I love both fodera and elixir strings. I put elixir on my emperor 5 and dig the sound. One thing that surprised me was when I was playing my amp plugged in a non grounded power socket, I got the strings made sparky noises through the amp.
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NPS String Experimentation
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With as long as these Fodera's are lasting I don't know that I would ever try Elixir.
I've only put another 6 hours on my jazz in the last month and the strings are still fine. The E string is a little darker than the rest and sustain isn't as good. It is the decreasing sustain on the E that will cause me to slap on a new set soon.
I play a couple more times over the next few weeks. I should top out around 45 hours of use. Excellent as far as my ph is concerned. Approaching twice as long as any other set of strings I've tried.
I've only put another 6 hours on my jazz in the last month and the strings are still fine. The E string is a little darker than the rest and sustain isn't as good. It is the decreasing sustain on the E that will cause me to slap on a new set soon.
I play a couple more times over the next few weeks. I should top out around 45 hours of use. Excellent as far as my ph is concerned. Approaching twice as long as any other set of strings I've tried.
I put a new set of the Fodera nickels on my J in January. It is the end of August and I am finally replacing the set. It has had a lot of use and they have gone quite warm now if a little dark. Amazing strings given the fact that they've lasted so much longer than any other strings I've tried. 2 sets of the Fodera's each year is considerably less cost than the 5 or 6 sets of Sunbeams I was burning through.
I picked up a Fender P recently and just got it back from the luthier following a fret level. I'm back to experimenting with strings to find the right sound for this bass. The first set is the new Dunlop Super Bright nickels because I was curious anyway. After that a set of Sunbeams and then Fodera. Initial thoughts on the new Dunlops is that they remind me of Dean Markley NPS Blue Steels just smoother feel and brighter with more midrange authority. Great snap and excellent response for slap. The brightness is on the warm side which I like and the tone works well on a P. They seem to be a little more flexible than a standard set of Dunlop nickels. This was surprising to me.
I picked up a Fender P recently and just got it back from the luthier following a fret level. I'm back to experimenting with strings to find the right sound for this bass. The first set is the new Dunlop Super Bright nickels because I was curious anyway. After that a set of Sunbeams and then Fodera. Initial thoughts on the new Dunlops is that they remind me of Dean Markley NPS Blue Steels just smoother feel and brighter with more midrange authority. Great snap and excellent response for slap. The brightness is on the warm side which I like and the tone works well on a P. They seem to be a little more flexible than a standard set of Dunlop nickels. This was surprising to me.
Since you like their NPS so much, but have PH issues: you should give Fodera's stainless set a try. they don't have the tone usually talked about with stainless. they are quite warm, have some air in the highs, and the overall sound is halfway to nickels.
*and I think you really should give elixirs a try, at least once. You can easily build custom sets now, on bassstringsonline, rather than having to make special orders. Although based on my past experience with building custom sets via BSO----it will add about 3 days to the processing/shipping time.
*and I think you really should give elixirs a try, at least once. You can easily build custom sets now, on bassstringsonline, rather than having to make special orders. Although based on my past experience with building custom sets via BSO----it will add about 3 days to the processing/shipping time.
I'm loving the Fodera NPS string and they last a long time. At the rate of 2 sets a year I am pleased. I will eventually try their stainless as well.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and checking back in! Great thread.
I'm going through the same thing with some of my basses. Have a 'lighter' P that loves new sunbeams, but they last maybe a week in real time for me. Best after an hour or so. Looking for more longevity, a touch more tension and top end, but still with the E string bloom it has. Foderas sound like the ticket!
I've got another 'heftier' P that likes the DR Nickel Lo Riders. Curious if you ever got to them in your comparison and have any thoughts.
Did you ever get to Circle K's either? So many positive things said about them on here.
I too want to stay away from Elixir's, but would be willing to try.
With the experience I have had with the Foderas I doubt I will try Elixir. I won't say never but doubtful. No experience with Circle K's yet.
In a switch from DR Sunbeams to Fodera NPS you will lose some of the bottom end authority that I suspect you're referring to as bloom. I haven't played another string that has that kind of low end. On my jazz which already has an almost over the top low end they thumped. What the Foderas did was open the midrange and livened the top. Plus they last a really long time for me.
