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Stainless steel strings brighter???

Discussion in 'Strings [BG]' started by BassholeKI, Jul 8, 2018.

  1. Jul 8, 2018 #1
    BassholeKI

    BassholeKI

    Feb 10, 2017
    I recently threw a set of DR stainless steel strings on my 18V Bartolini parts bass. Went up a gauge since I wanted more growl (moar!) and thought I'd like having thicker strings to dig in harder.

    For some reason I thought they sounded brighter than the previous Sunbeams. Same amp, settings, cable, strap, fingers.
     
  2. Jul 8, 2018 #2
    Killed_by_Death

    Killed_by_Death Snaggletooth Inactive

    Jan 2, 2015
    14 Megameters from Groong Tehp
    IME Bartolini pickups don't do bright very well.
    I put SS Elixirs on my Ibanez (with Nordstrand Big Singles) & when playing with a pick it sounded like the lasers on Star Wars.
    They made that sound by hitting a telephone pole guy wire with a crescent wrench.
     
  3. Jul 8, 2018 #3
    BassholeKI

    BassholeKI

    Feb 10, 2017
    Not quite that bright (pwew pwew pwew), just more trebly and articulated.
     
  4. Jul 8, 2018 #4
    michael_t

    michael_t

    Feb 11, 2013
    49.8951 N, 97.1384 W
    The Sunbeams are nickel-plated steel.

    Generally speaking, nickel-plated steel is warmer with less zing up top once broken in, while stainless steel is brighter and retains the zing longer.
     
    GlennRH, Solarmist and eriky4003 like this.
  5. Jul 9, 2018 #5
    BassholeKI

    BassholeKI

    Feb 10, 2017
    The set I tried are Fat Beams.
     
  6. Jul 25, 2018 #6
    BassholeKI

    BassholeKI

    Feb 10, 2017
    I've noticed when I pop a string, with the neck tone knob turned down and the bridge volume off I can get a pretty laser like PFEWNG.

    When run through my autowah it can really accentuate the sound.
     
  7. Jul 26, 2018 #7
    Killed_by_Death

    Killed_by_Death Snaggletooth Inactive

    Jan 2, 2015
    14 Megameters from Groong Tehp
    I've lost the laser-like thing since putting on new Nickel-plated Dunlop Super Brights.
     
  8. Jul 26, 2018 #8
    skwee

    skwee

    Apr 2, 2010
    Minneapolis
    Stainless steel strings have always seemed the brightest to me. I use Blue Steels on my acoustic bass guitar because of this. Really bright.
     
  9. Jul 28, 2018 #9
    scuzzy

    scuzzy

    Feb 15, 2006
    Troy, MO
    Typically SS are brighter sounding than NPS.....yes. I'm sure there are exceptions, but that is generally true.
     
  10. Jul 29, 2018 #10
    GIBrat51

    GIBrat51 Innocent as the day is long Supporting Member

    Mar 5, 2013
    St Joseph County., Indiana
    ^^This^^ Which is why I avoid rounds in general, and SS rounds like a plague ridden zombie...:whistle:
     
    Nashrakh and michael_t like this.
  11. Aug 3, 2018 #11
    murph7489

    murph7489

    Nov 9, 2017
    Hornell NY / myrtle beach SC
    SO I'm thinking I need a good bright SS set of strings that will fit my 34" scale five string Carvin / kiesel that will have more tension so probably 45's...any ideas
     
  12. Aug 3, 2018 #12
    ledyard

    ledyard

    Jan 31, 2010
    Upstate NY
    I ALWAYS use lo-riders. (round core nickel wound) had to buy a set of fat beams last time, all they had and I needed them. Same string rings core but stainless.
    Worst decision ever. Way too bright. Feel like crap. Best of all the exact same gauge sits deeper in the nut for whatever reason and frets out on the first 3 frets. I had to do the paper trick under the A string in the nut slot.
    Will never buy stainless again.
     
  13. Aug 3, 2018 #13
    michael_t

    michael_t

    Feb 11, 2013
    49.8951 N, 97.1384 W
    Lo-Riders (both Nickel and Stainless Steel) = Hex core.
    Fat Beams = Stainless Steel on round core.
     
  14. Aug 3, 2018 #14
    ledyard

    ledyard

    Jan 31, 2010
    Upstate NY
    Yes my bad on the string core.