Nickel on Steel Roundwound Strings

metallibass95 · #1 04-11-2009, 10:20 PM

Okay I know the difference between Nickel and Steel strings and what each sound like compared to the other. But I have never heard or seen or know anything about nickel on steel strings. So what do nickel on steel strings sound like and how do they compare in sound to regular nickel and steel strings?

Jaco who? · #2 04-11-2009, 10:57 PM

You probably know more about "nickel on steel" strings than you think you do. Most nickel strings are nickel plated steel. Fender 7150s are one of the few that are pure nickel, and have much lower output that nickel
plated strings because of it. That might explain why there are so few pure nickels out there, or it might just be that plated nickels are just cheaper to produce.

metallibass95 · #3 04-12-2009, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaco who?

You probably know more about "nickel on steel" strings than you think you do. Most nickel strings are nickel plated steel. Fender 7150s are one of the few that are pure nickel, and have much lower output that nickel
plated strings because of it. That might explain why there are so few pure nickels out there, or it might just be that plated nickels are just cheaper to produce.

Well I have always used ErnieBall Slinky strings and I always thought those were pure nickel but it actually doesn't say what it is on the package though. So i'm actually not really sure what they even are.

metallibass95 · #4 04-21-2009, 01:06 AM

okay the Ernie Balls are nickel plated I think and those pure nickel Fender strings are like really vintage sounding. But I still have no clue what nickel on steel strings are like. Does anybody have any experience at all with nickel on steel?

fuNKmaster83 · #5 04-21-2009, 02:09 AM

i disagree!!! pure nickel does not have lower out put than any other material!!! at least that goes for pyramid strings... fender strings are all a bit funny!!!

there is a difference in timber if you change just the material used for string wire... nickel is warm, organic.... stainless is bright, some times glassy... nickel plate is some where in between

what do you mean nickel on steel... like steel core and nickel wrap??? that is standard if you don't know... all the strings are wrapped on steel or stainless steel core... to me the biggest difference in how a string sounds is if it is wound on round or hex core... and what gauge are the wires wrapped around the core... the new Jonas Hellborg DR are very unique

Meatrus · #6 04-21-2009, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metallibass95

okay the Ernie Balls are nickel plated I think and those pure nickel Fender strings are like really vintage sounding. But I still have no clue what nickel on steel strings are like. Does anybody have any experience at all with nickel on steel?

I think you answered you own question, the Ernie Balls are Nickel on steel. As are as said above most strings, GHS boomers, Dunlop, Fender super, Dean Markleys nickel version of blue steel, and most cheap makes also. So you probaly have plenty of experience with them

.

Also if anyone's interested Rotosound make a nice pure Nickel!

metallibass95 · #7 04-21-2009, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meatrus

I think you answered you own question, the Ernie Balls are Nickel on steel. As are as said above most strings, GHS boomers, Dunlop, Fender super, Dean Markleys nickel version of blue steel, and most cheap makes also. So you probaly have plenty of experience with them

.

Also if anyone's interested Rotosound make a nice pure Nickel!

well I have always used ErnieBall power slinkies and rotosound steel strings. The ErnieBall strings I don't think are nickel on steel because it just says nickel plated, it doesn't exactly say on what though. And the only nickel anything of Rotosounds actually say nickel on steel strings. So I assume the ErnieBall nickels and the Rotosounds nickel on steel are different. But for nickel strings they cannot be found on musiciansfriend or anywhere else I looked.

I really dunno if ErnieBall are nickel on steel or not but I assume that the only Rotosound nickels that I can even find which are nickel on steel have a completely different sound that just normal nickel plated that ErnieBalls carry. I don't this they are nickel on steel though because it seems like descriptions on strings would say that they were. I don't really know what they are.

Meatrus · #8 04-21-2009, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metallibass95

well I have always used ErnieBall power slinkies and rotosound steel strings. The ErnieBall strings I don't think are nickel on steel because it just says nickel plated, it doesn't exactly say on what though. And the only nickel anything of Rotosounds actually say nickel on steel strings. So I assume the ErnieBall nickels and the Rotosounds nickel on steel are different. But for nickel strings they cannot be found on musiciansfriend or anywhere else I looked.

I really dunno if ErnieBall are nickel on steel or not but I assume that the only Rotosound nickels that I can even find which are nickel on steel have a completely different sound that just normal nickel plated that ErnieBalls carry. I don't this they are nickel on steel though because it seems like descriptions on strings would say that they were. I don't really know what they are.

I believe the reason they don't mention that it is Nickel and steel is simply because most string are steel underneath. If it was Nickel underneath it would say pure Nickel. I would bet a large sum on them being steel underneath, as everything else is, even gold Optimas are steel underneath the gold

.

Hope this helps, certainly should save you money on buying a set to try them out!

knuckle_head · #9 04-21-2009, 02:09 PM

Most nickels people come by are plated. Pure nickel anything is going to be expensive.

