Best nickel rounds for vintage J-Bass tone

[Ryan Mohr]

Title says it all. I am going for that '60s Fender Jazz Bass tone with nickel rounds. Steels are too bright and clanky for me, but I still want the growl of rounds. I have found that nickel rounds nail that tone the best for me.

I want full lows, growly/warm/complex/punchy mids, and smooth highs. I currently have DR Nickle Lo-Riders, but I'm curious how other nickels stack up. Here are the strings I am considering:

DR Sunbeams
DR Nickel Lo-Riders
Fender 7150M
Fender 7250ML
Sadowsky Blue Nickels
TI Superalloy

What do you guys think? Feel free to mention other strings that meet my criteria. Thanks

[jasper383]

'60s roundwound sound on a Jazz to me says Fender 7250 strings, your gauge of choice. The DRs Lo-Riders are a bit bright, in my opinion, based on what you've described. Sunbeams also very good.

[CElton]

Consider a set of D'Addario XL nickels.

[Ryan Mohr]

Originally Posted by jasper383

'60s roundwound sound on a Jazz to me says Fender 7250 strings, your gauge of choice. The DRs Lo-Riders are a bit bright, in my opinion, based on what you've described. Sunbeams also very good.

Thanks for the opinion. You do know I am using the Nickel Lo-Riders, not the standard SS Lo-Riders.

I am interested in the Sunbeams, but it seems that the frequency range isn't very balanced.

[Ryan Mohr]

Originally Posted by CElton

Consider a set of D'Addario XL nickels.

I have used XLs in the past, they are a little too bright and "dry" sounding for my tastes.

[steamthief]

The Sunbeams sound really good, but are kind of floppy compared to the Lo-Riders. The 7150s sound good, but are noticably lower in volume. 7250s sound good, they're cheap and last a while. Nickel Lo-Riders are my fave, but if you're looking to switch, I second jasper383 in giving the 7250s a try.

[Mr. Ray]

Fender 7250's are still my favorite nickel....they do die quickly. I tried the Sunbeams I found them to have less bass and lower mids...which I need. I still need to try the Nickel Lowriders.

[dmusic148]

Originally Posted by Mr. Ray

I tried the Sunbeams I found them to have less bass and lower mids...which I need. I still need to try the Nickel Lowriders.

MmmmKaayy......well I'm happy to say I have not noticed this at all. I like them a lot.

[Ryan Mohr]

Originally Posted by steamthief

The Sunbeams sound really good, but are kind of floppy compared to the Lo-Riders. The 7150s sound good, but are noticably lower in volume. 7250s sound good, they're cheap and last a while. Nickel Lo-Riders are my fave, but if you're looking to switch, I second jasper383 in giving the 7250s a try.

How would you compare the Nickel Lo-Riders and 7250s? Which has more low mids?

[bassbully]

Fender 7170 and 7250's are the go to in my book. I keep a baked (used) set on hand in case i need to string them for recording or I get a bass that they will fit. I prefer 7150's that are going dead to get the vintage tone and 7250s second cuz they are brighter. Although i mainly play flats now both are great strings and right up your alley tone wise.

[Ryan Mohr]

Originally Posted by bassbully

Fender 7170 and 7250's are the go to in my book. I keep a baked (used) set on hand in case i need to string them for recording or I get a bass that they will fit. I prefer 7150's that are going dead to get the vintage tone and 7250s second cuz they are brighter. Although i mainly play flats now both are great strings and right up your alley tone wise.

I don't doubt that they are great strings, in fact I have used the 7150s. I am more interested in the 7250s for my J-Bass. However, I hear about many people taking off the stock Fender strings for D'Addario XLs among others. Why is this?

[Ryan Mohr]

Could anyone compare these strings in terms of tone?

[nemo]

I loved 7150s on my J, now I have there Sunbeams and I am very happy. Great mid range definition, deep bass, snappy highs if digged in.
Of strings mentioned above I would suggest you just get the Sunbeams and give them a couple of weeks to settle down and broke in.
D'Addario XLs are too "moderny" or "artificially" for me and quite stiff. I did not like 7250 at all.

[bassbully]

I had trouble also getting 7250s to tame down and get the vintage tone. 7150s are perfect for this tone. D'a strings are way to bright IMO.

[xav_paris]

characteristics: smooth, warm, balanced

E-Bass Jazz Series are strings with extended durability and high output. A highly flexible steel core gives the string a balanced feeling and a special character.


very low tension : you might have to raise the action in order not to have fretbuzz pbs.

I do have them on a OEM's Fender jazz bass 74 ash + maple, very very vintage with these strings, nearly the feeling of fltas with the sound of roundwounds




Jazz E-Bass 4-string set Round Wound

Set: JR344 long scale 34" medium | Set No.: JR344 long scale 34"
ins mm lbs kp
JR34043 G 1st Nickel Round Wound Roundcore .043 1.09 34.61 15.70
JR34051 D 2nd Nickel Round Wound Roundcore .051 1.30 30.20 13.70
JR34068 A 3rd Nickel Round Wound Roundcore .068 1.72 29.54 13.40
JR34089 E 4th Nickel Round Wound Roundcore .089 2.25 27.99 12.70

[Ryan Mohr]

Originally Posted by nemo

I loved 7150s on my J, now I have there Sunbeams and I am very happy. Great mid range definition, deep bass, snappy highs if digged in.
Of strings mentioned above I would suggest you just get the Sunbeams and give them a couple of weeks to settle down and broke in.
D'Addario XLs are too "moderny" or "artificially" for me and quite stiff. I did not like 7250 at all.

I agree the 7150s have a great tone, but the tension was a little too high and the output was a little too low. Interesting about the Sunbeams, I have heard they have a lot of highs and high mids, but not much low mids or lows. I agree about the XLs, but what didn't you like about the 7250?

As I stated, I have Nickel Lo-Riders currently. I do like them, I just want to know if there is a better nickel round.

[DavePlaysBass]

TI Superalloys are a great long lasting string. On a alder / rosewood jazz, they have the round definition but not a whole lot of sizzle when new. There is a low mid hump in them that is fantastic IMO.

[Ryan Mohr]

Originally Posted by DavePlaysBass

TI Superalloys are a great long lasting string. On a alder / rosewood jazz, they have the round definition but not a whole lot of sizzle when new. There is a low mid hump in them that is fantastic IMO.

Sounds like my kind of string!

[boondox]

Originally Posted by AqueousView11

I have used XLs in the past, they are a little too bright and "dry" sounding for my tastes.

I agree. Sunbeams are WAY mellower and vintage flavored than the XL's. A little mellower than the Nickel Low Riders (what I'm using now) too. The Sunbeams are a must try, imho.

[Figjam]

fender 7250