Author Topic: Rotosound on Alembic? (Read 951 times)

bigredbass · « **Reply #15 on:** April 11, 2003, 10:53:07 AM »

Dino:

Thanks for the heads up on the Will Lees.

I think I'm gonna have to try the BlueSteel Nickels (. . . why aren't they BlueNickels . . . oh well) on Rami's recommendation, plus DM is now on my list if you are an endorser. I like the Thomastiks, but hate the high price.

I'd like to try the ALEMBIC strings if they were ever on a $ale in 'This Month's Bundle'; I can't find 'em around here.

J o e y

dean_m · « **Reply #16 on:** April 11, 2003, 01:33:13 PM »

Hey Joey,

I really like the Alembics too. I thought they sounded great on my basses. Not too many stores stock them though. You can try http://www.juststrings.com. They're a mail order string company.
Yeah I don't know why they don't call them Blue Nickels. Their regular nickels are pretty cool too, a little less money too. If you like flats though, their flatwounds are really dead sounding so I don't know how they compare to the Thomasticks. I've yet to try a set Thomasticks. I wasn't real impressed with the DM flats.
Happy Stringing!!!!

Dino

sstillwell · « **Reply #17 on:** April 11, 2003, 04:03:59 PM »

They are Blue Steel because they are supposedly dipped in liquid Nitrogen or something for a cryogenic treatment (blue = cold, I guess)...this is supposed to give them some special properties that make them better. Sounds like a lot of marketing BS to me, but I use 'em anyway. They sound and feel good to me, and seem to last a bit longer than most other strings I've used. I also like the Alembic Nickel strings (is that the CX series? can't remember). I always had problems finding the Alembics in the right gauges locally, though, and don't tend to store them...I buy 'em when I need 'em. Thus the Blue Steels.

My $0.02 worth.

signillate · « **Reply #18 on:** April 21, 2003, 11:14:56 PM »

I used to use Rotosounds, but then they started breaking. I moved to GHS boomers and those broke as well. Dean Markley blue steel snapped faster than the forementioned. I don't remember this happening in my younger years so either string quality cheapened or I just became that much angrier as I aged.

I finally settled on Ernie Ball because, oddly enough, they were harder to break than the rest.

My first new Alembic ('85 Distillate) had Alembic strings on them and they were great. I don't know what my first used Alembic ('82 Spoiler) had. I do remember them lasting quite the while.

However, retailers charge up the wazooo for Alembic strings and, because of the lack of ca$$$$h on my part, I've usually shyed away.

CURSE my frugal ways.

However, I do have a spanking brand new Alembic Distillate (with signature electronics) on the way and no doubt it will sport Alembic strings. I'm looking forward to this moment with a great enthusiasm. If the strings on the new signillate can survive the torture, I shall remain forever devoted. I was heading into the Elixer area but ..... SNAP ..... on an acoustic bass. I blame the heavy John Entwistle influence.

Oh yeah, and the rest of that DANG BAND he was in.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #19 on:** April 22, 2003, 05:33:10 PM »

I have tried some Elites on my bass recently when one of the Alembic strings broke and they sounded weak. So I then bought a sets of rotosound pressurewound and one of the exposed core strings. But since they weren't short scale I couldn't use them on my bass. So I ordered some sets of Alembic strings on-line last Saturday from http://www.juststrings.com and they arrived today.

Restring the bass and they sound great. I have no probs.

btw the pressurewound Rotosounds sound great on my musicman Sterling but I don't like the way they feel under on my fingers. They seem abrasive and your fingers do not slide very well on them.

rami · « **Reply #20 on:** April 22, 2003, 06:51:27 PM »

That was my whole arguement about Rotosounds...
They can sound great, but they're very abrasive. Sliding my fingers on them produces an annoying squeaky noise. They're also hard on the frets. I couldn't abuse my precious Alembics like that.

dannobasso · « **Reply #21 on:** April 22, 2003, 08:05:29 PM »

I suppose we all go through phases with strings. In Jersey, no one carried Alembic strings. I tried them all at various times. I used to like GHS boomers. Then they would be out. I liked Fodera strings but they were pricey and the B's would always snap at the bridge on my Spoiler 6.But the guys in Brooklyn were always great and sent replacements. I try to buy a few sets at a time when GC or Ash has a sale with financing. Hey why not use their money for a change. I still have some D'Addario nickel round wounds, Fodera Diamonds stainless Smith Rockmasters stainless. Lucky that I do my own set ups! I lucked out and got a few sets of Alembics. But I'm waiting til the others go dead to change.
I only have 8 Alembic basses 4,5,6,& 7, str. compared to Rami and the cost can get steep to keep that twang on all of em!( I use fast fret and a good rag to keep them clean, also reduces drag from finger schmootz!)

