ray_6ao7 Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 hey guys my band have been offered a small sponsorship by rotosound strings. We've never used them before and just wondered if anyone could offer any info or had any experience with them before we decide on what to do... normally use warwick emps or dr strings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 You'll get a dozen different answers, but for me, if Rotosound offered me free strings I'd have 'em. Roto's in my opinion are decent strings. Bright out of the packet, nice and clean and punchy for a while, but they go off pretty quick, but then I sweat like a glass blowers arse live. If the Wawricks you've been using are Black Labels, to me Rotos aren't as good as them. The Black Labels are great strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 [quote name='Rayman' post='399066' date='Feb 3 2009, 03:49 PM']You'll get a dozen different answers[/quote] Ain't that the triple truth, Ruth! What he said though; they're fantastically bright at first but sound like shyte after they've soaked up a bit of finger jam. I prefer them to Warwick EMP though, which I tried once and was very disappointed at how quickly they went dead. A lot of players complain that they feel rough. Fast Fret really helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josh3184 Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 (edited) I personally wouldn't endorse a string company if I'm happy with what I've got for the sheer fact strings are the least of your monetary worries bass-wise (at least that's true with me, i buy a new pack every 4 or 5 months!) Edited February 3, 2009 by josh3184 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I used Rotos (Swing Bass '66) on every bass for years except for a period where my band got a DR endorsement. They're good strings, very bright, can't remember ever having a duff set and I must've gone through hundreds of them. I just recently bought my first non-RS66 set of strings for about ten years, to put on a fretless. Still using RS66s on my Thumb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Do you know what you're getting out of the deal? If it's free strings then go for it. The only thing I've found is that they're still not very good at making anything other than standard gauge 34" scale 4-string roundwound sets. Although not as bad as in the 90s when I had to find alternative strings (Newtone) because Rotosound seemed incapable of making a 36" scale B string. Nowadays when you get a good set they're cracking, but I'm still finding that 1 in 4 sets a bit dodgy. If you're after anything esoteric unless you're already using Rotos you may be disappointed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_bass Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 If they were free then sure! Although IMO compared to DR's (haven't tried Warwicks) they'd seem a bit of a let down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassmansky Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 i used the swing bass type and found they lose there brightness fairly quickly.also they are quite rough on the fingers!but something for nothing ,go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deep Thought Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I met Jason How, their chief exec. last year at the Manson's guitar show in Exeter. Very nice bloke indeed, very helpful. I'd say go for it-if you speak to him ask where Mike Bennett's JJ Burnel photo is!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Ive used the Stainless S 66 Swing Bass sets for a fair amount of time. Nice and clangy/bright....and easy to play with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenshirt Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I've used Rotosound Swing/Jazz/Tru bass strings for about 35 years (not the same ones.... before some wise guy says something) and I love 'em. I really like how the Swing bass lose their brightness after a short period of time because the slightly duller sound seems to suit the music that I play (I use a pick and play rock/rock 'n' roll). Horses for courses, I wish I could get mine for free...... go for it mate! Mart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jarhead Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 If they are free, send a few packs of RS66 my way yeah? lol Zach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Just be sure you like the strings, and then know exactly what the "deal" is....then no one gets upset. Companies can be surprisingly vague when you ask them how they expect you to help them. Some use a third party to run the deal and supply you...make sure you know who does what. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Cooke Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 [quote name='BigRedX' post='399108' date='Feb 3 2009, 04:26 PM']Nowadays when you get a good set they're cracking, but I'm still finding that 1 in 4 sets a bit dodgy.[/quote] doesn't help that they do not seal the packets and heaven knows how long some sets spend on display in the shops... or on the shelf... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rOB Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 have used Swing bass 66's on and off for a few years. like the sound, but yeah they lose their brightness after a while. I say go for it if its free strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huw Foster Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I haven't used Rotos in years... I think the first set of strings I bought were Swing Bass 66... I don't remember them being amazing, but if I was being offered free ones, I think I'd accept! *crosses fingers and hopes for a D'Addario endorsement* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I've a set of Roto Compressors (55's, I think) and I am deeply impressed by them. They are still very bright after about 9 months on a fretless which does get played regularly. I don't have sweaty hands, though!! Anyone else tried the Compressors? They remind me strongly of DR HiBeams. Geoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowbee Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I used the Swingbass ones several times because local shops only seemed to stock them or Elites and I wasn't particularly impressed with either brand. I personally found the quality control to be a little poor as I had several sets where at least one of the strings had a buzz which was found to be the string itself. If you're used to DR strings or something similar I would say it's probably not worth it just for some freebies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I wouldn't use 'em even if they were free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 [quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='399608' date='Feb 4 2009, 12:29 AM']I wouldn't use 'em even if they were free.[/quote] +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I'd steer clear of their flatwounds - so much string tension I could hardly move 'em! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ray_6ao7 Posted February 4, 2009 Author Share Posted February 4, 2009 thanks for all the advice! d'addario have also been in touch so gonna have a word with the guitarists and see what they wanna do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrcrow Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 many have endorsed them...and many like me wont use them again but for a freebie shot...endorse them anyway...and so you get to learn about them free it took me around 4 sets to go off them..the flats as well but i am a TI man so i am biased Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHUFC BASS Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Personally I don't think Roto's compare to DR Hi-Beams. For me they are the ultimate string. I've tried loads, DiAddario, Rotosound, GHS, Dean Markley, Klondyke, Ernie Ball (which really were crap strings) and Elites. DR all the way. Their Lo-Riders aren't bad either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artisan Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 [quote name='neepheid' post='399623' date='Feb 4 2009, 02:57 AM']I'd steer clear of their flatwounds - so much string tension I could hardly move 'em![/quote] +1 yep they're bleedin' aweful,rough as a bear's arse too,ripped the crap out of my old corvette fretless's board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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