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Suggestions on Roto flats

C

C33 Four

May 25, 2007
26
0
#1
I put some on my bass last wekk and the result is still in the air. I'm looking for the deep, warm, James Jamerson/John Paul Jones etc... I understand that they need to break in, but can anyone else gimme their opinions on them?
 
#2
I'm not crazy about them. I bought some for my Turser Beatle bass, and I felt they were inconstent feeling from string to string. Sounded OK, but felt weird. I much prefer LaBellas and Fenders.
 
#3
The rotosound 77's Flat wounds will never give you that James Jamerson thing they are too brite and do not get that thuddy. If you are looking for that tone you need LaBella Deep Talkin" flats 760FL"s Or the Jamerson's Labella makes a set just like he used to use. To get closer than the rotosounds Try the Thomastik Jazz Flats. They are not as deep as the Jamersons Or the Deep Talkin' flats But are much lower tension and I find them much easier to play.
 
#4
Rotosound "flats" aren't really flatwound are they? I mean, they are that silly "monel" flatwound thing - like a roindwound with the top edge ground off - makes it a bit easier wearing on the frets, but doesn't get you anywhere near to a flatwound sound I'm afraid.

I boight 2 sets last year for my old Fenders - strung 1 set on, and they were off again 2 minutes later - absolutely tarrible strings!!! I gave both sets away.

I went back to that classic La Bella 1954 sets (that's the classic "Jamerson" strings). Now - THAT is the sound!!!
 
#5
I use rotosound LE Jazz flats and they have plenty of thump once you give them time to break in. I never change my strings ever (well unless one breaks) and the broken in roto's have plenty of mid range and low-end once they break in.
 
#6
kevin_lindsay said:
Rotosound "flats" aren't really flatwound are they? I mean, they are that silly "monel" flatwound thing - like a roindwound with the top edge ground off - makes it a bit easier wearing on the frets, but doesn't get you anywhere near to a flatwound sound I'm afraid.

I boight 2 sets last year for my old Fenders - strung 1 set on, and they were off again 2 minutes later - absolutely tarrible strings!!! I gave both sets away.

I went back to that classic La Bella 1954 sets (that's the classic "Jamerson" strings). Now - THAT is the sound!!!
Click to expand...

Not true! Monel is their name for the metal alloy they use for the ribbon windings. It's a true flatwound, but designed to sound bright and edgy, which they do in addition to their strong low and low middy character. Great string, but I agree not the one to nail the Jamerson sound.
 
#14
I put a set of La Bella 760M flats on my Fender P-bass about a week ago. I love 'em! I find that today's electronics (in the basses and amps) are very quiet and that allows us to crank up the treble and high-mids if we want a little more zing without the noise. Therefore, I can use flats for that great thumpy low end and still get enough top end when I need it.
 
#15
Roto Flats are as stiff as telephone cables.
Click to expand...
And the Jamerson LaBellas are as thick as telephone cables. I normally like a lot of string tension, but the Jamersons had to come off - I was getting tendonitis! The regular LaBella flats sound very similar, but are a little more supple.
 
#18
Alright. So It's been about a week and I'm a bit dissapointed. They have a nice low end, but the D and G strings sound extremely flat and boring. Anyways, I have brand new Rotosound roundwounds on my fretless (I know strange choice) and they sound pretty nice even for a crappy bass. Now, I have an important decision to make, involving as many opinons as possible.

1. I can leave things as they are now, and let my flatwounds, and hope they eventualy get a nice classic thump going, hopefully similar to this:


2. I can take the roundwounds from my fretless and put them on my fretted/good bass. This is the choice I'm leaning on right now.

3. Completely change strings. Put my flats on my fretless and my rounds on my fretted.

Opinons please!!!
 
#19
Rotos on a fretless aren't a strange choice. A lot of fretless players use rounds. Jaco did.

I don't know...if you otherwise like the feel of the Roto flats, I'd be tempted to leave everything as is.
 

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