Brightest nickel strings?

dougjwray · #1 08-04-2006, 06:20 AM

Can anyone recommend the brightest nickel-over-steel roundwound strings, in something like the common 45-65-85-105 set?
Please, don't tell me that stainless steel strings are brighter... I know all about that. Don't like the feel, or the way they eat frets.
Just nickel-over-steel, please. The brightest.

Gothax · #2 08-04-2006, 02:55 PM

I think D'Addario have quite bright strings. I have a sealed package lying here and there's a pic on the back saying that the Nickelwounds are a bit less-bright than the ProSteels. And man, prosteels are the bomb if you want brightness (they're R.Wound tho)

slap_happy · #3 08-05-2006, 02:26 PM

DR's are great. The sunbeams (roundcore, flexible) and low riders (hex core, stiffer, my favorite) are great

aesir6 · #4 08-05-2006, 03:36 PM

GHS medium light Boomers, or GHS contact core super steels

DavePlaysBass · #5 08-05-2006, 08:33 PM

Of the ones I have tried, I think D'Addario XLs are the brightest (compared to Nickel Low Riders, Ken Smith, Sadowsky, Ernie Ball). I suspect the Boomers will be pretty bright as well with fewer mids (this opinion is based on reading others opinions / comparisons).

I finally decided that I am a steel guy. La Bella Hard Rockin' Steels are a good string if you want to come to the bright side. They are smooth for steels.

Dave

funkinbottom · #6 08-06-2006, 09:28 AM

Imo D'Addario XLs or DR Fat beams.
peace

FaithNoMan · #7 08-06-2006, 10:39 AM

SUNBEAMS

Had 'em on my Ric for about a year, and they're still the brightest, warmest strings I've ever used...they have a sweet ring that the Hi-Beams and Lo-Riders(nickel included) don't posses...I also tried Daddario XLs, Hybrid Slinkies, Fender Nickels, and many others

bigd4207 · #8 08-06-2006, 12:35 PM

Ernie Balls are pretty bright with really great tone, plus in my experience they have some of the best stainless strings for an ultra bright sound. All I use are reg slinky and group 2 flats, both are 50-105.

opium89 · #9 08-06-2006, 12:41 PM

+ for the XL's. The Sunbeams area bit warmer in my opinion but nice all the same. Also, you can't beat the price of the XL's.

dougjwray · #10 08-07-2006, 09:24 AM

Thanks to everybody for the suggestions. I currently use XLs, actually, and was hoping for something even brighter. (Hmmm... maybe what I really need is a hearing aid.)
I also like GHS Boomers a lot-- I used them for many years before switching to the D'Addarios about 3 or 4 years ago. They have less midrange, it's true, and are looser, too, but they have a superior low end. (IMO, of course.)
I'll have to try DRs again. I think I tried Sunbeams once, a long time ago, but I'll revisit them. I don't remember them having quite the sizzle of either D'Addario or GHS, though.
Again, thanks!

Slater · #11 08-07-2006, 12:27 PM

Check out some Ken Smith Bass Burners. They're the brightest nickels that I've tried.

fretless Bob · #12 08-07-2006, 12:48 PM

D'Addario's are the brightest, best strings i have ever used.

Dave

lefty007 · #13 08-07-2006, 02:23 PM

I recently discovered the Foder Victor Wooten strings, and I'm hooked. They are bright but really smooth to the touch, and last longer. I guess whay they advertise is true, this time!

GHS are my second choice, because they are really cheap, but the only stay bright for about two weeks, playing them everyday.

PilbaraBass · #14 08-07-2006, 09:08 PM

Boomers don't don't quite do it for me...something about the mids (lack of) I think...

I dig D'Addario XL's. As an added bonus, I can usually get a set to last about 6 months with a couple of alcohol baths..

and I dig the feel...nice and tight...even on a the XL-170 set (100s)...

Jazzin' · #15 08-07-2006, 09:58 PM

I got Sunbeams hoping to get a less bright string for my P-bass since nickel is usually less bright than SSS. They ended up being some of the brightest strings I've ever tried. I guess it will eventually die down.

bigd4207 · #16 08-08-2006, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretless Bob

D'Addario's are the brightest, best strings i have ever used.

Dave

Try some OPTIMA, never heard brighter than that. Maybe you should keep it to nickel? Such as stated in the thread title. Gold kinda has an advantage.

ClassicJazz · #17 08-15-2006, 07:23 AM

I have been using D'Addario XL's for more years then I can count, on both my fretted and fretless basses. But recently, it seems the last bunch of sets I put on just did not seem as "lively" as they used to be. (bought these last few sets at different times, so I don't think it was a batch problem). On my Carvin and my Geddy Lee they sounded flat, and these are new strings.

So I bought a couple of sets of SIT Rock Brights (the nickel version) and strung up my Carvin. Wow, much much more life in these and as advertised, brighter. I noticed a big difference right away. These strings have a nice punch to them, so I maybe switching! Now I'll have to put some on my Geddy and see if that helps.