La Bella "Chicago Style" Pure Nickel Rounds?

[trothwell]

I installed the "Chicago Style" Pure Nickel La Bellas last night (40-100). Test bass is a '70s Aria P Bass w/ maple fretboard and Bartolini 8S pickup.

I first installed the full set of Chicago Nickels and played them for an hour or so to get a feel for them. For sake of comparison, I then installed the A Strings (all examples were .080 gauge) from a couple of different pure nickel sets to compare side by side with the Chicagos.

So this mini-review will be more of a comparison of the general traits of:
- Fender 7150 Pure Nickel (hex core)
- GHS Balanced Nickel (round core)
- La Bella Chicago Style (hex core)

I know that playing the A string of a given set mixed in with the Chicago set is not a very scientific method, so take that into account when considering my findings.

Observations:

- Pure nickel rounds have a general "sound" (duh), so the sonic variations I describe are moderate 5-10% differences in tone. To me, Pure Nickel strings generally have a very balanced and "un-hyped" treble response, which is the main factor that sets them apart from their Nickel Plated cousins. I also find that Pure Nickel strings are more laid back and less "forward" sounding than NPS strings. NPS strings sound more immediate and have a stronger attack, probably due to the magnetic properties of NPS vs Pure Nickel.

(For additional contrast, I also played the A string of the Chicago Nickels alongside a set of Fodera NPS round cores and a set of GHS Bronze Pressurewounds, and the differences there were quite noticeable.)

- The Fender and Chicago sets sound nearly identical. I really sat and tried to pick out differences, but I find 1) The Chicagos have a tiny bit more treble clarity 2) The 7150 have a TINY bit more fundamental presence and weight to the note 3) The Chicago set is more supple, while the 7150s are a little more tense

- The GHS Balanced Nickels 1) Have more low midrage than either the Chicago or 7150s 2) have a little more "air" in the high end than either of the other 2 sets 3) Have a little bit less fundamental than the other 2 sets 4) Even though they are round core, the A string of this set feels like it has more mass than the other strings.... which might contribute to that mild "bump" I hear in the low mids

Closing thoughts:
I would seriously be happy with any of these sets; they all have the signature attributes of Pure Nickel strings described above.
- The GHS Balanced Nickel get serious kudos for their unique sound and construction - They take the best of the Pure Nickel vibe and mix it with the feel of a round core string while maintaining a great balance of tension and suppleness. Add in that little low-mid bump and I feel like these might be one of the ultimate P Bass rounds. ( They also REALLY darken up when they get old, and sound ultra warm if that is what you seek...)
- As mentioned, the 7150 and Chicago La Bella are very close. For now, I'm actually keeping the Chicago set on this bass because they fit my needs and feel terrific. I'm curious to see how they will age.

THANK YOU for this awesome write-up! Based on what you describe here, I believe I am content to stick with the GHS Balanced Nickels, but these other two pure nickel sets sound like great options also.

Should you have time and capability, would love to hear a sound sample of the LaBella set.

 

[patzilla83]

As I mentioned I'm an earlier post on this thread, I've never used pure nickel strings and can only compare these to DR sunbeams. That said, everything e-flat said above is exactly right. These strings are supple and balanced. I really like the tone right out of the package, clear and bright without being "zingy". The tension is very nice, and they really feel wonderful under your fingers. I feel like they would be appropriate for almost any style of music. I don't see myself going back to the sunbeams, or any other NPS string anytime soon.

 

[Stan_da_man]

As I mentioned I'm an earlier post on this thread, I've never used pure nickel strings and can only compare these to DR sunbeams. That said, everything e-flat said above is exactly right. These strings are supple and balanced. I really like the tone right out of the package, clear and bright without being "zingy". The tension is very nice, and they really feel wonderful under your fingers. I feel like they would be appropriate for almost any style of music. I don't see myself going back to the sunbeams, or any other NPS string anytime soon.

How do the La Bella nickels compare in tension and flexibility to the Sunbeams?

 

[patzilla83]

How do the La Bella nickels compare in tension and flexibility to the Sunbeams?

They're higher tension, but they still feel very flexible. Supple is a better word.

 

[michael_t]

- The GHS Balanced Nickel get serious kudos for their unique sound and construction - They take the best of the Pure Nickel vibe and mix it with the feel of a round core string while maintaining a great balance of tension and suppleness. Add in that little low-mid bump and I feel like these might be one of the ultimate P Bass rounds. ( They also REALLY darken up when they get old, and sound ultra warm if that is what you seek...).

I was just re-reading your excellent assessment on the three pure nickel rounds and really like what you said about the Balanced Nickels. As much as I love the Pressurewounds that are on my P bass right now, I'm starting to think I wouldn't mind something a bit more "laid back" with "extra warmth" for the specific tonal flavor I'm trying to get out of my P.

 

[Stan_da_man]

They're higher tension, but they still feel very flexible. Supple is a better word.

So probably equivalent to that of a hexcore roundwound?

How smooth are they also - smoother than Sunbeams?

 

[Stan_da_man]

I installed the "Chicago Style" Pure Nickel La Bellas last night (40-100). Test bass is a '70s Aria P Bass w/ maple fretboard and Bartolini 8S pickup.

I first installed the full set of Chicago Nickels and played them for an hour or so to get a feel for them. For sake of comparison, I then installed the A Strings (all examples were .080 gauge) from a couple of different pure nickel sets to compare side by side with the Chicagos.

