world famous music strings † made in england · pdf fileworld famous music strings...

world famous music strings • made in england

2008 has been a landmark year for Rotosound Music Strings. Incredibly it is 50 years since my father, James How founded the company. Half a century which has seen popular music evolve from the early pioneers of rock n’ roll recording onto black plastic discs to the broad pallette of styles currently available to download from a small box of electrical components connected to your telephone line.

Times change, certain principles do not. The foundation blocks on which Rotosound was built in 1958 are still in place. We are manufacturers in the true sense of the word. James built the original machines himself - the current production line utilises modern technology built in house by our R&D department.

The contribution made by Rotosound to modern music is not to beunderestimated. Always prepared to listen to the requests of musicians, we worked with John Entwistle in the mid 1960’s to produce what is now known worldwide as the Swing Bass 66 set. Listen to any of the Who’s finest recordings - you will hear the 66’s. Our association with Jimi Hendrix is well documented. Go through the decades, with bands such as Iron Maiden, Guns n’ Roses, Oasis, Pink Floyd, Rush, Led Zeppelin - Rotosound are ever-present. We continue this legacy today, supporting new talent and developing new products which will, hopefully be as famous in fifty years time.

We understand what makes a good string - we have had plenty of practice.

Jason HowChairman

welcome

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ContentsIntroduction 3Electric Guitar Strings 4Acoustic Guitar Strings 8Classical Guitar Strings 10Bass Guitar Strings 12Traditional Instrument Strings 20Orchestral & Jazz Strings 22OEM Unpacked Strings 24

string catalogue33rd edition

Dave PybusCradle of Filth

Steve DiggleThe Buzzcocks

Pictured from top:The Jimi Hendrix ExperienceSteve HarrisPink FloydGuthrie GovanWalter TroutFREEPHONE 0800 525547 TOLL FREE 1-800-675-2501

Company Founder James Howand The Who’s John Entwistle

E B G D A E B

R8 Roto Greens - Extra Light 8 11 14 22w 30w 38w -R9 Roto Pinks - Super Light 9 11 16 24w 32w 42w -

Custom Gauge Single StringsNP 008-026 Plain Singles High Grade Plated SteelNC 018-060 Covered Singles Nickel Plated SteelCustom Gauge Singles BoxGB1 Contains 10 each NP 008 - NP 026 Contains 5 each NC 018 - NC 056

electric guitar

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Rotos (Nickel on Steel)Developed in conjunction with some of the worlds top artists, these unique sets deliver a smooth powerful tone that lasts while other strings have long gone dead. Superb brilliance and strength make Roto’s the first choice for the professional. Available in all the popular gauges, 12 string sets, 7 string sets and custom made singles for the discerning tone-head!Please note: w denotes wound string

E B G D A E B

RH10 Roto Blues - Lt Top/Hvy Bot 10 13 17 30w 42w 52w -R11 Roto Reds - Medium* 11 14 18 28w 38w 48w -R12 Roto Purples - Medium Hvy* 12 16 24w 32w 42w 52w -R13 Roto Greys - Heavy* 13 17 26w 34w 44w 54w -

12 String SetsR30XL Double Six Extra Light 8 10 8 11 17 22w - 8 10 14 24w 32w 40w -R30SL Double Six Super Light 9 12 9 12 20w 26w - 9 12 20 26w 36w 46w -R30EL Double Six Regular 10 14 10 14 22w 28w - 10 14 22w 28w 38w 48w -* Ideal for detuning

E B G D A E B

RH9 Roto Orange - Hybrid 9 11 16 26w 36w 46w -R10 Roto Yellows - Regular 10 13 17 26w 36w 46w -

7 String SetsR9-7 7 String Set - Super Light 9 11 16 24w 32w 42w 52wR10-7 7 String Set - Regular 10 13 17 26w 36w 46w 56wR11-7 7 String Set - Medium* 11 14 18 28w 38w 48w 58w

electric guitar

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British Steels (Stainless Steel) With high iron content ferritic stainless steel covers this set offers a clear, bright punchy sound, positive grip and plenty of twang! Available in the following gauges:

