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D'ADDARIO NYXL BASS STRINGS
- Thread starter basses51
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- bass strings d'addario nyxl strings
Yeah the are a bit pricey, especially compared to regular XL prices. That said, they're great strings and IME last longer than regular XLs. I was hoping they would end up like DRs where the Pure Blues are about the same price as Sunbeam, etc. You can sometimes find them on sale
FWIW, although I love and still use these on my 4 and 6 string Spectors (with tapered B, E and A strings), I've recently discovered I prefer my old plain XL70 sets on my fretless. The slightly mellower tone just seems to work better.
Just put a set of these on my MM Big Al 5 SSS. Utterly fantastic! Everything I want in a string. If these last as long as people claim, I will be sticking with these for a while.
Took the plunge recently and tried the 5-string NYXL set on my Yamaha BB425x; not impressed enough to get them again. E/A/D/G all sounded great, B was thumpy and dull. Put an old XL "B" string on to replace it and had a nice overall set.
Going to stick with XL's
Going to stick with XL's
Did not pay any particular attention during the stringing process any more than I usually do. I will certainly make note of that in the future should I notice one string not performing similar to the rest. Thanks.
there was an old post mentioning the NYXL was best on their taperwound version. So, get the NYXL 125T/130T/135T for the low B, which you can purchase as single string.
I put a set of the 45130 NYXL on my bass a couple of weeks back for my Lakland 5502. I was really excited to try these as I've been a long time user of standard XLs which I class as a benchmark string. First impressions was the extra brightness in tone, sort of Between prosteel and XL. The tuning stability was good However I noticed a significantly lower tension to the standard 45-130 XLs (xl170-5) compared to the NYXLs which to me is their major downfall . They have that elastic/stretchy feel like Dunlop super brights but not quite as extreme. I naturally attack the strings quite hard and the fret buzz I get from the E and A strings, which have a lower tension ratio than the others in the set, is ridiculous. I've tried adjusting my truss and raising my string height to compensate but can I hell get the E and A string into a usable set up without it being overly extreme to negate the buzz. Once the buzz goes the action is in an unplayable state . I think I'll be going back to the XLs. I'm really disappointed about them.
Late to the party but here's my 2 cents...
Yes, I use NYXLs regularly.
Short description... they're like high quality EB slinkies.
Long description... On my stingray specials they are just the right amount of highs/brightness without being overly treble-y. They have just the right amount of zing for my taste. Steel strings have far too much zing and clank while most nickles lose their brightness to quickly. NYXLs keep their new brightness longer. Once they mellow out they still keep their character for longer than others in the same category. I used to use EB slinkys exclusively on my stingrays, but eventually I got tired of how dead and thuddy they became in a short time. So yes, NYXLs cost more, but I'm changing them out far less.
Along they lines of tone, I think they're pretty evenly balanced. True, plenty of other strings might have more character or a different balance of lows/mids/highs, but like I said I mostly use them on stringrays, which they are perfect for. I only use them on Other basses if I want a lot of zing/brightness added. They will make both a jazz and a P bass sound super punky, especially with a pick.
Other pros... great tuning stability; you won't need to tune between every song like with slinky's. They don't have way too many overtones like many other bright strings have. Especially on the low E and B, lots of fundamental. The B string is not the punchiest B string out there, but it has a lot of definition and again, not too many overtones. Lastly, IMO they have a really good tension. Not too tight, not to loose. Also, since they are pretty balanced they work well with pedals, which is important to me as a cover band bassist.
IME, players either love them or hate them. Personally, I love them for stingrays or if I want a bright punky sound. Like I said, high quality EB slinkys.
Yes, I use NYXLs regularly.
Short description... they're like high quality EB slinkies.
Long description... On my stingray specials they are just the right amount of highs/brightness without being overly treble-y. They have just the right amount of zing for my taste. Steel strings have far too much zing and clank while most nickles lose their brightness to quickly. NYXLs keep their new brightness longer. Once they mellow out they still keep their character for longer than others in the same category. I used to use EB slinkys exclusively on my stingrays, but eventually I got tired of how dead and thuddy they became in a short time. So yes, NYXLs cost more, but I'm changing them out far less.
Along they lines of tone, I think they're pretty evenly balanced. True, plenty of other strings might have more character or a different balance of lows/mids/highs, but like I said I mostly use them on stringrays, which they are perfect for. I only use them on Other basses if I want a lot of zing/brightness added. They will make both a jazz and a P bass sound super punky, especially with a pick.
Other pros... great tuning stability; you won't need to tune between every song like with slinky's. They don't have way too many overtones like many other bright strings have. Especially on the low E and B, lots of fundamental. The B string is not the punchiest B string out there, but it has a lot of definition and again, not too many overtones. Lastly, IMO they have a really good tension. Not too tight, not to loose. Also, since they are pretty balanced they work well with pedals, which is important to me as a cover band bassist.
IME, players either love them or hate them. Personally, I love them for stingrays or if I want a bright punky sound. Like I said, high quality EB slinkys.
Has anyone put these on a medium scale bass like a Kubicki X-Factor or a short-scale like a Spector Bantam or a Serek? If so, any opinions?
I'be tried them, also after reading lots of great stuff about them.
Definitely not for me.
Way too smooth and characterless for my taste (which I guess from a positive angle could be translated to very balanced tone).
Might be what you are after though.
But old regular XL strings for me.
Definitely not for me.
Way too smooth and characterless for my taste (which I guess from a positive angle could be translated to very balanced tone).
Might be what you are after though.
But old regular XL strings for me.
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That's pretty much my experience with those strings too.
