Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 6 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
4.5 (19)
$48.95 $48.80 $0.15 · All time low
Guitar Center
4.5 (20)
$48.95
Amazon
4.6 (699)
$43.60
Musician's Friend
5.0 (39)
$48.95
Thomann
4.5 (198)
$44.00 $43.00 $1.00 · All time low

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Rotosound RS88LD Tru Bass Black Nylon Flatwound Bass Strings (65-115)". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Experience the lush, velvety tones of the Rotosound RS88LD Tru Bass Black Nylon Flatwound Bass Strings. These strings are crafted to transform your electric bass into a symphony of smooth, acoustic-like melodies, reminiscent of an upright bass. Designed with black nylon wrapped around a steel core, they offer a soft and inviting touch that is as pleasing to the fingers as it is to the ears. Ideal for fretless bass players and genres like jazz, dub, and reggae, these strings also hold their own on fretted basses, offering a unique tonal character that stands out in any mix.

The RS88LD strings are notable for their low tension, providing an incredibly comfortable playing experience that lets you express your musical ideas effortlessly. They have even graced the stage of history, famously accompanying Paul McCartney's iconic performance atop the 'Apple' building. Whether you're aiming for the deep, resonant sound of a classic album or adding a new depth to your modern compositions, these strings are your gateway to a richer sonic world.

Key Features:

  • Gauges: .065, .075, .100, .115
  • Black nylon tapewound for smooth, warm tones
  • Ideal for achieving an acoustic bass sound on an electric bass
  • Suitable for both fretted and fretless models
  • Long scale design
  • Made in England

Product specs

Guitar Type Electric Bass
Number of Strings 4
Coated No
Gauges .065, .075, .100, .115
Winding Type Tapewound
Core Material Steel
Winding Material Black Nylon
Scale Length Long, 32"-34"

FAQs

What sound characteristics can I expect from Rotosound RS88LD Tru Bass Black Nylon Flatwound Bass Strings?

These strings offer a warm, mellow sound with enhanced low end and reduced high-end response, making them ideal for jazz, reggae, and R&B styles.

Are Rotosound RS88LD strings suitable for all electric basses?

These strings are designed for long-scale basses with a scale length of 32"-34", ensuring optimal tension and playability on most standard electric basses.

How do Rotosound RS88LD Black Nylon strings differ from traditional roundwound strings?

Rotosound RS88LD strings have a tapewound construction with a black nylon winding, providing a smoother feel and a more subdued, bass-heavy tone compared to the brighter, more metallic sound of roundwound strings.

Can I use Rotosound RS88LD strings for slap bass techniques?

While these strings are not typically preferred for slap bass due to their warm and mellow tone, they can still be used if a unique, softer slap sound is desired.

Do Rotosound RS88LD strings require any special maintenance?

Like all strings, regular cleaning with a soft cloth can help maintain their longevity and tone. However, their nylon coating helps resist corrosion and wear, reducing the need for frequent maintenance.

Rotosound

Rotosound

Mo Foster & Rotosound Tru Bass 88 Bass Guitar Strings

Video thumbnail for Mo Foster & Rotosound Tru Bass 88 Bass Guitar Strings by Rotosound

Mo Foster & Rotosound Tru Bass 88 Bass Guitar Strings

Rotosound

Rotosound

Video thumbnail for Black Nylon Bass Strings!? by Oliver Tobyn

Black Nylon Bass Strings!?

Oliver Tobyn

Oliver Tobyn

Video thumbnail for BLACK NYLON BASS STRINGS! | Rotosound TruBass 88 by inthepockett

BLACK NYLON BASS STRINGS! | Rotosound TruBass 88

inthepockett

inthepockett

Reviews

PROS

  • Provides a warm, upright bass-like sound ideal for jazz, soul, and reggae

  • Smooth, satin touch reduces finger noise and blistering

  • Comfortable feel with lower tension, making slides effortless

  • Enhances the look of any bass with its unique black nylon coating

  • Offers a deep, rich tone with a thump that fills the mix

  • Suitable for both fretted and fretless basses without major modifications

  • Excellent for players seeking a retro or Motown sound

  • Great for acoustic and electric bass, mimicking a double bass

  • Surprisingly good volume despite nylon coating

CONS

  • May require nut and bridge adjustments due to thicker gauge

  • Potential for 60 cycle hum, needing a noise gate

  • Length issues on some basses, especially with through-body string loading

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
beatles1969

Something else...

