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Nickel or Stainless???????
- Thread starter Deano Destructo
- Start date
it would be a close race casanova, i had one of my basses set up by a shop that is a big peavy dealer, the action felt great and the strings ok. i took them off about a week later. just didn't like the feel of them. i like a smoother string. hmm i waited a week so i guess you are right they would last longer than GHS. 
Sorry, for resurrecting such and old thread!
Yes, I've been diagnosed recently with nickel allergy, and the most nickel I touch is the strings om my bass guitars. I've no jewelry/watches/rings of ANY metal. I've dug deep into my wallet to refret my basses to stainless steel frets, and changing to either Stainless Steel strings, and/or COATED strings.
Stainless Steel strings has it's sound. But the peculiar thing about nickel is it's longevity when staying on the bass. Its tone lasts a LITTLE longer that SS, BUT if you have a stash of backup sets or string singles the SS frets can lay around for years without the slightest hint of corrision. The Nickel ones seems to get tarnished in their packaging and even downright rust marks. Stainless Steel aren't that prone to moisture and corrision. So, in fact, they LAST longer physically, but their sound, tone DOES fade out quicker.
Still haven't heard anyone with Stainless Steel allergy.
I've always liked nickel rounds, and tried some stainless steel rounds because I thrive on "brights", and they were bright, but they did wear out a little faster, and were just a little harder on the fingers.
Having playing Stainless Steel for a few years. I decide to slap a set of nickle on my 5 string warwick. I needed a quick change on my bass and the shop have no 5 string SS set. First i was like, they gonna sound crap but at least i have something to use, but man it sounded great after using it for a few days.
It goes and felt easy on my finger, not as rough as SS. Sound quite warm but the high still sings nicely.
Overall i like the string. I think i will try nickle on my stingray and jazz.
It goes and felt easy on my finger, not as rough as SS. Sound quite warm but the high still sings nicely.
Overall i like the string. I think i will try nickle on my stingray and jazz.
+1 Nickel
As far as Nickel allergy, my brother (guitar) and my friend(bass) both destroy strings with nickel especially. My brother finally went to coated Elixirs, which ended his frustration of breaking strings. I suppose it could be the sweaty hands, but, he was good for breaking a string at every show until he switched to coated.
As far as Nickel allergy, my brother (guitar) and my friend(bass) both destroy strings with nickel especially. My brother finally went to coated Elixirs, which ended his frustration of breaking strings. I suppose it could be the sweaty hands, but, he was good for breaking a string at every show until he switched to coated.
Wootens music is fairly bright and snappy, he uses nickle strings, because he says they easier to play on.
This. Flats, nickel round, halfs, SS all depend on what bass you are putting them on and the sound you are going for. I like nickel for 1 to 5 days better than most stainless at the same age unless I really want a super metal sound. They sound worse dead to me than a thumpy stainless set which last closer to a month before they rubberize.
I greatly prefer nickels. I do think they produce slightly less output though, but still overall prefer the tone and feel. Thank goodness for volume knobs!
Well, since this thread is already bumped, I'll put this in here:
I am alergic to nickel.
I can't wear watches, because the winding-wheel usually is plated, but nickel underneath. I get a weeping patch of skin on my wrist. Same with an earring back when I was a teenager.
I accidently ordered nickel Swing66s a couple of years ago after 30+ years of SS, and I had a serious reaction on my face at the next 2 rehearsals. It was not an issue on my fingers, as the skin is pretty thick there, but I touched my face, and I got a pretty quick reaction there.
I was going to start a thread to ask if anyone else had this problem too, but it looks like from this thread that it's pretty rare. Just me and Honch so far...
I am alergic to nickel.
I can't wear watches, because the winding-wheel usually is plated, but nickel underneath. I get a weeping patch of skin on my wrist. Same with an earring back when I was a teenager.
I accidently ordered nickel Swing66s a couple of years ago after 30+ years of SS, and I had a serious reaction on my face at the next 2 rehearsals. It was not an issue on my fingers, as the skin is pretty thick there, but I touched my face, and I got a pretty quick reaction there.
I was going to start a thread to ask if anyone else had this problem too, but it looks like from this thread that it's pretty rare. Just me and Honch so far...
Pure nickel for me. I love DR Hellborgs. They'd probably make your throat close up. But they sound great.
I search for a thread on this subject because my nose broke out with what looks like contact dermatitis. I believe it's from touching my face while I'm playing. My fingers don't have a problem but they do smell funny after playing. I intend to be careful about washing my hands after playing and see how that works because I don't want to change from nickels.
John (fastvee)
Update: I've switched back to stainless steel over five years ago. I use nickel on my fretless and R bass
I just put a set of cobalts on my 5 string jazz. They claim to be higher output than stainless. I love these strings. The simply rock! Look cool too. Good luck with the allergies.Maybe you could try them. Dont know if they have flats tho. Hmmm I'll check
I prefer the snap of steal over the warmth of nickel. That, and I am one of those who react to nickel strings, so that's a no-go for me anyway
