Category Archives: Strings

Rotosound Launch Darkzone Guitar Strings

Posted on October 20, 2011 by Planet-Musician

Rotosound have unleashed Darkzone drop tuning high output Nickel Plated Electric Steel Guitar Strings not only in time for Halloween, but eternity!

Darkzone are a hybrid string set that includes monstrously super heavy bottom E and A strings that are perfect for thunderous power chords, with ethereal light high end strings so you don’t have to sacrifice the ability to lead or play solos. The new strings will help rock and metal guitarists plumb the depths and reach for the heights in sound.

Darkzone sets are available in 10-13-18-36-52-60 gauges; this set retains the distinctive British bright tone associated with Rotosound Strings. They are produced using an unmatched quality controlled, secret process which results in harmonically rich longer lasting strings.

Designed specifically for rock and metal guitar players (but try them for blues and jazz too) these versatile strings with their deep sound and pleasurable responsiveness continue the Rotosound tradition for producing guitar strings that guitar legends have chosen since the early 1960’s. These strings are great for players that like a tighter feel on the bass strings, giving a menacingly good intonation that allows you to remain in tune whatever you do.

If you want to take your rock or metal playing into the next dimension check out the ferociously good Darkzone strings at www.rotosound.com  and blow your mind!

Posted in Guitar, Strings, Technology

Rotosound At Acoustic Avalon 2011

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Planet-Musician

Rotosound are pleased to announce that they will be at the Acoustic Avalon show presented by Sheehan’s of Leicester on the 29th and 30th October 2011.

Acoustic Avalon is Britain’s longest running acoustic guitar show providing a unique opportunity for enthusiasts to see, play and buy a huge selection of some of the world’s best acoustic guitars and accessories. In addition world class artists will be performing; there will be demonstrations, workshops and much, much more.

Rotosound, the British manufacturer of high quality strings since 1958, will be there with their complete collection of acoustic strings. Rotosound acoustic strings are known for their bright legendary British tone and long life. They are hand made using only the finest materials and secret processes, to exacting standards. The range includes the Jumbo King, Super Bronze, Tru Bronze, Phosphor Bronze and Silk ‘n’ Steel – something for every taste and style of playing.

Rotosound will also be exhibiting the new Cooper Stand – a guitar stand like no other. Visitors will be able to see how versatile, compact and lightweight this superb guitar stand is. This little stand is the first choice of many professional players because it is safe and secure and fits in most guitar cases.

On top of all that Rotosound will also have new endorsee, Richard Capener, with them. Richard a British guitarist known for his style of playing which combines strumming, finger-style and tapping peppered with harmonics and other tricks. He is unmissable for anyone who loves great guitar playing, good humour and a great atmosphere. Richard uses the Rotosound JK12 acoustic phosphor bronze strings.

If you’re serious about acoustic guitars, make sure you don’t miss Rotosound at Acoustic Avalon 2011!

To find out more about Rotosound, its strings and accessories and how to purchase them please visit www.rotosound.com.

Posted in Events, Guitar, Strings

Rotosound Endorsee John Renbourn to Appear At The London Acoustic Guitar Show 2011

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Planet-Musician

Rotosound are pleased to announce endorsee John Renbourn, founding member of Pentangle and acclaimed solo artist, will be joining them on the stand at the London Acoustic Guitar Show 2011, 10th and 11th September at 5 pm on the Saturday and at 10.30 on the Sunday.

World renowned instrumentalist John Renbourn career has spanned four decades and his prolific output as a highly respected solo artist continues unabated with the release this year of his critically acclaimed album Palermo Snow. He continues to tour, record and run workshops and will be also playing on the live stage at the London Acoustic show with Stefan Grossman.

Rotosound will be featuring a wide range of their acoustic, classical guitar strings and accessories on their stand at the show as well as having some great show offers. They will also be debuting at the show the award winning new Cooper guitar stand. This versatile, compact, and wooden guitar stand only weighs 16 ounces (500gms), can be opened with one hand and folds up to fit conveniently in gig bags or the headstock area of most guitar cases.

The Rotosound team are looking forward to meeting you at the show and also welcoming John Renbourn on their stand where you will have the opportunity to meet this great guitarist.

For more information about Rotosound and its endorsees visit www.rotosound.com.

