Going from Nickel to Stainless?

[Brad Easley]

I have a set of stainless strings that I wound up with by mistake and never used. Coincidentally, they are extra long (35-36) scale and I have a 35" scale 5 string Pbass. I've always used nickel wound string, for rounds at least. Just had a new set of Dunlop super bright nickels with a bad A string out of the package. Now, I'm kicking around trying out the stainless set just to see if I like since I don't have a back up set at the moment. I guess I've always been afraid they would chew up my fingertips I suppose. Thoughts on stainless strings on a passive Pbass or just in general? What do you like about them? Chew up fingertips and/or frets?

 

[michael_t]

I never worry about SS rounds chewing up my fingertips or frets. I just don't like the way they sound (= too zingy) or feel (= too rough).

I tried four sets of SS rounds on three different basses in a span of four months last spring, only to realize I'm a nickel guy deep down.

 

[Jefenator]

I was building up a custom set (to try tuning in 5ths) & wound up having to go with ProSteels instead of my (I thought) preferred nickel.
Now that they're on there, I really, really like the response I'm getting! Could it be I was really a steel guy all this time??
Could it be you were really a steel guy this whole time? Only one way to find out. (If it sucks, you can always go back, next string change. Or take them off right away and sell them if you really hate it that much.)
FWIW the steels haven't been decimating my (tender, non-gigging pandemic) fingers. If one string cycle on steels is enough to kill the frets, it was probably time to visit the tech, anyway.

 

[JRA]

I guess I've always been afraid they would chew up my fingertips I suppose. Thoughts on stainless strings on a passive Pbass or just in general? What do you like about them? Chew up fingertips and/or frets?

you have nothing to fear except fear itself!

if you can chew up your fingertips it's because you're playing too hard on poorly callused fingertips --- right? how else can that happen?

i like the sound of stainless steel strings (but i also like nickel alloy TI jazz rounds) --- i just like rounds! the stainless strings have a nice sound on fretless axes so that's been my go-to for decades. although the TIs are a 'different breed' unto themselves, i find that light gauge roto 66s and the TIs are almost interchangeable for me. they don't feel the same or sound the same but i know what to expect from both (no guessing!).

i don't have frets (not worried about that), i have ample/useful callusing, and i can moderate/attenuate my pluck to prevent "chewing." what's not to like?

my advice: put those strings on your ax and try them for a while: adjust your pluck and try to get the most from them in an honest way. evaluate, decide, move on. good luck!


FWIW: pros don't worry about "chewed up frets!" (or fingerboards.)

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

The only way for you to find out is to give those stainless steel strings a try.


I've been using GHS Pressurewounds exclusively for the past few years. To me, their outer surface feels quite a bit smoother than the nickel plated roundwounds that I'd been using for decades.

I put a set of Rotosound Swing Bass 66 stainless steel roundwounds on my P-Bass last summer. I was prepared to have sore fingertips, but honestly they weren't a big adjustment for me to get used to. And I haven't had a set of Rotosound SB66's on a bass since the late 90's.

 

[Vinny_G]

Yes, if your fingers are made of cheese, it can happen. Seriously, I find these claims very exaggerated. All roundwound strings will have these effects, more or less depending on your bass and how you play.

Stainless steels on a P-bass sound mean. Listen to JJ Burnel from the Stranglers, for example, but we could also mention Duff McKagan, Mike Dirnt, Billy Sheehan, and so on.

 

[shoulderpet]

I was building up a custom set (to try tuning in 5ths) & wound up having to go with ProSteels instead of my (I thought) preferred nickel.
Now that they're on there, I really, really like the response I'm getting! Could it be I was really a steel guy all this time??
Could it be you were really a steel guy this whole time? Only one way to find out. (If it sucks, you can always go back, next string change. Or take them off right away and sell them if you really hate it that much.)
FWIW the steels haven't been decimating my (tender, non-gigging pandemic) fingers. If one string cycle on steels is enough to kill the frets, it was probably time to visit the tech, anyway.

Prosteels are the one stainless steel string that I just cannot abide, I gave them a try as Rotosound don't do short scale strings in anything heavier than 90-40 and I took the prosteels off about a week later

 

[Yahboy]

I have no problem move from nickel round to both DR Hi beam and Fatbeam, they has smooth string surface (compressor wound )and comfortable fretting feel (round core).

 

[Indy Bass Man]

I went from nickel to stainless several years ago and never looked back. The aggressive tone qualities of the stainless are unmatched for the music I play (Rock/Hard Rock).

 

[Aidil]

I always have at least one of my basses strung with stainless steel rounds (Roto Swing 66, D'A Pro Steels, D'A FlexSteels, DM SR2000, and now Dunlop Super Brights). IME, harshness on stainless steel rounds will go unnoticed upon usages. Just give them some playtimes.

 

[Bushmaster]

Thoughts on stainless strings on a passive Pbass

Evokes memories of a Fender P with a DiMarzio Model P, strung with Rotosound Swing Bass, way back in 1979. Yes, that was long ago, but I back then really liked it.

or just in general?

It's better to refrain from generalizations here.

What do you like about them?

Again... It's not just about the material, but what you do with it in string-making.

Chew up fingertips and/or frets?

Not necessarily. The finish is more of determined by the diameter of the final wrap. If you use small diameter wire, chances are you will end up with a medium to smooth finish. (Yes, DA ProSteels is one of the better choices.) If using large diameter wire, you will end up with a coarser finish (think Warwick Black Label or Rotosound Swing Bass).

Of course, if desired, you can apply some conditioner, e.g. GHS Fast Fret or Finger Ease.

 

[Indiana Mike]

I just put a set of EB cobalt rounds On my American professional jazz (1st gen)
Bone stock with the Vmods.

50,70,85,105 is the set I bought.

WOW , it woke that bass up! I actually lowered my pickups a mm or so.

no they aren't stainless , but closer than nickel is. I had D'Addario XL 45-105 nickel on there prior.
plenty of zing, the mids are there . Good bottom end too.

 

[Matt23]

I hated Dunlop SB Nickels, thought they were some of the roughest feeling strings I've ever played! Most people love them! For me, going back to my SS rounds was like playing flats in comparison!

 

[cassanova]

I'll string up a bass with D'Addario Pro Steels when I'm running low on cash and can't nab a couple of sets of DR's. Stainless don't sound bad, just brighter than nickels do. I think they go dead faster too. The main reason I don't usually go with SS strings is I don't like how they feel. They don't kill my fingers or anything, but I just don't like the rough course feeling to them.

 

[ElectricBass72]

Stainless strings last longer than Nickels in my experience. I can't tell much much difference in the feel of Stainless vs. Nickel.