A global guitar string manufacturer behind the sound of some of the biggest British rock bands is celebrating 60 years since the business’s inception.

Rotosound sold its first set of strings in 1958 and has since become a trusted brand among legendary acts such as the Who, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin.

Revolutionary manufacturing methods made the Sevenoaks-based company the go-to brand for bass strings while products are now exported to more than 60 countries worldwide.

Scroll down for video

Rotosound was the brainchild of musician James How who grew frustrated at the lack of products on the market to enable him to restring his beloved Zither, an Austrian guitar-like instrument, in the 1950s.

The brand’s stock rose among rock artists as rock and roll made its way to the UK across the Atlantic.

In 1994 James suffered a stroke and sadly died and his son Jason took over the Rotosound reins.

He spends each day surrounded by reminders of his father’s success and is watched on by a photograph of him as a child with his father and mother Barbara.

He said: “My father was a musician and he became interested in a Zither. He couldn’t find the strings for it because it was from Austria.

“He was breaking strings so in the end he thought he may as well make them himself. He was an engineer and built the first string winding machine in 1955.

“In 1960 rock and roll came over from The States and guitars were becoming very popular.

“In the mid 60s my father had people like the Who come down to visit the factory and he started supplying them to bands like the Who, the Jam, Pink Floyd and the Buzzcocks and guitarists like Jimi Hendrix.

“He always said he didn’t do anything that clever but he had great bands using his product and it was a lucky combination.”

Before he knew it, Jason’s father was being paid visits by artists such as John Entwistle and his strings were donning the Gibson Les Pauls of Jimmy Paige.

The company began in Bexleyheath before the factories were moved to Sevenoaks in 1980 where Jason finds himself exporting to more than 60 countries worldwide.

Rotosound became the bass players’ string after James perfected the round wound and flat wound string for a unique sound.

Jason said: “Ernie Ball and D’Addario are two of the biggest string manufacturers in the world but they don’t have the history we have.

“My dad developed the round wound bass string and all the bands started using them.

“Each company has its strengths and Rotosound had its bass strings which are used by Steve Harris of Iron Maiden and Billy Sheehan.”

Rotosound celebrates its 60th anniversary later this year with plans under way to put on a party with several of its endorsees in London.

Jason’s work alongside world-renowned rock stars has done nothing to dampen his passion for pushing Rotosound to the next level and, with website Music Alliance, he is hoping for a bright future.

Video: Rotosound celebrates 60 years of trade

He said: “Meeting the musicians is a bit like a busman’s holiday if you have been in the business for all those years.

“You don’t appreciate it so much as you are in among it all the time but it was always great to meet people.

“I got to meet a lot of people. I remember going back stage at Wembley for the Police and I met Sting and I have met Jeff Lynne a couple of times.”

Rotosound is immortalised in the Pink Floyd museum in London with packets of strings available for all visitors to see.

Jason is now keen to see the latest UK-based venture succeed as it provides all kinds of equipment for guitarists, singers and drummers.

He said: “We always look to use our artists to help develop our strings and Music Alliance is a one-stop shop for various instruments.

“It means we are becoming more important to every customer we have and we have got a lot more products to offer them.”