Rotosound RS66LD Swing Bass
String Set for 4-String Electric Bass Guitar
- Gauges: 045", 065", 080", 105"
- Long scale
- Stainless steel
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Item number 104535
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Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
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String gauge 045 - 105
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Material Steel
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Scale Long Scale
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Taperwound No
Entwistle's Choice
Rotosound's most famous set of strings – the RS66 Swing Bass here – was first produced in 1966. None other than John Entwistle, the legendary bassist for the Who, went to visit the Rotosound factory in southeast London because he was looking for a set of roundwound bass strings with a powerful and yet balanced sound. Entwistle spent the entire afternoon there, offering his advice and helping develop a set of strings that soon became famous under the name RS66 Swing Bass. "Those strings were the first that vibrated properly", he later said, and Rotosound has been producing them without interruption ever since. The RS66LDs will give any four-string bass guitar a little bit of that vintage Classic Rock sound, with a powerful steel punch, a tight playfeel, and an extended lifespan. All this makes them a great choice for any bassist, not just those looking to revive the Swinging Sixties.
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Stainless steel punch
The Rotosound RS66LD strings were specially developed for bassists looking for a powerful sound that will really cut through the mix: With their gauges of .045, .065, .080, and .105, they also deliver a firm, solid playing feel. These stainless steel strings are known for their bright sound and mighty punch, without ever coming across as too harsh. The low end in particular has a really broad spectrum, while still retaining a gentle growl. The RS66LDs are also famed for their durability, meaning they can be used for a whole series of live gigs without losing their characteristic sound. Rotosound offers the RS66 strings in a variety of gauges, as well as with nickel wrap, which gives the strings more warmth than the edgier punch of the steel-only sets. As always, every bassist should test some different strings to find the ones that best suit their instrument and playing style.
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The strings of the masters
Jaco Pastorius, Geddy Lee, Duff McKagan, Billy Sheehan, Steve Harris, John Paul Jones... not to forget John Entwistle himself – the list of bassists who've used RS66 strings reads like a who's who of Rock'n'Roll history. All these bassists were known for their virtuoso style and their authoritative sound, with the Rotosound strings they used playing no small part in both. Regardless of the bass guitar they're used on – a J-style instrument in a Funk ensemble, a P-style played on a Punk record, or even a semiacoustic bass – these high-tension strings offer an extremely accurate response, accompanied by a crisp attack that's ideal for everything from grooving basslines to complex solos.
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About Rotosound
Founded by James How in 1958 – and still producing all its strings in Sevenoaks, near London – Rotosound has a history that's the match of any string manufacturer in Europe. Among the company's innovations are the Swing Bass 66 strings, which were developed in close collaboration with the legendary bassist John Entwistle: The resulting strings contributed to the sound of countless classic albums throughout the 60s and 70s. Rotosound's values are reflected in the company's traditional British manufacturing process, which gives their products their long life and characteristic sound. Since its inception, Rotosound has also worked closely with musicians to develop and market its products, with legends like Jimi Hendrix, Steve Harris (of Iron Maiden), Geddy Lee (of Guns N' Roses), and George Harrison among their most prominent fans.
Also available for five, six, and eight string basses
With gauges of 045, .065, .080, and .105, the Rotosound RS66LD Swing Bass stainless steel strings are the perfect choice for bassists who like a crisp and forceful sound that combines a fast attack with a comfortable playing feel. The strings will work particularly well on any traditional P-style or J-style model, which generally have a timbre that will harmonise nicely with the strings themselves, producing a clean, homogeneous sound that can be used for almost all genres, not just Rock'n'Roll and Classic Rock. Rotosound also offers many other strings under the name RS66, in a variety of different, equally well-balanced gauges, as well as sets for basses with five, six, or even eight strings – thus bringing the classic Rotosound sound to more modern instruments and styles.
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