Wide Open Here For Opinions

[SurferJoe46]

I bought this -

--- actually I pick it up in a week or two - but it has those (what I believe are) Fender's own SS Wire-wounds on it (they MIGHT be nickles though) and they are OK - but what about some ROTO 77s?

I want smo-o-o-th with just a little bark. On my Affinity P they do just that - so I wuz thinkin' ------

But I'm only familiar with the 77s, Elixir Nanos and just a smidgen of others - and wonder if ROTO makes any other strings that might interest me. I also like the smoothness on my fingers with those &&s.

<edit> Aha! I just C/P'd the Fender specs on the strings and they are nickles.

Fender Super Bass 7250ML, NPS,
Gauges: (.045, .065, .080, .100), ​

 

[Meatrus]

I have a very similar bass to that, I guess mines an older model, or is yours US made? I use Rotosounds 66 on mine, but these sound like they wouldnt suit at all (very harsh, growly).

If you would like some smooth Rotosounds, go for the Trubass 88, they are tapewounds (well flats covered in black tape) very smooth, really nice strings. You can hear a soundclip of them on Rotosounds site.

 

[P-punk]

I suppose it has a lot to do with your style of playing, like where you pluck your strings and whether you use a pick or not.

On my Jazz Bass (sold it now) i tried the RS77 (40-100), but they are, as you know, pretty high tension and stiff. As I pluck the strings at the bridge when playing a Jazz, the tension was just too high. The bass was almost unplayable playing fingerstyle, but really good played with a pick. Switched to Chromes in the same gauge, still pretty high tension but really nice to play. The sound is, IME, quite similar.

I think the Rotos will be perfect for a P-bass, so as soon as my new G&L has arrived, I'll string it with those.

IME, IMO, YMMV etc.

 

[SurferJoe46]

I have a very similar bass to that, I guess mines an older model, or is yours US made? I use Rotosounds 66 on mine, but these sound like they wouldnt suit at all (very harsh, growly).

If you would like some smooth Rotosounds, go for the Trubass 88, they are tapewounds (well flats covered in black tape) very smooth, really nice strings. You can hear a soundclip of them on Rotosounds site.

This is brand new - MIM. I'll get that ROTO sound clip and see. Thanks

I suppose it has a lot to do with your style of playing, like where you pluck your strings and whether you use a pick or not.

On my Jazz Bass (sold it now) i tried the RS77 (40-100), but they are, as you know, pretty high tension and stiff. As I pluck the strings at the bridge when playing a Jazz, the tension was just too high. The bass was almost unplayable playing fingerstyle, but really good played with a pick. Switched to Chromes in the same gauge, still pretty high tension but really nice to play. The sound is, IME, quite similar.

I think the Rotos will be perfect for a P-bass, so as soon as my new G&L has arrived, I'll string it with those.

IME, IMO, YMMV etc.

The ROTOS sound incredible on my P-style, and I was hoping I can use them here for reasons of playing comfort, less tension and all that - but mostly I like a mellow-deep chocolate tone when I can get it. I don't slap or pop, although that may change if I can get some decent lessons.

I play a lot of 'thumb & index' and high-tension strings don't sound very good for that.

Sometimes I use a hard, white felt pick and THAT is super nice for times when I need a heavy attack.

What about semi-rounds or grounds?

 

[Meatrus]

I see, mine doesent have those (Duncan?) pups, didnt realise they changed the pups, mines a 2003. Heres that soundclip I mentioned Invalid Link Removed (on the left hand side).

 

[SurferJoe46]

I see, mine doesent have those (Duncan?) pups, didnt realise they changed the pups, mines a 2003. Heres that soundclip I mentioned Invalid Link Removed (on the left hand side).

Neat! I played all of those that were available and can say that I really like the Invalid Link Removeds and the Invalid Link Removeds!

I also realize that they are two totally different sounds in those two sets - but they are unique and smooth - I like that.

Thanks for the tips. Now I gotta find out if they are high tension or not.

BTW: do any of these ROTOs have the same voices as what's on the Fender now?

 

[Meatrus]

Neat! I played all of those that were available and can say that I really like the Invalid Link Removeds and the Invalid Link Removeds!

