Strings Dipped In Nitrogen Oxide?

Bass for Beef · #1 01-18-2007, 12:58 AM

Someone told me they came accross some strings that said they had been pre dipped in Nirtrogen Oxide...now is this just him blowin smoke or are they real. If so whats the benifit, wouldn't they just shatter when you take em out?

**bassybill** · #2 01-18-2007, 01:28 AM

Sounds a bit odd to me. Nitrogen forms several oxides, all gaseous (including "laughing gas" - maybe that's a clue) and all to some degree acidic. I can't see any point myself in liquefying one of them and then dipping bass strings in it. Then again, I can't see any point myself in Death Metal, but some people actually listen to it, by choice.

cdef · #3 01-18-2007, 01:59 AM

Perhaps what's meant here is Dean Markley's process of "cryogenically activating" their Blue Steel strings, which apparently involves liquid nitrogen at a temperature of something like -300ºF.

Can't say I've noticed the supposed benefits ("twice the tone, twice the life"). IME Blue Steels die faster than any other roundwounds I've tried, except GHS Boomers.

**Rune Bivrin** · #4 01-18-2007, 02:04 AM

My guess is that's liquid nitrogen. Cold as h..l (strange choice of words, I know). The marketing catch-phrase is "Cryogenically treated". It might affect the crystalline structure of the metal, and hence do something to the sound.

You'll find high-end cables where the same treatment is supposed to improve sound.

The most noticable effect is probably on price, though...

Rune

62bass · #5 01-18-2007, 01:03 PM

I've tried the cryogenicaly treated strings which were supposedly dipped in liquid nitrogen. They didn't sound any better to me or possess any outstanding qualities. All companies spread a lot of baloney in their advertising to get an edge on the competition. You have to be a bit cynical when reading advertising copy to choose musical gear.

Bass for Beef · #6 01-18-2007, 01:20 PM

Thanks, I think I'll just stick with my favorite strings and not spend the extra wad to get some scientifilcally altered string.

moopants · #7 01-18-2007, 05:15 PM

The point of the nitrogen oxide is to prevent the string from premature breakage. It helps the string not stretch so much, so they supposedly stay in tune better than normal strings. Also, they're meant to sound better and last longer, too. I've never played with them, but Cryogenics works with other things, so it might work with strings.

Bass for Beef · #8 01-19-2007, 11:20 PM

well if a free set lands in my hands then I'll try em out

Silas Martinez · #9 01-22-2007, 12:05 PM

I'm using them on my warwick thumb 5 (the Blue Steels). I've found them to be almost too bright for the first .. 8 hours, or so. After that, they mellow out, and have a nice fat tone, lots of low-mids, but a very clear upper harmonic set. Perfect for that warwick growl. They still sing on the upper register, and slap-pop stuff works well.

My experience with blue steels is that they have that super-bright tone while breaking in, and then a very consistent, warm tone that seems to last forever once they settle in.

However, if you're expecting the string to sound like brand new for a long time, blue steels are NOT what you want. I'm not a fan of super-bright strings, though, and most flatwounds are a bit /too/ dead for me, so these are a great compromise.

OshKoshJoash · #10 01-23-2007, 12:43 PM

i have blue steels on my schecter right now. after immersing them in denatured alcohol overnight, they are super bright and growly like khaspir described. great for slap and rock/metal, but for acoustic and jazz music, its hard to get a warm tone out of it.

with that said, i like them a lot

Bass for Beef · #11 01-24-2007, 09:44 AM

Well I have pretty acidic hands, and elixers are the only strings that seem to last for me. I've gone through a set of strings in just under a week...COMPLETLY DEAD AND MUDDY THUD. I even cleaned them after I play but them elixers work for me...I don't suppose those Blue Steels have any thing to offer to acidic hand people?

CElton · #12 01-30-2007, 02:48 PM

+1 or the Elixirs.

I have acidic hands and they are the only thing that works for me. $50.00 for a set of 5 will last about 4 months playing 2 nights a week and a couple of practices.

I also like the slick feel...

Bass for Beef · #13 01-31-2007, 12:17 PM

yeah those Elixirs work well, have you tried the Cleartone strings for bass. A friend of mine tired their guitar strings and wasn't that impressed, I wonder if it'd be the same for the bass strings

The BurgerMeister · #14 02-17-2007, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass for Beef

yeah those Elixirs work well, have you tried the Cleartone strings for bass. A friend of mine tired their guitar strings and wasn't that impressed, I wonder if it'd be the same for the bass strings

i just put a set of Cleartones on my sterling tonight. first time i've tried them.

they don't feel slick at all, but apparently they aren't supposed to. they're meant to feel like regular strings, but last a long time. they definitely feel normal to me. they're nickelplated steel, and they've got that kinda bright and really buttery sound to them. i'll have to see how they sound as they die, but for now, i really like them!

i'll report back when i know more.

smellythe2nd · #15 02-17-2007, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

Sounds a bit odd to me. Nitrogen forms several oxides, all gaseous (including "laughing gas" - maybe that's a clue) and all to some degree acidic. I can't see any point myself in liquefying one of them and then dipping bass strings in it. Then again, I can't see any point myself in Death Metal, but some people actually listen to it, by choice.

I like melodic death metal.