D'Addario NYXL Bass Strings

[DWBass]

Got mine last night. I put them on my SBMM SUB Ray4. I like the tension. I like the feel. Nice and bright for slapping. Sounded pretty good through my headphone amp. Won't get to try them through an amp until Saturday. The real test for me will be how much bottom and how long they last before going dead. I typically use their XL Brights and I like the price point on them. I hope these are close to the same price point.

 

[Gorn]

They look like.....nickel plated bass strings. I'll be putting them on my American special jazz with super 55s.

 

[Gorn]

Oh and I forgot what gauges these are. I know they gave me two choices and I picked the lighter set. What was it, 45-100?

 

[DWBass]

Oh and I forgot what gauges these are. I know they gave me two choices and I picked the lighter set. What was it, 45-100?

45-100. That's what I picked.

 

[gustobassman]

Mine showed up today. I just slapped a 5 string set on my MTD Beast 5. I always use the EXL170-5 in the same gauge so this will be an interesting test.

I know the TB rules.. no pic no strings, lol...

 

[gustobassman]

It must be stated, I'm not shilling for D'addario in any way (see my disclosure). I had no idea these were available until I got the same email and signed up like everyone else did. If the mods have an issue with this, please remove my review.

Here's my first impressions of the NYXL Bass string vs EXL 170-5's of the same gauge (45-130). These are all IMO, IME, YMMV of course. I used similar basses and went back and forth using the same rig.

Feel- Definitely smoother feel out of the package than the EXL 170's. Not as rough on the fingers. I like it! The tension is nice on the 35" scale bass I'm using. Flexible, but not at all floppy. There is a nice bounce for slapping and a very comfortable, almost "broken in" feel for fingerstyle. They feel great right away.

Sound- Punchy and focused is what I'm hearing. Much more so than the EXL's. Maybe slightly less grind, but the bottom end feels tighter and smoother to my ears. I'm getting a lot of clarity in low register notes. The top end doesn't have that harsh spank that the EXL's have right out of the box, while still retaining great clarity. The sound is very even all the way up 24 frets. Chords in the higher registers sound clean. Harmonics are very clear like the packaging says. I'll be very curious how they wear after a heavy rehearsal. I'll be doing that on Monday.

I'm really liking the NYXL's so far .

 

[JIO]

Just saw this thread - I was chosen (email), replied and was sent a set which came today. (can't recall the gauge - I'll check and post later) I'm installing them on a '93 American Standard J w/Nordy pu's (passive electronics w/THX tone pot) I want to spend time playing it 'as is' for long enough to become familiar with its sound before I switch. I've owned it for a few years now and the strings on it came with the bass, so I don't even know what brand they are. They are rounds and still sound good. I'll post my review once I switch them out. I'm familiar with EXL's and like them so it'll be interesting to hear/feel how these are different.

 

[BassinCT]

I will be installing a 45-130 set on a parts P5 tonight.

 

[TomB]

It must be stated, I'm not shilling for D'addario in any way (see my disclosure). I had no idea these were available until I got the same email and signed up like everyone else did. If the mods have an issue with this, please remove my review. ...

Feel- Definitely smoother feel out of the package than the EXL 170's. Not as rough on the fingers. I like it! The tension is nice on the 35" scale bass I'm using. Flexible, but not at all floppy. There is a nice bounce for slapping and a very comfortable, almost "broken in" feel for fingerstyle. They feel great right away.

Sound- Punchy and focused is what I'm hearing. Much more so than the EXL's. Maybe slightly less grind, but the bottom end feels tighter and smoother to my ears. I'm getting a lot of clarity in low register notes. The top end doesn't have that harsh spank that the EXL's have right out of the box, while still retaining great clarity. The sound is very even all the way up 24 frets. Chords in the higher registers sound clean. Harmonics are very clear like the packaging says. ..

Sounds like maybe D'Ad's entry into the "pressure-wound" arena. Are the winds / texture comparable to PW's or Slicks?

 

[gustobassman]

Sounds like maybe D'Ad's entry into the "pressure-wound" arena. Are the winds / texture comparable to PW's or Slicks?

I've never used that type of string. I can't help ya there, sorry.

 

[TomB]

I've never used that type of string. I can't help ya there, sorry.

OK - but it's interesting - your description pretty well fits those strings, both GHS Pressurewound and Ken Smith Slicks (which I pretty much can't tell apart other than silk color).

 

[bassplayinguy40]

I just got my NYXL bass strings in the mail yesterday. 50-105 gauge. Waiting on Fed Ex to deliver my Spector today, probably gonna string that up with the NYXL's. I'll let ya know how they are, try and do a video as well.

