D'Addario

HELLonWheels187 · #1 06-12-2006, 08:07 PM

I was wondering what tonal differance there are between the Nickel Wounds and the Pro Steel. (i.e when tapping, slapping, pick, fingerstyle....) I haven't ever played any D'Addario so I want somebody else opinion.

I have had the Chromes and I liked them a lot. So are there any similarties between the Chrome and the roundwounds?

Thanks
Brandon

SGT. Pepper · #2 06-13-2006, 06:49 AM

No they sound totally different.

Delberthot · #3 06-13-2006, 05:59 PM

i used Chromes on my Rickenbacker 4003 as I felt that rounds were too bright for it. the pro steels are good but are pretty high tension. aim to get a set a guage lower than what you normally use - I have used 45s for about 15 years and i had to get 40s with these. I am a heavy player and need stiff strings to be able to play the stuff I do but these were way off the chart. really good strings though

SamJ · #4 06-13-2006, 09:38 PM

I tried the nickels cause they feel easier on the finger, but they're not the same sound at all... no where near as bright, and I like bright. So much so do I like bright that the set is usually gone after a week to 10 days of use and a new set on. The Steels don't last as long as I'd like, but they're cheap ($15/set) and sound great.

HELLonWheels187 · #5 06-13-2006, 11:24 PM

How do they sound slapped?

FunkSlap89 · #6 06-14-2006, 07:55 PM

I love the sound of slapped nickels. Its not as harsh as steels, yet it still has that growly bite to it.

Gothax · #7 06-15-2006, 06:49 AM

man, the prosteel tone lastst forever! I've put the old prosteels on my other bass and set up a new set... and the difference? 0,0 (only thing: the tension seems to be a bit higher when the strings are new)

great, ultra bright strings which work really well on a jazz

Philbiker · #8 06-15-2006, 08:30 AM

In my limited experience D'Addario roundwound electric bass strings have a very "piano" like tone. A lot of people like that kind of tone. I don't. Therefore I don't use D'Addario roundwound bass strings.

I love their acoustic phospohor bronze strings on both my Tacoma acoustic bass and on my Seagull acoustic guitar. I've never tried their flats but I'll bet they're good.

ghostintheruins · #9 06-16-2006, 11:34 AM

ProSteels are really bright. A lot of people would think too bright, but I like really bright strings. If you have low action, they are a bit clackity, but you can control that with good technique... Actually, it forces to to clean up your technique.

caesarbass · #10 06-16-2006, 11:36 AM

I love the ProSteels for my fretted basses and the Nickels for my fretless basses. The ProSteels are bright and last forever, IMO. Oh yeah, I've used the ftalwound Chromes too, and really liked them.

pickles · #11 06-16-2006, 12:00 PM

Prosteels are stiffer, brighter, and rougher than XLs. I like both sets depending on what I'm going for, though neither is my go-to string.

When I first tried out a prosteel 5 set, they didn't work with the bass I was using (sadowsky RV5) since they had too much magnetic attraction to the pickups ... something to watch out for. Pro steels seem to be especially magnetic. On my Warwick and my recently acquired Fender RBV though ... they work great, are very deep, bright, and grindy and bascially still sound new after being on and off a few different basses and being played quite a bit. A great slap set if you set them up with near-zero relief.

Nickel XLs are very balanced sounding with a refined, almost too-polite sometimes top end.

SamJ · #12 06-16-2006, 12:04 PM

what does anyone have to say about Labella, they're more pricey, but are they worth it?

pickles · #13 06-16-2006, 06:34 PM

Labellas are great strings ... totally different from D'addario.

Hard Rockin Steels are fantastic.

maurilio · #14 06-16-2006, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pickles

Labellas are great strings ... totally different from D'addario.

Hard Rockin Steels are fantastic.

What would it be the difference, expecially XL vs. Slappers (aside Slp being taperwound)?

Thanks

Mo'

pickles · #15 06-16-2006, 06:55 PM

I've only used hard rockin steels, so I can't comment on the slappers. Compared to nickel XLs in the same guages I'd say the HRSs have a softer, more flexible feel, a slightly smoother finish, and a much fatter, thicker tone that has a great growl to it. The E and B are tapered, and the .128 B can make just about any 5'er sound big, deep, and even down low.

SamJ · #16 06-16-2006, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pickles

I've only used hard rockin steels, so I can't comment on the slappers. Compared to nickel XLs in the same guages I'd say the HRSs have a softer, more flexible feel, a slightly smoother finish, and a much fatter, thicker tone that has a great growl to it. The E and B are tapered, and the .128 B can make just about any 5'er sound big, deep, and even down low.

hmm.. I might have to try a set of those on the Custom Shop Jazz.. I like growl!

HELLonWheels187 · #17 06-16-2006, 10:40 PM

Which strings give the most growl to your tone?

SamJ · #18 06-16-2006, 10:45 PM

does someone actually have a link to an audio clip of "growl"? I'd be curious to know what exactly some mean.. I take it to mean, spring like, slightly distorted, and almost piano in tone..

HELLonWheels187 · #19 06-17-2006, 09:31 AM

When I say growl I mean slighty overdriven

SamJ · #20 06-17-2006, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HELLonWheels187

When I say growl I mean slighty overdriven

yeah, I can agree with that.. but just want to make sure I'm understanding it correctly. An audio clip would still be great.