite strings), with the "flatwound" vibe but without sacrificing the high frequencies and the aggressive tone of that bass.

    once you get used to the light tension, you start flying on them :D wonderful strings, never ever muddy or dull. I have a three years old set on my main Precision, and they sound astounding.
     
    Levin likes this.
  5. Dec 5, 2014 #5
    Alien8

    Alien8

    Jan 29, 2014
    Thanks for the replies. I contacted bass strings online, thanks for the tip. I'm not to concerned about any tension changes, tone matters most!! I do find the rotos to be a bit taught, and don't mind a slinky type string one bit.
     
  6. Dec 5, 2014 #6
    Pier_

    Pier_

    Dec 22, 2013
    Roma, Italia
    the most important thing is to setup properly your bass, after you install them.
     
    Levin likes this.
  7. Dec 6, 2014 #7
    lpdeluxe

    lpdeluxe Still rockin'

    Nov 22, 2004
    Deep E Texas
    My '99 SR5 has Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats on it, also purchased from bass strings online. I really like TIs and have them installed on four out of five basses (the fifth one has nylon tape-wounds).
     
    Pier_ likes this.
  8. Jul 2, 2015 #8
    Alien8

    Alien8

    Jan 29, 2014
    Finally have an update... Bought and installed Sadowsky Black Label flats.

    First impression is that they live upto what the back of the package says: "The best you've ever played". Smooth, very smooth. Excellent tension. Great tone and clarity. Duration? Dunno.

    Compared to the Rotos, these are a little less bright, but more growly, better note retention and just (to me) fit the stingray's sound better. There is more dynamic and harmonic content and they almost play like a roundwound in their feel and tension. I really like the tension - not floppy, but not Roto tight either. The Roto tension was an interesting feel that is part of its sound, but I felt that became its greatest weakness, like the tension that created the initial tone is what also caused it to end up lifeless (in a bad way!).

    I really hope the growl stays as well as the high end... It really brought my Stingray back to a love able place as I was looking at new pickups, preamps and wiring options to "fix" what I wasn't hearing. Now my effects (analog octavers, envelope filters especially) really jive well with the bass, and the dead Rotos were taking away from it.
     
    Last edited: Jul 2, 2015
  9. Jul 2, 2015 #9
    TheCrimsonKing

    TheCrimsonKing

    Jan 23, 2014
    Cool, if you find you don't like them you can try the new Ernie Ball Cobalt flats too.
     
  10. Jul 2, 2015 #10
    Alien8

    Alien8

    Jan 29, 2014
    Yeah, they will be my next test, but I'm hoping the Sadowsky get 3+ years. The cobalts look interesting, but I've heard the round wound have poor endurance, so it would be good to hear the flats last way longer.