Nickle or Stainless

[lowendblues]

I should know this, but which strings would have the higher tension on the neck,, Nickle rounds or Stainless Steel rounds.

I'm using nickle D'Addario XL 170's right now, and thinking of trying the Pro-steels. (same guage).

Thanks.

[eddievanbassman]

Stainless Steel all the way. All I use is Rotosound Swing bass 66 Stainless Steel.

[nonrappingJZ]

I think that D'Addario's web site has a tension chart on it somewhere. I can't remember which has more tension--I too was interested in this question recently (but not enough to remember the answer).

I've been using XL 160s for ages, but lately I've been tempted to try out a set of the Prosteels. I haven't liked the "less slick" feel of stainless strings before, though. If you make the switch, I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the difference in feel.

[eyecandy]

ProSteels have lesser tension than Nickels well that's what I saw at the tension charts... the prosteels have higher tension with the D string i think but the rest of the strings are lower than nickels

[eyecandy]

I'd dig the sound of nickels for about 2-3 months... but for stainless i like them dark.. like about 9-12 months

[fuNKmaster83]

don't be fooled... very few companies make pure nickel wrap strings!!! nickel plate is totally different than pure nickel!!! and i see that very few have played on pure nickel strings!!! the pure nickel is totally different story than any other material on strings!!!

[SteveC]

Stainless. I had Nickel on my new Sadowsky and it just sounded weird to me. I put on my usual strings (DR HiBeams) and it sounded like a different bass - in a very good way!

[kirkm24]

I am a huge ProSteels fan. I used to use Hi Beams but they were too floppy and thin sounding to me. Pro Steels have higher tension and in my opinion, sound fuller and thicker than Hi Beams. They have a lot of thick bottom but with a bright edge up top. I tried the Dunlop Stainless and switched back. I just think Pro Steels are the best string out there for my playing style and my preferences. To each their own.

I saw on Amazon that you can get ProSteels from them for $15 a set and if you spend $25 or more you get free shipping. They seem to be the cheapest of anyone else out there.

[eyecandy]

depends on what you're ears tell you then... and its true that nickels mostly are now nickel plated steel like D'Addarios

[ChrisdFlip]

I prefer Stainless. Used to play SIT and DR but Blue Steels are my current fav strings.

[Bongolation]

Originally Posted by lowendblues

I should know this, but which strings would have the higher tension on the neck,, Nickle rounds or Stainless Steel rounds.

To actually answer your question, there's no way of predicting this one way or the other purely on the basis of the winding material.

Core determines tension, not the winding.

[Mrdak]

If tension is your main concern, any of the strings with a hex core should do just fine. Round core has less tension than hex, whether it's SS, or Nickel.

[countrybassist]

Originally Posted by eddievanbassman

Stainless Steel all the way. All I use is Rotosound Swing bass 66 Stainless Steel.

Those are some damn great strings!!

[Double Agent]

Originally Posted by Mrdak

If tension is your main concern, any of the strings with a hex core should do just fine. Round core has less tension than hex, whether it's SS, or Nickel.

^this

I prefer DR Lo-Riders. I've had both the nickel and the stainless versions and liked them both equally, although they are different. For the most aggressive tone, SS is the way to go; but if you want more balance and a little more warmth, then go for nickels. Both strings have plenty of high end, just the highs on the nickels are a little smoother and less bright than the SS. Tension-wise, they both felt the same to me, which is pretty tight due to the hex core. In any case, its more about the core than the wrap as far as determining tension goes.