Long lasting bright sounding coated nickle roundwound steel core strings? (Elixir alternatives)

[NoiseNinja]

So I am wondering if there is a proper alternative to the Elixir nickle roundwound steel core strings, as they unfortunately changed the way they originally made them, allegedly to accommodate bass player's preferences, according to the description and warm/bright charge on Elixir's homepage, to be quite dark sounding, rather than bright as they used to be originally (they originally was labeled as bright, but that was later changed to warm), and I want a bright string that last long, but don't want to use their coated stainless steel roundwound strings, because of fret wear.

So what I am looking for is a set of coated bright nickle roundwound steel core strings, that like has the tone approximate to that of a fresh set of D'Addario XL nickle roundwound steel core strings just after they have been broken in, and keep that tone for considerably longer than normal uncoated strings.

Is there such a thing that is worthwhile using?

 

[michael_t]

"Nickel roundwound steel core"... Can I assume you mean "nickel-plated steel roundwound"?

 

[NoiseNinja]

"Nickel roundwound steel core"... Can I assume you mean "nickel-plated steel roundwound"?

You can, but technically it is steel core strings with round wound nickle, the thing that has been wound around the steel cores is the nickle, making it a roundwound string, it's not the steel that has been wrapped around a nickle core as the way you formulate it makes it sound like, so strictly semantically my initial formulation would be more correct, even if your way might be the actual correct "official" term (not sure about this).

Just as long as people know what I mean it shouldn't matter either way, as this is hardly a writing competition.

I just needed to underline that I didn't mean pure nickle roundwound strings.

 

[Aidil]

Elixir Electric Bass Nickel Plated Steel with NANOWEB Coating has plenty of brightness to my ears. I've been using them since 2015.

For those who hear them not bright enough, Elixir does have Stainless Steel variants:
Electric Bass Stainless Steel with NANOWEB Coating

 

[AppalachianBen]

Coated strings other than Elixirs that are NPS?
1. D'addario XT
2. Ernie Ball Coated Slinkies
3. Cleartones (I've never heard of anyone who has experience with these)

There's also the whole DR family of coated strings, but I'm pretty sure they're stainless steel.

But I think Elixirs are by far the best coated string out there right now. Did you have experience with the old Polywebs? I thought those were a lot darker than the newer Nanowebs.

 

[michael_t]

There's also the whole DR family of coated strings, but I'm pretty sure they're stainless steel.

DR Black Beauties = coated Hi Beams = stainless steel roundwound.
DR Neons = coated Sun Beams = nickel-plated steel roundwound.

 

[AppalachianBen]

DR Black Beauties = coated Hi Beams = stainless steel roundwound.
DR Neons = coated Sun Beams = nickel-plated steel roundwound.

Ah, I didn't know that about the Neons.

 

[Stan_da_man]

DR Black Beauties = coated Hi Beams = stainless steel roundwound.
DR Neons = coated Sun Beams = nickel-plated steel roundwound.

Correct me if I'm wrong here but Black Beauties are coated Sunbeams aren't they? Same as Red Devils, Silver Stars etc.

I believe Dragon Skins are coated Hi Beams?

 

[michael_t]

Correct me if I'm wrong here but Black Beauties are coated Sunbeams aren't they?

According to the info on the DR website, the Black Beauties for bass are "stainless steel" under the coating.

https://www.drstrings.com/coated-bass-black-beauties

Black Beauties for bass guitar = stainless steel on a round core.
Black Beauties for electric guitar = nickel-plated steel on a hex core.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[AppalachianBen]

This is why @michael_t is paid the big bucks . A walking string encyclopedia.

 

[michael_t]

This is why @michael_t is paid the big bucks .

= Joke of the Day!

 

[Fuzzbass]

So I am wondering if there is a proper alternative to the Elixir nickle roundwound steel core strings, as they unfortunately changed the way they originally made them, allegedly to accommodate bass player's preferences, according to the description and warm/bright charge on Elixir's homepage, to be quite dark sounding, rather than bright as they used to be originally (they originally was labeled as bright, but that was later changed to warm)

I'm sorry to hear that, the whole reason I've been using Elixirs is because they are significantly brighter than the other coated strings I've tried. Looks like Nanowebs are still generically listed as bright, and I assumed that "warm" for nickel was only relative to bright for stainless, but I'll take your word that there's been a change.

Actually, it might not impact me much: I've already begun grabbing the stainless variety when I can find them. Actually, because of a sale, I wound up with a couple of four-string stainless sets matched with nickel B string singles. Onstage I doubt I'd notice the mismatch, but even so, I'll try to stick with all stainless.

FWIW I don't worry a bit about fret wear from stainless, but I won't try to change your opinion.

 

[ScotRFM]

Following this for potential alternatives (tried DR strings several times and didn't like them). I have some NYXLs that I'm going to try shortly on one of my Precisions.

I'm a devoted Elixir fan that they're all I've used for a good, long time, first Nickels and then a switch to Steel within the last two years. But they're pretty much unavailable right now unless you want to pay a super high price for them. The local dealer I normally use said Gore is having trouble sourcing steel/wire.

 

[GlassToMouth]

I use nothing but Elixirs on my basses. Some with nickels, some with stainless. I've tried Dragon Skins and Black Beauties as well. To my ears, the Elixir nickels are brighter than both. The stainless have a bit more top end sizzle. FWIW, I love a bright sound. My occasional wandering string search always brings me right back to Elixirs.

 

[Sterrrling]

I exclusively use Elixirs as well but lately am coming up short on finding a set online to purchase. So, I too am looking for alternatives...and thus far, I'm thinking DRs will be a temp solution.

 

[GlassToMouth]

I exclusively use Elixirs as well but lately am coming up short on finding a set online to purchase. So, I too am looking for alternatives...and thus far, I'm thinking DRs will be a temp solution.

Wow, you're not kidding. I just took at a peak at my usual sources and they're out of stock. When I first started noticing folks mention their production issues, I scooped up 3 sets of 45-105 extra long nickels, and 3 sets of 45-105 stainless. What I use on my two main basses. It looks like I'll be stretching the life on these as long as possible. Best of luck with your search.