Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I know Chris is very big into Rotosound strings ever since John Entwistle's use on "Substitute". Has Chris ever done anything different and used something other than Rotosound?

This would be an interesting question for Chris himself to pop in and answer....

johnallg wrote:This would be an interesting question for Chris himself to pop in and answer....

Wouldn't that be a COOL Easter gift!

I love Roto's, I just can't stand getting sets with a bad E or A in it anymore.....it's been about 2 years since I bought a set, but I sure do miss that BELL LIKE RING sound they can give you.

Anyone here still using them and if so, any report on any bad strings anymore?

At almost $45.00 a set, I don't want to take another chance....just saw some ROTO flats......any feedback on them as well?

ajish4 wrote:

johnallg wrote:This would be an interesting question for Chris himself to pop in and answer....

Wouldn't that be a COOL Easter gift!

I love Roto's, I just can't stand getting sets with a bad E or A in it anymore.....it's been about 2 years since I bought a set, but I sure do miss that BELL LIKE RING sound they can give you.

Anyone here still using them and if so, any report on any bad strings anymore?

At almost $45.00 a set, I don't want to take another chance....just saw some ROTO flats......any feedback on them as well?

I used to use the Roto flats on my V63. They are fine sounding strings.....when you can get a good set. I got several sets with bad D and A strings. After a while I got tired of paying the price for them, and switched to D'Addario Chromes which are much more consistant. I now use SIT Power Flats on the V. Which are really pure nickel rounds ground smooth to sound like a flat. They are much easier on the wallet, and sound good and thumpy after they break in. I can get a good WOA Rick tone with them.

ajish4 wrote:

johnallg wrote:This would be an interesting question for Chris himself to pop in and answer....

Wouldn't that be a COOL Easter gift!

I love Roto's, I just can't stand getting sets with a bad E or A in it anymore.....it's been about 2 years since I bought a set, but I sure do miss that BELL LIKE RING sound they can give you.

Anyone here still using them and if so, any report on any bad strings anymore?

At almost $45.00 a set, I don't want to take another chance....just saw some ROTO flats......any feedback on them as well?

I recently bought a couple of sets, Roto Swing Bass RS66LD for my 4001 & 4003. They sound great, no dead strings as far as I can tell.

And, $45 a set? Where do you buy them? I got mine from juststrings.com, $21.29 + $6.95 shipping, $28.24 for a single set. If you order more sets, the shipping is still just $6.95. Of course, that's U.S. and Canada only. There are other shipping options if you want 'em fast, but that costs more...

Tony, I've been using Roto Swings regularly since I started playing bass, and I've never experienced a bad string that I could rule out everything else as a factor in. I have had sets that "die" faster than normal, and less evenly, but not enough to really find fault in the strings themselves. (Perhaps my powers of discernment are not very acute in this, as other, regards.) I've never intentionally used any other roundwound string ever on the Ricks I've played. I did get a set of Roto Jazz Bass Monels which have seen action on a Jazz Bass as well my V63, and I must say I was less than dead chuffed, as they say. High tension, not very smooth feel, and a LOT of dead spots. For flats, I'm very keen to try out some alternatives, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. On the other hand, the Roto Tru Bass nylon tapewounds have been terrific. The usual YMMV. My personal mileage seems to vary quite a bit!

I too get mine from juststrings.com, and they are even nearly affordable to me that way!

I've never heard of CS using anything but Rotos, but I too am curious to know if he's strung up some of his basses with other things....

johnallg wrote:This would be an interesting question for Chris himself to pop in and answer....

Except he's too busy being awesome and everything, to spend much time on forums.

Becky wrote:

johnallg wrote:This would be an interesting question for Chris himself to pop in and answer....

Except he's too busy being awesome and everything, to spend much time on forums.

You never know who's reading your stuff here!

Welcome, Becky!

just_bassics wrote:

Becky wrote:

johnallg wrote:This would be an interesting question for Chris himself to pop in and answer....

Except he's too busy being awesome and everything, to spend much time on forums.

You never know who's reading your stuff here!

Welcome, Becky!

Well, if that's the case, please tell Scotty to call me!!!

Call you what? Call you Al? Your name is Jeff!

Did someone mention ROTOSOUND STRINGS?

Heres one that might interest you.
Its from bassist Magazine May 1998.
The photos look like they are from around '72 CCTE era.
Its probably at a trade fair in London.
But what about THAT FAKER!!!
Thats probably borrowed from a booth elsewhere at the trade fair.

Yikes! Think you might be okay in case of a string break there, Pete? I'm even more envious than usual!

CS restringing a faker. Wow. Yeah, must have been a photo-op Roto couldn't possibly pass up, even though Chris didn't even have his bass (any of his basses!) handy. I can imagine it: "we'll just find something that sort of looks like your bass. You just look all serious and act like you're really stringing it up. Don't worry, you do this for us and we'll keep you in Swing Bass sets for the rest of your natural life...."

Hi Paul,
Yes I thought that too. Chris must have either got a call or went along to see the show.
Its probably at Earls Court which was local with Chris living nearby and as you rightly say the people at Rotosound couldnt pass up the opportunity!
Thinking about the year it could actually be 74 because there a Relayer promo pic with Chris wearing the same shirt or very similar. If hes like the rest of us
T shirts end up as dusters after a few months of abuse so its unlikely to have lasted two years!
Also I dont think the Fakers started to trickle in until around 74/5. That one looks like either a Hondo or (more than likely) the Shaftsbury copy.
I often wonder if the Shaftsbury range of copies were so named because all the big music stores were on Shaftsbury Avenue and Charring Cross Road in London and the former name looked better on the TRC?

I change strings regularly as you can see. Its not for tone but the danger of braking a string during a two hour plus set.
They get plenty of use at rehearsals in between gigs and rehearsals are four hours long ( we might play The fish three times Gates four times and so on) so I get my moneys worth out of them.
Ive got video recorder boxes full of Rotosounds!
I used to sling them in the bin and one day I thought I might need the used strings when I draw my pension so unless I break one they all get filed away for future use. And before anyone says it I DONT keep all my newspapers and bags of rubbish in wardrobes like tose unfortunate souls on TV.....Honest.

Well, I just went into my bass closet, and discovered all I have left as far as strings go is a brand new set of Fender Flats, HOW DID THEY GET IN THERE?

Looks like it's time to order some new strings. I guess I'll try ONE MORE TIME with the Roto's. The last set I had was installed by my luthier on my 81 Walnut. The ENTIRE SET was messed up! I pulled my hair out for weeks saying to myself, "they're new Roto's...they CAN'T BE BAD".

Joey talked me into swapping them out. I reluctantly did so, dammed if it wasn't the entire set was bad! I should try Just Strings....those damn things run me $45.00+ WHEN I can find them locally....

Hey Pete, WOW, that's just too cool! My local store doesn't carry more than 2 or three sets at a time!

Hmm, hey Jim, you mean SOMEBODY could be watching what we say?