Posted in Artists, Events, Guitar, Strings

Dennis Dunaway Used Rotosounds on the Alice Cooper Group Classic “School’s Out”

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Planet-Musician

Dennis Dunaway, original bass player with the Alice Cooper Group was recently asked about what he used to record the classic track ‘School’s out’ and gave the following revealing story : “I had just finished recording a track in the studio when a roadie came in with some new strings called Rotosound. I strung up my bass and immediately decided to re-dub the bass part on the track. The song – well it was “School’s Out” – and the rest as they say is history!”

Dennis Dunaway, co writer of “School’s Out”, has used Rotosound RS 66LD 45-105 Swing Bass strings ever since. In fact the Fender Custom Shop will soon announce a limited edition of the Billion Dollar Bass, which is a remarkably detailed replica of Dennis’s original 1970 Fender Jazz Bass that he used on the majority of the Alice Cooper Group recordings. This was the first bass that he used Rotosound Strings on, to record “School’s Out.”

Fans of Dennis and the original Alice Cooper Group (ACG) recently saw him use his Rotosound strung bass ‘live’ at the ground breaking Jagermeister Ice Cold Event at Battersea Power Station in 4-D Holographic form on 11th May 2011. This performance was the first one since 1972 to ‘feature’ the surviving members of the band, all together overseas. Billed at the ‘UK’s first holographic 4D rock gig’, the performance was shot in a Hollywood studio and beamed onto the eight metre Battersea stage. Recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the group’s appearance celebrates the release on 6th June 2011 of the collectable ‘Old School: 1964-1974’ box set which captures the bands early shock rock years.

Dennis currently plays live with his bands Blue Coupe and Fifth Avenue Vampires.

For more information about Rotosound and its endorsees visit www.rotosound.com and to buy on-line visit http://ukstore.rotosound.com/home/index/7454.1

Posted in Bass, Guitar, News, Strings

Rotosound Strings Now Available to Purchase On www.rotosound.com

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Planet-Musician

Rotosound have teamed up Shopatron to launch a new online store, reinforcing Rotosound’s commitment to maintaining the highest possible customer service. Now you will always be able to order the complete range of Rotosound strings and accessories you want, when you want, twenty four / seven, and choose to either get them delivered or go and collect them from your local dealer.

The online store is accessible directly from the Rotosound website. Simply click on the ‘BUY HERE’ button to place an order which will then be processed by selected UK Rotosound dealers. Your local dealer will fulfil the order, so you won’t lose that personal touch.

‘We wanted a way for our customers to easily find and purchase any of our products, whilst still allowing them to maintain a contact with their local dealer.’ said Jason How, Rotosound Managing Director. ‘This system is safe, simple, and convenient. It gives you access to the whole range of Rotosound products, a choice of delivery options, all from an authorised dealer.’

The Shopatron network is secure and easy to use with a full range of delivery options and order related services plus it sends an email to confirm your order. Shopatron takes every measure to protect your personal information by following stringent payment industry security standards.

Your convenience is Shopatron and Rotosound’s top priority.

The new online Rotosound Shopatron service is available in the USA through http://store.rotosound.com/home/index/7454.0 and UK through http://ukstore.rotosound.com/home/index/7454.1

To find out more about Rotosound strings and accessories visit www.rotosound.com and buy them online.

Posted in Guitar, News, Strings

Rotosound Sign Over Thirty New Endorsees

Posted on June 9, 2011 by Planet-Musician

Rotosound continue to add to their pedigree stable of world class endorsees using their strings. Whether your taste in music is for Blues, Dance, Folk, Pop, Metal, Punk or Rock the Rotosound list of endorses includes many favorites.

New to the list are 2011 Blues awards nominees, Simon McBride, nominated in the Best Male Singer, Best Band, Best Guitarist and Best Album categories, and Oli Brown Band, nominated in the same categories plus Best Young Artist.

Also joining the Rotosound family are dance band extraordinaire Stereo MC’s, British two tone revival band The Beat, and the shockingly good cyber punk band Circus of Horrors who recently appeared on Britain’s Got Talent.

Adding some metal to the Rotosound bloodline are folk metal band Týr, death metal super group IDIOM, Greek demons Septicflesh, Grammy award nominee Chris Tsangarides, newly reunited Wolsbane and Sylosis – who have just released their long awaited second album. New artists soon to appear at the forthcoming Bloodstock festival are Deadly Circus Fire, Hang The Bastard, and with a reputation for intense live shows as well as being on Metal Hammer’s 2010 Hot list Fury UK.

