need to talk: (pure) Nickel strings / any different ? what should i try ?

[Funky40]

Heya folks,

i´m fresh to nickels,.......So, i wear right now:
Fodera Nickels, medium gauge, HiC, 5 string.

Thats a interesting match with my East EQ on my Bass, since i can give the sound the highs back as i like, yet its still damped in a me suiting way.
I read here in other threads that the fodera Nickels are higly regarded.

my point:
i´d need to know if the Fodera nickels are what´s called elsewhere pure Nickels ?
and then mainly: Do these nickels or pure nickel strings differ ?

Since Pyramid strings are for me in good reach, how are the Pyramid pure nickels ?
And what other nickels would be an idea to give them a try ? ....your tipps welcome

and: are Nickles or pure nickels between flatwounds and roundwounds ? ( i´ve not yet had any flats)
I like highs ! but i also lilke them damped somehow

( though, i´m stuck to order from thomann or Pyramid directly, both in germany,
but i might consider to do a bigger strings order in the US if funds allow.
I want to know it...........
i run a headless bass, so i can change now Strings like others do with socks, hehe


JFYI:
i run a Ibanez EHB1005SMS / with Nords Big Blades and East EQ as a 4Band.
important in my case: I play with NO (real) Amp.
Just at home thru 5" monitors........directly into mixer, or roundtrip thru the computer.
( i´m fresh back to Basss since 6-7 months, and was in my first real Bassist live, 18 years back, *nothing* into strings)

 

[michael_t]

Pure Nickel Alchemists Union

 

[michael_t]

Most so-called "nickel rounds" are nickel-plated steel (NPS) roundwound...unless it specifically says "pure nickel" (PN) in the specs.

I've tried a variety of NPS and PN rounds in the past and found they can range a fair bit both in tonal character and playing feel.

 

[Funky40]

..........and playing feel.

ahh, interesting.

Pure Nickel Alchemists Union

....heading there now

Thanks !


edit: ahh yes, GHS balanced Nickels, stumbled over them allready here at BT. only available as a 4 string set here at thomann. Seems the GHS are good adress to look at.........

 

[Phaidrus]

are Nickles or pure nickels between flatwounds and roundwounds ?

Grüezi! No and yes. Pure nickel strings typically have a "warmer" (more lower mids, less highs) sound than nickel plated or stainless steel strings and can sound sort of vintage. But the material (nickel, nickel plated steel, stainless steel etc.) out of which a string is made is one parameter while the type of construction (round or flatwound or whatever) is quite another. I have Fender 7150 pure nickel strings on a modern Fender Pbass and it doesn't sound vintage or old school at all. By the way, I highly recommend these strings, they're quite affordable too.

 

[micguy]

The Foderas are nickel plated steel - good solid strings. If I could get the right gauges for the way I string my 5's, I'd buy them, but as they are packaged, I'm locked out.

 

[thisheregiraffe]

edit: ahh yes, GHS balanced Nickels, stumbled over them allready here at BT. only available as a 4 string set here at thomann. Seems the GHS are good adress to look at.........

Balanced Nickels are very nice strings, but I’m not sure if GHS makes a Balanced Nickel high C string, so they may not work for your setup.

 

[Bass4Brkfast]

Fender pure nickel strings are my favorite rounds for bass...too bad stores near me don't usually carry them. And the "equivalent" fender pure nickel .9 gauge strings for 6-strang guitr are my favorites for that.
I once tried some labella nps rounds that felt nice too.

 

[Sam Dingle]

I think stick to a brand you know to compare. I used dr high beams for years and still use them on my 5, but wanted to try nickles and grabbed their pure blues. Now I have those on all my roundwound 4s

 

[michael_t]

GHS balanced Nickels, stumbled over them allready here at BT. only available as a 4 string set here at thomann.

Balanced Nickels are very nice strings, but I’m not sure if GHS makes a Balanced Nickel high C string, so they may not work for your setup.

