I’ve searched and haven’t really found the answer to this one, but between the ss and nickel lo riders which one has the more pronounced mids? Also would the ss set have a higher tension than the nickel in the same gauge? Thanks for the input.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Dr lo riders stainless steel vs nickel
- Thread starter jefflaserfist
- Start date
the nickels have more mids, especially lower mids and the top end will mellow more quickly than the SS. i found the nickels to be a bit less flexible but not that different.
I thought they felt pretty much the same tension wise. Not sure why nickel Lo Riders get such a bad rep for tension - go play Boomers or Roto nickels straight after and then tell me Lo Riders are high tension because they really are not. Nickel Lo Riders will have slightly better mids but the SS Lo Riders will have better top end.
Thanks for the input, would you say the stainless steel has a more scooped sound or the nickel just has more pronounced mids?
When it comes to strings, the best advice is to go try them all. It is nearly impossible to get a consensus opinion about them. Plus, every bass will sound different with different strings, you need to find the right strings for each bass you own...there is no right answer.
i found the ss lo riders not very mid scooped especially once they break in.
The nickels have a tiny bit more mids to my ears... the SS Lo Riders are slightly scooped but have that better top end. Just try them both and see what you think.
Tension will be exactly the same between the two, if the gauge/scale/tuning is the same.
It might not be a popular choice but the Rotosound Swing Nickels are quite similar to Lo Rider Nickels. The tension is very similar (in the same gauge) and they both have that mid range punch, the Rotos probably more so. The DRs are definitely smoother and do last a while. The Rotos do age very well though IME.
I have found the nickle Low Riders to have a pronounced mid bump around 400hz. Sounds weird to me, but maybe stands out in a dense mix. I also find them to be a little higher in tension than the SS version. I still use the nickle low riders from my stash. The weird mid bump seems to smooth out with time. It doesn't bother me as much as it did initially. But I still prefer the SS version. The DR SS Low Rider is my favorite string after much experimentation, followed by the Fodera Nickle Round which sounds really good and punchy, but very high tension.
Fodera Nickels are definitely not high tension... they are very similar to Sunbeams but just a little less flexible. They are roundcore, not hexcore.
Tension and flexibility are two different things.
Tension depends entirely on gauge. So saying any brand of string is high or low tension, without including the thickness, is like saying Firestone tires are too big for your car.
I know that bud... just because they're a little less flexible than Sunbeams still doesn't make them high tension.
Or are you assuming he bought a set of 40-95 Sunbeams and then a set of 45-105 Fodera's? Nobody on here does tension comparisons in different gauges unless you don't have a scoobie what you're talking about.
I have a set of nickels on my G&L L2K for almost a year now, play heavy rock. They are very smooth and fast feeling now well broken in, have crisp top end when I need it (though not quite like the SS, which I used primarily for a long time before switching to the nickels), really bring the thud and bottom and plenty of low mids (i love that , and kinda live there). Nickel are maybe a touch higher tension feeling, someone mentioned Boomers, there are not THAT hard to press down for sure in the same guage (50-105 here always).
This is the longest I have stuck with 1 set on a bass, being a serial string changer. No need yet in this case, they sound great....but I'm probably about due for a fresh set now, more just because I think it's time rather than from any perceived loss of tone. They are lasting relatively 'forever' in my case, and I am thrilled with them.
This is the longest I have stuck with 1 set on a bass, being a serial string changer. No need yet in this case, they sound great....but I'm probably about due for a fresh set now, more just because I think it's time rather than from any perceived loss of tone. They are lasting relatively 'forever' in my case, and I am thrilled with them.
SS lo riders are all I play now, and they sure don't seem scooped to me. I played nickel lo riders for a long time as well, and I don't recall any tension difference. The SS will screech good if you're not careful, but that high end is worth it.
I haven't had a round core string on in years to compare them to.
I haven't had a round core string on in years to compare them to.
scooped means mid frequencies are less prominent than the low and high frequencies. not neccessarily bad but that type of tone can get lost in a band mix quickly. it all depends on the overall sound of the band. more promimnent mids are easier to hear in a mix than little or no mids, in general.
Thanks. But do strings really do that: having a definitely recognizable EQ shift?
