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Brightest Nickel Rounds
- Thread starter Lo-E
- Start date
Hmmmm.... that might take them out of the running, but maybe I'll try to keep an open mind. Haven't used tapers in a real long time.
Well, I got to use the Blue Steel nickels in a band setting this afternoon and, while perfectly fine nickel strings, they still don't strike me as being especially bright.
The tone, to my ears, is that of a lot of nickel rounds: warmish with strong mids. Not bad, by any means, but not what I'm after here.
The feel is fairly smooth but the tension is still just a touch higher than I like. All in all, they seem like generic nickel rounds to me.
The strings had several hours of practice time on them, so they were no longer fresh out of the pack, but they were still pretty darn new.
The rig at the rehearsal room was a Bag End 4x10 (no tweet) and an Ampeg PF350, both in good, working order (unusual for this particular studio, but I'm not complaining) and I was able to dial in a pretty good sound right away. The room had a lot of acoustic treatment and was quite dead. We played for about three hours, so I was able to tinker a bit with EQ options both on the bass and the amp to make sure I was giving the strings a fair shake.
I'm not sure if I'll leave them on long enough to play a gig. I think I have a pretty clear picture of what these strings are about, so I may just move them to another bass and move on. I'll see how much free time I have in the next few days.
Back in my stainless steel string days (I switched to nickel circa 1993 or 94), I used DM's Blue Steels in SS and I remember liking the tone. Prior to that, I had been using their SuperRounds, but had trouble with them dying really fast. I'm not sure I really trust my memory all that well, but I think the feel of these Blue Steel Nickels is not all that different from the Blue Steel SS I used back then. That could just be my mind playing tricks, too. That was a long time ago.
The tone, to my ears, is that of a lot of nickel rounds: warmish with strong mids. Not bad, by any means, but not what I'm after here.
The feel is fairly smooth but the tension is still just a touch higher than I like. All in all, they seem like generic nickel rounds to me.
The strings had several hours of practice time on them, so they were no longer fresh out of the pack, but they were still pretty darn new.
The rig at the rehearsal room was a Bag End 4x10 (no tweet) and an Ampeg PF350, both in good, working order (unusual for this particular studio, but I'm not complaining) and I was able to dial in a pretty good sound right away. The room had a lot of acoustic treatment and was quite dead. We played for about three hours, so I was able to tinker a bit with EQ options both on the bass and the amp to make sure I was giving the strings a fair shake.
I'm not sure if I'll leave them on long enough to play a gig. I think I have a pretty clear picture of what these strings are about, so I may just move them to another bass and move on. I'll see how much free time I have in the next few days.
Back in my stainless steel string days (I switched to nickel circa 1993 or 94), I used DM's Blue Steels in SS and I remember liking the tone. Prior to that, I had been using their SuperRounds, but had trouble with them dying really fast. I'm not sure I really trust my memory all that well, but I think the feel of these Blue Steel Nickels is not all that different from the Blue Steel SS I used back then. That could just be my mind playing tricks, too. That was a long time ago.
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Just FYI, I am doing a direct comparison of 3 nickel sets, all exactly the same gauge (45,65,85,105,130). Going to compare Fodera Nickel, Dunlop Super Bright Nickel, and Labella Vapor Shield (Nickel). Looking for the brightest, fullest and longest lasting tone and can post back here afterwards, only problem is the Labella's are still on backorder so might be awhile. 
Just FYI, I am doing a direct comparison of 3 nickel sets, all exactly the same gauge (45,65,85,105,130). Going to compare Fodera Nickel, Dunlop Super Bright Nickel, and Labella Vapor Shield (Nickel). Looking for the brightest, fullest and longest lasting tone and can post back here afterwards, only problem is the Labella's are still on backorder so might be awhile.
Can't wait for your findings on these, as I know Fodera Nickels and Super Bright nickels intimately (don't ask me how!)
I would also be very interested in hearing your thoughts on which strings retained their brightness/newness the longest.Just FYI, I am doing a direct comparison of 3 nickel sets, all exactly the same gauge (45,65,85,105,130). Going to compare Fodera Nickel, Dunlop Super Bright Nickel, and Labella Vapor Shield (Nickel). Looking for the brightest, fullest and longest lasting tone and can post back here afterwards, only problem is the Labella's are still on backorder so might be awhile.
