Rounds for full & crunchy tone on a Pbass

[Phaidrus]

Looking for a 45-65-85-105 set of nickel plated strings (not stainless steel) to replace the Fender 7250s (which I like) on one of my Pbasses with V-Mod pickup. As in the thread title, the ideal tone would be crunchy and lively and bubbly and sparkling and everything but also full and sweet at the same time. Feel free to make suggestions. Thanks!

On my list so far:

DR Sunbeams
DR Nickel Lo Rider
DR Pure Blues
Rotosound RS66LDN Swing Bass (nickel plated version of the classic SS set)

 

[michael_t]

Dunlop Super Bright Nickels - relatively flexible for a hex core, similar to Sunbeams and Pure Blues in overall feel, but with a crunchier midrange.

Dunlop Super Bright Nickels Should Be Called....

 

[Phaidrus]

Dunlop Super Bright Nickels - relatively flexible for a hex core, similar to Sunbeams and Pure Blues in overall feel, but with a crunchier midrange.

I just remembered that I have an unopened set of the regular (not the super bright) Dunlop nickels (DBN45105). Would they fit the description?

 

[michael_t]

I just remembered that I have an unopened set of the regular (not the super bright) Dunlop nickels (DBN45105). Would they fit the description?

No. The standard Dunlop NPS rounds are more generic in tone, like D'A XL Nickels or EB Slinkys. The Super Brights have a very unique character of their own.

 

[Phaidrus]

No. The standard Dunlop NPS rounds are more generic in tone, like D'A XL Nickels or EB Slinkys. The Super Brights have a very unique character of their own.

Looks like the Dunlop super brights are not available anywhere near where I'm located. Any other suggestions?

DR (all aforementioned set) seem to be available as are also D'A NYXLs, which I've used in the past and vaguely remember they were somewhat lacking in the fullness department. Ernie Ball Cobalt Slinky are also available but have no idea what they sound like.

 

[michael_t]

Ernie Ball Cobalt Slinky are also available but have no idea what they sound like.

EB Cobalt Rounds are more about their aggressive mids with lots of "growl".

 

[michael_t]

Looks like the Dunlop super brights are not available anywhere near where I'm located. Any other suggestions?

Can you find SIT Foundations where you are? They use the same formula as the Dunlop Super Brights, ie a small-diameter hex core for flexibility and responsiveness.

 

[Phaidrus]

Can you find SIT Foundations where you are? They use the same formula as the Dunlop Super Brights, ie a small-diameter hex core for flexibility and responsiveness.

I'll have a look. Any idea what the Roto RS66LDN Swing Bass (nickel plated version of the SS set) sound like? Also, would you recommend the DR Nickel Lo Rider?

 

[michael_t]

I'll have a look. Any idea what the Roto RS66LDN Swing Bass (nickel plated version of the SS set) sound like? Also, would you recommend the DR Nickel Lo Rider?

No idea about the Roto as I have no personal experience.

As for the NLRs, I'm a big fan of them but wouldn't describe them as being "crunchy" as such. They're more about punchy warmth with smooth, clear mids. Of the three DR's you mentioned, the Pure Blues would be the crunchiest.

 

[pbass2]

No idea about the Roto as I have no personal experience.

As for the NLRs, I'm a big fan of them but wouldn't describe them as being "crunchy" as such. They're more about punchy warmth with smooth, clear mids. Of the three DR's you mentioned, the Pure Blues would be the crunchiest.

NLRs are my fave rounds on a P, but I agree, not necessarily what I'd consider "crunchy". But to me they're super versatile. Between the tone knob, fingers, palm mute, thumb, or pick, I use my P in one band where I have to cop everything from old school thump, some reggae vibes, and then clanky roundwound pickstyle rock, and the NLRs get me there all with just the one pbass.
Not sure, what strings I'd actually call "crunchy" but maybe good 'ol Roto 66's would fit the bill there.

 

[johnh89]

Use the 7250 you had on it before if you like them . And using so many meaningless adjectives to describe your goal achieves nothing . One man's crunchy is another man's limp biscuit . I am getting out of this discussion right now .

 

[Phaidrus]

Use the 7250 you had on it before if you like them . And using so many meaningless adjectives to describe your goal achieves nothing . One man's crunchy is another man's limp biscuit . I am getting out of this discussion right now .

Life is inherently meaningless, so I may as well keep using meaningless adjectives to describe the meaningless quest for a new set of strings. Hey, don't leave, adjectives are good for the soul.

 

[Riff Ranger]

Life is inherently meaningless, so I may as well keep using meaningless adjectives to describe the meaningless quest for a new set of strings. Hey, don't leave, adjectives are good for the soul.

 

[Phaidrus]

NLRs are my fave rounds on a P, but I agree, not necessarily what I'd consider "crunchy". But to me they're super versatile. Between the tone knob, fingers, palm mute, thumb, or pick, I use my P in one band where I have to cop everything from old school thump, some reggae vibes, and then clanky roundwound pickstyle rock, and the NLRs get me there all with just the one pbass.
Not sure, what strings I'd actually call "crunchy" but maybe good 'ol Roto 66's would fit the bill there.

@michael_t

Prompted by some scathing remarks, allow me to rephrase my meaningless original formulation as follows: I do like the 7250s quite a lot, especially when new and semi new, but I wouldn't mind trying a souped-up version of them, if available. Also like the feel and tension of the 45105 7250s set.

 

[Riff Ranger]

I would use many of the same meaningless adjectives to describe what I go for with a Precision-ish bass, and while I’m always fiddling around with something else on one instrument or another, I keep Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinkies on everything I use regularly. It seems like I’m an outlier, though; TalkBass is a DR town with a strong distaste for Slinkies, and I find myself diametrically opposed
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ fwiw

 

[Riff Ranger]

In any event, the Hybrid Slinkies are inexpensive and widely available, so there’s little risk to giving them a shot.

 

[Phaidrus]

In any event, the Hybrid Slinkies are inexpensive and widely available, so there’s little risk to giving them a shot.

I may as well. They are already on my list, perhaps they have that extra something on top of the 7250s. They're not inexpensive in Europe (€34) but I suppose I can afford to try them.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Looking for a 45-65-85-105 set of nickel plated strings (not stainless steel) to replace the Fender 7250s (which I like) on one of my Pbasses with V-Mod pickup. As in the thread title, the ideal tone would be crunchy and lively and bubbly and sparkling and everything but also full and sweet at the same time. Feel free to make suggestions. Thanks!

On my list so far:

DR Sunbeams
DR Nickel Lo Rider
DR Pure Blues
Rotosound RS66LDN Swing Bass (nickel plated version of the classic SS set)

I vote for DP Pure Blues. They are my favorite rounds because I like a fat sound with teeth.

 

[michael_t]

I may as well. They are already on my list, perhaps they have that extra something on top of the 7250s. They're not inexpensive in Europe (€34) but I suppose I can afford to try them.

If you're going to spend the money to try the EB Slinkys, you might as well try the regular Dunlop NPS rounds you already have first. They're fairly close both in tone and feel.

 

[Phaidrus]

a fat sound with teeth.

That's what I want!