High output round wounds

[Doug4321]

Was pondering strings and realized high output round wounds might be good to supercharge your passive jazz bass (since they are often a lower output bass)

Advertised as high output:

Rotosound Ultramags
Ernie Ball Slinky Cobalts

Any others? Any opinions on these?

 

[michael_t]

I'm a big fan of Alloy 52 (nickel-iron). I have Ultramags 40-100 on one of my Jazz basses and love them! A punchy presence in the mix with a strong midrange character.

GHS Pressurewounds/Ken Smith Compressors are also Alloy 52, except they're "rollerwound" for a slightly mellower top end and a smoother surface texture.

I personally am not a fan of Cobalts.

 

[coryr1000]

I have been using Ernie Ball Cobalt, Regular and Super Slinky for about 4 years now and am very happy with the output and sound of them. I used to use Fender and before that Roto Sounds but I like Ernie Ball now.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

Imo, "high output", is just marketing. They basically cut through the mix better. That said, I don't like either.

Nickels will be lower output sometimes or warmer, in my assessment, except for TI Powerbass, which thump.

Stainless Markleys 2000's are pretty loud. They cut through the mix nicely. DR high beams, Apex Traditionals...the list goes on and on.

 

[michael_t]

Imo, "high output", is just marketing...

Not true... It's more than just marketing. Alloy 52 (nickel-iron) and Cobalt alloy are in fact more magnetic in their properties, resulting in a higher output. Or, to put it in another way, they're more responsive in their interactions with magnetic pickups.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

Not true... It's more than just marketing. Alloy 52 (nickel-iron) and Cobalt alloy are in fact more magnetic in their properties, resulting in a higher output.

I don't find them to be any higher output than strings not labeled high output. In fact, the rotos sound like dead output to me

 

[Doug4321]

Not true... It's more than just marketing. Alloy 52 (nickel-iron) and Cobalt alloy are in fact more magnetic in their properties, resulting in a higher output. Or, to put it in another way, they're more responsive in their interactions with magnetic pickups.

I’ve definitely found some strings are higher output meaning louder than others. Pure nickel and monel (copper/nickel alloy, Rotosound 77s) are noticeably softer, lower output. Versus your standard stainless steel or nickel plated stainless steel. (Likewise some pickups are higher output, e.g. a EB-0 on about 6 is the volume of a Jazz full on!)

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

I have not tried the ultra mags, not sure if I would pay $35+ for strings. There are cheaper, consistantly high output strings, not labeled high output, for nearly half that price.

 

[Killing Floor]

DR HiBeams.

if you want a high traditional round. I like TI Jazz Rounds on mine.

 

[michael_t]

In fact, the rotos sound like dead output to me

Not on my Jazz bass.

Mind you, I don't use Alloy 52 just because of the "high output"; that part is actually not that important in my mind. Rather, it's Alloy 52's mid-forward character that I like.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

Not on my Jazz bass.

Mind you, I don't use Alloy 52 just because of the "high output"; that part is actually not that important in my mind. Rather, it's Alloy 52's mid-forward character that I like.

I just ordered some ultramags. My experience with Rotos has always been less than satisfactory, but the reviews and what you said got me curious.

 

[michael_t]

I just ordered some ultramags. My experience with Rotos has always been less than satisfactory, but the reviews and what you said got me curious.

My suggestion would be to look for a unique tonal character in them rather than merely focusing on this "high output" thing.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

My suggestion would be to look for a unique tonal character in them rather than merely focusing on this "high output" thing.

I have 3 sets coming in the mail, plus the ultramags to assess. Indeed, I am not looking for a super-bright, but a punchy low/mid, higher output string, that I can compress and overdrive and still get that old school punk, P-bass thump. The SR2000 are really satisfying my needs (tone wise and for the above mentioned attributes). I am always up to try something different. Hopefully the tension is nice 'n taunt too.

 

[michael_t]

View attachment 5403476
I have 3 sets coming in the mail, plus the ultramags to assess...

Elrick, Epifani and Sfarzo... Three brands that I'm not familiar with at all (for strings) but I see the prices are pretty good.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

Elrick, Epifani and Sfarzo... Three brands that I'm not familiar with at all (for strings) but I see the prices are pretty good.

I read a little about the 3 brands. All made in USA(if I recall) BassStringsOnly website had a bunch of strings, that I never heard of....and for about $20 a set & the positive reviews---it was a no brainer.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

The Elrick stainless are money(and cheap too). So far they are really sounding great. I put the Roto mags on and did not care for them at all. Must be the nickel. All i play is steels. The Roto mags seemed dull and lifeless compared to stainless. Quieter too. They were very low and dark with mids, but just not for me. Maybe on a jazz bass....

Get the Elricks if you like DR high beams, or Foderas.

They sent me the wrong Sfarzos too----coated high output nickel combo, not in any hurry to try them.

 

[michael_t]

I put the Roto mags on and did not care for them at all. Must be the nickel. All i play is steels. The Roto mags seemed dull and lifeless compared to stainless. Quieter too. They were very low and dark with mids, but just not for me. Maybe on a jazz bass....

Thanks for your perspective.

This simply confirms what I've been saying all along - string selections are a matter of personal taste. Alloy 52 is not everyone's cup of tea. I personally do like the Ultramags (and Pressurewounds) on my Jazz bass.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

….Nickels will be lower output sometimes or warmer, in my assessment……Stainless Markleys 2000's are pretty loud. They cut through the mix nicely. DR high beams, Apex Traditionals...the list goes on and on.

With all due respect, I’ve noticed the opposite. And from my understanding, nickel is more magnetic than stainless steel.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

With all due respect, I’ve noticed the opposite. And from my understanding, nickel is more magnetic than stainless steel.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/nickel-or-stainless.9332/

 

[Doug4321]

Most “nickel” strings are actually nickel plated stainless steel. If that’s not clear….
I think about the same output on average as plain stainless.

I’ve always heard stainless bright, nickel plated warm, but listening to YouTube comparisons and also my own experience it seems a bit different than that. More like nickel plate tends harsher, middy; all steel is brighter but scooped and mellow.

OTOH, PURE nickel is lower output and generally warm, mellow. AFAIK.