Correct... the Balanced Nickel high C is not available. The closest sibling to the BN would be the Round Core Boomers (nickel-plated steel on a round core). They would be halfway between the Fodera Nickels and the Balanced Nickels in terms of brightness. The RCB is available in .030 high C.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Heya folks,

i´m fresh to nickels,.......So, i wear right now:
Fodera Nickels, medium gauge, HiC, 5 string.

Thats a interesting match with my East EQ on my Bass, since i can give the sound the highs back as i like, yet its still damped in a me suiting way.
I read here in other threads that the fodera Nickels are higly regarded.

my point:
i´d need to know if the Fodera nickels are what´s called elsewhere pure Nickels ?
and then mainly: Do these nickels or pure nickel strings differ ?

Since Pyramid strings are for me in good reach, how are the Pyramid pure nickels ?
And what other nickels would be an idea to give them a try ? ....your tipps welcome

and: are Nickles or pure nickels between flatwounds and roundwounds ? ( i´ve not yet had any flats)
I like highs ! but i also lilke them damped somehow

( though, i´m stuck to order from thomann or Pyramid directly, both in germany,
but i might consider to do a bigger strings order in the US if funds allow.
I want to know it...........
i run a headless bass, so i can change now Strings like others do with socks, hehe


JFYI:
i run a Ibanez EHB1005SMS / with Nords Big Blades and East EQ as a 4Band.
important in my case: I play with NO (real) Amp.
Just at home thru 5" monitors........directly into mixer, or roundtrip thru the computer.
( i´m fresh back to Basss since 6-7 months, and was in my first real Bassist live, 18 years back, *nothing* into strings)

Pure nickels are soft, supple, and warm. You might like them. A lot of people do. That's why most string makers have an option or two.

 

[Mr. Jiggy Fly]

I envy you being so close to Pyramid - those are easily my favorite strings for both bass and guitar. Pyramid Pure Nickel (blue package) is what you’d want to try.
Thomastik Jazz Rounds and GHS Balanced Nickel are also pure nickel and worth trying. The GHS are a fantastic option.

Pure nickel strings, particularly with a round core, have a subtle softness to the tension and feel, a mildly reduced high mid response (generally speaking) and are not as rough as stainless steel or many nickel plated steel strings. In my experience pure nickel lasts significantly longer as well.

 

[Lenny JG]

Nickel is softer feeling and the more of it you have in place of steel, the warmer your string sounds. Ime

Edit: I like nps for a lot of double thumb because it keeps that brightness but doesn't tear up my thumb nail. Not all steel wraps dig into my nails though.

 

[chuck65]

I use GHS Balanced Nickel on all my Basses . Buy them right here on the forum store.

 

[Funky40]

I envy you being so close to Pyramid

....not that close. I´m in switzerland, and we are not EU. so there´s a hurdle.
but i can get 1 pack plus €5.- shipping fee.

so i go with Pyramid, since thats (halfways) nicely available for me here, and poeple seem to like them quite a bit,....and i can get custom sets. And single replacement strings.
so, i will look to get a set that works as common lowB as well as hiC. My next set then.
@Mr. Jiggy Fly, i´d just contact them and see what shipping prices to your country are



i´m btw. not stuck to hiC.
I do common B-G2, E-B2, A1-E3, and B1-G3 setups for now.
i keep the strings and change forth and back, looking what suits me best.
Which works out nicely so far, since both basses are headless. A 34" and a 30-32"sms.

 

[Funky40]

reading here and the aformentioned thread i understand now.
PureNickles with roundcores is what a Bassist needs to check early, it seems.

Thanks for the feedback everybody

 

[Root 5]

Heya folks,

i´m fresh to nickels,.......So, i wear right now:
Fodera Nickels, medium gauge, HiC, 5 string.

Thats a interesting match with my East EQ on my Bass, since i can give the sound the highs back as i like, yet its still damped in a me suiting way.
I read here in other threads that the fodera Nickels are higly regarded.

my point:
i´d need to know if the Fodera nickels are what´s called elsewhere pure Nickels ?
and then mainly: Do these nickels or pure nickel strings differ ?

