String savvy – Swing Bass 66 is top pick for 2020

Outstanding musical instrument website Gear Savvy have released their Ultimate Bass String Buyers Guide for 2020. We're delighted to say that our stainless steel roundwound Swing Bass 66 strings have garnered the top spot. We've republished their glowing review here...

Deep, fat sounds with clear top ends

They are durable with a good feel and their construction is extremely high-quality

If you are a bass player, doubtlessly you have wondered at least once about different types of strings and how they affect your performance. Strings are an extremely integral part of your instrument and largely determine the quality of the sounds it produces. If you are confused about the different varieties available, you are in the right place. Keep reading to find out more about bass strings, what they are, and which ones are the best available.

If you’re looking to try out a new set of strings on your bass guitar, there’s a surprisingly large number of options out there. Besides the option of gauge (thickness), you can explore different materials and windings that sound and play vastly differently.

After scouring bass forums, striking up chats and trying some strings first-hand, we identified 10 of the most-praised sets of bass strings. Between them are a wide range of prices, materials, and designs (flatwound vs. roundwound) that can serve many different types of bass players.

Are All Bass Strings the Same?

Bass and guitar strings are basically the same, just coming in different sizes. In both cases, there is a large array of products available on the market, which fulfill different purposes. Essentially, a bass guitar needs to give you those amazing deep low notes, so choosing the wrong strings can easily impact your performance.

They come in different gauges (thicknesses) and they can be brighter, suitable for pop and country, among others, while others have warmer tones that offer fuller bottom ends ideal for old-school music genres, including jazz and rock. The material they are made of is also crucial: nickel-plated steel have good attack and frequency response, pure nickel has a warmer sound and a bit less crisp sounds, and stainless steel offers the brightest tones with high-end responses, although it might be brittle for some.

Why Are These the Best of the Year?

Wondering why these products made our list? Here’s why:

Quality

The products in this article are chosen according to different characteristics. They are the best in terms of quality of the product, which you should definitely aim for by choosing one of the products below. High-quality strings are the best asset a bass or guitar player can have, as they can offer the extra edge you are looking for.

Playability

Most super-light or light strings do not offer the type of sounds you are looking for. These products have been chosen so that, even if you choose to go for a medium gauge, you will still enjoy a high degree of playability. The products are either novice-friendly or not too much of a challenge for motivated and ambitious beginners.

Versatility

These products are the best due to the degree of versatility they allow to the player. Some strings are specially made for vintage music genres, while others for contemporary ones. Keep reading to find out how to choose the best quality bass strings without compromising on your music choices and playing styles.

Best Overall:

Rotosound Swing Bass 66

PROS

• Good for fretless basses.
• Highly playable and versatile.
• Tough stainless-steel composition.
• Bright tones for long periods of time.
• Deep, fat sounds with clear top ends.

CONS

• Wears the frets.
• Beginners might find them hard to play.
• Sometimes they do not stay vibrant for too long.

What Recent Buyers Report

This product offers great quality articulate, bright and aggressive sounds with high harmonics that give it a piano-like edge. They are also versatile, as you can turn the tune down and enjoy smoother, subdued sounds. They are durable with a good feel and their construction is extremely high-quality.

Why it Stands Out To Us

The Rotosound Swing Bass 66 is the best choice overall due to their high-quality stainless-steel construction, which ensures their longevity and resistance against corrosion. They create subdued smooth sounds, they are extremely durable and offer consistency and tuning stability.

Who Will Use This Most

These are perfect for full roundwound players and they are highly playable, even for beginners (although they might be a bit rough on the fingers for non-experienced). They offer bright, aggressive sounds and they last for a long time, as their stainless-steel construction makes them resistant to corrosion. They enjoy tuning stability, making them perfect for the gigging musician.

Bottom Line

Overall, the Rotosound Swing Bass 66 are the perfect choice for your bass guitar. They are versatile, flexible and their roundwound wires are perfect for bright tones. They are ideal for experienced professionals, but also for beginners who want to learn how to play with high accuracy.