Nickel plated Vs stainless steel strings

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 2:07 am

I use Ernie Ball stainless slinky's on my 1991 4003.

Ive never actually tried Nickels on it!

I know stainless are brighter etc etc, but in a "real life" situation, am i gonna really hear a difference. I say this because i have recently tried Rotosound swing bass nickels on my fender, and am really impressed with the feel. They are also very cheap

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 3:16 am

Nickel wond strings are cheaper, they have a more vintage sound, they are easier on the frets ...

Having just bought my tenth bass, and seeing how I like to keep fresh strings on each bass, there is no way I will ever pay $20 to $30 for a set of strings.

So I usually buy cheap nickel wound 5 string sets in bulk for under $10 each ... D'Adarrio, Rotosound, and DR all make good strings.

There are dozens of brand names of strings, but there are only a few factories around the world that make those strings. So when you pay $20 or $30 for a set of strings you may be getting the same strings as a guy who is buying the cheap set, you are paying for the name.

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 3:43 am

what are the "brand" of these cheap strings? and how do they compare t0 the "proper" makes?

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 4:25 am

I have found nickel wound stings under the name of "Musician's Choice" "Musician's Friend" "Music Yo" "Copley" etc ...

You can get some at this web site ...

http://www.musicyo.com/

Also serarch ebay for bass strings

I have found these to be as good or better than some of the brand names ... DR is still the best ...

The problem with brand name strings is you pay for their advertising, and you don't know how old those strings are. I had some GHS strings that were dead right out of the package ... how long were they on the shelf?

with the cheaper strings I can change them more often ... no matter how good a string is it will go dead eventually

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 2:29 am

I like D'Addario XL170's. These are nickle sets gauged .45 .65 .80 .100. A little lighter on the bottom and a little heavier on the top. They feel great on my Rickenbackers.

john_l · Post by **john_l** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 5:04 am

I like Ernie Ball Super Slinky bass strings. Same as the XL170's .45 .65 .80 .100, nickle roundwound. I use them on all my basses now. I like the feel of nickle strings, and after lots of trying found I like the sound of these on my 4003s. You can buy them for about $17.00 most anywhere.

BTW, I like name brand stuff.

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 5:34 am

Next time im gonna try nickel wounds on my Rick. I have been impressed with the Rotosound nickels on my fender, and they are cheap here! They also have this cool looking blue silk!

Stainless last ages, but are VERY harsh when new. Ricks seem to have hard frets, and theres a lot of clank from fretting.