Nickel alloy (not plated) strings 45-105?

[aliwobble]

Hi all. What are some alternatives to rotosound ultramags? I'm having trouble finding them in New Zealand so maybe its time I tried something else.

I am looking for nickel alloy strings, not nickel plated. Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[michael_t]

DR Pure Blues are nickel-steel alloy, not nickel-plated steel. Not the same as the nickel-iron alloy used for the Ultramag.

GHS Pressurewounds use the same nickel-iron alloy as the Ultramag but they're "rollerwound", not roundwound.

Can you get Infeld Super Alloy where you are? They're nickel-iron roundwound.

 

[michael_t]

Would you be open to "pure nickel" roundwound, vs. "nickel alloy"?

Fender 7150 and GHS Balanced Nickels fall into that category.

 

[silky smoove]

Would you be open to "pure nickel" roundwound, vs. "nickel alloy"?

Fender 7150 and GHS Balanced Nickels fall into that category.

This was my thought as well, particularly with the GHS BNs. They’re not exactly the gauges specified by the OP, but they’re really fantastic strings that nickel-wanting folks should definitely try if they can.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

If open to using pure nickel, as michael_t mentions, howz about Pyramid Pure Nickels 800 100 set 45-105
Currently sold out at this NZ store, but they likely get more stock. Can always give em a buzz

Pyramid - Bass Guitar Strings - 45/105

Description: Pyramid Bass StringsPyramid Pure Nickel Bass (45-105) Heavy Gauge Long ScaleGauges: .045, .065, .085, .105

www.themusicwarehouse.co.nz

Othewise, SIT Foundations FN45105L 45-105 Nickel Alloy

SIT Foundations Nickel Bass Strings 45-105 | Tone Merchants NZ

SIT Foundations Nickel Bass Strings are extremely responsive to the touch. S.I.T Strings from Tone Merchants fast delivery NZ & Australia

tonemerchants.co.nz

 

[michael_t]

Othewise, SIT Foundations FN45105L 45-105 Nickel Alloy

SIT Foundations Nickel Bass Strings 45-105 | Tone Merchants NZ

SIT Foundations Nickel Bass Strings are extremely responsive to the touch. S.I.T Strings from Tone Merchants fast delivery NZ & Australia

tonemerchants.co.nz

As far as I know, SIT Foundations Nickel are nickel-plated steel like the Power Wound Nickels, except with a thinner hex core for added flexibility.

 

[aliwobble]

If open to using pure nickel, as michael_t mentions, howz about Pyramid Pure Nickels 800 100 set 45-105
Currently sold out at this NZ store, but they likely get more stock. Can always give em a buzz

Pyramid - Bass Guitar Strings - 45/105

Description: Pyramid Bass StringsPyramid Pure Nickel Bass (45-105) Heavy Gauge Long ScaleGauges: .045, .065, .085, .105

www.themusicwarehouse.co.nz

Othewise, SIT Foundations FN45105L 45-105 Nickel Alloy

SIT Foundations Nickel Bass Strings 45-105 | Tone Merchants NZ

SIT Foundations Nickel Bass Strings are extremely responsive to the touch. S.I.T Strings from Tone Merchants fast delivery NZ & Australia

tonemerchants.co.nz

Yeah, the Pyramids are sold out, which seems to be the same for just about every other Nickel alloy string in NZ

 

[Prodigus Filius]

As far as I know, SIT Foundations Nickel are nickel-plated steel like the Power Wound Nickels, except with a thinner hex core for added flexibility.

Yes you right Michael. By bad

 

[aliwobble]

Thanks, everyone. There's some helpful suggestions in here. I'll see what I can scrape up.

 

[trothwell]

DR Pure Blues are nickel-steel alloy, not nickel-plated steel.

I did not know that. Are any other strings (from any manufacturer) a similar nickel-steel alloy?

 

[michael_t]

I did not know that. Are any other strings (from any manufacturer) a similar nickel-steel alloy?

DR uses a fancy marketing term "Quantum Nickel" for the special alloy. I'm not aware of any other manufacturer who uses the same alloy.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

@michael_t
You might have read this informative page that mentions what you said about the smaller hex core wire of the Foundations Guitar String Construction Explained - S.I.T. Strings

 

[Prodigus Filius]

Rotosound also do the Alloy 52 thang with the Nexus strings ( has a polymer coating).
Apparently La Bella used to do an Alloy52 final wrap string, but discontinued them at some point.

And there are the Monel Alloy (nickel/copper) final wrap strings such as Rotosound Jazz Flats, if flatwounds are something you can get into

 

[trothwell]

Rotosound also do the Alloy 52 thang with the Nexus strings ( has a polymer coating).
Apparently La Bella used to do an Alloy52 final wrap string, but discontinued them at some point.
View attachment 7522990
And there are the Monel Alloy (nickel/copper) final wrap strings such as Rotosound Jazz Flats, if flatwounds are something you can get into

I remember seeing those Labella strings! Never tried them. I suspect I would have liked them.

 

[Dincrest]

Dunlop Hybrid Nickels maybe? Products - Strings - Bass - Hybrid Nickel - Dunlop

I have mixed feelings about those strings, though. They feel amazing. Plush texture, not too stiff, not too spongy. However... they're not the best for drop tunings, their output is surprisingly low (too timid and polite for even generic rock; I think it's because it has a pure nickel outer wrap rather then nickel plated), and they went dead on me after just one gig. But my body chemstry seems to kill Dunlops very quickly. Others on TalkBass say they get good life out of them.