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Stiffer Strings

Hopkins

Hopkins

Commercial User
Nov 17, 2010
13,967
7,058
44
Houston Tx
Disclosures
Owner/Builder @Hopkins Guitars
#1
I've used Hybrid Slinkys, Rotosound 66 nickles, and Dunlop Nickles, The Rotosounds being my favorite of the bunch so far. But they still feel a bit loose to me.

I'm thinking about trying the DR Lo-riders, but I'm not sure which ones to get, the nickle or SS. I usually prefer nickle as all the SS strings I have played have seem a little to bright for my taste, but hexcore nickles may be to dark.

Also would going with a heavier gauge help, I've always used 105-45 gauge.

Any input or other sugestions would be appreciated

Thanks
Paul
 
#2
My experience with DR nickel lo-riders is they end up having a looser tension than a lot of other strings.

My Stingray is setup on GHS Boomers 45-100, when I put on a set of 45-100 Nickel Lo-Riders my strings dropped 1/32" due to the lower tension and would have required at least a truss rod adjustment to get things back to where I like them. Something to think about, since you may have to go up a step in gauge to get the same tension.

They sound frickin' amazing, but I didn't like the way they felt.
 
#3
Strange, the DR webpage says the SS lo riders are a "stiffer" string. I figured that ment it was a higher tension string. It didn't say that about the nickle lo riders though, I just assumed they were pretty close
 
#4
Nickel lo-riders have virtually the same tension as the stainless version. When DR says it is a "stiffer" string, they are speaking in comparison to their own Hi-Beams and other round-core strings. The nickel Lo-Riders will be stiffer than most, or all, round-core strings but they may not be stiffer than other brands of strings that are also hex-core. I also didn't find them to be darker than regular nickel strings, they are very balanced to me. They have an overall smoother character than the stainless version with just enough highs for good presence and clarity, without being overly bright.

However, if the strings you mention in the OP feel too loose, it is probably wise to step up a gauge to .050-.105 as I believe that all the 3 strings you mention in the OP are hex-core and the tension on the Lo-Riders, with the same gauge, will be in the same ballpark as the other strings you've tried.
 
#5
If you're looking for a stiffer string, may I suggest D'Addario Nickels. I've been using these on a number of my basses and have been very satisfied.
On one of my basses, (Fender am dlx J V) I just started using Dunlop nickels and have found a big difference in sound and feel.

The Dunlop's feel great under the finger and are very easy to play. Its almost like I've been putting extra practice time in. The trade off is the articulation. I can nuance the D'Addario's a little more, and are more articulate when playing faster or more complex lines. The stiffness give them a little more pop.
The Dunlops are very enticing. They sound more broken in right out of the package than the D'Addario's, which are a little metalic sounding for a few days. Both very good strings but the D'Addario nickels are a bit stiffer.
 
#6
B String said:
If you're looking for a stiffer string, may I suggest D'Addario Nickels. I've been using these on a number of my basses and have been very satisfied.
On one of my basses, (Fender am dlx J V) I just started using Dunlop nickels and have found a big difference in sound and feel.

The Dunlop's feel great under the finger and are very easy to play. Its almost like I've been putting extra practice time in. The trade off is the articulation. I can nuance the D'Addario's a little more, and are more articulate when playing faster or more complex lines. The stiffness give them a little more pop.
The Dunlops are very enticing. They sound more broken in right out of the package than the D'Addario's, which are a little metalic sounding for a few days. Both very good strings but the D'Addario nickels are a bit stiffer.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm going to order a few different sets, the D'Addario XL Nickles heavy gauge will be one that I try.
I'm also going to try the DR DDT's in a heavy gauge.
 
#8
Hopkins said:
Strange, the DR webpage says the SS lo riders are a "stiffer" string. I figured that ment it was a higher tension string. It didn't say that about the nickle lo riders though, I just assumed they were pretty close
Click to expand...

You should not associate stiffness with tension. They are not the same. It is certainly possible to have two strings that have about the same tension but feel very different. For example, a round core string at the same tension as a hex core is still going to feel less stiff.

Tension is a function of the mass of the string. Stiffness is a function of the design of the string.

All that said, If you want a really stiff string, try the Sadowsky strings. I have found the Sadowsky strings to feel quite stiff -- especially the Blue 45s.
 

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