Nordstrand Fatstacks and Nickel Strings

Doodaddy · #1 02-17-2011, 04:34 PM

Does anyone here have any trouble with nickel strings on their basses with Fatstacks? All my usual favorite nickel strings simply do not sound all that great on my LeCompte. I love the strings nearly anywhere else. I can get some amazing tone with a few stainless sets, but I utterly despise the feel of stainless.

Am I losing my mind or is this a more common problem? Can a specific pickup not be compatible with a nickel string? I realize there are more variables than simply the pickups, but still curious.

bassfart · #2 02-17-2011, 04:47 PM

I think, and this is just my opinion, that maybe the pickups placement, and distance from the strings is going to affect your tone more then the actual pickup.

KingRazor · #3 02-17-2011, 04:50 PM

You can try Circle K nickel-steel hybrid strings. They feel great and sound like broken-in steels.

**smperry** · #4 02-17-2011, 06:00 PM

I like both with my Fatstacks, but I have encountered sets I didn't like. Currently I have D'Addario nickels, which I prefer to the stainless DR Lo-Riders that were on before. I'm going to try stainless LaBellas next.

Which nickels are you using? You might prefer a different nickel set on this specific bass.

Doodaddy · #5 02-18-2011, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingRazor

You can try Circle K nickel-steel hybrid strings. They feel great and sound like broken-in steels.

Been there, done that. Did not work out.

Doodaddy · #6 02-18-2011, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smperry

I like both with my Fatstacks, but I have encountered sets I didn't like. Currently I have D'Addario nickels, which I prefer to the stainless DR Lo-Riders that were on before. I'm going to try stainless LaBellas next.

Which nickels are you using? You might prefer a different nickel set on this specific bass.

Tried Dunlops, Spectors, DRs, Circle Ks, SITs. My usual favorites. Just caught me off guard how none of them worked out like they normally do for me.

markanini · #7 02-18-2011, 05:26 PM

Strings are only part of the equation. Try tweaking the pickup height for a change.

Doodaddy · #8 02-19-2011, 09:48 AM

I'm mostly having a harder time taming down the E and B. I'm assuming pull the pickups down and away from them a bit?

**smperry** · #9 02-20-2011, 01:44 PM

I'd try lowering the pickups on the top (B&E) side if you haven't already. Fatstacks do have a growl. On my bass, I have a switch that puts them into single coil mode, which is a louder but "sweeter" tone...it's nice to have both tones at my disposal.