When Rotosound Swing Bass strings were introduced fifty years ago they changed the sound of rock forever. Rotosound’s Swing Bass RS66LD strings have been used by some of the highest profile, most respected bass icons over the last fifty years. They were the first roundwound strings in the world and were developed by Rotosound at the request of the Who’s John Entwistle.
To celebrate this great birthday Rotosound have launched a competition to design a T-shirt commemorating this unique event. The prize is worth over £2500 and includes the newly launched Fender American Vintage '63 Precision bass, plus a set of Swing Bass strings signed by Billy Sheehan and two extra Swing Bass sets. On top of that Rotosound will produce a limited edition of six exclusive T-shirts using the winning design especially for the winner.
For over fifty years now Rotosound’s Swing Bass strings have been used on some of the most amazing albums recorded by some of the best bassists in the business including:
Duff McKagan used Rotosound Swing Bass strings to record the highest selling debut album of any band, Guns n’ Roses Appetite For Destruction
The definitive Rush album 2112 has the award-winning musician Geddy Lee giving some of the best performances of his life using these strings.
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One of the most dominant bass guitarists in the 1970’s British progressive rock scene, Chris Squire recorded Yes’ inspirational album Fragile using Rotosound’s Swing Bass strings.
John Entwistle, Rolling Stones magazines ‘Greatest Bassist Of All Time’, used Rotosound Swing Bass strings when recording The Who's Live At Leeds.
Voted best bassist five times by Guitar Players magazine readers, Billy Sheehan with super group Mr Big used the Swing Bass strings and continues to use them to this very day.
The bassist of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Noel Redding, used them to record what critics considered to be one of the best rock albums of all time – Are You Experienced.
Paul McGuigan, the stalwart bassist of Oasis was using these string when the fastest selling debut album of all time in the UK, Definitely Maybe, was recorded.
Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic unmistakable playing style used them to record Nevermind, the album that launched Nirvana as a worldwide phenomenon.
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Rotosound were the first to produce this type of string and it is still produced today using the same highly secretive process and a form of steel unique to these strings. Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones said ‘they are so good – I use twelve at a time!’.
The American Vintage '63 Precision Bass in three-colour sunburst was launched at NAMM 2013 to evoke the authentic feel and sound of the original basses launched back in 63. It includes authentic features such as a slightly wider C-shaped maple neck, clay-colored dot fingerboard inlays, flat-top knurled chrome control knobs, split single-coil pickup and lower-mounted finger rest. Worth over £2400 this is a fantastic main prize is worthy of this historic anniversary competition from Rotosound.
To find out more about Rotosound, its products, endorsees and this fabulous competition please go to http://www.rotosound.com/.
