Pure Nickel Strings?

[wobble man]

I have been experimenting with different strings lately trying to nail down my tone, but haven't quite found it yet. I have played flats, rounds, grounds, stainless steel and nickel plated, but one thing I haven't tried yet is pure nickel.

I am looking for a warm round sound and want round wounds, the flats just never suited my playing style. The strings which have come closest for me are the DR Sunbeams. I like them but perhaps there is something better.

Are pure nickels warmer sounding than nickel-plated, and do they get more magnetic response? And what brands are available, the only pure nickel I know of is Fender.

Any experience or advise regarding the tone of these strings? These strings will be going on a Squire VM Jaguar project which is soon to be fretless.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Have you tried pressure wounds yet? They fit your description specifically the nickel iron alloy versions.

Pure Nickel strings are warm yet still have a bright snappier quality to them.

[wobble man]

I haven't tried pressure wounds, will look into these. Thanks for the suggestion.

[ixlramp]

Pyramid Strings of Germany have a huge choice of pure nickel rounds.

[mr sprocket]

Originally Posted by wobble man

I haven't tried pressure wounds, will look into these. Thanks for the suggestion.

After a recommendation from Jason and other TBers I put pressuewounds on a bass I am trying to get more mids out of. I am liking the sound of the strings. I am able to dial in some classic bass sounds and get some good mid solo sounds.

I have also played the Sunbeams as well. This set is a little more round/full sound. The highs might not be as bright. I do not notice a difference because I normally roll the high end off.

[gary m]

Originally Posted by ixlramp

Pyramid Strings of Germany have a huge choice of pure nickel rounds.

+1. Pyramids might be what you're looking for.

[Root 5]

I have always found the Fender 7150s to be good pure nickel rounds.

My favourite pure nickel strings are the D'Addario Half Rounds. Very versatiel and they feel great.

[Jim Nazium]

TI Superalloys are pure nickel, and are a nice sounding string IMHO. Limited choice of gauges though, as with all TI products.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Super Alloy are not pure Nickel. I do not know the exact allow though but it is an "alloy" of something.

[Lowbrow]

I think these are the best-sounding strings I've come across in nearly 40 years of playing:



http://www.juststrings.com/rotosound...assnickel.html

[SLaPiNFuNK]

The Rotosound are Nickel Plated Steel

[Jim Nazium]

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

Super Alloy are not pure Nickel. I do not know the exact allow though but it is an "alloy" of something.

"Infeld Superalloy bass strings are made of highest quality materials and deliver a full, well-rounded bass, throaty mids and solid treble without brittleness. Our Superalloy winding combined with a pure nickel layer ensures a warm vintage tone with modern definition. Plus, they are easier on your fretwork than stainless or all-steel strings."

Maybe we're both right.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

True. Doesn't make it a pure nickel string though.

Many strings have different layers. Many nickel plated strings have a stainless steel underwindings or even another material. Usually this "formula" is not easy to find public info.

For what it's worth... Most all strings have a steel core. I have had some people call asking for pure Nickel strings with a Nickel core. Unfortunately nickel is too soft to be a core material. Also nickel is not magnetic so that opens another issue.

(brag - I got a 1954 silver nickel as change the other day... Weeeeee)

[Lowbrow]

Regardless - Rotos highly recommended without reservation.

[bass whaler]

Nickel electroplated. Its a fine dipping. But likely it may not change anything to tone. I have seen old nickel plated strings that went black. So maybe things are changed now? finger oils go rancid and will find itself muting strings in short time unless you clean strings religiously. Fender strings are not my favorite string. I stopped buying them 20 years ago. I do not think the quality control is held very well in the production line. I always ended up with short lifespan on my Stratocasters. I switched to DRs then Blue steel, Then on the Bass I went through the same old headaches , I finally went to D'Addarios and as on my Strats and the rest is history. Over the last 20 years I had one set of D'Addarios go south on me, that was because some dumb ass parents let their kids up on the stage ( During our break) so they could look at our instruments, needless to say my guitar was bumped off its stand and crashed into the snare drum., mashing the strings, and tossing the new expensive snare drum off its stand. We needed Anger management. (Almost) LOL Bass Whaler

[wobble man]

Thanks for the input all!