Please note: w denotes wound string

E B G D A E BS9 9 11 16 24w 32w 42wBS10 10 13 17 26w 36w 46wBS11 11 14 18 28w 38w 48w

Pure Nickels (Nickel) Our best ‘top of the range electrics’ yet comprising solid nickel covers, with exceptional magnetic response, volume, clarity and tone. Truly the creme-de-la-creme of guitar strings! Available in the following gauges:


E B G D A E PN9 9 11 16 24w 32w 42wPN10 10 13 17 26w 36w 46wPN11 11 14 18 28w 38w 48w

Nexus Electric (Polymer Coated) Mention a Type 52 pure nickel alloy string to discerning guitarists and they will tell you about the extra lift that the higher magnetism offers. Now shroud it with a special black polycoat material and you have a high energy string smooth to the touch, rich in warm tones with extended life. Available in the following gauges:


E B G D A E NXE9 9 11 16 24w 32w 42wNXE10 10 13 17 26w 36w 46w

Top Tape (Monel) Exceptionally smooth flatwounds ideal for fusion, jazz or to simply reduce finger noise in the studio.


E B G D A E RS200 12 16 24w 32w 42w 52w

Matt TuckBullet for my Valentine

Steph CarterGallows

Pictured from left:David McCabe - The ZutonsGingerFranz Ferdinand

FREEPHONE 0800 525547 TOLL FREE 1-800-675-2501

acoustic guitar

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Tru Bronze (80/20 Bronze) Our alternative acoustic guitar string to the 92/8 series. Comprising brass wire covers, these strings offer the resonant advantages of such coupled with considerable clarity and tone, available in the following gauges:


E B G D A E TB10 10 14 20w 28w 40w 50wTB11 11 15 22w 30w 42w 52wTB12 12 16 24w 32w 44w 54w

Jumbo King (Phosphor Bronze) Our best selling acoustic string. Phosphor Bronze wound Acoustic Guitar strings with superb warm tone, clarity and sustain. Favoured by such artists as John Renbourn and Bob Geldof. Available in five, six string gauges and three, twelve string gauges.


E B G D A E JK9 9 13 18 26w 38w 48wJK10 10 14 20w 28w 40w 50wJK11 11 15 22w 30w 42w 52wJK12 12 16 24w 32w 44w 54wJK13 13 17 26w 34w 46w 56wJK30SL 9 12 9 12 20 26w12 String Set

9 12 20w 26w 36w 46wJK30EL 10 14 8 12 18 28w12 String Set

10 14 24w 30w 40w 48wJK30L 11 14 10 12 20w 26w12 String Set

11 14 24w 30w 38w 52w

Super Bronze (Phosphor Bronze) Originally known as Country Gold’s, a great sounding acoustic string due to it’s ‘contact core’ design. Pioneered by Rotosound in 1974. The choice for long sustain and brightness, these strings also slightly reduce the action on any instrument, available in five, six string gauges only.


E B G D A E SB9 9 13 18 26w 38w 48wSB10 10 14 20w 28w 40w 50wSB11 11 15 22w 30w 42w 52wSB12 12 16 24w 32w 44w 54wSB13 13 17 26w 34w 46w 56w

Nexus Acoustic (Phosphor Bronze, Clear Coated) Take a great acoustic string from our JK range, give it a smooth polycoat dressing and you have `Nexus Bronze` the string for the next generation of acoustic sound. It offers a unique tone of its own with the usual enriched highs giving way to softer gentle mid-tones with a smooth feel, longer life and tarnish prevention built in. Available in the following gauges:


E B G D A E NXA10 10 14 20w 28w 40w 50wNXA11 11 15 22w 30w 42w 52wNXA12 12 16 24w 32w 44w 54w

The Holloways


Contact Core Design

classical guitar

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Grade 1 ProfessionalGrade 1 ‘Superia Pro’ classical guitar strings are manufactured to a high tension characteristic specifically designed for fingerstyle playing. The wound strings are Silver Plated Copper on a Nylon Core and the plain strings are high quality rectified Nylon.