David Houck · « **Reply #22 on:** April 23, 2003, 11:36:50 AM »

Rami mentioned the annoying squeaky noise. I've read lots of threads about strings and the strings issue of bassplayer a few years back; but I don't recall a discussion on the relation of string squeaks to type of string. How would changing from say round wounds to half rounds or nickel to steel, etc., change the squeaks Rami refers to?

rami · « **Reply #23 on:** April 23, 2003, 06:20:50 PM »

Hi Dave,

I just find that Nickel plated steel strings work best for me. I get the brightness of the steels without the squeak, and with the smoother feel of Nickel.

I only wish that SOMEONE made Nickel plated steels in 36 scale for my Rogue 6.

David Houck · « **Reply #24 on:** April 25, 2003, 02:58:26 PM »

Thanks Rami; I'll keep that in mind.

bigredbass · « **Reply #25 on:** May 02, 2003, 10:04:47 PM »

While we're at it about strings, a terrific CHEAP set of strings I've had good luck with were the D'Aquisto's. They're available in stainless or nickel in plain or tapered core versions, and generally sell around for around $20 most places.

J o e y

alembic76407 · « **Reply #26 on:** May 03, 2003, 05:21:01 AM »

I'll do you one better than that!!!!
Brook-Mays Music sell bass strings for $3.00 a set , and when you change strings every 2 or 3 night or so they sound great and last, and I get 10 sets for the price of one of those $30.00 sets

jaurigemma · « **Reply #27 on:** May 29, 2003, 07:36:35 PM »

I hate to admit it, but I have used pretty much strictly Rotosounds since I got my Epic in 1995. Sure, the Alembic strings are also great, but hard to come by. I have also found that the Rotosounds have a distinctive growl that all the other strings I have tried do not. I have also used elixirs, d'addarios, DR's, GHS, ernie balls, etc. but always wind up going back to the rotosounds. I have never had a set break, unlike the D'Addarios. I used to pop my G in two every week (.45 gauge too!).

I haven't had many problems with the rotosounds damaging the frets on the Epic, and there is also a set on my new Excel as well. I can say that the rotosounds are hard on your fingers if you haven't played for a while. I got a nice new blister/callous on my right middle finger to thank them for. Oh well, won't blister again!

I currently have a set of GHS Bass Boomers on my Geddy Lee jazz bass (130-50 gauge), but don't really like them. Then again, I don't really like my Geddy anymore after picking up my Epic and new Excel.........

I prefer stainless because I destroy nickel strings (sweat!) after about a week or two.

sricabla · « **Reply #28 on:** May 29, 2003, 11:46:53 PM »

I've used Rotosounds for 20 years and there's always a tradeoff. It's how you use your hands man... Sure they're hard on your frets; but that tone you get from them...it's all worth it!
But to each his own... Stanley's been using them
forever and you can't argue with his tone. You can use it to your advantage if you got that finger action happening.

jet_powers · « **Reply #29 on:** May 30, 2003, 06:21:06 AM »

Yesterday I went to procure a new set of strings for my Rogue 5 string. They didn't have my beloved Rotosounds in medium gauge so I picked up a set of DR Tapered's. I haven't re-strung the bass yet and am curious how they will sound. Other than Dino's passing mention of them in this thread, nobody really remarked on these. Like jaurigemma, I always find my way back to the Roto's, so this is definately a departure for me.

I didn't want to bring it up but as sricabla
said, It's how you use your hands man. It took me a while but I learned that picking my fingers up off the string eliminates that squeeking.

It's a good thing that we all like something different or there would always be a long line at the door....