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NPS String Experimentation

#61
Mikhail1 said:
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.
Click to expand...

If you can spare the change dive in and buy a couple different kinds and experiment. I haven't ever felt that I've wasted my money even if some of them came off as quickly as they were put on. Talkbass is a great platform to try it because there is always someone interested in buying your used strings; nearly new or dead. Its crazy. You'll always get at least a portion of your investment back. I've invested money on worse meals, coffees or movies than I've ever done on the strings.

What else have you tried on that bass besides the XLs? Or your jazz for that matter? What have you liked and not liked?
 
#62
Oh geez, where to begin....I've used D'Addario XL's & Chromes, Dean Markley Nickelsteel & SuperRounds, SIT Powerwounds, GHS Boomers & Brite Flats, Rotosound 66's and I'm feel I'm leaving a few brands out. I'm lucky as my ph doesn't kill strings. Of all the ones I tried, I liked the DM Nicklesteels the best but liked the XL's and Powerwounds about as well. I found all of them very bright initially but these three settled into an area I really liked. The Powerrounds held this sound the longest. So now you have my history.
 
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#65
They were warm and snappy but didn't last as long. Sounded very good on a P. I'm going to add the nickelsteels to my list and compare.

Right now my P is in the shop getting a fret level. The new J neck was good but I couldn't get it set as low as I wanted without it. It will be set up with a set of the Fodera Nickel 45-105. They last a while so it is probably going to be about 3 months before I start another round of experimentation. On the list so far; DM Nickelsteels, Kalium Hybrids and GHS Round Core.

Have you decided on your next string yet?
 
#66
Definitely the Boomer Roundcores for the jazz when the SIT's die but,man, those strings last a long time! Probably Blue Steel nickels for the precision and I've put the Foderas on the list after that. Have you ever tried SIT? The Power Wounds are a generic nickel string but sound very close to steels and last a long time. I've also used their Silencers which I got by mistake but they killed on my precision.
 
#68
The Fodera's on my jazz are about dead so I am at a perfect time to start another experimentation batch. Here is what I'm considering...

D'addario NYXL
Kalium Hybrid
GHS Round Core Bass Boomers
Labella Bass RX NPS
DR Pure Blues
 
#69
A little revision to the latest evaluation batch. Orders confirmed but holding on the Kalium order until I can get some clarification on the sets I'm interested in.

D'addario NYXL
GHS Round Core Bass Boomers
Curt Mangan FusionMatched Nickels
Galli RSB Nickels
Kalium Hybrid
 
#73
Starting with the D'addario NYXL

image.jpeg
 
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#74
The new D'addario NYXLs are interesting and so far I like them. Bright but not for the sake of it, just very musically so with more easily obtained harmonics than any other string I've tried so far. In comparison to Fodera nickels... Similar tension but maybe a slightly lower, similar wrap feel, different give due to hex core, louder, deeper, maybe a little less mids. They have a very nice voice especially when favoring the neck pickup. Will see how they play out and sit in the band mix this weekend.
 
#75
The NYXLs sound very good in the mix. Nice and punchy and cut well. They aren't as even string to string as Fodera's and I must admit I'm missing the give of the round core but these are some of the better hex core stings I've ever used.
 
#76
Final thoughts on the NYXLs on my jazz:

I like them better than standard XLs by a long shot. Longevity is increased a ton as XLs would already have gone a bit dull in the amount of time I've put on them. The tactile feel is a little rougher in comparison to XLs but they are very close to Fodera's in feel which I am very comfortable with. The NYXLs are punchy, more musically bright and the increased output is very useful. Harmonic content is hands down the best I've experienced from any nickel string. Mids are not as strong as the Fodera nickels. Keeping in theme with the XLs they are slighly scooped, yet not as much so having a more authoritative voice. With than scoop I found myself wanting to lean towards the neck pickup and either slap or throw in some dirt and dig in with a pick, both of which they are voiced very well for.

The one downside of the NYXLs is tension. I stated earlier that they might be slightly lower tension than Fodera nickels but I was incorrect. After settling in for a number of days neck relief actually increased ever so slightly. Moving over to my P bass which is wearing Fodera nickels I could immediately feel the difference in tension and give of the round cores.

I'm moving the NYXLs over to my P bass for some final experimentation.
 
#78
First impressions on the GHS Round Core Bass Boomers are best stated with an emoticon. :woot:

Middle of the road tension and way more flexible feel than standard Boomers. Lower tension and a round core makes them quite comfy. Very authoritative warm-bright musical voicing with super punchy low mids. Nice and even string to string.

About 3 hours of playing at home today and I was all smiles. I love the voicing and hope they manage to last. I wish I had bought two sets so I could enjoy them simultaneously on my P bass!

One interesting thing is that unlike other round core strings there was no note about having to crimp the strings before cutting. I wonder if it is unnecessary given the difference in end wrap design and silk coating. I think this will be a Jon Moody question.

More feedback to come...
 
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#79
I really liked the NYXLs. I don't know if they're worth the extra money over normal XLs but I really liked the tension, sound and feel of them (45-100 gauge).

I love roundcore strings though and have always wanted to try roundcore Boomers. How would you say they compare with NYXLs tension, sound and feel wise?
 
#80
Stan_da_man said:
I really liked the NYXLs. I don't know if they're worth the extra money over normal XLs but I really liked the tension, sound and feel of them (45-100 gauge).

I love roundcore strings though and have always wanted to try roundcore Boomers. How would you say they compare with NYXLs tension, sound and feel wise?
Click to expand...

I've commented on both above. I just looked at the manufacturer documentation and on paper the NYXLs are lower tension by a hair. Under the hand the Round Core Boomers feel lower in tension but that is the give of the round core I'm feeling.

NYXLs sound like an enhanced version of an XL just with longer life, better harmonics and a little less mid scoop. Round Core Boomers have a warmer top end, stronger mids across the spectrum especially in the low mids. In general they have a fatter and sweeter sound. From my perspective they have a more defined tonal shape than regular Boomers. I can't comment on life or be more articulate yet but I'll be able to elaborate further with more time on them.
 

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