NSD (New Strings Day)…

[Coda]

I suppose I’m pretty loyal to brands. When I first started playing guitar, I used pink Slinkys. Then I moved to D’Addario, because I read that Gilmour used them. From then on I’ve always stuck with one or the other. A few years ago, however, I wanted to deviate. I had recently gotten an Hofner Beatle Bass, and had just bought proper flatwounds for it: Labella Beatle Flats. Since I liked the strings, I ended up ordering some Labella Bender’s, and have stuck with them for a while…

Last weekend I decided to deviate once more. I ended up with this…



I am somewhat familiar with the famed Swing Bass 66 strings. Other than that, Rotosound is brand new to me.

I decided to restring my Tele (well, for formerly a Tele…recently an Esquire). Everything looked fairly straightforward.



They even threw in some free candy…


Like everyone nowadays, Rotosounds use coloured ball ends. However, though patriotic, the Rotosounds are a bit…confusing…


Three colors for 6 strings. Ok. So I start stringing. Low E goes in easy. Next: A string, installed and cut to size. Except…the next BLUE string is G, not A. Already cut to size…luckily I had a second pack. Maybe that G will fit in my Les Paul. Other than that, things went smoothly.

Now, what do I think of the strings? They are decent. They required very little stretching. They also feel a bit worn in…like Slinky’s after a week. They are very bright, and a bit aggressive on the fingers (and the frets, most likely). It’s also interesting that, though the strings feel a bit more stiff than I am used to, or at least that there is more ‘fight’ in the strings, I have no difficulty bending notes. I imagine they will last as long as Slinky’s for me, which is about 3-4 weeks (2 weeks with a lot of playing). Also, they were $4.99 from Sweetwater, and they come with an extra high-E…

In conclusion: sometimes you should shake it up…get some new strings, some picks…a new Magnatone (I’m talking to YOU)…

 

[peccary]

Heads up: Your photos aren't showing up for me on mobile.

 

[Coda]

Heads up: Your photos aren't showing up for me on mobile.

Fixed. Had to switch to a laptop (what is this, the olden days?)...

 

[DAJE]

I just put some Rotosound strings on my bass. I like them.

 

[Mentaltossflycoon]

I used to use them on my 5 string for a long time, including after converting it to fretless. Just got the flats. I was always pretty happy with the brand.

 

[PapaBear]

GHS Fanboy here

 

[spi]

I'm happy to try different brands, but always go back to EB Slinky's and D'addario XLs

 

[blackhatboojum]

The free candy you mentioned is actually a Ramen flavor packet. It really spices up the noodles.

 

[szukalski]

You’ve been eating those? I’ve been using them as a suppository.

I really like the Hendrix series. The low ends aren’t as heavy (10-38) and you get a really nice tonal balance across all strings.

 

[HamishR]

When I used to work in a music store (a looooong time ago) I used Martin strings because we were a Martin importer and the strings were cheap and very good. Then when I left the store I used D'Addarios because, well, D'Addario. But when I started a regular weekly gig I found the wound strings would barely make it through the second set (we played three sets) before sounding dead. So I tried a few brands before settling on Ernie Balls. They sound much the same but at least last though a gig.

Still use the EBs. Depending on the guitar I'll use 10-46 or 10-52.

 

[Coda]

When I used to work in a music store (a looooong time ago) I used Martin strings because we were a Martin importer and the strings were cheap and very good. Then when I left the store I used D'Addarios because, well, D'Addario. But when I started a regular weekly gig I found the wound strings would barely make it through the second set (we played three sets) before sounding dead. So I tried a few brands before settling on Ernie Balls. They sound much the same but at least last though a gig.

Still use the EBs. Depending on the guitar I'll use 10-46 or 10-52.

I have a body chemistry thing with EB. During Summer the strings go dead after about 2 weeks. It takes a little longer in the winter, but still. I like to get at least a month out of a set of strings…

 

[Coda]

Rotosound Update: the strings are still holding up well. I have noticed that they feel like they have more tension than I am used to. It’s not more difficult to bend notes or anything like that, there’s just more of a stiffness. One you start bending the tension gives away and it feels normal. If I stick with these for a bit, I think I’ll jump to a lighter gauge…

 

[HamishR]

Yeah for me it was the D'Addarios which didn't like me!

I used a few sets of Rotosounds a long time ago. From memory they felt kinda rougher than US strings - there was more texture to them. And yes, I remember them being very bright.