100% nickel free strings ?

Dice! · #1 09-24-2006, 05:27 AM

I have quite bad nickel allergy.
So far I have tried Elixir strings and Warwick Stainless steel strings and both strings give me irritation after a I have played few hours.
So is there any string that is 100% nickel free ?

spudmaster34 · #2 09-24-2006, 07:29 AM

these might be http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ngs?sku=101218 or the core might be nickel, but either way, it won't be in direct contact with you

edit:
note: most frets are nickel, you might want to try a fretless, or alternative (non-nickel) frets

dlloyd · #3 09-24-2006, 07:32 AM

Rotosound uses stainless steel wire that is free of nickel. Most stainless steel has some residual nickel in it.

Dice! · #4 09-24-2006, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spudmaster34

these might be http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ngs?sku=101218 or the core might be nickel, but either way, it won't be in direct contact with you

edit:
note: most frets are nickel, you might want to try a fretless, or alternative (non-nickel) frets

I don't think it's coming from the frets but anyway does those strings go to fretted bass also. They say in their site that it's ment to go with fretless... ??

seanm · #5 09-24-2006, 12:56 PM

You could try tapewounds. However, they sound completely different from roundwound strings. More of an upright bass sound.

Dice! · #6 09-24-2006, 03:54 PM

I think I will try those tapewounds next...
I first that Elixir strings would do the trick but no.
Hope those tapewound strings help

seanm · #7 09-24-2006, 04:58 PM

You could also take up the DB and use gut string

Seriously, if the tapewounds don't work, you will probably have to start emailing string manufacturers. See if they have any strings they will admit have no nickel.

spudmaster34 · #8 09-26-2006, 04:00 PM

and I wouldn't completely rule out the possibility of the frets causing it, why don't you try touching just your sting for a while, i mean, carry it around in your hand for a few hours and don't let go of it. See if that causes a reaction.

Dice! · #9 10-11-2006, 10:36 AM

Ok, I think now that it is the frest that are causing this but not from bass I think. I play guitar also and I think frets from my guitar is causing this as I am more intime touch with those.

But I have another question for you guys.
How do you get that funky sound that some people have?
Is it the way they play or what ?
Or does strings effect quite much?

Fuzzbass · #10 10-12-2006, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dice!

But I have another question for you guys.
How do you get that funky sound that some people have?
Is it the way they play or what ?
Or does strings effect quite much?

Funky bass sound? That could mean anything from James Jamerson to Stanley Clarke. Can you give an example?

Short answer: sure, strings have a lot to do with tone: Stanley Clarke wouldn't sound the same with flatwounds! But technique and gear (bass, amp, speakers) all make a difference too.

saxnbass · #11 10-12-2006, 02:23 PM

I'd get your frets changed to stainless steel frets.
1) It would get rid of the chance of it being the frets
2) Stainless Steel frets last longer anyways

SherpaKahn · #12 10-18-2006, 05:43 PM

I say take the major string manufacturers to court; soon SS strings will come with a label on the packaging: "Warning: These strings were wound on equipment that handles nickel, bronze, and chrome strings." Would be quite amusing.

cpach · #13 10-19-2006, 11:21 PM

Keep in mind that a lot of stainless alloys contain nickel. I googled "nickel guitar allergy" and came up with http://www.realitycheckers.com/getreal/getreal_33.shtml . Apparently, GHS can make you nickel free strings.

katvallera · #14 04-13-2010, 05:07 PM

I have the same issue with an extremely bad nickel allergy. I also have GREAT news. After calling around to all the companies, I've been told that...

DEAN MARKLEY BLUE STEEL BASS STRINGS are 100% NICKEL FREE

We shall suffer no longer!! By the way, this is not the case for their regular guitar strings, which DO contain nickel. However, these particular bass strings do not. I'm on my way out to acquire some myself, rock on!!

omnimutant · #15 08-22-2010, 05:20 AM

I have just recently learned of a New allergy I have to nickle as well... Sucks getting old and having these things just appear out of nowhere ***!!! Anyway, I guess it's steel frets and Blue Steels for me... I really love my GHS Boomers though

HitByABlimp · #16 08-22-2010, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dice!

Ok, I think now that it is the frest that are causing this but not from bass I think. I play guitar also and I think frets from my guitar is causing this as I am more intime touch with those.

But I have another question for you guys.
How do you get that funky sound that some people have?
Is it the way they play or what ?
Or does strings effect quite much?

There is no such thing as a definitive 'funky sound'. Can you describe what sound you are looking for? Soundclips/youtube's perhaps?

omnimutant · #17 08-23-2010, 04:45 PM

I Just got a reply Email from GHS, and they say that their Super Steels are Nickle Free. I need a thicker gauge set then comes in their standard sets as I down tune and Used to run with Boomers. They said they Can make up some custom sets. I'll let you know how this turns out. Now I'm Looking to picking up a cheap fretless too, because the price of replacing the frets on what I got, is probably going to cost more at the end of the Day then a new fretless anyway (Eyeballing the Ibby300PWF $300). Bah what a Pain.

ladybassmonkey · #18 08-15-2011, 04:11 PM

Ok it is nothing to do with getting old.. I had a nickel allergy for years and it was always worse in the studio.... I thought it was all in my head ...thats what i kept being told. Then when the cheapo Euro coins came out I realized my condition was real...
I now use steel flat wound and plastic coated strings that I bought from Thomann.. with no problems, I use a warwick rock bass and a fretless with no wear down problems on the frets.
I would like to play acoustic guitar again though if anyone has nickel free brands???
some medicines also contain nickel but it is not labeled.. watch out for an anti inflamatory ending in fen...I shall not name it for legal reasons but if you have this allergy you will notice this medication makes you ill too.

Aurel · #19 11-08-2011, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladybassmonkey

I would like to play acoustic guitar again though if anyone has nickel free brands???.

Thomastik makes nickel free acoustic bronze strings: the spectrum and the plectrum series. You can also order them from Thomann.

What bass strings are you using?

elarsen797 · #20 11-18-2011, 10:07 AM

I had a lot of problems with nickel allergy and also "nickel free" steel claims. I tried a lot of guitar and bass strings. This thread already talks about several manufactures so I will only say "beware". Stainless steel almost always contains nickel, it is just trapped better in the harder steel so less likely to pose a problem, but that directly relates to usage. I don't mess with the stainless and only buy strings that are not stainless AND advertise "nickel free". Be patient as it will take some time and experimentation to get a set you like the sound from. Good reading: www.nickelfreelife.com. Learned a lot about nickel allergy there. Also, the more you sweat the more problems you will have with stainless steel, so if your a dripper like me, you could still have a problem with "nickel free" stainless. Don't forget the frets!