Since Pyramid strings are for me in good reach, how are the Pyramid pure nickels ?
And what other nickels would be an idea to give them a try ? ....your tipps welcome

and: are Nickles or pure nickels between flatwounds and roundwounds ? ( i´ve not yet had any flats)
I like highs ! but i also lilke them damped somehow

( though, i´m stuck to order from thomann or Pyramid directly, both in germany,
but i might consider to do a bigger strings order in the US if funds allow.
I want to know it...........
i run a headless bass, so i can change now Strings like others do with socks, hehe


JFYI:
i run a Ibanez EHB1005SMS / with Nords Big Blades and East EQ as a 4Band.
important in my case: I play with NO (real) Amp.
Just at home thru 5" monitors........directly into mixer, or roundtrip thru the computer.
( i´m fresh back to Basss since 6-7 months, and was in my first real Bassist live, 18 years back, *nothing* into strings)

Pure nickel flats are made by Optima - the RB & Chrome set are examples.
Thomastik Infeld Jazz flats ( and Jazz rounds ) are described as a "nickel alloy" but the company told me they are pure nickel.
These days I'm not 100% sure what Pyramid Gold flats are wrapped with. It is a nickel cover, just not sure if it's pure.
As to roundwounds, the Pyramids are superb and you can't go wrong with them. Fender 7150s and GHS Balanced Nickels are excellent. You can't go wrong!

 

[e-flat]

Since Pyramid strings are for me in good reach, how are the Pyramid pure nickels ?
And what other nickels would be an idea to give them a try ? ....your tipps welcome

and: are Nickles or pure nickels between flatwounds and roundwounds ? ( i´ve not yet had any flats)
I like highs ! but i also lilke them damped somehow

If you have access to Pyramid Pure Nickel strings (blue & white pack) then those are a great place to start with Pure Nickel, and might be all you need to try! The Pyramids and Gabriel Tenorio pure nickels are so close, and both are tied for my favorite pure nickel roundwounds. Good luck on your nickel mission!

 

[Funky40]

Good luck on your nickel mission!

Thanks.

i´m in contact with Pyramid.
I want to head for a custom 7string set, meant to go on my 5string, 34", headless.
To be able to run several tuning varations. Starting from B-, or E-, or A- string.
with the same set of strings. ( much likely usually sticking to a E1-G2 setup).

different tunings make a difference for the type of FX i usually play with.
LowB not exactly a win there. And i´m interested to see how PNs will sound in all these different tunings.

 

[Funky40]

i run now a pureNickel set from Pyramid on my 34" headless.
its a interesting experience !

keyword: "silky"
i don´t know, something in the sound wants me to call it "silky". *
(JFYI: playing with headphones only )
Same feel with my Fodera Nickel set on my 30-32" shortscale. (they´re NPS has been sayed here)
These sets feel somehow same. Well, its hard to compare since both basses are so different.

* anybody else feels like silky is the term ?
its like the highs are off, but there is something in the hidden going on.
I like that !


the "probably" too long:
i liked the clankyness of SS strings. i like to slap. I like the pling.
But these two sets i run now give a perfect slap. less agressive.
in that sense: "the penetrating aspect is out"
...and it adds to the capabilities to play "half-muted" slapps. muting with the fret-hand, by pulling off a tiny bit to early ( still trying to get better on this )


Seems, i´m adapting quite quickly to these pure nickel strings.
I have a second set from Pyramid, Nickel plated steel. Otherwise the same set, same gauges. Need to prepare my NPS set, sealing the ends, so that i can switch forth and back.

The Pyramid pure Nickel - roundwound set is btw. rated to have ~0.3kg more tension than the stainless steel set from Pyramid.
Interesting, i thought it would be the other way around.

Thanks for the feedbacks here ! I´m really happy ! good start.
And: oh boy, was that a customer service from Pyramid. Wow