What difference does it make whether the strings are made of Steel or Nickel?

[Dave Siff]

I've found a big difference in feel between nickel and steel. I use nickel strings, but one time I decided to try stainless steel, and they chewed up my fingers. I mean, I get blisters from nickel strings, but the stainless steel strings turned my fingers into ground chuck.

[This message has been edited by Dave Siff (edited June 28, 2000).]

[Blackbird]

Is there a big difference in sound or feel? Longevity? Would one be preferable over the other on a fretless bass? I can't believe I didn't post this earlier...

Will C.

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You can't hold no groove if you ain't got no pocket!

[Monkey]

In my experience, nickel strings are not quite as bright as steel. I've heard some people use them because they are not as hard as steel, and won't wear frets out as fast. I couldn't say about the fretless issue, even though that is all I play, because I always use flats or tapes on mine.

[Bruce Lindfield]

To me, the typical steel string is very bright, metallic harsh edge, but the ultimate in clarity - I think John Patitucci's solos on 6-String bass.

I think Nickel are not so bright and emphasise the middle range more and don't pick up so much finger noise, but still have very pronounced harmonics and can get a great slap tone - which is impossible on Flats etc. IMO I find them better at getting that Jaco- type fingerstyle sound - steels are too abrasive for that, flats too dull.

[ONYX]

Nickel strings sound mellower, I think.
I prefer nickel over stainless for this fact.
Also, ( and I've been told that I'm dreaming on this one) nickel strings just feel " softer" to me. Stainless has a harsh, cutting quality to it, especially on the roundwounds. My fingers tend to drag on stainless--I don't have this problem with nickel.


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Far out,man.

[rcrimm]

Ditto what everyone else said. I have also found that Stainless strings (especially Roto's) have a little more tension, so they feel a little tighter. They also shred my bass and my fingers. They sound brighter, but they tend to go dead a little faster to me.
Nickle strings are a little "looser" and mellower sounding, but they seem to be more consistent and last a little longer.

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RAC

[Saint]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by rcrimm:
Ditto what everyone else said. I have also found that Stainless strings (especially Roto's) have a little more tension, so they feel a little tighter. They also shred my bass and my fingers. They sound brighter, but they tend to go dead a little faster to me.
Nickle strings are a little "looser" and mellower sounding, but they seem to be more consistent and last a little longer.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
It may just be the Roto's. I've used Ken Smith and a number of other steel strings for years and never had any major problems.

But the Rotosounds are chewing up my fingers. I can't even imagine what they are doing to my bass!

[Gear_Junky]

I don't know what it's worth, but somebody told me that steel strings with nickel wounding have a "chorus" feel - because of the two different metals. Is that bogus?

[Brad Johnson]

I use Nickel roundwounds exclusively. Zero damage to my hands and my basses. Smoother feel than the SS strings I was using. Not as harsh sounding. Seem to last longer than SS which die quickly. Great sound on my Zon fretless. Slaps very well on fretless, too. YMMV

[Blackbird]

Sounds like a load of hooey to me.

Will C.

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You can't hold no groove if you ain't got no pocket!

[sixandeightstringer]

Steel strings also have a higher magnetic content, which generally results in higher output. This may account partially for the difference in sound that everyone is speaking about.

I used nickel strings for a long time, but when I got my six-string headless, my string choices got really limited really quickly. I now use Ken Smith steel strings (double ball end) on that bass exclusively. I like them a lot.

As for wear on one's fingers - the more you play, the less you notice. As to wear on the bass - I haven't noticed any difference in the impact from Nickel to Steel.


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Mark Gollihur
Bassist, Second Story
http://www.second-story.net
http://www.mp3.com/secondstory

[DeepPunch]

A friend warned me about fret wear with using Steel. I had to try one set any way. Very good, very bright, But after a couple months I noticed some gouging on the frets.

As far as losing their brightness quickly, when I first put the nickels back on they were definitely brighter than the outgoing steels.

[swolves]

ok here it is again,
stainless are brighter and last longer than nickel.
and pure stainless and pure nickel are completly nonferrous(that means there not magnetic at all)

[Bruce Lindfield]

I would dispute that Stainless Steel last longer than Nickel strings. In my experience, they sound very bright initially but go "off" much quicker than nickel, which are "useable" a lot longer overall, but never sound quite as bright as stainless steel - which to me, is a good thing!

[Brad Johnson]

I agree completely Bruce.

[CamMcIntyre]

I agree with the other people on the most part......the steel ones tend to tear up my fingers fairly quick compared to the nickel ones i have on my Jazz right now......oh yeah usually my fingers won't get tore up that quick since I've been playing cello going on 3yrs & bass for about 4 years.....that's all

[swolves]

well i could be wrong about this,but the reason i made this statment was based on info a labella string rep told me.
so sue him if its wrong.

[Blackbird]

SW. maybe you should quote your source before you say things with any degree of authority, especially if you're going to blame third parties when people disagree with you. It's great that people want to participate, but this kind of contribution doesn't help anybody.

Will C.

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I'm not a genius. I'm just a hard working guy.
-BW

[swolves]

big wheel,my blaiming a third party was in jest(i know its hard to convey these things)
and i did not get facts in order.
but we are not trying to solve the worlds problems.in the future i will take the disscusion board much more seiously.lol
come on i know you want to do your job well
but cant we be a little relaxed?

[Blackbird]

SW, actually, we can be very very relaxed. It is true that this is a very flat medium, but you should take into account that your choice of words will determine the tone of your post. Your "Jest" didn't sound like one. Maybe I was a tad overzealous.

Smileys help, of course, but I think people shouldn't have to use them if they don't want to.

Will C.

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I'm not a genius. I'm just a hard working guy.
-BW