CL 3 Superia Pro (Grade 1 Professional)NRH 1, 2, 3 High quality rectified nylonNRH 4, 5, 6 Silver plated copper/nylon core

Grade 1 ‘Black n’ Silver’ classical guitar strings are manufactured to a normal tension characteristic specifically designed for fingerstyle playing. The wound strings are Silver Plated Copper on a Nylon Core and the plain strings are high quality rectified Black Nylon.CL 4 Black n’ Silver (Grade 1 Professional)BS 1, 2, 3 High quality rectified black nylonBS 4, 5, 6 Silver plated copper/nylon core

Grade 1 ‘Silk n’ Steel’ guitar strings are manufactured to a medium charac-teristic specifically designed for fingerstyle playing. The wound strings are Silver Plated Copper on a Nylon and Steel Core and the plain strings are high quality plated Steel.CL 5 Silk n’ Steel (Grade 1 Professional)SS 1, 2, 3 High quality plated steelSS 4, 5, 6 Silver plated copper/nylon & steel core

Superia Classical Guitar Strings Both sets come with silver wound basses and nylon trebles. CL 1’s have ballends whilst CL 2’s are regular tie on sets. Ideal strings for classical guitars where a crisp bright tone is required

CL 1 Superia (ball end - nylon, normal tension)NN 1, 2, 3 (trebles)NNC 4, 5, 6 (basses)

CL 2 Superia (tie on - nylon, normal tension)NR 1, 2, 3 (trebles)NRC 4, 5, 6 (basses)

Julie Ellison John Renbourn


bass guitar

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Nexus Bass (Polymer Coated)Take the worlds most famous maker of electric bass strings, look for a high energy rich in mid-tones alternative to steels with high presence, add a silky smooth black polycoat dressing over a Type 52 wrap and you have Nexus Bass the string with extra life to suit the player for all seasons.

G D A E B 4 String SetsNXB 43 43 59 82 98NXB 48 48 63 82 103Low BNXBL 130 - - - - 130

Bronze Bass 44 (Phosphor Bronze Roundwound)Phosphor bronze wound acoustic bass strings deliver a deep bright tone for acoustic bass guitars, available in 4 and 5 string sets.

G D A E B 4 String SetsRS 44LC 40 60 80 100RS 44LD 45 65 85 1055 String SetRS 445LD 45 65 85 105 130

Solo Bass 55 (Stainless Steel Pressure Wound)The original ‘pressure wound’ Bass string designed in the mid 70’s. Due to rolling, mass is retained and therefore brightness. Solo Bass strings eliminate finger noise, reduce fret wear, work well on fretless basses and excel in the studio.

G D A E B 4 String SetsSM 55 40 60 80 100RS 55LD 45 65 85 1055 String SetRS 555LD 45 65 85 105 130

Pictured clockwise from top:Geddy LeeJohn Paul JonesDuff McKaganJaco Pastorius


C G D A E B4 String SetsRS 66LA 30 50 65 85FM 66 Funkmaster 30 50 70 90RS 66LB 35 55 70 90RS 66LC 40 60 75 95SM 66 40 60 80 100RS 66LD 45 65 80 105 RS 66LE 50 70 85 110RS 66LF 45 65 85 105BS 66 43 65 80 110RS 66LH Drop Zone 65 80 105 1305 String SetsRS 665LB 35 55 70 90 120RS 665LC 40 60 75 95 125SM 665 40 60 80 100 125RS 665LD 45 65 80 105 130