So this mini-review will be more of a comparison of the general traits of:
- Fender 7150 Pure Nickel (hex core)
- GHS Balanced Nickel (round core)
- La Bella Chicago Style (hex core)

I know that playing the A string of a given set mixed in with the Chicago set is not a very scientific method, so take that into account when considering my findings.

Observations:

- Pure nickel rounds have a general "sound" (duh), so the sonic variations I describe are moderate 5-10% differences in tone. To me, Pure Nickel strings generally have a very balanced and "un-hyped" treble response, which is the main factor that sets them apart from their Nickel Plated cousins. I also find that Pure Nickel strings are more laid back and less "forward" sounding than NPS strings. NPS strings sound more immediate and have a stronger attack, probably due to the magnetic properties of NPS vs Pure Nickel.

(For additional contrast, I also played the A string of the Chicago Nickels alongside a set of Fodera NPS round cores and a set of GHS Bronze Pressurewounds, and the differences there were quite noticeable.)

- The Fender and Chicago sets sound nearly identical. I really sat and tried to pick out differences, but I find 1) The Chicagos have a tiny bit more treble clarity 2) The 7150 have a TINY bit more fundamental presence and weight to the note 3) The Chicago set is more supple, while the 7150s are a little more tense

- The GHS Balanced Nickels 1) Have more low midrage than either the Chicago or 7150s 2) have a little more "air" in the high end than either of the other 2 sets 3) Have a little bit less fundamental than the other 2 sets 4) Even though they are round core, the A string of this set feels like it has more mass than the other strings.... which might contribute to that mild "bump" I hear in the low mids

Closing thoughts:
I would seriously be happy with any of these sets; they all have the signature attributes of Pure Nickel strings described above.
- The GHS Balanced Nickel get serious kudos for their unique sound and construction - They take the best of the Pure Nickel vibe and mix it with the feel of a round core string while maintaining a great balance of tension and suppleness. Add in that little low-mid bump and I feel like these might be one of the ultimate P Bass rounds. ( They also REALLY darken up when they get old, and sound ultra warm if that is what you seek...)
- As mentioned, the 7150 and Chicago La Bella are very close. For now, I'm actually keeping the Chicago set on this bass because they fit my needs and feel terrific. I'm curious to see how they will age.

Thank you for that review. I'm a big fan of the 7150s but have always wanted a string that was a little lower tension and easier to bend. The La Bellas sound like they might be it!

 

[e-flat]

So probably equivalent to that of a hexcore roundwound?

How smooth are they also - smoother than Sunbeams?

The Chicago style La Bella set does have a bit more tension than Sunbeams, but they're still a very moderate tension ... I played Sunbeams almost exclusively for close to 20 years, so I'm pretty familiar w/ them - Sunbeams are probably the smoothest Roundwound I've tried. The La Bella Chicago set uses outer wrap wire that isn't quite as thin as the Sunbeams, so they're not quite as smooth - think closer to a standard Fender nickel round or Boomers in the feel of the wrap.

 

[e-flat]

I was just re-reading your excellent assessment on the three pure nickel rounds and really like what you said about the Balanced Nickels. As much as I love the Pressurewounds that are on my P bass right now, I'm starting to think I wouldn't mind something a bit more "laid back" with "extra warmth" for the specific tonal flavor I'm trying to get out of my P.

GHS Balanced Nickels would be an awesome choice for a warm Nickel roundwound set. A bit more $ but also worth checking out are the Pyramid Nickel set (Blue Pack) - laid back with nice mids, not quite as supple as the GHS BN, but just as unique in their tone.

 

[patzilla83]

So probably equivalent to that of a hexcore roundwound?

How smooth are they also - smoother than Sunbeams?

Sunbeams are smoother, but the La Bella's feel softer. LB's will probably sound new for longer. However, IMO dead sunbeams sound great.

 

[HotelX]

- As mentioned, the 7150 and Chicago La Bella are very close. For now, I'm actually keeping the Chicago set on this bass because they fit my needs and feel terrific. I'm curious to see how they will age.

So do you still have them? How have they aged?

 

[patzilla83]

I do not. They were fine, but after a while I didn't care for the tension. I'm using DR's again, but this time I went with the Pure Blues. The baked-in scoop better fits the timbre of my bass.

 

[e-flat]

So do you still have them? How have they aged?

I don't have them on anymore and have gone through a lot of strings since then. I can't comment on how they age in the long-term,

 

[TomB]

Interesting. B string options are either .130 or .118

Is the .118 non-tapered (and the .130 tapered)? I have a Labella RX .120 short scale non-tapered that I prefer to the .128 tapered alternative. I know short-scale B is a niche kind of string, but I wonder (more generally) how these compare with the Rx (NPS) strings, which I really like. …if they even still sell 'em ((3 yr old thread).

 

[scubaduba]

I don't know. I've never tried them.

 

[HowieD72]

GHS Balanced Nickels would be an awesome choice for a warm Nickel roundwound set. A bit more $ but also worth checking out are the Pyramid Nickel set (Blue Pack) - laid back with nice mids, not quite as supple as the GHS BN, but just as unique in their tone.

The Pyramid Pure Nickels are my favourite string. Pity about the price. I've just bought 2 sets of CME/LaBella Pure Nickels to try. If they're anything like the Pyramids, they might be my go-to.....We'll see what happens once I have them.