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High-tension nickel or nickel-plated strings
- Thread starter two fingers
- Start date
This. DR LoRider nickels.
DR is all I use now, be it pure blues, BB,
Or lowriders on my basses
I've been using DM Blue Steel strings for most of my bass playing life... 30 something years. I try other strings from time to time, but I simply like the snappiness in these, and they seem to last a very long time.
Ernie Ball strings are the most obnoxiously high tension rounds that I've used and I've used just about every string mentioned in here so far. I should also probably mention that I would never use a set of these ever again, because I find their tension to be extremely uncomfortable feeling.
Lachlan Legge
Guest
DR Black Beauties. They are coated, but the coating lasts a long time. Plus, they sound pretty good and underneath the coating is nickel-plated steel.
Which gauge? That's interesting. I used DR Lo Rider (45-105) and Daddario XL nickels (45-105), then moved to Super Slinky (45-100) and I find them to be lower tension than both of those. Sure it's lower gauge E and A but they feel easier on the fingers all around. That said, I'm waiting for Dunlop Super Brights for a more flexible set (45-105).
It was awhile ago, but I'm pretty sure it was the "Regular Slinky" 45-100 set. I used them for years, because when I was a teenager I didn't know there were other options. I'd just go to Guitar Center to ask for bass strings and they'd hand me a pack of Regular Slinkys.
If they were regular Slinkies (green package) then those were 50-105. I wouldn't like those for standard tuning either, too stiff. If they were pink package (super slinky), 45-100, then there are definitely more stiff strings out there.
Definitely the green package. They could have been the 50-105s. They were like iron rods lol. Sounds really really good for rock music, but unusable for finger style with my baby-soft skin.
My current main bass has Chromes on it as well. They are the highest tension flats that I've played. They definitely appear to be nickle strings. They sound fantastic and definitely will fight your fingers if that's what you want.
I would definitely not rule out Chromes for being SS, @two fingers . They truly are the higher-tension cousin to the D'Addario XL (which are some of my favorite round wounds). I, personally, am turned off by their tight feel. Like you, I can't stand SS rounds long enough to give them an honest shot due to that sticky feeling you describe. I didn't get that sensation with the Chromes at all. They bother my fretting hand way more than my plucking hand, even at a low action. I quite enjoy the way they pluck actually.
And they come in pretty much the exact gauge you want!
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DR Sunbeams have a great tension and sound great. I have them in both of my basses.
OK, so here's what I'm thinking I will do. (Thanks to all for your suggestions!)
On my 5 string P bass I'm gonna try a set of Chromes. If they stick to my fingers I'll try something else. If I like them, but not on that bass, I will swap them over to a 4 string.
On my Hammersmith 5 (Man, I am loving this bass!) I'm gonna order a set of light and medium DR Low-Rider Nickels. I haven't had a great tone experience with medium strings but I'm open minded based on what you guys have said here.
On my MIJ P bass 4 string I'm going to try a set of Slinkys. (Haven't used them in years.)
And on my PartsCaster P bass maybe a set of Fusion strings.
I'll probably pick up a set of Medium XL Nickels too and figure out later what I will put them on.
That should give me a sense of what works and what doesn't.
A fun way to blow a hunnerd bucks or so.
On my 5 string P bass I'm gonna try a set of Chromes. If they stick to my fingers I'll try something else. If I like them, but not on that bass, I will swap them over to a 4 string.
On my Hammersmith 5 (Man, I am loving this bass!) I'm gonna order a set of light and medium DR Low-Rider Nickels. I haven't had a great tone experience with medium strings but I'm open minded based on what you guys have said here.
On my MIJ P bass 4 string I'm going to try a set of Slinkys. (Haven't used them in years.)
And on my PartsCaster P bass maybe a set of Fusion strings.
I'll probably pick up a set of Medium XL Nickels too and figure out later what I will put them on.
That should give me a sense of what works and what doesn't.
A fun way to blow a hunnerd bucks or so.
Oh, and I'll report back with my findings at some point.
One suggestion with the Chromes...
Make sure to give them a thorough wipedown with dry cloth up and down the entire length of each string several times BEFORE installation. Part of the reason for their initial stickiness when new has to do with the residue of the compound used in the final polishing at the factory.
There have only been 3 sets of strings that have thoroughly impressed me over the years. Dunlop Super Bright Nickels, GHS Bass Boomers and NYXL's.