Then come the full blooded rock bands including one of Wales’ finest alternative rock bands Lethargy, Fun Lovin’ Criminals fresh from their new album release, InmE headliners of the Strongbow Stage at the Sonisphere festival at Knebworth in July 2010, and Middleman, overall winners of the 2009 Future Sound Competition.  Garage rockers The Whigs, who toured last year with the Kings of Leon, and the Jim Jones Revue, whose musical style has been compared to Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard also join the distinguished Rotosound lineage. Rare breed’s indie rockers The Vaccines, recently placed third in the BBC’s Sound of 2011, and critically acclaimed Sparrow and the Workshop are also members of this fine rocking string. Others include hard rockers Starseed, seductive firebrands The Dandies, screaming Shadows Chasing Ghosts, 2011 Kerrang! Award nominee in the Best British Newcomer category Francesqa, and nominee in the same category last year My Passion. Boy Cried Wolf (featuring Wayne Murray who has been touring with the Manic Street Preachers for the last five years) plus the must see live band Midgar also join the ever growing list.

Then add in to this incredible list bass players Clint Williams, Jah Wobble of Public Image Ltd fame, Martin Turner of Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash and musician and actor Tricky famously associated with Massive Attack.

To find out more about the Rotosound Strings and their endorsees visit www.rotosound.com.

Posted in Guitar, News, Strings

Rotosound Add 45-100 Gauge Nickel Strings To Their Swing Bass Range

Posted on May 10, 2011 by Planet-Musician

Rotosound have just added 45-100 gauge nickel strings to the Swing Bass range, their popular round wound bass string range.

Round wound strings were developed by Rotosound at the behest of the Who’s John Entwhistle, who was looking for a brighter, more piano like bass tone to complement his trebly and fleet fingered lead bass style. Introduced in 1962, with widespread usage since the 1970’s, they changed the bass sound instantly, and have led the pack ever since.

Bass players insist on resilient, versatile and consistent strings, which give them the sound they want. The Swing Bass range offers 4 to 8 string sets in a wide range of gauges, made from either stainless steel or nickel, with a choice of double ball ends or not and even non standard lengths. All have the red silk ends making them instantly recognisable as Rotosound.

The new 45-100 gauge nickel strings ( Product Code RS66LN ) are manufactured to the same high specification as the Swing Bass Stainless Steel sets, but are much, much smoother to play. The slightly muted, smoother tone, with the vintage vibe of the nickel plate makes them a good alternative to the punchier sounding stainless steel. These strings are kinder to your fingers with their softer feel and give a warmer sound which develops the more you play them.

Árni Hjörvar the bass player of The Vaccines uses the RS66LN 45-100 Swing Bass Nickel strings to get his distinctive sound. The Vaccines were recently placed third in the BBC’s Sound of 2011 poll, and have been nominated for MTV’s ‘Best New Band of 2011’ award. BBC Radio 1’s Zane Lowe declared their demo single ‘If You Wanna’ released summer 2010 the ‘Hottest Record in the World’ and their first single ‘Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra RA)’ was Q Magazine’s ‘Track Of The Day’, following its release in November 2010.

All Rotosound strings are produced using a highly secretive, quality manufacturing process. Many are still made today the same as they were back in the 1960’s helping them retain their unique tone and sound, and Rotosound are passionate about keeping it that way. To find out more visit www.rotosound.com.

Posted in Bass, Guitar, Strings

Rotosound Endorsees Bruce Foxton, Paul Geary and Martin Turner To Appear At The London Bass Guitar Show 2011

Posted on March 8, 2011 by Planet-Musician

Rotosound are pleased to announce a killer line-up of top artists and fantastic show offers on their stand at the forthcoming London Bass Guitar Show 2011.

Bruce Foxton, bass player of The Jam and Stiff Little Fingers, will be joining them on the stand at 1pm on Saturday 12th March. Bruce was recently immortalised on the Cavern Club wall earlier this year alongside some of the biggest names in the music industry. Recognition indeed for his part in the English Rock and Roll establishment as part of the driving force, power and rhythm section of legendary band The Jam.

At 3pm on the Saturday top session bassist Paul Geary will be on the Rotosound stand. Paul is currently playing with Nik Kershaw and has recorded and toured with many artists including Mary J Blige, Simply Red, Rachel Stevens, George Michael and The Lighthouse Family.