 

[fetch]

Just arrived! Deciding whether to string them up on my P with QPs or my PJ. I'll post up a review soon

 

[JIO]

OK - but it's interesting - your description pretty well fits those strings, both GHS Pressurewound and Ken Smith Slicks (which I pretty much can't tell apart other than silk color).

I've used (and like) the GHS Presurewounds Tom and they are somewhat similar. I just strung up my '93 A/S J with the heavier 50-105 set and played for about an hour. While switching over, I used the opportunity to coat the fret-board with Gerlitz Guitar Honey (my chosen brand - there are a few out there) which keeps it from dying out - something that should be done regularly, especially in a dry climate. I find it hard to do comparison tests with strings as each bass will be different itself, new strings always sound different and other things like amp/settings also colour the result. Having said that, I do like these strings both in feel and sound/tone. As much as I thought the old (lighter gauge) strings on it (of unknown brand) sounded good, they were in fact pretty dead compared to the lively zing of these new strings. Good chordal definition, solid bottom and w/defined but not clanky top end. I used to use GHS strings exclusively but over the last couple of years have been using D'Addario's XL's and enjoying them. So a nice new free set which woke up my J is a good thing all around. Two thimbs up? I'm taking it to rehearsal tomorrow night for a live/band test. I use a J w/Super 55's (split-coils) and LaBella flats - so it will sound very different in a few ways. (as per my 'hard to compare' comment) But regardless, testing in a live/band situiation is always a good indicator of strings worth. #NYXLBass

 

[wmhill]

Got mine last night. I put them on my SBMM SUB Ray4. I like the tension. I like the feel. Nice and bright for slapping. Sounded pretty good through my headphone amp. Won't get to try them through an amp until Saturday. The real test for me will be how much bottom and how long they last before going dead. I typically use their XL Brights and I like the price point on them. I hope these are close to the same price point.

The NYXL electric guitar strings do cost more than the regular XLs, so these probably will too- but they (the electric NYXLs) last so much longer- it'll probably be worth it in the long run....

 

[TomB]

I've used (and like) the GHS Presurewounds Tom and they are somewhat similar. I just strung up my '93 A/S J with the heavier 50-105 set and played for about an hour. While switching over, I used the opportunity to coat the fret-board with Gerlitz Guitar Honey (my chosen brand - there are a few out there) which keeps it from dying out - something that should be done regularly, especially in a dry climate. I find it hard to do comparison tests with strings as each bass will be different itself, new strings always sound different and other things like amp/settings also colour the result. Having said that, I do like these strings both in feel and sound/tone. As much as I thought the old (lighter gauge) strings on it (of unknown brand) sounded good, they were in fact pretty dead compared to the lively zing of these new strings. Good chordal definition, solid bottom and w/defined but not clanky top end. I used to use GHS strings exclusively but over the last couple of years have been using D'Addario's XL's and enjoying them. So a nice new free set which woke up my J is a good thing all around. Two thimbs up? I'm taking it to rehearsal tomorrow night for a live/band test. I use a J w/Super 55's (split-coils) and LaBella flats - so it will sound very different in a few ways. (as per my 'hard to compare' comment) But regardless, testing in a live/band situiation is always a good indicator of strings worth.

Nice photo JIO! They do appear to feature the tighter wraps of the PW strings. I guess we'll know more in a bit. I wonder how much they'll cost. GHS-PW's and Smiths are available in the $20 range.

 

[Kitsapbass]

Well....I put them on the FNA 5 string....Have a gig tonight, review I'll post tomorrow.

 

[JIO]

I'm diggin' these strings - awesome sustain, the note lasts forever. All the endless conjecture about string-thru and neck-thru and HM bridges regarding sustain (and I subscribe to a lot of it) and my top-mount Schaller adjustable 3D bridge (a very good design by the way) w/bolt-on Fender neck with these strings = sustain for as long as you'll ever need it to sustain. Seriously. Aside from that, just good tone delivery overall. These strings are not on my performing/gigging bass, so most likely they will be on there for awhile. But I will consider them for future re-strings for sure.

I am a bass player, an artist, and a cyclist (road) and for a while now I've had an axiom for happiness in all 3 disciplines; new strings, new brushes, and new chains - keeping up with each makes for a happy camper. #NYXLBass

 

[rhythmwiz]

I just got mine today, slapped them on this evening, very nice. I wish they were a heavier gauge but that's just preference vis-a-vis the tension, supple. I dig them.

 

[Kitsapbass]

Well, just got back from using them on a 3 hour cover band gig....will post a better report later, but they definitely work for me on most of the songs...