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High-tension nickel or nickel-plated strings

#41
Maxfenderbass said:
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.
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That's what I love about this place....different strokes.
Super Brights flopped all over the place and sounded scooped to me
Boomers go dead in a matter of minutes in my hands. For one show they would be fine. But I would have to be endorsed by them and have a tech to change strings for me for those to work.
NYXL strings came on my Hammersmith. I thought there was something wrong with the bass until I took them off. Now it sports regular XL Nickels and I love it.

:D
 
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#43
two fingers said:
That's what I love about this place....different strokes.
Super Brights flopped all over the place and sounded scooped to me
Boomers go dead in a matter of minutes in my hands. For one show they would be fine. But I would have to be endorsed by them and have a tech to change strings for me for those to work.
NYXL strings came on my Hammersmith. I thought there was something wrong with the bass until I took them off. Now it sports regular XL Nickels and I love it.

:D
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Exactly. It all depends on one's set up and style of playing. Myself I only use the dunlops for practice because they don't make a heavier gauge. The NYXL's were great but they are hella expensive and I have to restring 3 basses for my band. the GHS is what I landed on because of the massive bottom end and the fact that the heavy set comes with a 115 on the bottom. For heavy rock music through an mid heavy SVT-VR, a scooped string balances stuff out a bit.
 
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#45
Whenever a TB member says it has a scooped sound I pay attention cause I prefer that sound :-). To each his own tone. And I happen to like Dunlap Super Bright SS strings. The regular set, not the MM set. I'm only adding this to add that there are differences in opinion and tone and string choice are purely subjective. The answer is, what's right for you.
 
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#47
two fingers said:
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. :D
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I always thought that the chemical reaction thing from sweat applied more to roundwounds than flats, but it would be interesting to see if it plays out like this for you. I think that most flats are SS and I don't recall hearing much about people having a problem with stickiness when using flats generally. I don't know personally though because my hands are pretty dry most of the time.
 
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#48
basslust said:
I always thought that the chemical reaction thing from sweat applied more to roundwounds than flats, but it would be interesting to see if it plays out like this for you. I think that most flats are SS and I don't recall hearing much about people having a problem with stickiness when using flats generally. I don't know personally though because my hands are pretty dry most of the time.
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It's really weird. My hands can be super dry and clean but they stick to SS rounds as though there is electrical tape residue on them.
 
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#51
scuzzy said:
What gauge super brights did you use? I use medium nickels on one bass, and they have brightness for days, with great punch. Replaced elixir nickel mediums that just didn't jive. As a medium tension guy, I really like em. I also am a fan of medium gauge DR sunbeams, silver stars, Bootzilla, hi beams, DDT's, etc. Maybe try some nickel lo-riders! Made in 'murica! Greatness awaits!
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You quoted me in your status field... consider yourself in the will... you're pretty far down, but you're still in...
 
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#58
GK Growl said:
To me, for the given gauge, both GHS Boomers and Ernie Ball Nickel Slinky feel quite a bit stiffer than the same gauge D'Addario Nickels.
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I was just going to post that XL's, Boomers, and Slinkys, all in .45 to .105 gauge feel similar to me tension wise. I'll have to pull out my three 4-strings that are strung with each brand and re-check. :thumbsup:

To the OP: Stainless Steel rounds feel sticky to me as well. I use nickel plated roundwounds and nickel/iron Pressurewounds the most. The 3 brands of nickel plated roundwounds that I'm most familiar with are Boomers, XL's, and Slinkys. I think if you like XL's, you may also like Hybrid Slinkys. IMO they're almost as bright fresh out of the pack as XL's, but they're tone is ever-so-slightly fatter. :bassist:

Plus, they're easy to find, and they won't drain your wallet. :thumbsup:

BTW, I want everyone else to notice that I didn't recommend Boomers. I wanted to, but..........:D
 
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