I did try the DR Lo Rider Nickels. I found them dull and they didn't last long for me at all. I like their Sunbeams far better as they have considerably more character, depth and longevity. While I haven't gotten to do a direct comparison of the Lo Riders to the new Dunlop Superbrights I think these new Dunlops have a better voice.
Update:
I used the Sunbeams on the P for a while with off and on use. Lots of bottom end and a terrific sound until they began to darken at which point I was fighting for definition and felt like I was getting lost in the mix. Use was off and on because of some neck troubles but I finally got that sorted out.
This week I slapped on a set of Fodera nickels on the P and so far I like this pairing. Not quite the same depth as Sunbeams but way more note definition and translates more wood tone from the bass if that makes any sense at all. Overall way more authoritative. Since Foderas "stay crunchy in milk" as they age I think I will be pleased with the outcome long term. I do notice the increased tension with these strings more on a P neck than on a J but this increase allowed me to alter my setup and lower the action a little.
How much increase in tension did you notice moving from Sunbeams to Fodera nickels (assuming same gauge)?
I went with the same gauge at 45-105. The increased tension is slight but noticeable. They still feel and respond like round cores but they feel a little more sure underneath the fingers. Their tension is closer to a Dunlop of the same gauge. I can set the action a little lower with the Foderas which makes them more comfortable to me as I go up the neck.
Fodera strings have the most controlled action and playing feel that I have ever felt. It's actually kind of weird.
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I think that is a great way to describe Fodera strings. BTW I just looked at your Carvin NBD thread. Beautiful finish on that bass! Is it wearing Foderas?
I love the way this bass looks. The "Antique Ash Treatment" finish is soooo cool. Although I like to see the pics----I'm not really into owning flame or quilt top basses. This AAT finish is great alternative way to do something cool for me.
It is not wearing Foderas. Currently, it is wearing Dunlop nickel plated "Superbrights". I wanted to try them, because they have a made a bit of a splash here on TB and Carvin also switched to them as their factory installed string. I just copy and pasted (from the Carvin forum) my initial tone report and updated tone report (with some subtle changes for TB), in the Superbright's thread.
Dunlop Super Bright Nickel Plated Steel Bass Strings | Page 15 | TalkBass.com
However, I have a set of Nickel Plated Foderas waiting, for comparison. I've only ever played a few sets of the Fodera Stainless Steel. Never the nickels.
I'm not a flame or quilt guy myself. Your selection for that bass is nothing short of stunning.
Dunlop Superbrights are a fun string to try. They sound amazing in the early stages, or in your words 'outrageous'. My problem with them is that doesn't last long and complete death comes too quickly. Part of the longevity I blame on my PH. I would use them again but would end up frustrated about their life or lack thereof.
The Fodera nickels won't be anywhere near that bright but will be warm and a little dry reminiscent of stainless. Their midrange is focused but not harsh and translates the wood tone well. My only criticism would be that they have less lows than some strings. On an active or hot bass they really come alive with crazy harmonics. One thing is for certain their character lasts a long time even as they age making them predictable and sure.
I've been using them for a while on my jazz and just recently started with them on my P. The jazz is heavy in the lows and low mids where the P is more balanced. I still like them on the P but I may adventure some with the pickups on that bass to compensate although there isn't anything I haven't been able to address with EQ.
Dunlop Superbrights are a fun string to try. They sound amazing in the early stages, or in your words 'outrageous'. My problem with them is that doesn't last long and complete death comes too quickly. Part of the longevity I blame on my PH. I would use them again but would end up frustrated about their life or lack thereof.
The Fodera nickels won't be anywhere near that bright but will be warm and a little dry reminiscent of stainless. Their midrange is focused but not harsh and translates the wood tone well. My only criticism would be that they have less lows than some strings. On an active or hot bass they really come alive with crazy harmonics. One thing is for certain their character lasts a long time even as they age making them predictable and sure.
I've been using them for a while on my jazz and just recently started with them on my P. The jazz is heavy in the lows and low mids where the P is more balanced. I still like them on the P but I may adventure some with the pickups on that bass to compensate although there isn't anything I haven't been able to address with EQ.
Lot of great info here.
