Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

This is a tale of a 4001 and two sets of Rotosound RS66LD, one in the old packaging (cardboard box and strings in individual paper envelopes) and one in the new packaging (four strings coiled in a sealed plastic packet). I'm always suspicious when the packaging of a product changes... what changed about the product itself?

I put the "old" strings on for a series of gigs starting in June. Summary: Best. Strings. Ever. They were all bright and clear, even the E. I've had some E-string disappointments over the years with Rotosounds, so I was really happy with this set.

Summertime, a bunch of sweaty gigs, those strings were starting to lose their magic, so I decided to put on a fresh set from the "new" package. Summary: Awful! None of the new strings sounded better than the ones I took off, and the E string almost might as well have been a flatwound.

So, two questions for those among us who like the zing, clang and crunch of a good set of Rotosounds:

• Has anyone else noticed a change for the worse in these strings in the new plastic packet, or did I just get unlucky with a dud set?
  
  Does anyone have recommendations for another brand of stainless steel roundwound that comes close to what I like about the Rotosounds?

I don't think its the packaging. I used to use Rotosounds exclusively but got tired of getting dead strings. Switched to D'Addario's and never, ever had a bad string.

I like the GHS Super Steels, the ML5000 being my favorites.

Bassically, Michael

For roundwounds,I've been using DR's for years,(mostly Sunbeams),and more recently have used Kalium balanced sets.
My recent accidental encounters with Rotosound strings have mostly been to get them off the purchased bass they came on ASAP.....

I like DR's. They really worked on both my 4004's. If I had the cash to put DR's on all my basses, that would be the end of it.

On a budget though, I find the D' Addario XL170 set, (available in twin packs), to be the best all around string for all my basses. Bright, long lasting, and veeerrry consistant.

I use nothing but Dean Markley Helix nps strings now they are fantastic sound way better than Rotosounds, and they have a great life span too. i used to use nothing but Rotos but they never lasted more than a week and as you say some terrible E stings . cannot go wrong with the Helix strings i use nothing else now and my Rics sound incredible with them.

I have not used Rotos since around 1977, or so. I used the standard "Squire set", then for a while I tried the Super bass(?) set, the ones with the adjustable "ball ends". These days I use TI Jazz Flats/Jazz Rounds/Acousticores, primarily, but some basses do have D'Addario XLs or Fodera VW Signatures on them.

GHS blue steels sound quite a bit like Rotosounds without the issues. I used rotos for years but went to the blue steels to reduce the tension a little on the rm1999....
Eden.

Rotosound alternative:

These things are subjective, here are my recent observations and opinions

La Bella Deep Talkin Roundwound have an almost identical midrange, dynamic 'growl' and 'burp' response to Roto Swing bass, especially with a pick. Fingerstyle the La Bellas have more p in the pluck. Slightly more low and slightly less extreme treble than Roto, easily EQed. The upper mid, where the clank is, is the same. The E and A feel a little larger but the E does sound like it belongs with the other strings, which was not always the case with Rotos, as others have noted. (and don't get me started on Roto B strings!) The physical texture (roughness) is the same too.
Two weeks ago I went from RS66LD 45 65 80 105 to down a gauge to 760RS 40 58 80 102 on my V63 after having tried the 5 string set on my Pedulla, replacing RS665LD. On both basses I'm getting everything I liked about the rotos on every note on the instrument. Downside is Rotos are much cheaper here in UK!

I used Kalium Balanced and Fodera VW Sigs

Wow, thanks for all the great information! I wish I had a whole rack of 4001/4003 basses to try all these strings on, but my budget can only afford the strings, not the basses

Based on comments here and elsewhere, my short list is now:

GHS Super Steels
DR Lo-Riders
D'Addario Pro Steels

And I'll give the Rotos one last chance.

I'll post updates here after I get these strings in and start trying them out.

Michael4bass wrote:I like the GHS Super Steels, the ML5000 being my favorites.

I've seen some very favorable comments about these.

cheyenne wrote:If I had the cash to put DR's on all my basses, that would be the end of it.

On a budget though, I find the D' Addario XL170 set, (available in twin packs), to be the best all around string for all my basses. Bright, long lasting, and veeerrry consistant.

Both the DRs and D'Addario Pro Steels seem to get a lot of love. Which DRs do you like? It looks to me like the Lo-Riders are the best match for what I want.

weemac wrote:GHS blue steels sound quite a bit like Rotosounds

I've seen Dean Markley Blue Steels and GHS Super Steels... am I missing something, or did you cross up brands?

woodyng wrote:For roundwounds,I've been using DR's for years,(mostly Sunbeams),and more recently have used Kalium balanced sets.
My recent accidental encounters with Rotosound strings have mostly been to get them off the purchased bass they came on ASAP.....

Woody,

Yup, I use DR Sunbeams on my 72 4001 and Kalium on everything else, except my Spector. I've been using Kalium/Circle K for three years now. Love those strings!! Bright, long lasting, and nice on the fingers and frets!

Sepp

I used Rotosounds on my '76 4001 for decades before becoming unhappy with how quickly they lose their zing and go dead. I switched to D'Addario XLs on my 4001 - they last a long time, but I eventually didn't like their tone. I tried GHS Blue Steel on my Blackstar and was less than impressed with the sound, but I think it was the bass and not the strings. Long story short, I switched to standard GHS Bass Boomers for all my basses - 4001, Blackstar, Jazz and Nate Mendel and Squier P Basses. The strings get a zingly round wound sound and the nickle wrapping is less rough on my fingers. I had no idea how rough Rotos were until I switched.

I know you're looking for steel, but I think the nickel wrapped steel is just as good.

Alternatively, I did try one set of the Billy Sheehan signature Rorosounds. The E is bigger and the G is smaller. I put them on a P Bass for decent results, but they still go dead quickly. Perhaps a signature set that is probably made in smaller batches will not have the same issues as the mass-produced Swing Bass set.

D'Addario also has flex-steels. I haven't had a chance to try them yet.

Always watch out that you dont twist the strings when putting them on.
Thats the most common problem if the string appears dead sounding.

In the 70s Swing Bass came in a cellophane outer wrapper with the strings in
their paper bags.

The recent version with cardboard boxes are easier to store though.