Alternative steel strings to replace nickel strings

[Luke Williams]

Hi everyone,
I need to replace the nickel strings on my basses due to the onset of a nickel allergy. I am currently using the following nickel string offenders: Dunlop Nickel Super Brights, DR Pure Blues, D’Addario Half Rounds, and Peavey Slinky’s. All are 45-105s. These are my preferred strings. They appear to work best for my purposes for each particular bass.

So I need help choosing stainless steel substitutes with somewhat similar playing characteristics to the round wound strings mentioned above, i.e., tension, feel, and smoothness. After reviewing some TB posts on this subject, I have already decided to try Roto 55’s and Dunlop Marcus Miller SS Super Brights, and will consider other brands, but I’m not sure which strings would be the closest matching substitute for the strings mentioned above. My concern is feel and playability, sound is not a particular overriding consideration. Any suggestions or advice are appreciated.

Also, If anyone can identify the strings in the attached photos, please let me know because I’m not sure whether they are stainless or nickel.

Thank you

 

[michael_t]

If anyone can identify the strings in the attached photos, please let me know because I’m not sure whether they are stainless or nickel.

Do you get an allergic reaction from them? If so, they're probably nickel; if not, stainless steel.

As for their specific brand, it's hard to tell because of their rather generic features, ie brass ball ends with no silk. One thing you can do, though, is to measure their length from the ball end to where they taper at the other end. We might be able to ID the brand from their winding length.

 

[michael_t]

As for their specific brand, it's hard to tell because of their rather generic features, ie brass ball ends with no silk. One thing you can do, though, is to measure their length from the ball end to where they taper at the other end. We might be able to ID the brand from their winding length.

Looking at the first pic, the core wire around the ball ends appears to be hex-core. And the second pic shows the winding length (ball end to taper) on the E is shorter than A and D. That's one of the distinct features of La Bella strings. I might guess they're possibly La Bella Rx Rounds, which come both in stainless steel and nickel-plated steel.

 

[Luke Williams]

Do you get an allergic reaction from them? If so, they're probably nickel; if not, stainless steel.

As for their specific brand, it's hard to tell because of their rather generic features, ie brass ball ends with no silk. One thing you can do, though, is to measure their length from the ball end to where they taper at the other end. We might be able to ID the brand from their winding length.

Thanks for responding. There is no taper on these strings at the tuner end. My recollection is that the luthier said they were Boomers but they don’t have red silks so I’m not sure.

 

[michael_t]

There is no taper on these strings at the tuner end.

"Taper" refers to the end of the full winding at the tuner end. Can you see the part that wraps around the tuner post is actually thinner than the part leading up to it?

One distinct feature with the ones in your pic is the full winding on the E is shorter.

 

[Luke Williams]

"Taper" refer to the end of the full winding at the tuner end. Can you see the part that wraps around the tuner post is actually thinner than the part leading up to it?

One distinct feature with the ones in your pic is the full winding on the E is shorter.

Ok. Yes. The E string is 37.5” from ball to taper. A string 38.25”. D string is 38.50”.

 

[michael_t]

Ok. Yes. The E string is 37.5” from ball to taper. A string 38.25”. D string is 38.50”.

They're actually slightly longer than what I was expecting. Maybe I was wrong about them being La Bellas.

One thing we do know... They're definitely NOT GHS Boomers.

 

[Luke Williams]

They're actually slightly longer than what I was expecting. Maybe I was wrong about them being La Bellas.

One thing we do know... They're definitely NOT GHS Boomers.

Can the color of the string help determine whether it’s nickel or stainless steel? I never played stainless strings before (to the best of my knowledge) so I can’t tell, but is stainless shinier or more silver appearing?

 

[michael_t]

Can the color of the string help determine whether it’s nickel or stainless steel? I never played stainless strings before (to the best of my knowledge) so I can’t tell, but is stainless shinier or more silver appearing?

No, it's the other way around. Nickel-plated steel is lighter with shiny, silvery color, while stainless steel is usually duller grey.

 

[Luke Williams]

No, it's the other way around. Nickel-plated steel is lighter with shiny, silvery color, while stainless steel is usually duller grey.

Ok, they are probably nickel because they are more shiny and silvery than other strings I have that are known to be nickel. I’ll need to replace them. Thanks Michael.

 

[Dincrest]

I would recommend your first set of steel strings be DR Hi-Beams. They're smooth to the touch, flexible (due to a round core), last a long time, and seem to sound great on most any bass.

 

[Gearhead17]

Here is what I recommend: La Bella RX-S4D Rx Stainless Roundwound Bass Guitar Strings - .045-.105 Long Scale 4-string

I too have a nickel allergy and have ZERO issues with these strings. They have great flexibility too. DR Hi-Beams are my second choice.

 

[Killing Floor]

For steel rounds as you describe I’m a big fanboy of the Super Brights. Never tried the Roto 55. But now I am curious because I’ll give any string a try.

 

[Scott Bland]

I love Fat Beams and Hi Beams and mtd stainless sets. They are all easy on the fingers. I think the mtd might be hex core though.

 

[Thumpin6string]

Coated nickel like Black Beauties? They play and sound like nickels.

 

[michael_t]

I think the mtd might be hex core though.

Yes, they are.

 

[michael_t]

Coated nickel like Black Beauties? They play and sound like nickels.

Black Beauties are actually coated stainless steel.

 

[J Wilson]

All strings use alloys for the wire they draw to make wire to make strings, so the descriptions of 'nickel' or 'stainless' are somewhat generic. The blends and the way they're wound are, of course, proprietary info.

IF I wanted to be really sure about this, as it's a health issue, I would call the string makers you might want to try and see if they can give you some guidance, I'd be surprised if they haven't had similar calls previous to yours.

 

[Luke Williams]

Thanks for replying guys,
I ordered the Dunlop SS Super Brights and Roto 55s today, and may also try the La Bella’s and Highbeams. But what I am trying to determine is which SS strings would best replace the nickel strings that I am currently using based on similar qualities. For example, it sounds like smooth Highbeams with round core flexibility might be a good substitute for the Dunlop Nickel Super Brights which are silky smooth, flexible and low tension.

I’m trying to avoid the trial and error strategy that I used to find the ‘perfect’ nickel strings for each particular bass. So what I’m asking is, What’s the best SS string to replace a DR Pure Blues nickel string. Or, should the Roto 55s best replace the Dunlop Nickels, Pure Blues, D’Addario Half Rounds, or the Peavey Slinky’s.

I never played stainless steel strings before so I don’t know the answer, but I don’t want to try 5 different sets of strings on each bass to determine the best match. I already did that.

 

[Luke Williams]

Black Beauties are actually coated stainless steel.

I tried Black Beauties and love the sound but they feel like plastic.