Nickel is a very magnetic metal and you may actually see more output if there is enough nickel in the strings.

Solid nickel outter over stainless gives you neither a stainless nor a nickel sound. I hate to characterize it just 'cuz, but it sounds like a muted steel to me. It holds its tone longer than a stainless but does shift tonally more than a fully nickel string does.

dj150888 · #10 04-21-2009, 02:16 PM

Its already been stated metallibass, they very rarely mention that its nickel on steel because thats the standard. You've got more experience with nickel on steel than pure nickels.

woody357 · #11 04-21-2009, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knuckle_head

Most nickels people come by are plated. Pure nickel anything is going to be expensive.

Nickel is a very magnetic metal and you may actually see more output if there is enough nickel in the strings.

Solid nickel outter over stainless gives you neither a stainless nor a nickel sound. I hate to characterize it just 'cuz, but it sounds like a muted steel to me. It holds its tone longer than a stainless but does shift tonally more than a fully nickel string does.

So from what you are saying would DR Sunbeams have a greater output than the Hi Beams? They are the same string, Sunbeams are just nickle plated. I'm asking this question because I've almost always have used Steel and I'm trying to get a fatter sound. Don't get me wrong I get a great sound with my Bongo, but I want just a lil mo, and I've heard that Nickle plated give you a fatter sound. I know most people say that steel is better if you slap and pop, but I'm still wondering. Can anyone answer this for me? P.S I don't like flats so thats out.

knuckle_head · #12 04-21-2009, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woody357

So from what you are saying would DR Sunbeams have a greater output than the Hi Beams? They are the same string, Sunbeams are just nickle plated. I'm asking this question because I've almost always have used Steel and I'm trying to get a fatter sound. Don't get me wrong I get a great sound with my Bongo, but I want just a lil mo, and I've heard that Nickle plated give you a fatter sound. I know most people say that steel is better if you slap and pop, but I'm still wondering. Can anyone answer this for me? P.S I don't like flats so thats out.

Nickel plate is only microns of material - I doubt there is enough nickel there to make an audible output difference.

azarias · #13 04-21-2009, 02:52 PM

We all know tone is subjective. My worthless opinion is that nickel strings are for Strats not basses! I love the way they sound on my passive guitars but on active or passive basses anytime i try them ( i have done so several times over the years) i feel like somebody just shot my bass with a 12 gauge. All the tone is just gone.

I end up sticking with any variety of DR Stainless Steel strings.
However, i bet i will be wasting more cash on some Pyramids soon lol!

metallibass95 · #14 04-21-2009, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meatrus

I believe the reason they don't mention that it is Nickel and steel is simply because most string are steel underneath. If it was Nickel underneath it would say pure Nickel. I would bet a large sum on them being steel underneath, as everything else is, even gold Optimas are steel underneath the gold

.

Hope this helps, certainly should save you money on buying a set to try them out!

So you mean that ErnieBall slinkys actually are nickel on steel and that nickel on steel is very common? I mean don't get me wrong it makes sense, but I really don't see why Rotosound would emphasize "nickel on steel" by putting it directly on their box, its kinda confusing cause its like wow i've never seen that before, lol. But hey thanks for all the help, i'm really kinda learning here and just need correcting from time to time, lol.

StrungGutz · #15 04-21-2009, 05:40 PM

If Sunbeams are NPS, what's the difference between those and the NPS Lo-Riders?

p-bass · #16 04-21-2009, 06:06 PM

Sunbeams,Round Core/ Lo-Riders,Hex Core

metallibass95 · #17 04-21-2009, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p-bass

Sunbeams,Round Core/ Lo-Riders,Hex Core

wow, does that make a difference soundwise? Round core and Hex core is really uncharted territory for me so i'm not too sure whats what when it comes to that.

p-bass · #18 04-21-2009, 06:22 PM

String makers say it does. Come on,you say your the one with "abnormally perfect pitch"..give me a break. I think Geddy's Bass tech. was on the forum not long ago. Why don't you see if you can find the thread and maybe it will answer this question.

metallibass95 · #19 04-21-2009, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p-bass

String makers say it does. Come on,you say your the one with "perfect pitch"..give me a break. I think Geddy's Bass tech. was on the forum not long ago. Why don't you see if you can find the tread and maybe it will answer this question.

pitch has nothing to do with the difference in tone a core wire has, all I am trying to do is find out info on the matter by asking nicely and if you have to be a jerk to me about it then I would rather not ask you for anything.

Meatrus · #20 04-21-2009, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metallibass95

So you mean that ErnieBall slinkys actually are nickel on steel and that nickel on steel is very common? I mean don't get me wrong it makes sense, but I really don't see why Rotosound would emphasize "nickel on steel" by putting it directly on their box, its kinda confusing cause its like wow i've never seen that before, lol. But hey thanks for all the help, i'm really kinda learning here and just need correcting from time to time, lol.

No problem, glad I could help.