Looking for some new nickel rounds

dragoon419 · #1 04-16-2007, 09:37 PM

I'm looking for some new nickel rounds and am wondering what the rest of you talkbassers would recommend.

I've tried D'addarios, found them too bright and unrefined and I find their E strings sound hollow. I like EBs, but their relatively pricey considering they're just nickel steels and they seem to lack a beefy bottom end.

I play mostly hard, driving rock and am looking for a string that can cut through the mix but doesn't have too harsh or overly bright a tone on its own; something punchy but still able to be bassy and good for classic rock if necessary.

I've got an 80s Warlock with a p/j configuration, passive setup, original pickups; and a 5 string Ibanez SoundGear with DX5 pickups, 2 band active configuration.

SGT. Pepper · #2 04-17-2007, 06:33 AM

Try D'Addario ProSteels.

FidgetStone · #3 04-17-2007, 11:44 AM

I'm a new convert to Thomastik Infeld SuperAlloys. Some have said that they have the most nickel content of any strings out there, but that is unconfirmed. What I have confirmed for myself is that they have a nice modern tone without being so ziggy compared to some of the other nickel strings I have tried.

In terms of the 3 nickel strings I have tried personally, I would rank them as follows:
#1 TI SuperAlloy - warmer than steel but still modern that cuts through the mix
#2 DR Sunbeams - Same as above but I like the tome of the TI SAs a tad bit better
#2 Ernie Ball Nickel - Good but almost as zingy as steel on my Stingray

Also, note that I have natively bright basses (Stingray & G&L ASAT) so stainless steel strings have just too much zing for me.

CElton · #4 04-20-2007, 02:16 PM

Give the SIT Rock Bright Nickels a try. I really like the feel and tone and they are the right price too.

Good luck...

Phalex · #5 04-20-2007, 02:35 PM

GHS Boomers sound like what you've described. They start out pretty bright, but they mellow right out.

BigDaddyRob · #6 04-20-2007, 02:37 PM

DR Sunbeams. Takes about 2 weeks for a new set to get the sound I want.

Planet Boulder · #7 04-20-2007, 02:46 PM

Check out Sfarzo strings. You can get them at www.juststrings.com for around 15 bucks and they are well-made strings.

MuzikMan · #8 04-20-2007, 02:53 PM

Dr Sunbeams for me. They pull off a modern or a classic sound well (on my bass anyway). They are also a good choice for some fretless rounds.

Emibass · #9 01-30-2012, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FidgetStone

I'm a new convert to Thomastik Infeld SuperAlloys. Some have said that they have the most nickel content of any strings out there, but that is unconfirmed. What I have confirmed for myself is that they have a nice modern tone without being so ziggy compared to some of the other nickel strings I have tried.

+1. Have them on my G&L L2500. Tone to die for.

testing1two · #10 01-30-2012, 01:18 PM

Fodera: handmade strings that are very reasonably priced. They are the most balanced sounding and smoothest feeling roundwounds I've played. Good pricing through bassstringsonline.com.

Dr_Funkdamental · #11 01-30-2012, 01:23 PM

Dunlops. I used to use Fat Beams until I tried a set of these from another threads mention of them. They sound great, LAST, and are probably the cheapest string of any thats been stated. Dont be fooled by the price, these are great strings. I actually bought a box.

Grateful · #12 01-30-2012, 01:32 PM

Circle K's here. Once I played a balanced set there was no turning back. No zingy G strings or muddy, hollow E's and B's. They sound great right out of the bag and stay consistent for a long, long time. You can get them in whatever gauges you want.