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To me they sound closer to flats though. I had them on my last precision and loved them.
Ray Walston was one of the great character actors of all time.
My preference is for super bright stainless roundwounds, so that's not really what you're shooting for.
But - I will say that in the roundwound family, Rotosound 66s are about the roughest strings I've ever played. Terrific for building up callouses. Brutal on the frets. If you're looking for rounds that are mellow on fret and finger, Rotos aren't the way to go.
I might suggest nickel plated roundwound strings. The softer metal breaks in faster so the zing doesn't last as long as Stainless Steel. For me that's no bueno, but for you that might be a win. Most of the roundwound manufacturers make a nickel set to match their SS sets.
For the record, I use Ken Smith or Fodera strings for most of my electrics.
But - I will say that in the roundwound family, Rotosound 66s are about the roughest strings I've ever played. Terrific for building up callouses. Brutal on the frets. If you're looking for rounds that are mellow on fret and finger, Rotos aren't the way to go.
I might suggest nickel plated roundwound strings. The softer metal breaks in faster so the zing doesn't last as long as Stainless Steel. For me that's no bueno, but for you that might be a win. Most of the roundwound manufacturers make a nickel set to match their SS sets.
For the record, I use Ken Smith or Fodera strings for most of my electrics.
Roundcore. DR PURE BLUES is what I play. Smoother than rounds, plenty of crisp highs and thundering lows. Easy to slide around on. Sounds great when broken in.
I used to use Rotosounds for years and liked their tone on my Ric for the first few weeks after they were new. They never lasted very long and their tension was high.
I tried several other brands - most notably DR - and liked some of the things they did.
After trying a few brands of flats, I found my nirvanna -TI Jazz Flats,. These are strings that feel smoother and have less tension than anything else. They sound more like round wounds than flats. They actually have nice highs and are very well balanced.
I liked them so much, I put them on all my basses.
I tried several other brands - most notably DR - and liked some of the things they did.
After trying a few brands of flats, I found my nirvanna -TI Jazz Flats,. These are strings that feel smoother and have less tension than anything else. They sound more like round wounds than flats. They actually have nice highs and are very well balanced.
I liked them so much, I put them on all my basses.
The Pure Blues are roundwound on a round core. The wrap wire is a special nickel alloy DR calls "Quantum Nickel" (just another marketing jargon).
The following are my favorite roundwound string:
DR Hi Beam 40-60-80-100
DR Low Rider 40-60-80-100
I used half rounds on my Fretless 20+ years ago, and never liked the way they felt.
A few years ago I used nylon wound strings from LaBella I believe and like the strings, expensive but worth the price.
Presently I use DR Hi Beam on all my basses.
DR Hi Beam 40-60-80-100
DR Low Rider 40-60-80-100
I used half rounds on my Fretless 20+ years ago, and never liked the way they felt.
A few years ago I used nylon wound strings from LaBella I believe and like the strings, expensive but worth the price.
Presently I use DR Hi Beam on all my basses.
Every time I think my Rick sounds great, I hear something that makes me reconsider my entire life.
Holy crap that tone is fantastic.
drooldroolSo my question is, what is it that I am hearing? Is it the toaster and/or the 1/2" pup spacing on yours vs. my 1985 high gain and 1" spacing?
How about the tone & volume pots?
Is there a big difference in the early 70s high gain (in the bridge position) vs. my '85?
Did your bass still have the bridge "cap" in the circuit (as mine does)?
What was the signal chain used for recording?
And to the OP, I have Blue Steels on my Rick at the moment. I found they sound similar to Roto 66s, but with age mello in a nice and useable way. Still have some nice top end brightness, without being harsh.
Every time I think my Rick sounds great, I hear something that makes me reconsider my entire life.
Holy crap that tone is fantastic.
So my question is, what is it that I am hearing? Is it the toaster and/or the 1/2" pup spacing on yours vs. my 1985 high gain and 1" spacing?
How about the tone & volume pots?
Is there a big difference in the early 70s high gain (in the bridge position) vs. my '85?
Did your bass still have the bridge "cap" in the circuit (as mine does)?
What was the signal chain used for recording?
And to the OP, I have Blue Steels on my Rick at the moment. I found they sound similar to Roto 66s, but with age mello in a nice and useable way. Still have some nice top end brightness, without being harsh.
Thanks for the reply and I agree, that is an awesome tone in that recording. I'd love to know more about how it was achieved as well.