I also realize that they are two totally different sounds in those two sets - but they are unique and smooth - I like that.

Thanks for the tips. Now I gotta find out if they are high tension or not.

BTW: do any of these ROTOs have the same voices as what's on the Fender now?

Glad to help. The 88s are a fair bit lower in tension feel than the 77s. I have the 88s on my fretless, and have done for 4 years now! I cant speak for the 55s, thought the 66 has much less tension than the 77s (these numbers get confusing, dont they!?).

As to which will sound most like the Fender Nickels, that would be the Rotosound Nickel 66 (blue pack), of which i dont think there is a sound sample of. But I have tried them, and they are smoother than the SS set in both feel and sound.

 

[SurferJoe46]

Glad to help. The 88s are a fair bit lower in tension feel than the 77s. I have the 88s on my fretless, and have done for 4 years now! I cant speak for the 55s, thought the 66 has much less tension than the 77s (these numbers get confusing, dont they!?).

As to which will sound most like the Fender Nickels, that would be the Rotosound Nickel 66 (blue pack), of which i dont think there is a sound sample of. But I have tried them, and they are smoother than the SS set in both feel and sound.

Last question (until the next one).

Are the SS strings harder on the frets that nickels or bronzes?

Do flats eat frets more or less than rounds?

 

[chuck65]

Glad to help. The 88s are a fair bit lower in tension feel than the 77s. I have the 88s on my fretless, and have done for 4 years now! I cant speak for the 55s, thought the 66 has much less tension than the 77s (these numbers get confusing, dont they!?).

As to which will sound most like the Fender Nickels, that would be the Rotosound Nickel 66 (blue pack), of which i dont think there is a sound sample of. But I have tried them, and they are smoother than the SS set in both feel and sound.

I can speak for the 55's..They are like having the killer tone of the 66 swing,only without the finger noise and scratchiness that comes from some pickups.they definatly fill that spot where round is too much and flat is not enough.

 

[Meatrus]

I can speak for the 55's..They are like having the killer tone of the 66 swing,only without the finger noise and scratchiness that comes from some pickups.they definatly fill that spot where round is too much and flat is not enough.

Sounds cool, I will have to give them a go!

Last question (until the next one).

Are the SS strings harder on the frets that nickels or bronzes?

Do flats eat frets more or less than rounds?

Flats will produce next to no fret wear, the Nickels more, and the Stainless sets the most. This is not to say that in any way you need to worry about it though. Many people here (me included) use the SS sets and have done so for years with no fret problems. I have had them on most of my basses for around 3 years, with no problems whatsoever.

The 66 SS used to have a bad reputation for eating frets, but I would put this down to higher Nickel content in the frets (making them softer) a few decades ago. On here (TB) I have heard of only two people with frets being eaten by them, and both were 70s basses. Chris Squire also suffered from this in the 70s which was in his article in Bassplayer a while back.

This really should not bother you as your bass will be brand new and last for an extremely long time with no fret problems. If you were to use Nickel, you may gain a year (maybe more, I dont know for sure), but you could be potentially missing out on that tone your after. And its not like Nickel produces no wear, or that frets are impossible to replace if ever became necessary.

The 66 has a very unique tone, which a lot of people love (me included) but a lot of people also find them quite rough on the fingers (which is why the fret problems used to happen). This doesn't bother me at all, but it may be worth thinking if this is likely to bother you. I would buy a set if I were you just to experience the tone!

So nothing to worry about IMO, and play whatever sounds best to you .

 

[SurferJoe46]

I can speak for the 55's..They are like having the killer tone of the 66 swing,only without the finger noise and scratchiness that comes from some pickups.they definatly fill that spot where round is too much and flat is not enough.

Flats will produce next to no fret wear, the Nickels more, and the Stainless sets the most. This is not to say that in any way you need to worry about it though. Many people here (me included) use the SS sets and have done so for years with no fret problems. I have had them on most of my basses for around 3 years, with no problems whatsoever.

The 66 SS used to have a bad reputation for eating frets, but I would put this down to higher Nickel content in the frets (making them softer) a few decades ago. On here (TB) I have heard of only two people with frets being eaten by them, and both were 70s basses. Chris Squire also suffered from this in the 70s which was in his article in Bassplayer a while back.

