Finger fatigue from strings

[jaibeau]

Are nickel strings easier on your fingers than steel? In a friction kind of way, not muscle....? I got a bass recently and my fingers seemed to not be rubbed as bad on my right hand (non fretting hand) at the end of the night...thoughts-

[EagleMoon]

Nickel is a softer metal than steel, which is one reason it doesn't chew frets as intensely, so it would make sense that it wouldn't chew your fingers as much as steel.

[jaibeau]

I've been using power slinky bass 5 for so long, I haven't really thought about it until I played this lull 5 string bird and the end of the night was thinking "why are my fingers not killing me."

[johnk_10]

i find nickel plated string to feel softer on my fingertips, but if you use flats (which i've converted back to) it really doesn't matter whether they're stainless steel or nickels. IME, a lighter tension (gauge) can also reduce finger fatigue.

[jaibeau]

Just realized Ernie Ball power slinky 5's are nickel. Hmmm, it's not set up any different. Could it be its a magical mike lull trick? It does play better than anything I got, but I still play as hard. Weird-

[Giorgetto]

Originally Posted by johnk_10

i find nickel plated string to feel softer on my fingertips, but if you use flats (which i've converted back to) it really doesn't matter whether they're stainless steel or nickels. IME, a lighter tension (gauge) can also reduce finger fatigue.

+1....and just one of the reasons I use Flats.

[knumbskull]

stainless steel strings can be hard on your fingers, yes. i put D'Addario Prosteels on one of my basses for an album recording and my fingers felt like tenderized steak after 2 days of tracking.

nickels softer. flats best