Who's Using Stainless Rotosounds?

[spongebob]

I probably hadn't gone near a set of these for about 15 years. Always a bit too scared of the fretwear thing.

However, getting my 4001 back from a re-fret, I thought I'd take the plunge and see what it was all about. I've never played a 4001 with Roto's, only a 4003 some years back.

Went for slightly lower gauge, just seemed to feel right.

As for the results, wow. Now I see why they were/are so popular on that bass. It bought out a tone which just isn't there with Nickels, or Flats. Just bags of all-round tone - highs, lows, mids, suddenly it's all there.

Question is, how bad is the fretwear thing? Should I be playing this bass sparingly, or risk another re-fret in the foreseeable future? I'm a pick player, not a slapper or a particularly heavy fretter.

Love to hear from the Roto fans out there!

[squirebass]

I use the RS 66 LDs, if that is what you are referring to. I still like the sound, for that Squirish "clank". Many on here have been very critical of these strings for several reasons, dead E strings, fretware, and short life, among others, but I've never had a problem with them, although I have found others, like D'Addario Roundwounds that sound very similar. I've never had much of a problem with fretware or trussrod issues....

[cheyenne]

I'm using Dunlop Super bright Stainless strings on my Rick and Thunderbird and love them.

http://www.bassstringsonline.com/Dunlop ... _2160.html

[songdog]

Question is, how bad is the fretwear thing? Should I be playing this bass sparingly, or risk another re-fret in the foreseeable future? I'm a pick player, not a slapper or a particularly heavy fretter.

When I bought my '72 4001 used in '75, it had roundwound strings that could have held up the Brooklyn bridge, and the frets were kind of worn. I played RS66LDs on it for 30 years before I decided it was time for a refret. It's held up fine for the last decade or so (minimal wear), the 4001 isn't my main bass, but it does get played regularly.

I will say that I'm one of the people who has been frustrated by somewhat erratic quality from Rotosound. Last year I put on a set and they were The Best Bass Strings Ever. I played them until they lost their sparkle and put on another set and they were The Worst Bass Strings Ever. I've been experimenting with other strings since then (DR Lo-Riders are pretty decent).

Really, the question is: if you like the sound of Rotosounds on a 4001, isn't it worth paying your favorite luthier for fret work once in a while?

[antipodean]

I used Rotos on a P-bass way back in the '80s and it ate the frets over an 18 month period. However, I used to play with the heaviest attack in the world, which was a big contributor to the frenetic pace of wear. If you are relatively gentle, the wear may not be as big an issue.

Roto QC is legendary - everyone seems to have a story of how it stinks. I'd give another brand a shot before using the Rotos.

[Benjamin]

I was until I discovered DR Hi-Beams. I miss some of the sizzle of the Rotos. I don't miss the slightly higher tension. I don't miss the slightly shorter longevity. I will revisit Rotos again one day. For now it is easier to stick with the DRs because that's what I put on two of my other basses as well.

[turlu]

I'm using Dunlop Super bright Stainless strings on my Rick and Thunderbird and love them.

http://www.bassstringsonline.com/Dunlop ... _2160.html

+1

[lerxst_x]

I'm using Dunlop Super bright Stainless strings on my Rick and Thunderbird and love them.

http://www.bassstringsonline.com/Dunlop ... _2160.html

Can you get them to intonate ok? When I tried them I could never get the G to intonate right, even maxed out the 12th-fretted G was always flat compared to the harmonic.

[henry5]

I use Roto stainless, currently 40-100, although typically 40-95. I've tried other strings for tension reasons, in fact currently have Dunlops on my Fireglo, but they're always a let down to me. I've never tried anything I like anywhere near as much as Rotos. They often sound great at home, but in a band situation it's Rotos every time.

[woodyng]

Several of the basses i bought in the last few years came with new sets of Rotosound swing 66 strings already on.
I couldn't wait to get them off,terrible feel,both the string finishing quality and the tension...
DR Sunbeams are great,and Kalium hybrid balanced sets are fantastic.
I just bought a '77 Yamaha BB 1200 (like Macca's) that had a set of unknown RW strings with black threads on both ends-they're really great strings,whatever they are.
I'm definitely done with Rotosounds.