Rotosound Strings

[keith_h]

I've not used Rotosound strings since the early 70's. On my short scale, small body Alembics I've stuck with the Alembic strings which are a nickel plated round would. On my fretted Orion I switched to a Dean Markley nickel plated round core and on my fretless D'Adario Chromes. I like the Chromes as they are bright for a flat wound without the excess fretboard wear of round wound strings.

[bigredbass]

I used Rotos forever, then in the early 2000's, I got a set after set that seemed dead out of the bag, or went dead fast (. . . . . even for me . . . .  ), and it dawned on me that they were made in Jolly Old, and spent at least some time in a container on a ship at sea.  Once this got in my head, I was convinced the salt air was getting to them or that Howe had changed their metallurgy.  I went back to Boomers and XL's and never looked back.

[pauldo]

When I was using Rotosounds they were GREAT out of the package but seemed to die really quick.  That’s why I would always go back to Boomers, they seemed to stay ‘fresh’ the longest for me.

Today:
Chromes + Distillate = happy me

Paul (who admittedly is more into emulating Willie Weeks than Entwistle or Squire these days)

[mario_farufyno]

I don't use them (or try them more often) simply because is easier and more affordable geting D'Addarios and GHSs in Brazil (as I change them regularly, they must be easy to find and cheap), but also because at this time I've already found an ideal compromise between strings price/tone/feel to my main bass on GHS Bassics Light and I'm good with it.

[Glynn]

Just wondered where (if anywhere) can you get Alembic strings in UK? How much? Never tried them.  I have had an Orion 4 for last 20 years and have used Elites Stainless but changed to nickel last year and now on my last packet of Peter Skjold (US) Nickel.  Was thinking of trying Elites Nickel.  Is it ethical to ask how Alembics stand up against others?
Glynn

[Svein Håvard]

Alembic strings are good as well in my opinion. Not sure if it is possible to get them from other places, but i ordered a set from Alembic a while ago just to try them out. Still prefer rotosound because of the string gauge i use. 35 55 70 90 120

Svein

[mario_farufyno]

Glynn, as far as I know Alembic strings are the kind with compressed outer windings (like GHS Pressurewound or Rotosound Solo Bass 55), these are a little duller (or smooth if you will) compared to regular roundwounds, particularly if you're more used to stainless steel strings.

[mario_farufyno]

* consider that I'm the kind of player who hates coated strings, never got used to Flats, and needs to change sets after a month (although I can't afford this pace).

[tomhug]

I used to use nothing but Rotosound Swing Bass 66 strings, the ones with John Entwistle on the packet, on my Series I.

I also enjoyed the Jazz Monel flatwounds on my Essence 6.

I do think that Rotosound (at least the stainless steel round-wound ones I was using) are rougher than average on frets. On the other hand, there's really nothing that sounds or plays like Rotos and Series electronics. I am currently using Alembic strings on my Series. If I really wanted to cop that high-tension, piano tone, I'd be happy using Rotos once again.