G D A E BDouble Ball End - 4 & 5 String SetsRDB 66LC 40 60 75 95RDB 66LD 45 65 80 105RDB 665LD 45 65 80 105 130Non Standard Scale LengthsRS 66S (Short) 40 50 75 90RS 66M (Medium) 40 50 75 90RS 66EL (Extra Long) 45 65 80 105Nickel - 4 & 5 String SetsSM 66N 40 60 80 100RS 66LDN 45 65 85 105RS 66LN 45 65 80 100 RS 665LDN 45 65 85 105 130

bass guitar

15Pictured clockwise from top:Doug ArditoDoug WimbishBilly SheehanJames LoMenzo

Swing Bass 66 (Stainless Steel or Nickel Roundwound)The most popular Roundwound bass string ever. Rotosound was the first string company to produce this kind of string. Introduced in 1962 it changed the sound of the instrument instantly. The favourite string of many players including Billy Sheehan, John Paul Jones and Geddy Lee. Available in all popular gauges and scale lengths. The steel used to produce these strings is unique, combined with a highly secretive manufacturing process.

C G D A E B6 String SetsSM 666 30 40 60 80 100 125RS 666LC 30 40 60 75 95 125RS 666LD 35 45 65 80 105 1308 String SetRS 668 20 30 35 45 45 65 80 105


FunkmasterIdeal for slap bass styles

Drop ZoneIdeal for drop tuning

bass guitar

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Tru Bass 88 (Black Nylon Flatwound)Most famously heard on the Beatles album ‘Abbey Road’. Super smooth with ultra low tension transforms any electric bass into a jazzy upright sound. Works great on fretless. Also works well with any kind of jazz, fusion, dub and reggae styles. Heard on ‘Transformer’ by Lou Reed, courtesy of Herbie Flowers.

Jazz Bass 77 (Monel Flatwound)Highly praised by Bass Player Magazine as their favourite Flatwound. Unique materials produce a very bright tone. Oasis, Steve Harris, Roger Waters and many others have all favoured this particular string over the years.

G D A E B4 String SetsSM 77 40 60 80 100RS 77LD 45 65 85 105RS 77LE 50 75 95 1105 String SetRS 775LD 45 65 85 105 130Non Standard Scale LengthsRS 77S (Short) 40 50 75 90RS 77M (Medium) 40 50 75 90RS 77EL (Extra Long) 45 65 85 105

SH77 (Monel Flatwound)Steve Harris signature set. Steve’s custom gauge flatwound set with his favourite West Ham colours on the silk ends. All he has ever used throughout his career.

G D A E SH 77 50 75 95 110

G D A E B4 String SetsRS 88LD 65 75 100 1155 String SetRS 885LD 65 75 100 115 135Non Standard Scale LengthsRS 88S (Short) 65 75 90 115RS 88M (Medium) 65 75 90 115RS 88EL (Extra Long) 65 75 100 115

Pictured clockwise from top:Chris Squire

Bruce FoxtonHerbie Flowers


bass guitar

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G D A E B4 String SetsRS 99LD 45 65 85 1055 String SetRS 995LD 45 65 85 105 130

Roto Bass (Nickel Roundwound)Nickel on steel, extra bright, unsilked so therefore less expensive than the RS series.

G D A E B4 String SetsRB 35 35 55 75 95 RB 40 40 60 80 100RB 45 45 65 85 105RB 50 50 70 90 1105 String SetsRB 40-5 40 60 80 100 125RB 45-5 45 65 85 105 130

Custom Bass Singles BoxesRS 66 Stainless Steel ‘Swing Bass’ RangeBB1 SBL 025 - 105 6 each SBL 110 - 140 3 eachBB2 SBL 025 - 130 3 each

Custom Bass Single StringsRS 44 ‘bronze bass’ range BBL 30 & 125 - 130 only availableRS 55 ‘solo bass’ range RLL 30 & 125 - 130 only availableRS 66 ‘swing bass’ range SBP 20 (plain) SBL 25 -140 all gaugesRDB 66 ‘swing bass’ range DBL 30 & 125 - 130 only availableRS 77 ‘jazz bass’ range JBL 35 & 125 - 130 only availableRS 88 ‘tru bass’ range TBL 50 & 135 only availableRB ‘roto bass’ range RBL 30 - 110 & 125 - 130 only available

Scale LengthsScale Lengths Inches mmShort Scale 30 760Medium Scale 30 - 32 760 - 810Long Scale 32 - 34 810 - 860Extra Long Scale 331/2 - 36 850 - 915

String Lengths - Ballend to silkShort Scale 32.5 820Medium Scale 35.25 895Long Scale 36.25 920Extra Long Scale 39.25 995

Please noteWhen fitting Rotosound Bass Strings be sure that the silked part of the string ONLY is wound around the machine post. If the speaking length of the string is wound around the post then the string may be prone to breakage. This type of breakage is not covered by our normal warranty.

