Thoughts on Funkmasters/Light gauge strings

[ajkula66]

I went through a Funkmaster phase in the '80s when I was heavily into Mark King. While I've since changed the direction when it comes to just about everything when it comes to my playing style, I still deem them to be an excellent choice for a certain - somewhat niche IMO - array of sounds. Haven't come across a set which feels or sounds quite like them so thumbs up from me.

 

[tindrum]

Didn’t Cliff Burton use a very light gauge Roto set? Sounded plenty full to me.

 

[MrAB4003]

Didn’t Cliff Burton use a very light gauge Roto set? Sounded plenty full to me.

He sure did! That was during Ride the Lightning (1984) and Master of Puppets (1986).

He played Roto Flats on his Ric 4001 on Kill ‘Em All (1983).

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I’ve been trialing these on my 4003, and my Billy Bo (33/32” scale respectively)
Digging them!
I see no lack of grunt, forces me to use a lighter touch though. Cheap too!

 

[MrAB4003]

I’ve been trialing these on my 4003, and my Billy Bo (33/32” scale respectively)
Digging them!
I see no lack of grunt, forces me to use a lighter touch though. Cheap too!
View attachment 7006140

Be careful buying Rotosounds on Amazon! The last set of Rotos (Solo Bass 55s) that I bought on Amazon were a disaster. I ordered 45-105 gauge strings and they gave me 40-100 gauge strings sealed in the package.

I didn't know this until I brought my bass in for a setup and my tech measured the strings with his caliper. He told me that my lowest string was a 100 gauge and that all my strings were lighter than what was stated on the package (and what I paid for).

Rotosound's lack of QC made me switch to D'Addario XL Nickel Rounds after 12 years of loyalty! My tech put 50-105 gauge XLs on my bass and they sounded so much better than the Rotos!

Buyer beware / Caveat emptor!

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Be careful buying Rotosounds on Amazon! The last set of Rotos (Solo Bass 55s) that I bought on Amazon were a disaster. I ordered 45-105 gauge strings and they gave me 40-100 gauge strings sealed in the package.

I didn't know this until I brought my bass in for a setup and my tech measured the strings with his caliper. He told me that my lowest string was a 100 gauge and that all my strings were lighter than what was stated on the package (and what I paid for).

Rotosound's lack of QC made me switch to D'Addario XL Nickel Rounds after 12 years of loyalty! My tech put 50-105 gauge XLs on my bass and they sounded so much better than the Rotos!

Buyer beware / Caveat emptor!

So far so good for me. Only 2 sets so far, but I appreciate the warning.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

So far so good for me. Only 2 sets so far, but I appreciate the warning.

That said, we’re that to happen to me, I’d return them to Amazon.