Aggressive-Sounding Nickel Roundwounds for a Fretless Six-String

[Debased]

I have a Jerzy Drozd fretless six with an untreated ebony board, and I'm interested in trying something other than the stock LaBella "Slappers" for a change of pace.

I don't care for the abrasive feel and accelerated fingerboard wear of stainless strings, so nickel (or nickel plating) is a must, as are full rounds. Compressed/ground/half rounds are out, and I think the use of flatwounds should be punishable by not less than two years in a state correctional facility.

I'm looking for something long-lasting with lots of aggressive growl, strong bell-like harmonics, and articulate, clear-cut mids.

Any suggestions? DR nickel Lo-Riders? Elixers? ...?

Thanks!

Edit: I've decided to take a chance and go with some archived advice. The result: DR Sunbeams. I'll report on them once they arrive.

[DavePlaysBass]

As for aggressive nickels, D'addario XLs are what come to mind. Few nickels have the bite of a new set of XLs IME. Rotosound nickel rounds would also be worth a try.

Dave

[Slater]

Ken Smith Bass Burners...

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by Debased

I don't care for the abrasive feel and accelerated fingerboard wear of stainless strings, so nickel (or nickel plating) is a must, as are full rounds. Compressed/ground/half rounds are out, and I think the use of flatwounds should be punishable by not less than two years in a state correctional facility.

Any suggestions? DR nickel Lo-Riders?

Edit: I've decided to take a chance and go with some archived advice. The result: DR Sunbeams. I'll report on them once they arrive.

FYI, DRs are compression-wound strings - not full rounds. Every model, as far as I know...

MM

[MysticMichael]

How about Sadowsky nickels? I haven't personally tried 'em yet, but have heard good buzz concerning them.

Anybody here tried 'em?

MM

[willsellout]

I would suggest GHS Progressives. I use them on all my basses except my fretless (which has TI Flats-take me to jail now!) and love them.




Dan

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

FYI, DRs are compression-wound strings - not full rounds. Every model, as far as I know...

MM

I've never heard of this before. At the very least, I have the DR catalog right in front of me, and it specifically says in the Hi-Beam and Lo-Rider descriptions that they are "round wound and constructed upon a round core (hex core in the case of lo-riders). I've read every description of every DR bass string in their catalog, and can't find a single descriptions saying anything about being compression wound. Can you point me in the direction were you can site this from?

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by xgabriele

I've never heard of this before. At the very least, I have the DR catalog right in front of me, and it specifically says in the Hi-Beam and Lo-Rider descriptions that they are "round wound and constructed upon a round core (hex core in the case of lo-riders). I've read every description of every DR bass string in their catalog, and can't find a single descriptions saying anything about being compression wound. Can you point me in the direction were you can site this from?

Sure. Since you specifically mentioned Hi-Beams, here's a link to one of the Hi-Beam pages at JustStrings.com. Apparently this copy comes straight from DR:

http://www.juststrings.com/drs-lr-40.html

And here's the relevant text from that page (last two paragraphs), italicized for emphasis:

DR Strings are made with more metal than one realizes at first. By way of example, before a .042 gauge DR string is carefully wound, core wire and wrap wire that total .043 are prepared. After a process we call "Compression-Winding", a DR string that gauges a .042 is produced.

The ratios and principles of "TITE-FIT" / "Compression-Winding" are used for the specifications and manufacture of all DR strings. At DR we craft our strings at tension. The following is one example of how the DR wrap/ratio formula works… in this case for .042's. Core wire is .016, wrap wire is .0135 x 2 (top and bottom covers). Total material gauges .043 before winding and .042 after winding."

MM

[Brad Johnson]

DR Sunbeams. Great on fretless.

[Brad Johnson]

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

Sure. Since you specifically mentioned Hi-Beams, here's a link to one of the Hi-Beam pages at JustStrings.com. Apparently this copy comes straight from DR:

http://www.juststrings.com/drs-lr-40.html

And here's the relevant text from that page (last two paragraphs), italicized for emphasis:



MM

I'm not following what keeps these from being "full rounds"? Winding them tighter than other manufacturers doesn't mean they aren't roundwound IMO.

[DavePlaysBass]

I played a set of Sadowsky nickels (40-100-125T) and thought they were pretty dark sounding. I would not call them aggressive or bright.

Dave

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by Brad Johnson

I'm not following what keeps these from being "full rounds"? Winding them tighter than other manufacturers doesn't mean they aren't roundwound IMO.

Any compression-wound string I've ever played, or of which I'd been made aware, typically achieves a slight flattening - or compression - of the outer wrap during the manufacturing process - thus creating a string with a smoother surface texture than regular rounds, but a brighter tone than flats. One method involves the use of a special roller machine. Ken Smith Compressors are apparently a good example of this:

http://www.juststrings.com/kensmithe...mpressors.html

I can't specifically say that DR uses that particular technique (as the promo copy doesn't specifically mention it). But I can attest to the fact that DRs have a smoother texture than ordinary rounds, because I've played them (Lo-Rider nickels, to be exact). And at least one other make & model (there are undoubtedly others) apparently also achieves this sort of smooth texture in the winding process itself. That would be GHS Pressurewounds:

http://www.juststrings.com/ghs-l7200.html

Both techniques - compressing the surface of the wrap with a special machine, or compressing it by winding the string at high tension - would appear to be less radical than grinding the wrap surface - as is the case with GHS Brite Flats and D'Addario Half Rounds. But they're all intended to create this hybrid type of string that is, at least for some players, the best of both worlds.