This really should not bother you as your bass will be brand new and last for an extremely long time with no fret problems. If you were to use Nickel, you may gain a year (maybe more, I dont know for sure), but you could be potentially missing out on that tone your after. And its not like Nickel produces no wear, or that frets are impossible to replace if ever became necessary.

The 66 has a very unique tone, which a lot of people love (me included) but a lot of people also find them quite rough on the fingers (which is why the fret problems used to happen). This doesn't bother me at all, but it may be worth thinking if this is likely to bother you. I would buy a set if I were you just to experience the tone!

So nothing to worry about IMO, and play whatever sounds best to you .

Looks like I will go with the 55s. I'll try to pick them up at the same time I get the bass - maybe this Friday.

I just had a 6-hour jam with some married friends who are great musicians. I think I've talked my wife into some more keyboard lessons from her - my wife seems to have stagnated or hit a wall with her playing - and when I drop her off for her lesson, I'll just hop over (58 miles from there) to the GC that has my new bass.

Then from their place - it's only another 69 miles to my home.

In gas alone - this is gonna be expensive! But I figger if she gets some lessons - then HEY, what can she say about a new bass for me?

 

[Meatrus]

Sounds like good thinking to me, the musically converted will put up less of an argument ....Now run with it!

 

[SurferJoe46]

Sounds like good thinking to me, the musically converted will put up less of an argument ....Now run with it!

I've got tickets booked for a Blues Cruise - and I'll take her to a few blues shops in the LA area in a few weeks or so to warm her up to it all.

Decidedly devious, am I

 

[JerBo]

I have a similar bass, 70's jazz bass.
It sounds GREAT with LaBella 760FL's
I can't play a Fender bass without flats....

But I would advise against the Rotosound 88's.
I bought a set and absolutely hated them, they were almost worthless. The tension was so low I couldn't get an audible note on the E string unless I tuned it all the way up to G!
I was really disappointed in those ones. I don't think i could bear to spend the money on another set of Rotosounds period after that.

D'addario Chromes are also a good string to try out if you've never used flats before.

If you're into the blues, you'll probably love the flats!

 

[Marton]

My favorite flats are GHS precision 95-45. They're pretty cheap too, it might be a good idea to try them !

 

[Meatrus]

I have a similar bass, 70's jazz bass.
It sounds GREAT with LaBella 760FL's
I can't play a Fender bass without flats....

But I would advise against the Rotosound 88's.
I bought a set and absolutely hated them, they were almost worthless. The tension was so low I couldn't get an audible note on the E string unless I tuned it all the way up to G!
I was really disappointed in those ones. I don't think i could bear to spend the money on another set of Rotosounds period after that.

D'addario Chromes are also a good string to try out if you've never used flats before.

If you're into the blues, you'll probably love the flats!

I'm in now way arguing, as strings sound and feel different to us all. But they dont feel that low in tension to me. If you compare them to the Roto 77 then yes, you may be in for shock, as compared to these they are lower! But if you compare them to most sets of rounds (I know they are flats though) they will feel stiffer (or again, do to me anyway). Also remember the gauge is fairly high on the 88 set, (115 to 55 IIRC) making extremely low tension not really possible with such mass. To me they feel like lowish tension flats, or the equivalant to high tension rounds, either that or I have a lighter touch than I thought! Either way please dont think I'm arguing, just thought I would offer my opinion/experience on the tension of them.

The only issue that seemed like it could be a problem to me with the 88s was the grounding. But my jazz is pretty quiet with very little hum, so I wouldnt be concerned with putting them on it.

I would be very interested in what you think of the 55s if you go ahead with them SurferJoe, they are a string I hadnt considered before. But sound like they would be great if you find them like Chuck65 did.

 

[SurferJoe46]

I have a similar bass, 70's jazz bass.
It sounds GREAT with LaBella 760FL's
I can't play a Fender bass without flats....

But I would advise against the Rotosound 88's.
I bought a set and absolutely hated them, they were almost worthless. The tension was so low I couldn't get an audible note on the E string unless I tuned it all the way up to G!
I was really disappointed in those ones. I don't think i could bear to spend the money on another set of Rotosounds period after that.