The Rotosound Black Nylon strings are flatwounded and covered in black nylon so it has a smooth and satin touch, plus an edgy look, very pleasant if you are not used to normal wounded e-bass strings which can blister your fingertips, this is probably a close emulation of the touch of a double bass. The most interesting aspect is the sound, placed on a e-bass it delivers a smooth sound, with slightly less gain and sustain probably due to the nylon surface, but this helps in bringing the sound closer to an acoustic bass. I'm using (and recommend) them to play Rock music.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Paul McCartney uses Rotosound RS88LD Tru Bass Black Nylon Flatwound Bass Strings (65-115)

Paul McCartney

Singer, Bassist

The Beatles

...
Verified via Rotosound Music Strings

On The Product Page On Rotosound's Website It States That The Strings Where Used By Paul McCartney On Abbey Road And Let It Be.

they clearly can be seen in use on his '63 Hofner during the rooftop concert as well as on his Rickenbacker 4001s

See how John Paul Jones uses Rotosound RS88LD Tru Bass Black Nylon Flatwound Bass Strings (65-115)

John Paul Jones

Bassist, Keyboardist

Led Zeppelin

...
Verified via YouTube

John Paul Jones sometimes used Rotosound RS88LD Tru Bass Black Nylon Flatwound Bass Strings (65-115) on his main Jazz Bass during early Led Zeppelin concerts. This is evidenced by the distinctive black-colored strings, their deep sound, and the yellow silk ends of the Rotosound RS88 strings, as seen in the official video of Led Zeppelin's performance at the Royal Albert Hall in 1970

See how Tim Commerford uses Rotosound RS88LD Tru Bass Black Nylon Flatwound Bass Strings (65-115)

Tim Commerford

Bassist

Rage Against the Machine

...
Verified via Premier Guitar

In this September 10, 2016 interview with Premier Guitar, Commerford states:

[PG]: What basses did you use on the record?

[TC]: I recorded Wakrat with Lakland Joe Osborn Signature jazz basses strung with Rotosound Tru Bass black nylon flatwounds—the ones Paul McCartney used. It's a cool sound and I was planning on using that live, but somewhere along the way I got approached by Ernie Ball to play Music Man basses. I love Bernard Edwards and Louis Johnson and I grew up playing StingRay basses, but I hadn't played one in a long time. So Ernie Ball gave me one and it sounded perfect. I love the way it feels. I did make some modifications. I used a Dremel and ramped the pickup screw mounting points down and put a thumb rest on it.

[PG]: Are you using flatwounds live?

[TC]: No. I'm using roundwounds. They're more raw-sounding. It gives the overdrive a little more fur and fills in the blanks a little better. And they stay in tune much better.

See how Billy Sheehan uses Rotosound RS88LD Tru Bass Black Nylon Flatwound Bass Strings (65-115)

Billy Sheehan

Guitarist, Bassist

UFO

...
Verified via YouTube

Billy Sheehan uses Rotosound RS88LD Tru Bass Black Nylon Flatwound Bass Strings (65-115) on his Epiphone Rivoli, as confirmed in the YouTube video "The most unique P bass in history? Probably. (Bass Tales Ep.2)" by Scott's Bass Lessons. The use of these strings is evidenced by the distinctive silk color at the string ends, and Sheehan's long-standing association with Rotosound further supports this.

See how Bruce Foxton uses Rotosound RS88LD Tru Bass Black Nylon Flatwound Bass Strings (65-115)

Bruce Foxton

Bassist

The Jam

...
Verified via Rotosound Music Strings

Bruce Foxton used the Rotosound RS88LD Tru Bass Black Nylon Flatwound Bass Strings (65-115) on the album "All Mod Cons" by The Jam, as confirmed by the Rotosound website.

See how Michael Devin uses Rotosound RS88LD Tru Bass Black Nylon Flatwound Bass Strings (65-115)

Michael Devin

Bassist

Whitesnake

...
Verified via YouTube

Seen in a box at 8:17, mixed in with Rotosound RS66 Swing Bass strings, there are many packets of Rotosound RS88 Trubass Tapewound strings, It is unknown whta gauge they are or what bass he uses them on ( if at all ), but they are seen.

See how Herbie Flowers uses Rotosound RS88LD Tru Bass Black Nylon Flatwound Bass Strings (65-115)

Herbie Flowers

Bassist, Keyboardist

T. Rex

...
Verified via Facebook

RotoSound CEO Jason How states that Flowers used these strings on Lou Reed's Transformer, notably so on "Walk On the Wild Side". This is confirmed by Flowers' RotoSound artist page.

See how Graham Maby uses Rotosound RS88LD Tru Bass Black Nylon Flatwound Bass Strings (65-115)

Graham Maby

Singer, Bassist

They Might Be Giants

...
Verified via guitarworld

Graham Maby uses Rotosound RS88LD Tru Bass Black Nylon Flatwound Bass Strings (65-115), as mentioned in the "Equipment" section of his interview with Guitar World.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Rotosound RS88LD Tru Bass Black Nylon Flatwound Bass Strings (65-115), it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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