MM

[Debased]

Originally Posted by Brad Johnson

DR Sunbeams. Great on fretless.

That's what I'm hoping. It was partially due to your archived advice that I decided to try the Sunbeams first.

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. If the DRs aren't the ticket for my Jerzy, I'll start working my way through each of them.

[Brad Johnson]

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

Any compression-wound string I've ever played, or of which I'd been made aware, typically achieves a slight flattening - or compression - of the outer wrap during the manufacturing process - thus creating a string with a smoother surface texture than regular rounds, but a brighter tone than flats. One method involves the use of a special roller machine. Ken Smith Compressors are apparently a good example of this:

http://www.juststrings.com/kensmithe...mpressors.html

I can't specifically say that DR uses that particular technique (as the promo copy doesn't specifically mention it). But I can attest to the fact that DRs have a smoother texture than ordinary rounds, because I've played them (Lo-Rider nickels, to be exact). And at least one other make & model (there are undoubtedly others) apparently also achieves this sort of smooth texture in the winding process itself. That would be GHS Pressurewounds:

http://www.juststrings.com/ghs-l7200.html

Both techniques - compressing the surface of the wrap with a special machine, or compressing it by winding the string at high tension - would appear to be less radical than grinding the wrap surface - as is the case with GHS Brite Flats and D'Addario Half Rounds. But they're all intended to create this hybrid type of string that is, at least for some players, the best of both worlds.

MM

Stainless and Nickel DR's are wound the same way... Nickels are smoother feeling IMO because of the material, not the winding technique. Many of the DR SS strings are as bright as any rounds out there IME. I think you may be confusing these with hybrids that try to get away from the nature of the typical roundwound.

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by Brad Johnson

Stainless and Nickel DR's are wound the same way... Nickels are smoother feeling IMO because of the material, not the winding technique. Many of the DR SS strings are as bright as any rounds out there IME. I think you may be confusing these with hybrids that try to get away from the nature of the typical roundwound.

I've been civil enough to patiently answer your question. But I won't be drawn into a quibblefest. The information I've presented speaks for itself. If you still don't get it, maybe that's because you don't want to.

Now I'm done with this thread...

MM

[Tony G]

That's right, I forgot all about the "TITE FIT" stuff that DR incorporates. I never grouped that together with "compression wound" strings before though, but I guess I can see how it could be.

[Brad Johnson]

Originally Posted by xgabriele

That's right, I forgot all about the "TITE FIT" stuff that DR incorporates. I never grouped that together with "compression wound" strings before though, but I guess I can see how it could be.

And you shouldn't group them with other strings that call themself compression wound".

Typically "compressor" type strings are flatter on the outside wrap that a typical roundwound string. AFAIK DR's are still round on the outer wrap. They aren't like groundwounds, half rounds or anything of the sort... they're roundwounds in the classic sense and sound like roundwounds, not hybrids.

Again, DR's Nickel and Stainless Steel roundwound strings are wound the same way... if someone wants to think High Beams (for example) aren't roundwounds, fine.

Apparently me pointing that out is "quibbling" vs. just trying to clear up some misconceptions people might have. So be it.

[Debased]

I just received my DRs from Juststrings.com (practically overnight). Unfortunately, they sent the wrong ones: I ordered Sunbeams but received Nickel Lo-Riders. At least they got the nickel right. I'd send em back but I have a job tonight and my old strings are pretty dead.

Anyway, my understanding is that the only difference is a hex core on the Lo-Riders vs. a round core on the Sunbeams, resulting in a bit of extra stiffness on the former, so I guess I can live with that. I've only just put em on, completed a new setup, and re-intonated, so I'll report back with my impressions in a few days after I've logged some hours with em.

Re: Compression winding. I read the blurb on the box, and my understanding is that the wrap is compression wound onto the core while under tension rather than any type of actual flattening of the winding itself. They sure look and feel like typical rat-tail file rounds to me.

Thanks again for the advice!

[Brad Johnson]

Originally Posted by Debased

I just received my DRs from Juststrings.com (practically overnight). Unfortunately, they sent the wrong ones: I ordered Sunbeams but received Nickel Lo-Riders. At least they got the nickel right. I'd send em back but I have a job tonight and my old strings are pretty dead.

Anyway, my understanding is that the only difference is a hex core on the Lo-Riders vs. a round core on the Sunbeams, resulting in a bit of extra stiffness on the former, so I guess I can live with that. I've only just put em on, completed a new setup, and re-intonated, so I'll report back with my impressions in a few days after I've logged some hours with em.

Re: Compression winding. I read the blurb on the box, and my understanding is that the wrap is compression wound onto the core while under tension rather than any type of actual flattening of the winding itself. They sure look and feel like typical rat-tail file rounds to me.

Thanks again for the advice!

Exactly. That's why I thought it important to point it out.