The case for old roundwounds?!?!

[Kun2112]

So, I have really been getting into and disecting Joe Dart from Vulfpeck and his style & tone lately... The thing is that I have always been a frequent string changer: I love the bite and harmonics of new strings. However, I am really starting to appreciate that "vintage" sound he gets from old Rotosounds.

Eventually, when I can afford to, I do plan on getting a P with flats (and a passive J, and a Lakland 5-bander, etc...), but in the meantime unless I start gigging with another rock band, I am going to back off on my restringing schedule. I know my active Spector is not going to sound like a passive J, but has anyone else thought about changing their "string philosophy" after hearing a particular bassist?

 

[Freez]

Sorry, read the thread title and though there was a case in here I could dispose of my dead old useless roundwounds in. Carry on!

 

[stephen3547]

Back when I had my Spector with active EMGs I actually enjoyed the sound I got from old Rotos, but on my passive Gibson I gotta keep the strings fresh.

 

[MICKUSS]

Elvis Costello's "This Year's Model" and Soundgarden's "King Animal" records are great examples of good dead-round sounds.

 

[michael_t]

When I hear about "old Rotosound", I think of David "Dela" LaBruyere, who used to play for John Mayer. I love the sound of his Jazz bass on John Mayer's Live In LA DVD. From what I understand, he swore by old Rotos.

I have recently moved away from flats, after a few years of being a self-professed "flatwound enthusiast", and decided I actually prefer the sound of well-broken-in nickel rounds, as long as they're in good shape and still play in tune.

 

[MICKUSS]

I'm a flatwounds ADDICT after years of being a fresh Roto 66 guy. After breaking a La Bella E string last week I'm now on a nickel round journey.

 

[Thuddy Waters]

After breaking a La Bella E string last week I'm now on a nickel round journey.

Just out of curiosity, how did you break your E string?

 

[woodyng2]

I haven't used rotosounds in nearly 20 years,because they feel horribly rough new. But my guitar player in one band has an 80's era Yamaha BB300 (great little bass) that has had the same old roto swing 66's on them for at least 15-18 years. They feel perfect (i imagine the ridges are full of old derma),and they sound and record fantastic. With the tone knob open,the strings still have a nice grind,with it turned off,they sound like Flatwounds with definition.

 

[MICKUSS]

Just out of curiosity, how did you break your E string?

I was playing a show and hammering on it pretty good. Nothing too crazy though. I had the strings on and off the bass a few times so I think I did some damage to it. It broke down by the bridge. Too bad because they're amazing strings.