Which do you prefer Steel or Nickel?

[Reverend179]

Nickel. They sound dead right out of the box, and then die harder within 2-3 hours for me. I'll stick with my Hi Beams/DDT's.

 

[Davem74]

I never use anything but Rotosound Swing Bass (steel) on my Precision, and they sound amazing. But they're way too bright on my StingRay, so looks like it's going to be nickel strings on that. So far EB Hybrid Slinky and DR Lo-Rider both sound pretty good. I'll probably also try the nickel Rotosounds.

 

[StevieM]

Stainless steels for me. Hell, I'd use razor wire, if they'd give me that "fresh outta the package" zzzingy tone for months on end, with just one set. Because, I'm really picky, when it comes to keeping fresh strings on all my basses. I spend a small fortune every year on strings. I wish I could just drive to my local Sam's Club, and buy in bulk locally, instead of ordering in bulk.

 

[DirkP]

Steel are a lot rougher than nickel on the fingers

But why should this be harder on your hands when you get older? I'm 52 and I could somehow understand that high tension flatwounds are hard to play - on the other hand I tried my first set of the Labella Jamerson set just a few month ago... I had the impression that I got into problems with my fingernails from playing them - but I'm not sure. Maybe 20 years ago I just would have found them hard to play.

But why should rougher steel strings be a problem when you're 50 or 60 but not a problem when you're 20 or 30?

 

[lermgalieu]

Carrots

 

[BaltBass5]

But why should this be harder on your hands when you get older? I'm 52 and I could somehow understand that high tension flatwounds are hard to play - on the other hand I tried my first set of the Labella Jamerson set just a few month ago... I had the impression that I got into problems with my fingernails from playing them - but I'm not sure. Maybe 20 years ago I just would have found them hard to play.

But why should rougher steel strings be a problem when you're 50 or 60 but not a problem when you're 20 or 30?

Why is your eyesight worse at 50-60 than 20-30? Or your knees? Or hearing? Wear and tear on your body.

 

[seansbrew]

Both because it depends which bass I'm installing them in.

Passive basses usually get stainless, active ( but not always) get nickel.

Depends how the bass reacts. But for feel, I like good ole DAddario nickels.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

definitely Steele:

 

[vin97]

nitinol

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

What is the connection between steel and the hands getting old?

Uh... Age?

 

[Marko 1]

I would think that with time playing ones calluses would be built up better...

But then again I’m only 60

 

[sambass0124]

Nickel .... for the warmer tone

 

[Aidil]

Have been using many different kind of strings, astounded by nickels and nickel plated steels, but always comes back to stainless steel on my main gigging bass.

 

[klokker]

I would think that with time playing ones calluses would be built up better...

But then again I’m only 60

I'll be the big six O soon. Steel strings are a little rougher, but at least in my case it makes no significant difference, if any difference, to my fingers. In other words, steel strings are not harder on your fingers at least in my experience. Some people say they're "stickier" or "slower" than flats etc. but I don't find that to be the case either.

 

[GIBrat51]

If they're not flats? Then they're nickel...

 

[matante]

When I started playing I constantly switched back and forth from nickel D'Addarios to stainless Rotosounds, depending on what they had in the bargain bin at my local shop. I never noticed that much difference aside from the Rotos being slightly brighter and the D'Addarios lasting a couple of weeks longer. The whole "rough on the fingers" thing is extremely exaggerated on the internet, imo.

 

[DirkP]

Uh... Age?

This was implied in my question, but I still don't get it. If someone tells me he has problems with his back and prefers lighter weight basses, I totally get this. But roundwounds? Yes they feel rough, but for a 5 year old they feel rough, too. It's like telling me someone still plays football but getting older, she has problems with balls made of rough leather and she or he prefers smooth leather, now.

 

[mouthmw]

Nickel. I don't like the feel nor the tone of SS roundwounds. Every SS set I played sounded more scooped than nickels to me which sound rounder and warmer with better low mids.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

This was implied in my question, but I still don't get it. If someone tells me he has problems with his back and prefers lighter weight basses, I totally get this. But roundwounds? Yes they feel rough, but for a 5 year old they feel rough, too. It's like telling me someone still plays football but getting older, she has problems with balls made of rough leather and she or he prefers smooth leather, now.

Tell strings usually have higher tension. I, like many others, suffer from what could be called "Creeping Arthritis" - join pain / stiffness that makes the extra tension on SS strings kinds hurt. So I play nickles now. And I still play very well.

 

[matante]

Tell strings usually have higher tension. I, like many others, suffer from what could be called "Creeping Arthritis" - join pain / stiffness that makes the extra tension on SS strings kinds hurt. So I play nickles now. And I still play very well.

Stainless strings don't have higher tension. If anything, nickels do, though the difference is negligible.