Durability of nickel layer on nickel-plated strings

[Phaidrus]

Nickel-plated steel is perhaps the most popular material for the outer wrap(s) of bass strings. How long does the layer of nickel stay on nickel-plated strings at the contact points with the frets, in particular on roundwound strings?

 

[AEVAREX]

I'd think those who have a heavy fret hand and/or do a lot of bends would tend to see faster wear of the nickel coat, as well as their frets. Other considerations might be thickness of the nickel coat, fret material type, play time, possibly even skin oil acidity. From a properties of materials standpoint I would tend to think not very long. Disclaimer - uneducated guess from a SS string player.

 

[Phaidrus]

I'd think those who have a heavy fret hand and/or do a lot of bends would tend to see faster wear of the nickel coat, as well as their frets. Other considerations might be thickness of the nickel coat, fret material type, play time, possibly even skin oil acidity. From a properties of materials standpoint I would tend to think not very long. Disclaimer - uneducated guess from a SS string player.

That's what I think as well. It must be a rather thin layer of nickel that won't last all that long where the strings hit the frets, depending on style of playing.

 

[michael_t]

Nickel-plated steel is perhaps the most popular material for the outer wrap(s) of bass strings. How long does the layer of nickel stay on nickel-plated strings at the contact points with the frets, in particular on roundwound strings?

I've used a variety of NPS rounds over the years and haven't noticed any wear on the nickel plating itself. I really don't think it's something that can flake off like coating on some strings.

That said, I think it's quite possible to wear out the nickel plating, depending on the fret material and one's playing style. You talk about stainless steel rounds being hard on nickel frets in your other thread. So, I would imagine the opposite can happen, ie stainless steel frets being hard on nickel rounds.

 

[Jazzdogg]

I've had nickel flats on some of my electric basses for more than two decades - so far

 

[michael_t]

I've had nickel flats on some of my electric basses for more than two decades - so far

As far as I know, all "nickel flats" are pure nickel (or nickel alloy) so no "nickel plating" as such that can wear off.

 

[Jazzdogg]

As far as I know, all "nickel flats" are pure nickel (or nickel alloy) so no "nickel plating" as such that can wear off.

One more thing to like about them!

 

[micguy]

The nickel probably wears off at the fret contact points relatively fast, but that doesn't make the strings unusable. I seem to be able to easily get a year out of a set of nickle plated rounds. Granted, I have a few basses, so that helps, but I think even with one bass, I'd probably get half a year, and I'm picky about not playing dead strings.

Strings used to go dead on me much faster - I played in bars with hot lights (we sweated a lot on stage), now I play churches, and LED lights mean stages aren't hot anynmore. What does this have to do with nickel plating life? The point is that the limiting factor in string life isn't mickel plating life, it's sweat and gunk from your hands that determines string life.

 

[micguy]

I've had nickel flats on some of my electric basses for more than two decades - so far

You sure about that? Most flats are stainless.

 

[Jazzdogg]

You sure about that? Most flats are stainless.

Here's a quote from the manufacturer of my strings:
"Thomastik-Infeld utilizes a highly pliable steel core which is wrapped with a silk inlay. The outer winding is a true ribbon flatwound constructed of a special nickel alloy. The result is an incredible depth of tone and an enhanced fundamental which is unavailable from any other flatwound."

 

[micguy]

Here's a quote from the manufacturer of my strings:
"Thomastik-Infeld utilizes a highly pliable steel core which is wrapped with a silk inlay. The outer winding is a true ribbon flatwound constructed of a special nickel alloy. The result is an incredible depth of tone and an enhanced fundamental which is unavailable from any other flatwound."

Yep - TI makes 'em that way - most others are stainless.

 

[Phaidrus]

I've used a variety of NPS rounds over the years and haven't noticed any wear on the nickel plating itself. I really don't think it's something that can flake off like coating on some strings.

That said, I think it's quite possible to wear out the nickel plating, depending on the fret material and one's playing style. You talk about stainless steel rounds being hard on nickel frets in your other thread. So, I would imagine the opposite can happen, ie stainless steel frets being hard on nickel rounds.

Yes, ss strings (or even the ss lurking in nps strings) devouring the frets of my poor Pbass is what worries at the moment. But I suppose it all depends. I now have strung it with nps strings (7250s, which I like) and will also try the pure nickel 7150s when they arrive in the post, just to be on the super safe side. If I like them, I'll keep them on. And will definitely use bends, slides and vibratos with moderation when playing them funky lines.

 

[Phaidrus]

The nickel probably wears off at the fret contact points relatively fast, but that doesn't make the strings unusable.

But it may make them dangerous for tender nickel frets!

 

[JuanB]

I wonder if @Jon Moody can chime in about the typical thickness of nickel plating on outer wrap wire.

 

[Jon Moody]

I wonder if @Jon Moody can chime in about the typical thickness of nickel plating on outer wrap wire.

Typical is 8% nickel-plating, although a couple companies use a 2% as well.

That's minuscule when you take into consideration that a .045 G string with a .018 core can have a .014 nps wire wrapped around it. 8% of that .014 nps wire is .00112 thickness.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Yep - TI makes 'em that way - most others are stainless.

A clear majority for sure. More exceptions are Pyramid (chromium-nickel), Optima (pure nickel), Rotosound (Monel, which is mostly nickel and copper), and the La Bella Gold Flats (80/20 copper-zinc).

 

[micguy]

Typical is 8% nickel-plating, although a couple companies use a 2% as well.

That's minuscule when you take into consideration that a .045 G string with a .018 core can have a .014 nps wire wrapped around it. 8% of that .014 nps wire is .00112 thickness.

.001" thick plating is fairly typical - not really "thin" as far as platings go. Gold is typically plated MUCH thinner than this.

 

[Phaidrus]

Typical is 8% nickel-plating, although a couple companies use a 2% as well.

That's minuscule when you take into consideration that a .045 G string with a .018 core can have a .014 nps wire wrapped around it. 8% of that .014 nps wire is .00112 thickness.

So this super thin layer of nickel probably doesn't last very long at the points of contact with the frets, even if the frets are nickel (and not ss) themselves. Depending on one's style of playing of course.

 

[Root 5]

Here's a quote from the manufacturer of my strings:
"Thomastik-Infeld utilizes a highly pliable steel core which is wrapped with a silk inlay. The outer winding is a true ribbon flatwound constructed of a special nickel alloy. The result is an incredible depth of tone and an enhanced fundamental which is unavailable from any other flatwound."

I asked Thomastik Infeld about the "special nickel alloy" and was told it's pure nickel.

 

[Jon Moody]

I asked Thomastik Infeld about the "special nickel alloy" and was told it's pure nickel.

From what I've been told, "pure nickel" can also vary from 90-96% as well.