On Sunday at 1pm, Rotosound will have new endorsee and founder member of Wishbone Ash,

Martin Turner on their stand. Martin is the original bassist, lead vocalist and songwriter of Wishbone Ash who now leads the band Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash.

To really make this an unmissable show, Rotosound will be offering a free black webbing guitar strap with every set of strings purchased at the show.

For more information about Rotosound and its endorsees visit www.rotosound.com and see the show website at www.londonbassguitarshow.com.

Posted in Bass, Events, Strings

Rotosound increase Range of Classical Guitar Strings

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Planet-Musician

Rotosound Classical Guitar strings are engineered to a high tension characteristic specifically designed for finger style playing. The strings are manufactured in the UK using state of the art tools and machinery (designed by Jason How, Chairman and CEO, himself), from only the finest materials to give the discerning classical guitarist strings they can rely on time and time again.

The Superia Classical (CL1 and CL2 RRP £7.95) consist of silver wound basses and nylon trebles. These are ideal where a crisp bright tone is required. These come with a ball end or as tie-ons. Available as:-

CL1 NN 1, 2, 3 – Trebles and NNC 4, 5, 6 – Basses (Ball End)

CL2 NR 1, 2, 3 – Trebles and NNR 4, 5, 6 – Basses (Tie On)

Now added to the Classical Guitar range are a series of grade 1 professional strings:-

The Superia Pro (CL3 RRP £8.95) – these wound strings are silver-plated copper on a nylon core with the plain strings being high quality rectified nylon.

The Black n’ Silver (CL4 RRP £8.95) – are as the Superia Pro, with plain strings in high quality black rectified nylon.

The Silk n’ Steel (CL5 RRP £8.95) – these wound strings are silver plated copper on a nylon and steel core with plain stings of high quality plated steel.

The new strings are available as:-

CL3 NRH 1, 2, 3 – High quality rectified nylon and NRH 4, 5, 6 – Silver plated copper/nylon core

CL4 BS 1, 2, 3 – High quality rectified black nylon and BS 4, 5, 6 – Silver plated copper/nylon core

CL5 SS 1, 2, 3 – High quality plated steel and SS 4, 5, 6 – Silver plated copper/nylon & steel core

Rotosound Classical Strings are designed for players that enjoy an ease of playing, whilst giving an unrivalled performance, consistency of sound and the true measure of quality an unmistakable tone. The new classical guitar strings bring an extra touch of class to the Rotosound range.

To find out more visit www.rotosound.com.

Posted in Guitar, Strings

Rotosound and Bare Knuckle Pickups Get Together To Bring Guitarists The Best Of British

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Planet-Musician

Rotosound and Bare Knuckle Pick Ups have got together to bring the best of British manufacturing to the guitarist – with every Bare Knuckle Pickup you get a free set of Rotosound Strings, the perfect partnership.

Rotosound and Bare Knuckle Pickups are both British manufacturers with uncompromising values, driven by high quality, pioneering vision and innovation. Both companies are forward thinking with products that have risen to legendary status, attracting some big name users and endorsees: Jimi Hendrix, Duff McKagan with Rotosound, Matt Bellamy, Gary Moore and Steve Stevens with Bare Knuckle Pickups.

Jason How (Rotosound CEO) and Tim Mills (Bare Knuckle Pickups Founder and Managing Director) are fanatical about music and avid guitar players always ready to come out fighting for what they believe in and working hard to achieve it. All of the products produced by these companies are renowned for their uniqueness of tone helping to define some of the greatest rock and pop music over the last fifty years.

Tim Mills said ‘Bare Knuckle Pickups always like to put a set of strings in with their pickups, because we want our customers to hear their new pickups at their very best – with new strings!’ Being a British manufacturer and exporter it seems only logical that the strings, BK 10’s (nickel on steel Rotos) were from a fellow British manufacturer, Rotosound. Developed in conjunction with some of the worlds top artists, these unique strings deliver a smooth powerful tone that lasts when others have long gone dead. Superb brilliance and strength make Roto’s the first choice for the professional; the ideal way to show off that new Bare Knuckle Pickup.

To find out more about this perfect partnership of two great British manufacturers visit www.rotosound.com for Rotosound , and  www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk for Bare Knuckle Pickups.

Posted in Guitar, Special Offers, Strings