Just put a set of these on a newly acquired Longhorn bass. Not sure about the sound (maybe it should be edgier?). I'm concerned about Rotosound string tension and that skinny neck. Any thoughts?
These Roto 88s have been on my MIK Rogue VB-100 for going on 2 years now. No problems at all, and the sound? With respects to Dave - not always, my man, not always. Hollow and semi-hollowbody basses are a whole 'nother animal...
Assuming he is right, Rotosound 88's are not a move in the wrong direction as they're light gauge strings in disguise: they're thinner-than-average roundwound strings (some say the E is a .095), only wrapped in a generous layer of black nylon tape.
The Roto88's have worked out really well. Can't get the intonation on the E quite right but everything else adjusted fine. The neck didn't budge and the tone is quite unique: punchy but warm.
On the few short scale basses I have that actually use short scale strings (not mediums, like the Rogue), I haven't been real happy with light gauge strings. Waay too floppy, IME. My Warmoth Mini-P eventually wound up with 45-105 DR Sunbeams, and the 50-107 GHS Boomers on my Kramer Duke are the cat's ass. I've got a set of the La Bella "Dano correct" gauge flats for my Longhorn. I'm hesitant about installing them, based on my poor experience with light gauge shorties in general, and a host of complaints from people who've tried these strings in particular. But, like they say, YMMV...