D'addario Chromes are also a good string to try out if you've never used flats before.

If you're into the blues, you'll probably love the flats!

Ooooooooo! I was of the opinion that anything chrome had more sizzle and zing.

The flats-part is nice, but is it good to have them in chrome? I've got the 77s on my other Fender-type, and I am in love with the feel in terms of smoothness and quietness. They don't clank or make finger noises very well either - that's all a good to me.

My favorite flats are GHS precision 95-45. They're pretty cheap too, it might be a good idea to try them !

These - I will have to look seriously upon. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[SurferJoe46]

I would be very interested in what you think of the 55s if you go ahead with them SurferJoe, they are a string I hadnt considered before. But sound like they would be great if you find them like Chuck65 did.

I am still agonizing over the available options - but somehow the 55s seem to be the right direction to go for me.

This may all boil down to what's available at my fav GC in Murrietta when I pick up the bass (maybe Friday? )

But I know that I don't care for the feel of the OE strings on it now.

Fender Super Bass 7250ML, NPS,
Gauges: (.045, .065, .080, .100)

They SOUND OK, but they feel like finger eaters.

 

[JerBo]

I'm in now way arguing, as strings sound and feel different to us all. But they dont feel that low in tension to me. If you compare them to the Roto 77 then yes, you may be in for shock, as compared to these they are lower! But if you compare them to most sets of rounds (I know they are flats though) they will feel stiffer (or again, do to me anyway). Also remember the gauge is fairly high on the 88 set, (115 to 55 IIRC) making extremely low tension not really possible with such mass. To me they feel like lowish tension flats, or the equivalant to high tension rounds, either that or I have a lighter touch than I thought! Either way please dont think I'm arguing, just thought I would offer my opinion/experience on the tension of them.

The only issue that seemed like it could be a problem to me with the 88s was the grounding. But my jazz is pretty quiet with very little hum, so I wouldnt be concerned with putting them on it.

I would be very interested in what you think of the 55s if you go ahead with them SurferJoe, they are a string I hadnt considered before. But sound like they would be great if you find them like Chuck65 did.

Hey Meatrus,
No offense at all man!
That's great if you like them! I know a lot of people do... And I was REALLY thinking I was gonna love them from all the reviews... I think on a fretless they might be ok for me, but I just couldn't work with them on my fretted ABG or EB(s)
I had the 115's, and I just couldn't get an audible note unless I ad it tuned up a full step!
I thought they were defective immediately... I just never pursued anything with RS...

I DID like the A and D strings, aside from all the clank, but again they were just so low in tension. It made my basses feel like toys and VERY one dimensional.

Granted, I like a higher tension, and It's been close to 7 years since I've used rounds so my tensionometer(sp) could certainly be different.... I also play DB so I guess I'm used to digging in a bit more than the average EB player.

But of the 3 basses I put them on, my Jazz sounded pretty good on the A and D, but the balance was really off.
So far LaBella's have been the best on that particular bass.

 

[Meatrus]

Hey Meatrus,
No offense at all man!
That's great if you like them! I know a lot of people do... And I was REALLY thinking I was gonna love them from all the reviews... I think on a fretless they might be ok for me, but I just couldn't work with them on my fretted ABG or EB(s)
I had the 115's, and I just couldn't get an audible note unless I ad it tuned up a full step!
I thought they were defective immediately... I just never pursued anything with RS...

I DID like the A and D strings, aside from all the clank, but again they were just so low in tension. It made my basses feel like toys and VERY one dimensional.

Granted, I like a higher tension, and It's been close to 7 years since I've used rounds so my tensionometer(sp) could certainly be different.... I also play DB so I guess I'm used to digging in a bit more than the average EB player.

But of the 3 basses I put them on, my Jazz sounded pretty good on the A and D, but the balance was really off.
So far LaBella's have been the best on that particular bass.

Cool, glad to hear I didn't cause offence , and to hear more about how they were for you. I know what you mean about the one dimensional sound. Fortunately I have other basses, when I need to escape from that sound, and I like that one sound on my fretless.