Darkest Sounding Nickel Strings??

Blake Bass · #1 03-30-2011, 07:42 AM

I'm looking for suggestions..I have been using Daddario XL nickel strings for years but they are just a little too bright and clanky on my Sadowsky, especially when they are new..they sound fine on my Roscoe..anyone have suggestions for a darker sounding nickel string??

RCCollins · #2 03-30-2011, 07:44 AM

If they sound fine on your Roscoe, maybe it's the Sadowsky that sounds bright?

CapnSev · #3 03-30-2011, 08:07 AM

Fender 7150s, hands down.

If you'd rather go the compression wound route, try Smith Compressors or GHS Pressurewounds.

Thumper · #4 03-30-2011, 08:09 AM

I've got Sunbeams on my 59 NOS CS P and the XL's on my Road Worn P. I did a side by side comparison yesterday, and the Sunbeams have more girth top and bottom. I believe that would make the Sunbeams sound less clanky.

FWIW, I think the XLs sound fine on a passive bass, not so much on an active bass (IMHO).

I'm sure most people would say if you want dark, go flatwound.

Blake Bass · #5 03-30-2011, 08:17 AM

Thanks for the suggestions..I definitely don't want to go with flats..I prefer a modern sound with definition but just a little darker..think Jimmy Haslip as opposed to Marcus Miller or Victor Wooten. I will give the Sunbeams and Fenders a try.

bluesblaster · #6 03-30-2011, 08:31 AM

I think sadowsky's sound bright and clanky no matter what kind of RW you use, I tried several different brands all nickel which I prefer over SS, and couldnt get a tone I liked out of the thing. A really well made instrument and plays like butter but the sound was just not my thing. You might try some chromes for a bit brighter sounding flat.

sikamikanico · #7 03-30-2011, 08:35 AM

Pyramid or DR...

Blake Bass · #8 03-30-2011, 08:38 AM

I don't dislike the Sadowsky sound but I just want to tame the high end sizzle..I have my treble completely off on the bass preamp, and set flat on my LM II..I'm thinking the Fender 7150 may do the trick, but it doesn't look like they make a 5 string set.

Jeff 66 · #9 03-30-2011, 08:40 AM

Yeah, Sunbeams may be just what you are looking for sound-wise. As you've probably heard, the tension is pretty soft.

I would bet the Fenders are higher tension than the Sunbeams, but I've never tried the Fenders, myself.

Thumper · #10 03-30-2011, 09:15 AM

I agree with blueblaster and never cared for the sound of my Sadowsky V5 either (neither did 2 bands), too modern for my tastes, even with the pre-amp bypassed. I loved everything else though.

CapnSev · #11 03-30-2011, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blake Bass

I don't dislike the Sadowsky sound but I just want to tame the high end sizzle..I have my treble completely off on the bass preamp, and set flat on my LM II..I'm thinking the Fender 7150 may do the trick, but it doesn't look like they make a 5 string set.

You just need to order the B as a single. Juststrings has them.

Mojo-Man · #12 03-30-2011, 09:41 AM

Ken Smith "Compressors".
Have a set on my P-Bass.
Dark, smooth, fat tone.

Yvon · #13 03-30-2011, 09:44 AM

Do you have the tone control installed on your Sadowsky?

Blake Bass · #14 03-30-2011, 10:24 AM

I do have the VTC on the Sadowsky..I keep it pretty low.

I have had some good and interesting suggestions so far..
Fender 7150's
DR Sunbeams
Ken Smith Compressors

jasper383 · #15 03-30-2011, 10:29 AM

Haslip plays GHS Boomers, if I recall. Just about always has. Once they break in, Boomers are pretty dark and have a lot of low end.

Nedmundo · #16 03-30-2011, 10:30 AM

DR Extra Life are fairly dark, though I believe it's SS under the coating, not nickel. GHS Boomers were the first that came to mind. Their highs are slightly muted relative to most rounds I've tried, and they mellow from there pretty quickly.

Arvin · #17 03-30-2011, 10:33 AM

I'd second the suggestion of GHS Pressurewounds. I recently put a set on a Jazz Bass-ish Ibanez of mine, and I'm very impressed with the "somewhere between rounds and flats" tone. Dark, but with a little snap and zing.

RJMiller · #18 03-30-2011, 10:37 AM

I like a dark defined sound also. Like the SIT's better than the A'Addario nickels I have been using. The SIT's have a hex core - not sure what difference this may make. On my LEJ7 even the high F is dark - not clanky. Course the electronics are different than a Sadowsky.

Got a set from Brian at The Low End.

Good luck,

RJM

JehuJava · #19 03-30-2011, 01:16 PM

I'd be interested to hear your findings when you try your strings. I have a nordy vj5 with a nordy preamp and TI jazz rounds that is still a bit bright for me. The TI's were super mellow on my old stambaugh with an aggie odb-3.

lunarpollen · #20 03-30-2011, 01:31 PM

I don't know what kind of pre-amp your bass has, but I have flatwounds (Chromes) on my active Yamaha and I just keep the highs turned up when I want a really modern sound and it gets plenty of definition. It can get a sound that is almost exactly like roundwounds but without the excess sizzle and with virtually no string squeak. The pre-amp can compensate for the inherent relative dullness of the flats.