PSD Bass 99(Piano String Design - Stainless Steel Roundwound)The ultimate in power, sustain and brightness. Contact-core design improves string movement. Designed to fit any Bridge styles. Favoured by John Paul Jones.


traditional

21FREEPHONE 0800 525547 TOLL FREE 1-800-675-2501

RS 65 - Swanee G BanjoHigh Quality nickel wound loop end 5 string banjo sets. RS 651 D 10RS 652 B 12RS 653 G 15RS 654 D 19wRS 655 G 10

RS 75 - Missouri Tenor BanjoHigh Quality nickel wound loop end 4 string banjo sets.RS 751 A 10RS 752 D 12RS 753 G 23wRS 754 C 32w

RS 70 - Athena BouzoukiHigh Quality phosphor bronze wound loop end 8 string bouzouki sets.RS 701 G 11RS 702 G 11RS 703 D 14RS 704 D 14RS 705 A 11RS 706 A 24wRS 707 E 15RS 708 E 30w

RS 85 - Laguna UkulelePrecision monofilament nylonukelele sets RS 851 B 23RS 852 F 29RS 853 D 29RS 854 A 23

RS 80 - Troubadour MandolinHigh Quality phosphor bronze wound loop end 8 string mandolin sets.RS 801 E 10RS 802 E 10RS 803 A 12RS 804 A 12RS 805 D 23wRS 806 D 23wRS 807 G 34wRS 808 G 34w

orchestral

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RS 1000 Student ViolinEconomy set for the beginner. Silver wound RS 1001 E 10RS 1002 A 13RS 1003 D 24RS 1004 G 30

RS 2000 Professional ViolaQuality flatwound set of four strings RS 2001 A 14RS 2002 D 25RS 2003 G 30RS 2004 C 43

RS 6000 Professional ViolinQuality flatwound set of four strings RS 6001 E 10RS 6002 A 14RS 6003 D 25RS 6004 G 30

RS 3000 Superb CelloQuality flatwound set of four strings

RS 3001 A 22RS 3002 D 33RS 3003 G 47RS 3004 C 63

RS 4000 Superb Double BassA great set for Jazz and Rockabilly styles of playing.The G and D strings are nylon on a nylon core. The A and E are monel flatwound on a nylon core. Super flexible and easy to playin all positions. RS 4001 G 84RS 4002 D 105RS 4003 A 87RS 4004 E 104Also availableRS 4005 High C 67


UK Unit 3B, Morewood Close, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2HU, United KingdomTel: 01732 450838 • Fax: 01732 458994 • Email: [email protected]

USA Rotosound USA Inc., City National Bank Building,Suite 208, 4605 Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood, California 91602, U.S.A.Tel: 001 818 505 0158 • Fax: 001 818 505 0582 • Email: [email protected]

www.rotosound.com • www.myspace.com/rotosoundmusicstrings

Strings supplied “On the Straight”, vacuum sealed in quantities of 144 per gauge. Strings on the Straight can be supplied with Rotosound Hang Tags.

BassNickel Plated Steel/Roundwound BassURBL 30-110 URBL 125-130

Stainless Steel / Roundwound BassUSBL 25-135

GuitarSteel Plain - Electric / Acoustic GuitarUNP 8-26

Nickel Plated Steel / Roundwound Electric GuitarUNC 18-60

Phosphor Bronze / Roundwound Acoustic GuitarUJKR 18-60

Classical - Ball EndUNN 1-3 UNNC 4-6

Classical - Tie OnUNR 1-3 UNRC 4-6

oem


world famous music strings † made in england · pdf fileworld famous music strings...

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