I am a huge Fodera string fan - mostly SS, but the nickels are my second choice - but I ordered 5 and 6 string sets of the Dunlop Super Bright Nickels today. I should have added some LaBellas,too, but I screwed up my order (ordered SS by accident) and don't want to bug BSO for a second time today.
Please do! Interested to read what you find out!....and can post back here afterwards.
Pretty bass!
You and I are looking for the same thing. I don't know if you've looked back over the entire thread, but there's a ton of info in there, both from my evaluations and from lot's of generous TB'ers.
You and I are looking for the same thing. I don't know if you've looked back over the entire thread, but there's a ton of info in there, both from my evaluations and from lot's of generous TB'ers.
Thanks! I reread this entire thread and I agree with most of the opinions posted. Bottom line for me is if DAddario XL nickel or Ernie Ball nickel remained bright (sounding just like they do when you put on a fresh set) for more than a couple weeks then I could live with either one of them. But they DON'T so it's time to move on and find something else! And btw I agree with you that SIT's feel stiff and I do NOT like those strings at all. So my choices now come down to Dunlop super bright nickels, Fodera nickels, and the new Labella Vapor Shield nickels (which are still backordered). Will be testing out the Dunlop and Fodera as soon as they arrive next week. I'll post back after I test them out.
So with the Dunlop Super Bright and Fodera Nickel, both are fairly bright strings with lower tension. I believe the Dunlops are a little brighter and the Fodera have slightly higher tension. However, these are not working for me since I recently changed from 35" to 34" scale and I need higher tension strings for the 34". If I go back to 35" in the future I will try these sets out again. For now (with my 34" scale) I'm going to compare DAddario EXP's and new Labella Vapor Shield next.
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Cool! I already have Foderas ready to be tried, but you're confirming what mmbongo said about the Dunlop Super Brights and that means I gotta try me some!
...and that turned out to be ZERO!
The Blue Steel nickels are still on the bass. Since I didn't have time to change them out, I went ahead and used them for two band rehearsals; one last week and one today, both through a rig I've used hundreds of times and in a room I'm very familiar with.
My final answer on these is: tight bass, punchy mids, smooth feel, not especially bright. The tension didn't feel as tight to me today. Maybe I just got used to them? Anyway, they're nice strings, but they don't meet the brightness needs this search is seeking. Now that they've had their month in the sun I'll move them to a different bass and see what's next on the list. I feel a little bad that I didn't give them a try on a gig but, honestly, I'm not expecting that to change my mind about these. They are what they are.
Interesting regarding scale and tension. Also, the LaBella strings intrigue me (ridiculous technical marketing aside)many I am very interested to try them out. If they retain their brightness substantially longer than standard rounds, they will be a winner IMO.
I will finally get to put a set of the Dunlop Super Brights on my 34" Fodera at some point this week as the Fodera SS lights are pretty close to toast.
I also have a 6 string set of Super Brights I ordered for my new 35" Ibanez 6er, but I forgot that new Ibanez basses ship with Elixers. I doubt the Dunlops will be needed on the Ibanez for a while.
Just tried a set of Circle k's 106 - 43 and not knowing much about them, they were a gift from a fellow tber . I truly thought they were ss not nickels. I put them on a Spector ns2 and wholly crap their awesome . They are by far the brightest nickel I've ever tried . And I've tried almost all of them over the years from BSO. the taper doesn't bother me a bit actually easier to string a Spector bridge with. Circle k +1
I now have to get a set for my fender jazz . Also the balanced Tension is great with them. Just got to see how long they last
Strange, your experience with the Foderas.
Say what you may about tone and/or feel: My basses have never set up better, than they do with Foderas. The strings are so balanced from string to string, my necks love it. They also vibrate really true and predictable. It's tough to describe but you can feel it. All total, Foderas seem to erase what you thought might be fret job issues.
I still prefer Dean Markley Helix strings for tone and response. And they are balanced enough. But in the back of my mind I'm always wishing they were as balanced as the Foderas.
Circle K/Kalium strings are Alloy 52 or something similar. They aren't Nickel/Nickel plated. ; ) Tends to be a bit brighter and pulls a little more output from your bass .
