Blue Steel Alternative?

[Rtdmn92]

So I just put some ML Blue Steels on after having Fenders for about 3 years (its about time). The Blue Steels seems to be rougher, like my fingers don't slide as easily. It almost feels like tiny barbs grabbing onto my fingers. Is that because the winding is a smaller diameter? I think I'm going to pick up some new ones, but idk if I will end up with the same problem. I play a lot of slap, but i almost feel like the Blue Steels are a bit too twangy.
Here's what I'm considering.

-Dean Markley SR2000
-DR Fat/Hi - Beams
-Fender Super Bass

How do these compare to each other?

[optikhog]

You're correct, Blue Steels have a quality to them when brand new that make them feel 'sticky' when new. The feeling goes away after several hours of playing on them, at which the strings really come into their own for a very long time.

The SR2000's are smoother to the touch out of the box and have rich tonal capabilities - more mellow than the Blue Steels but sound great right out of the bag but will not last as long.

[Caca de Kick]

Stainless steel definitely has a texture to the surface, some companies have a slightly more coarse texture than others.
But after they've been played for a couple of weeks they do start to feel a little smoother, so anytime you use a string set for a long time then change them they're going to feel 'rough'.

I always felt DR fat/hi beams is one of the smoothest textured surfaces.

[Joe Gress]

Blue Steels always start out with that feeling. Play em for a while, and they will become like butter.

[Rtdmn92]

Thanks guys, lots of great information. I'll just play them nonstop for a week and see how that goes.

[VroomVroom]

Originally Posted by optikhog

You're correct, Blue Steels have a quality to them when brand new that make them feel 'sticky' when new. The feeling goes away after several hours of playing on them, at which the strings really come into their own for a very long time.

The SR2000's are smoother to the touch out of the box and have rich tonal capabilities - more mellow than the Blue Steels but sound great right out of the bag but will not last as long.

I would've said the same exact thing, just much less eloquently.

[John Wentzien]

Dunlop SS are much smoover!

[251]

Originally Posted by Rtdmn92

So I just put some ML Blue Steels on after having Fenders for about 3 years (its about time). The Blue Steels seems to be rougher, like my fingers don't slide as easily. It almost feels like tiny barbs grabbing onto my fingers. Is that because the winding is a smaller diameter? I think I'm going to pick up some new ones, but idk if I will end up with the same problem. I play a lot of slap, but i almost feel like the Blue Steels are a bit too twangy.
Here's what I'm considering.

-Dean Markley SR2000
-DR Fat/Hi - Beams
-Fender Super Bass

How do these compare to each other?

If it's just the rough surface of the Blue Steel you don't like, consider a set of Dean Markley Fretmasters. They sound & last like Blue Steel but are much kinder to fingers & frets. 8-)

[Rtdmn92]

Ok so now I have a new problem. I've just put a second set of Blue Steels on my other bass. Now when i bend or vibrato, the string actually rolls under my finger. I've never felt that before. Is there more friction on the frets or something?

[Metal Mitch]

Originally Posted by 251

If it's just the rough surface of the Blue Steel you don't like, consider a set of Dean Markley Fretmasters. They sound & last like Blue Steel but are much kinder to fingers & frets. 8-)

interesting... I still haven't tried the Blue Steel NPS either. And now they have Blue Nickel.

"This string is perfect for bass players who like the sound and long life of Blue Steel bass but don't like the feel of Stainless Steel. "

So what's the difference between Blue Nickel and Blue Steel NPS?