I have ben using Sunbeams and like the sound; I just wish they stayed a little bit brighter after initial break in.
Is it fair to say that the Fodera nickel's are similar but last longer, and, the Dunlop Super Brights go dead faster than the other two?
Whe the SB's are worn in how is their tone compared to new SB's or Fodera's?
I have ben using Sunbeams and like the sound; I just wish they stayed a little bit brighter after initial break in.
Is it fair to say that the Fodera nickel's are similar but last longer, and, the Dunlop Super Brights go dead faster than the other two?
Whe the SB's are worn in how is their tone compared to new SB's or Fodera's?
In a nutshell that was what I experienced. Super Brights did not last long under my fingers but my PH doesn't like nickel. Their longevity sits in the same realm as most other nickel strings. Roughly 12-20 hours. Sunbeams are at the top of that range.
Foderas are off the chart and I can only assume there is a difference in formulation that works for me. While they arent the brightest of the group on day one, the thing I like about Fodera nickels is that they always cut and their profile doesn't change as drastically over their life. This difference was very noticeable in the band mix.
Dunlop Super Brights are super snappy and bright up front and still so after break in. If nickel is friendly under your fingers and last a good while consider giving them a try. I really liked their profile and voicing on my P bass but have yet to try them on my jazz.
IMHO it's worth comparing all 3:
DR Sunbeams - authoritative lows, somewhat scooped but with signature upper mids, super flexible
Dunlop Super Brights - bright and snappy highs and mids yet still warm and welcoming, surprising flexibility
Fodera NPS - musically bright, amazing harmonics, drier stainless steel leaning, cutting mids, longevity
I forgot to update. I did finally try the Elixirs not long ago. The tone was ok. Not enough give to the feel - I think I've been playing round core for too long. The coating was so slick that in a single slide I thought my hand was going to continue to China. I pulled them off the bass rather quickly. Interesting experience though!
With my P bass now wearing a maple J neck I decided to try Dunlop Super Brights again. Its interesting to hear them in this configuration. Honestly I liked them better with the rosewood fretboard where some of the overtones were soaked up. They remind me somewhat of Daddario XLs in tone profile, just a lot better and more flexible with super spank happy response. Too bad I don't play slap! There is serious piano like tone going on and maybe a bit too much for my taste. I'm left wanting to hear more bass rather than string but better harmonics would be nice. Dialing out some highs on the tone control is where the tone profile goes in a direction that doesn't work for me (scooped) and why I probably disliked them so quickly as they aged. Playing various lines I feel like it is too easy to accidentally mute the tone further than I'd like. Maybe it is a lack of string mass and a higher gauge set than 45-105 is in order. They do feel scrawny for that size.
Ultimately they don't stand up to Fodera nickels. At the expense of some flexibility the Foderas handle harmonics so much better. Even a nearly dead set is superior here. No joke. The tone is sweeter, less string and more wood. There is both an audible and physical run-on when muting the strings and I love that. I like the feeling of having to tame the beast and get physical with the bass to silence it. This becomes handy when thumbing and palm muting. Add the fact that they last a LONG time and its Foderas for the win. But I already knew that.
Hopefully someone finds this rambling useful. Some day when I get a wild hair I might experiment with the round core GHS Boomers.
Ultimately they don't stand up to Fodera nickels. At the expense of some flexibility the Foderas handle harmonics so much better. Even a nearly dead set is superior here. No joke. The tone is sweeter, less string and more wood. There is both an audible and physical run-on when muting the strings and I love that. I like the feeling of having to tame the beast and get physical with the bass to silence it. This becomes handy when thumbing and palm muting. Add the fact that they last a LONG time and its Foderas for the win. But I already knew that.
Hopefully someone finds this rambling useful. Some day when I get a wild hair I might experiment with the round core GHS Boomers.
Thanks for the update, I've been following this thread since you started it. I'm looking for strings for a rose wood necked precision and have ruled out what I don't want; flats or very bright round wounds. I was thinking about Sunbeams although I'm not really a DR fan. I haven't really thought about Foderas until this thread. I, like you, would like to try the round core Boomers but have always preferred Boomers on a jazz bass. Right now the p is wearing old XL's but they are needing to be replaced soon. Again, thanks for your follow up.
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