Favorite Nickel-Plated Steel Rounds ?

[jnewmark]

I've been playing with Fender Nickel-plated steel rounds on my Jazz for years, but I'm up for a change. Actually, looking for a smoother feel, yet similar tone as the Fenders ( 45-105 ). Any suggestions?

 

[michael_t]

If you want a similar tone as the Fender 45-105 but a softer feel, you can try a lighter set, 40-100.

If you want a softer feel with a slightly different tonal quality, try the DR Sunbeams 45-105. They would sound good on a Jazz.

I just put DR Nickel Lo-Riders 40-95 on my Yamaha and they feel and sound really good.

 

[jnewmark]

If you want a similar tone as the Fender 45-105 but a softer feel, you can try a lighter set, 40-100.

If you want a softer feel with a slightly different tonal quality, try the DR Sunbeams 45-105. They would sound good on a Jazz.

I just put DR Nickel Lo-Riders 40-95 on my Yamaha and they feel and sound really good.

Thanks. I never really thought about lighter gauge strings before, but that does make sense. Big difference in tension, though ? Also, I've been told that lighter gauge strings make it harder to adjust for lower action. Does that seem true in your experience ?

 

[michael_t]

Thanks. I never really thought about lighter gauge strings before, but that does make sense. Big difference in tension, though ? Also, I've been told that lighter gauge strings make it harder to adjust for lower action. Does that seem true in your experience ?

You want a softer feel, so you will have to set them up accordingly.

I once tried DR Sunbeams (round core) 45-105 and Nickel Lo-Riders (hex core) 40-100 back to back and preferred the NLR for their comfortable but firmer feel. Going from Fender 7250M to 7250L, I don't think you will need a drastic change in setup, but you will gain some in terms of playing comfort.

 

[Dave W]

I’m a fan of D’Addario nickels. Great strings…

 

[superheavyfunk]

I've been told that lighter gauge strings make it harder to adjust for lower action. Does that seem true in your experience ?

String construction has a big part to play in this. DR LoRiders, for example, happen to be my favourite NPS string but they are also hex core, which makes them feel stiffer than a comparable string in the same gauge with a round core like the fenders you’ve been playing. And because of this, you can typically get lower to the fretboard with a lighter set of strings.

 

[michael_t]

String construction has a big part to play in this. DR LoRiders, for example, happen to be my favourite NPS string but they are also hex core, which makes them feel stiffer than a comparable string in the same gauge with a round core like the fenders you’ve been playing...

One clarification...

Fender 7250 NPS rounds are hex core, not round core.

 

[superheavyfunk]

One clarification...

Fender 7250 NPS rounds are hex core, not round core.

Thanks for the clarification - I had no idea! I’ll have to give them a try and see how I like ‘em

 

[michael_t]

Thanks for the clarification - I had no idea! I’ll have to give them a try and see how I like ‘em

There was a thread where one poster was comparing a handful of NPS rounds 45-105 in terms of their overall playing feel, as in stiffness/flexibility. DR Nickel Lo-Riders and Fender 7250s were ranked very closely somewhere in the middle of the pack.

The big difference between the two is the surface texture. DR uses thinner wires for the final cover, resulting in a finer texture and smoother feel - something I've always liked about DR strings in general.

 

[KenD]

Newtone Platinum wind (finer wire for the final wrap). You can order round or hex core and custom gauges. I have used these extensively and have never had a reason to go to anything else. No affiliation other than very satisfied customer.

Bass Guitar Strings – Newtone Strings

 

[carsbybigd]

I've been playing with Fender Nickel-plated steel rounds on my Jazz for years, but I'm up for a change. Actually, looking for a smoother feel, yet similar tone as the Fenders ( 45-105 ). Any suggestions?

Dr Sunbeams or Roto sound nickel roundwounds

 

[roller]

D'Addario NYXL

 

[EdO.]

I’m a fan of D’Addario nickels. Great strings…

D'Addario NYXL

View attachment 4805727

I bounce around between these and Dunlop Nickels. The Dunlops seem to settle in and last well. Same with the NYXL's. Currently favoring the Dunlops but I'm happy either way.

 

[Killing Floor]

TI Jazz Rounds are nickel plated. And they are life changing.

 

[iiipopes]

I have a bass with an asian mahogany body that naturally has a mid presence. So I use D'A XL on that bass, which have a low mid dip in the response, to retain clarity since I play it in a 10-piece party band including a Chicago-style horn section.

I have a bass that I jam with the guys that I need all the low mid push I can get. So use GHS Boomers on that bass.

In addition, Ernie Ball Slinky strings have great presence without tending towards top end zing that D'As can do if you don't have the right application; but don't necessarily have all low mid grunt if that would cause a problem with slotting a mix. Very neutral in tone, but present in the mix.

Frankly, I haven't tried hardly any of the others, because to me they are too expensive for what they are: NPS. Everything else out there, from reading what others say about them, is simply a variation on these three voices at double to quadruple the price.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

I'm a huge fan of DR Pure Blues and Sun Beams. The Pure Blues sound more like stainless at first but break in quickly and well. Sun Beams I prefer for fretless but they sound great on any passive bass especially (to my ear).

I just tried Fodera stainless strings and really like them. I want to try their nickel next

 

[monti2889]

I run with Dr nickel low riders.
On my p basses I can get .070"(E) and .060(g). Measured at 12th fret, with capo on first fret. Neck relief set to a tight .080".
The DRs are compression wound and sound quite aggressive. I find I have to pull back the tone knob quite a bit to tame them. The amount of clarity and versatility with these, is worth a try.

 

[roller]

Haven't tried the rounds yet... but if they're anything like the TI flats, then yes = life-changing

TI Jazz Rounds are nickel plated. And they are life changing.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

NPS rounds 45-105 in terms of their overall playing feel, as in stiffness/flexibility. DR Nickel Lo-Riders and Fender 7250s were ranked very closely somewhere in the middle of the pack.

As well as being 45-105 NPS, the field was all hexcore, iirc

 

[jemerpi]

DR Pure Blues. They are a flexible round core and very versatile, tonally. I really love the feel, as well as the tone.