Nickel or Steel?

[Rewbass]

Hi there! I'm thinking about giving a try to steel strings since I'm starting to look for a brighter sound, but just 'a bit' brighter, that's why I'm not sure and wonder your opinion about it. 
I've always used DR Sunbeams Nickel-Plated Round Core. I would try the same strings but stainless steel, like Fat-Beams. Any thoughts?
I like warm but a bit bright and clear sound. 

(It's to play on my P-Bass BTW).

Thnx in advance for your answers.

Edited Friday at 15:20 by Rewbass

[Dood]

For a brighter tone, D'Addario Pro Steels work really well on my Ash bodied Precision bass. The bass has quite a full sounding pickup on board so those strings pair well. The thing I like about using steels is that you can turn the tone down a little to find a sweet spot - but you can't coax zing out of a string that doesn't have those qualities. 

 

That said, I like the brightness of the D'Addario NYXL and even the XL Nickels fresh and crisp out the packet! "Ready to go" tone! 

[Lozz196]

Yeah I’d give the steel Fat Beams a try, I find nickels on Precisions to both lack the top end I want and to be a bit too warm in the mids so always put steels on them (Elixirs in my case) for a similar bright & clear sound.

[Skybone]

Big fan of D'Addario Pro Steels on my 4003. Tried a few different types, but the Pro Steels just sing IMO.

[Gank Bass]

+1 for pro steels, they last a good while too

[Norris]

Another pro steel user here

[Terry M.]

9 hours ago, Rewbass said:

I've always used DR Sunbeams Nickel-Plated Round Core. I would try the same strings but stainless steel, like Fat-Beams. Any thoughts?

The same (Sunbeams) but stainless steel = High Beams. I doubt you would regret giving them a try. I really like them personally. Probably the smoothest feeling stainless steel strings I've ever tried.

Edited yesterday at 00:32 by Terry M.

[NancyJohnson]

15 hours ago, Rewbass said:

Hi there! I'm thinking about giving a try to steel strings since I'm starting to look for a brighter sound, but just 'a bit' brighter, that's why I'm not sure and wonder your opinion about it. 
I've always used DR Sunbeams Nickel-Plated Round Core. I would try the same strings but stainless steel, like Fat-Beams. Any thoughts?
I like warm but a bit bright and clear sound. 

(It's to play on my P-Bass BTW).

Thnx in advance for your answers.

 

You're going to be on the receiving end of dozens of recommendations, so start saving £££.

 

I'll play along. 

 

Elixir Nanowebs.  They're coated, either coated stainless steel or coated nickel plated steel; I'd say out of the box their steels have a slightly more zingy tone over the nickel-plated ones, but they just settle and then sets become indistinguishable from each other.

 

Oh, and they last for ages.

 

 

[pineweasel]

16 hours ago, Rewbass said:

I've always used DR Sunbeams Nickel-Plated Round Core. I would try the same strings but stainless steel, like Fat-Beams. Any thoughts?

Fat Beams will retain the feel of your round core Sunbeams and give you more of the sound you’re after. I loved them on my Fender Jazz Bass.  

[Jamieboy]

Having been a long time nickel user I recently tried a switch to steel. First some fat beams and then very recently hi beams.

 

I got used to the rougher texture pretty quickly. To me both have a lovely low tension and response.

 

Perhaps a controversial view but Fat beams didn't actually seem significantly brighter to me than various nickle-plated roundwounds I'd used on my basses recently (NYXL, lo rider nickel, dragon skin nickel). Decent strings though but not quite what i expected.

 

Hi beams are as I expected/wanted them to be - really bright and clear, piano-esque almost.

[Cosmo Valdemar]

As you're already used to the quality and consistency if DRs I would think it's a good idea to stick with them.

Personally no other string I've used comes anywhere near them.

If you're looking for something brighter, the Hi Beams and Fat Beams are both excellent choices.

[Terry M.]

15 hours ago, Jamieboy said:

Having been a long time nickel user I recently tried a switch to steel. First some fat beams and then very recently hi beams.

 

I got used to the rougher texture pretty quickly. To me both have a lovely low tension and response.

 

Perhaps a controversial view but Fat beams didn't actually seem significantly brighter to me than various nickle-plated roundwounds I'd used on my basses recently (NYXL, lo rider nickel, dragon skin nickel). Decent strings though but not quite what i expected.

 

Hi beams are as I expected/wanted them to be - really bright and clear, piano-esque almost.

I've never used Fat Beams but according to DR the construction process between them and High Beams are different resulting in a fuller sound. This is in concert with your description of each. High Beams are Sunbeams minus the nickel coating which is why I suggested them in a previous post. I didn't find them that rough at all though especially for stainless steel.

[fretmeister]

DR Hi Beans for me.