Least Bright Nickel Round Wounds?

[dregsfan]

I tried some DR Sunbeams and on one hand like them, but they seem too bright for my taste. I think DR's are considered a little brighter than other brands. Any suggestions for a "warmer" nickel round wound. Thanks. John

[Joebone]

TI has a nickel round, with hex cores, that are the warmest rounds I've played, by far.

Personally, my fave. string is the R.Cocco nickel round - on the warm side but a great balanced tone, and superior intonation characteristics - I don't know why or how, but these really work well.

Point of reference - DR Sunbeams were my faves until I found the R. Cocco.

[iiipopes]

GHS Pressurewounds.

[dregsfan]

Many thanks guys. I'm going to check those out. Never experimented with strings much. Looking forward to trying them.

[dwm74]

Don't know about 'least bright' nickels, but the D'addario EXL 170's are what I use. They are bright at first, but after about 2-3 weeks they're much warmer.

That probably won't help if you're one of those guys that changes strings every month, but I prefer an older, broken-in set of rounds as opposed to a new, zingy set. I usually change 'em after 4-6 months.

[dannster]

Originally Posted by iiipopes

GHS Pressurewounds.

+1 My go to string of the last few years.

[dmusic148]

I would have said give the Sunbeams some time. They mellow out with use.

[prokfrog]

Elrick. I had them on my bass for about an hour before I quickly removed them. I like bright strings

[KingRazor]

My problem seems to be high strings that seem brighter than the low strings. I've noticed this on Elixer nanos especially. Maybe it's the fact that the high strings are higher tension than the low ones.

[Meatrus]

Old ones....

Have you considered flats?

[PaulMacCnj]

The GHS Bass Boomers aren't bright, either. Very little string noise, too.

[GBassNorth]

I found DR Black Beauties to be fairly warm out of the box and stayed that way for a long long time (I'm well into my second year on one set). They are also relatively smooth and quiet (not much finger noise while playing or sliding) for round wounds. Potential plus is the black finish, looks different and kinda cool. I've heard some say they sound mid rangey on warwicks but I've had them on a thumb bass and a couple of stingrays with very good results. Very even sounding across all 5 strings on my stingray.

[gjuro]

fender pure nickles or any pure nickle strings

[BigOldHarry]

Originally Posted by dregsfan

I tried some DR Sunbeams and on one hand like them, but they seem too bright for my taste. I think DR's are considered a little brighter than other brands. Any suggestions for a "warmer" nickel round wound. Thanks. John

Nickle low-riders,perhaps?

http://www.drstrings.com/catalog/nickel-lo-riders

[Roadkill]

Fender 9120 Nylon Tapewound's sound about half way between rounds and flats - they are roundwounds under the tape and sound the same just about forever .

[mmbongo]

DR Jonas Hellborg is the answer.

Be aware that these strings are different though. They are two pieces of wire. A core, and a wrap. That's it. The E string has HUGE wrap wire, and the part you wind around the tuners is just bare core wire. They are also very different sounding strings, they produce the fundamental tone, and that's it. No zing, no buzz, no overtones. It's really quite an odd experience playing these when you're used to conventional strings.

[dregsfan]

Thanks for the replys. Thought I was subscribed to this thread and haven't checked it in awhile. I have considered flats, don't think I've ever played any. Funny, I was just reading on their site about the DR Jonas Hellborgs before I checked this thread. Sounds interesting.

I'll consider all these suggestions, Thanks again guys. Never experimented much with strings. They are a much larger factor than I've acknowleged in the past.

Any other ideas?

[mmbongo]

Along with the DR Hellborgs, try a pure nickel roundwound. They will be warmer than nickel plated steel roundwound, but brighter than the Hellborgs.

[dregsfan]

Cool. Will do.

[seanm]

Originally Posted by mmbongo

DR Jonas Hellborg is the answer.

Be aware that these strings are different though. They are two pieces of wire. A core, and a wrap. That's it. The E string has HUGE wrap wire, and the part you wind around the tuners is just bare core wire. They are also very different sounding strings, they produce the fundamental tone, and that's it. No zing, no buzz, no overtones. It's really quite an odd experience playing these when you're used to conventional strings.

Cool! Anybody got a picture of what the strings look like?

I am tempted to try them.... the light gauge makes me a bit nervous though.