Why Are Rotosound Guitar Strings Not So Popular?

ICBM

fretfinder said:

Of all the makes of strings I've ever used, Rotos seem to be a good bit longer than any others. It's not a problem, just why?

I've come across people who use Rotos because of this - they usually play things like big semis with Bigsbys and long necks, eg double-cut Gretsches, where you really need long strings. I've re-strung a few guitars like this where some string brands only have barely enough to reach the tuners on the G and D strings.

fretfinder

ICBM said:

fretfinder said:

Of all the makes of strings I've ever used, Rotos seem to be a good bit longer than any others. It's not a problem, just why?

I've come across people who use Rotos because of this - they usually play things like big semis with Bigsbys and long necks, eg double-cut Gretsches, where you really need long strings. I've re-strung a few guitars like this where some string brands only have barely enough to reach the tuners on the G and D strings.

Ah, wisdom. 

monquixote

I've bought them a couple of times and they felt kind of rough and dirty so I took them back off again.

I know a few people that swear by them though and they seem to be more popular with bass players.

Lew

because they are shit!

Iamnobody

I've just bought four packs of yellows.
:-bd

Lew

Is that an emoticon of an m&m air tossing?

xSkarloey

Lew said:

Is that an emoticon of an m&m air tossing?

Yes but he's using both hands.   :-S

Dave_Mc

Maybe he watched the final episode of silicon valley :-S

Lew

maybe red and blue are just out of shot

rossi

I use them and also Ernies .Cant really tell the difference to be honest .I suppose if I cork sniffed instead of just  playing I might .

Lew

To be fair that's like saying you can't tell the difference between Aldi and Lidl.

Lixarto

Lew said:

To be fair that's like saying you can't tell the difference between Aldi and Lidl.

That's obvious. I pass one of them on the way to work.

axisus

I'm never bothered by the name, I just buy the cheapest set in the shop. They could be called Mickey Mouse's arse hair for all I care.

richardhomer

^ I remember reading an interview with Jeff Beck in Guitar Player around 1980. He was asked what brand of strings he used and his reply was something along the lines of he had no idea, as his tech bought them in bulk from whoever would supply them at the lowest price....

Iamnobody

I wonder if the string connoisseurs could pick out a set of Rotosound in a blind test?

I suspect not...

57Deluxe

...the first set of replacaement strings I ever bought were Rotosounds... cos they said to in the NME... circa 1974

Later I went on to EB Super Slinkies and stayed on them as my first choice ever since.... 9s and 10s depending on stuff... mainly cos they said to in the NME...

                             my old circa 1974 packs

http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/b8/e1/37/b8e137caafe542a21e48f9bb4a65e431.jpg

Gassage

This is at the bottom of my string drawer- dated 1968! Made by Rotosound!

ICBM

Gassage said:

This is at the bottom of my string drawer- dated 1968! Made by Rotosound!

No, made by British Music Strings in Wales .

They later distributed various brands including Marlin guitars if I remember right :-O.

Gassage

ICBM said:

Gassage said:

This is at the bottom of my string drawer- dated 1968! Made by Rotosound!

No, made by British Music Strings in Wales .

They later distributed various brands including Marlin guitars if I remember right :-O.

I thought they were also Rotosound? My bad.

xSkarloey

@gassage 1968? Really? Judging by the beard and the slightly bloated features, it looks like the photo of EC there is from the 'Clapton is Pissed' era, c. 1975