lowdowner Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Can anyone tell me what the difference is between stainless and nickel strings? I usually use Rotosound - RS66LD which are stainless but I noticed that they also do RS55LDN which is the nickel version. Would I notice much difference? http://www.rotosound.com/swing-bass-66/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louisthebass Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 I used to use Rotosound Starfire nickels years ago - the brightness on nickels doesn't seem to last as long as regular stainless steels, but they do have a nicer feel on the fingers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 As mentioned nickels aren't as bright, trebly, harsh (depending on your point of view) as is usually the case with steel roundwounds. They're often described as darker or more mellow. They don't seem to change tone as much as steels when they age because they're starting off less bright. They're usually less abrasive when playing fingerstyle which is why players often prefer them and that's mainly why I've switched over to them (though I still use steel for flatwounds). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 I find stainless strings brighter and harsher on the fingers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdowner Posted February 19, 2015 Author Share Posted February 19, 2015 Thanks guys - i think I might try some and see what's what Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 [quote name='lowdowner' timestamp='1424376880' post='2695743'] Can anyone tell me what the difference is between stainless and nickel strings? I usually use Rotosound - RS66LD which are stainless but I noticed that they also do RS55LDN which is the nickel version. Would I notice much difference? [url="http://www.rotosound.com/swing-bass-66/"]http://www.rotosound.../swing-bass-66/[/url] [/quote] I agree with the previous comments; I changed to nickels for a while...I really enjoyed them and gigged with them several times. After a while however my hands broke out in a painful rash. Turns out I am allergic to nickel strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 [quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1424379161' post='2695781'] As mentioned nickels aren't as bright, trebly, harsh (depending on your point of view) as is usually the case with steel roundwounds. They're often described as darker or more mellow. They don't seem to change tone as much as steels when they age because they're starting off less bright. They're usually less abrasive when playing fingerstyle which is why players often prefer them and that's mainly why I've switched over to them (though I still use steel for flatwounds). [/quote] This is exactly how I found the difference between the two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Nickel strings turn my fingers black. G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40hz Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 ^this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameronj279 Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 I always use stainless steel strings (I figure it's easier to EQ treble out than in) but find Steels easier on the fingers than Nickels! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuckinthepod Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 I've only used nickels to this point as I play a wide range of covers. Roto Rotobass RB strings are nickel. They are cheap but the texture is quite rough in comparison to D'Addario EXL Nickels. I prefer the smoother texture and slightly higher tension of the D'Addarios. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 I tried DR Sunbeam nickel strings, to see what all the fuss was about. They didn't jump out at me as a big improvement over the DR Lo-Rider steel strings I was using at that time and they didn't last half as long. I don't play hard enough to have a problem with steel strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiltyG565 Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 [quote name='louisthebass' timestamp='1424377869' post='2695754'] I used to use Rotosound Starfire nickels years ago - the brightness on nickels doesn't seem to last as long as regular stainless steels, but they do have a nicer feel on the fingers. [/quote] That's pretty much the main difference. Steel strings are brighter, but have a different feel to them. Nickel-plated strings are generally cheaper, and feel nicer under the fingers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Vincent Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 Nickel strings are also softer on the frets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cybertect Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 I believe nickel strings are also near-impossible to use with an eBow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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