BASS STRINGS: Stainless Steel vs. Nickel
- Thread starter shinobi
- Start date
jbarks
New member
SS for me. I use DR Hi-Beams 45-105.. before that I was on TI Superalloys, and before that I was on D'addario XLs. I'm not really particular about whether my strings are SS or nickel, but I'm more on whether they feel right for me or not. The Hi-Beams "die" very nicely; I've had my current set of strings on for about 3-4 months already and they've settled into a very nice mellow/warm sound.
I go for a classic p-bass tone... think Wilco or maybe Death Cab for Cutie. My basic tone rig is a modified Fender P-bass into an Aguilar DB924 (very natural+organic preamp, almost like running it passive but with "more), then a Zvex Box of Rock for light drive and boost as/when I need it into an A-Designs REDDI that splits off to an Aguilar AG500SC and the FOH mixing desk.
I go for a classic p-bass tone... think Wilco or maybe Death Cab for Cutie. My basic tone rig is a modified Fender P-bass into an Aguilar DB924 (very natural+organic preamp, almost like running it passive but with "more), then a Zvex Box of Rock for light drive and boost as/when I need it into an A-Designs REDDI that splits off to an Aguilar AG500SC and the FOH mixing desk.
5stringwonder
Member
Been using stainless steels for a long time now. Used to have DR Highbeams on my Stingray & Fat Beams on my Sadowsky. Recently tried out the Sadowsky Blue Label SS on my Sadowsky. Also testing out a set of Black Label Nickels on my Stingray to see if I like it.
shinobi
New member
@5SW: you got your sadowsky's direct from sadowsky? there was a point in time when robert sadowsky was giving away free pack of blue labels to those who ordered black labels. anyway i'm not hoping for free strings or anything, but am thinking of ordering a set of sadowskys, really soon, like sometime this week
@tobias: i read someone putting it this way: if you use a set of stainless steel strings, you will see dents in the frets after 5 years. if you use nickel strings, you will also see dents in the frets, but the dents won't be as bad
@tobias: i read someone putting it this way: if you use a set of stainless steel strings, you will see dents in the frets after 5 years. if you use nickel strings, you will also see dents in the frets, but the dents won't be as bad
Danny_Degrassi
New member
Nickel Is best for me. I've used Rotosound's Heaviest Gauge(The Blue Box)for 2 years now and it delivers the tone i've been looking for in a long time. It's cheap and good.
Been wanting to use DR's since last time but it'll burn a hole in my wallet....
Been wanting to use DR's since last time but it'll burn a hole in my wallet....
5stringwonder
Member
Shinobi : Got the Blue labels direct from Sadowsky. The Black Labels were out of stock so I got them off eBay. The free strings were a promotional thing when the Blue Labels just came out. Don't think he's running it anymore.
shinobi
New member
you could go for higher string gauge if tension is your concern... but it seems like hex core strings are stiffer than round core ones due to the design. i'm not sure about that though
5SW: so how do u find the blue labels?
i'll probably get myself a set off ebay, or maybe ishibashi (who only stock black label SS). the sadowsky shipping, while very fast, is far too expensive at 20+ USD per set. i think it's because there's some kind of base charge involved
my favourite strings so far were the stock strings on my aerodyne when it shipped from japan. i have no idea what they were, but from the feel and the sound i'd say they were SS (and they were a pretty heavy set too). currently using a set of black beauties, but they need a change. coated strings halfway through their life expectancy just don't do it for me
5SW: so how do u find the blue labels?
i'll probably get myself a set off ebay, or maybe ishibashi (who only stock black label SS). the sadowsky shipping, while very fast, is far too expensive at 20+ USD per set. i think it's because there's some kind of base charge involved
my favourite strings so far were the stock strings on my aerodyne when it shipped from japan. i have no idea what they were, but from the feel and the sound i'd say they were SS (and they were a pretty heavy set too). currently using a set of black beauties, but they need a change. coated strings halfway through their life expectancy just don't do it for me
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jackyboyboy
New member
I had been using DR Hi Beams and DR extra Life for for Fender MM5 Jazz Bass. The tone and feel of the strings are good.
5stringwonder
Member
shinobi : the blue labels are bright and punchy. very similar to the DR Highbeams but I find the feel of the strings better. Feels like the tension is lower too. Still on my first set so I'm not sure how long they will last. seriously considering sticking to Sadowskys.
shinobi
New member
i just strung up my blue labels. it's still too bright for me to play (things can get really bright on my bass) so i'll wait and see how they break in.
the feel is good, i was a bit concerned about the stainless steels being hard on the frets and fingers, but i didnt come across any issues there. as in, there is a notable difference, but it didn't hinder my playing or anything like that, which was my initial fear
the feel is good, i was a bit concerned about the stainless steels being hard on the frets and fingers, but i didnt come across any issues there. as in, there is a notable difference, but it didn't hinder my playing or anything like that, which was my initial fear
KeDraiv
New member
lol, don't mind me asking a few noob questions ah.
but what's the main difference between stainless steel and nickel?
the feel?
or the sound produce?
and btw, how do string gauge affect string tensions ah?
lol
for me i use nickel cause that's what i've been exposed to since the start of my bass journey. lol
but what's the main difference between stainless steel and nickel?
the feel?
or the sound produce?
and btw, how do string gauge affect string tensions ah?
lol
for me i use nickel cause that's what i've been exposed to since the start of my bass journey. lol
shinobi
New member
SS gives a brighter tone, but it's rougher on the fingers and wears the frets a little bit faster than nickel
nickel is warmer and easier on the fingers and frets
i find that nickel strings are generally more common than SS...
generally, heavier gauge strings have higher tension... so it helps if you need to detune your strings without them getting floppy
i've gigged with my sadowskys. pass with flying colours
nickel is warmer and easier on the fingers and frets
i find that nickel strings are generally more common than SS...
generally, heavier gauge strings have higher tension... so it helps if you need to detune your strings without them getting floppy
i've gigged with my sadowskys. pass with flying colours
shinobi
New member
sadowsky flats are good but their rounds are a love/hate kind of thing... depends on ur taste lah
a few months ago they released the blue label strings, which are supposed to have less tension, better feel, and more mids than their black labels
costs about US$22.90 i think, without shipping
a few months ago they released the blue label strings, which are supposed to have less tension, better feel, and more mids than their black labels
costs about US$22.90 i think, without shipping
reyrey
New member
been using sadowsky black label's bright nickel for about a year now and yeah, i bought a box of them (5 sets), definitely have better feel than previous ernie ball super slinky nickel, works for me, but i have to change it once in 3 months due to my sweaty palm, will go for blue label SS once i've finished my black label stock
