Nickel strings

[lowdowner]

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/

[louisthebass]

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.

[HowieBass]

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).

[Billy Apple]

I find stainless strings brighter and harsher on the fingers

[lowdowner]

Thanks guys - i think I might try some and see what's what

[White Cloud]

[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.

[Lozz196]

[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.

[geoffbyrne]

Nickel strings turn my fingers black.

G.

[40hz]

^this

[Cameronj279]

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!

[stuckinthepod]

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.

[chris_b]

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.

[MiltyG565]

[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.

[Spike Vincent]

Nickel strings are also softer on the frets.

[cybertect]

I believe nickel strings are also near-impossible to use with an eBow