@@jfinneynowable I have a Drop D tuning key and need a heavier low E that will hold up, I found steel strings work best for drop tuning, but since I prefer nickel wound for the best finger tone I had to make the compromise, but it turned out to actually sound great, I just have to play more notes up and down the fretboard on the low E string if I want to keep that punchy tone.😁
As someone who uses active basses, nickels are a good compliment, in my opinion. Also, something to consider is, steel strings are much harsher on your frets.
Right. Nickel strings on active basses. I have two Stingrays and a Sadowsky Metroline stung with DR Sunbeeams. With active basses the tone is eaier to dial in without a harsh top end.
I am going to say steel for me. I like punk/hardcore/metal and the bass tends to have more clank than most other types of music. Steel for clank unless I am wrong.
Comes down to the tone you want out of your bass. Example, I use stainless on my spector euro and my 78 Ric. I use nickel on my spector coda, soector 5 Korean made, and on.my fretless jazz bass. This gives me some variation from bass to bass, but I get what I like to hear from each bass. To me that's what matters. 😊
This was a fantastic video, thank you for it... Sophie is a fantastic player, a real joy to listen to her playing. And you, Gregor, are hilarious... Super funny, but informative and covered exactly what I wanted to know about steel vs. nickel... Bravo!! 🤘
AWESOME!!!! video, I use the nickels they are very consistent and have a longer life than steels and much more easier on the frets as well, again AWESOME!!!! video Gregor and really excellent playing from Sophie.
I got into using stainless steel strings back in 2012, after listening to Marcus Miller’s “Renaissance” album, despite the fact I had a nickel allergy 😂. I started using the Pro Steels in 2015, and I’ve been a dedicated user ever since!
No one ever does a Round-wound strings review of which brands have the least amount of finger friction noise. That would be interesting. Especially for solo work where you want to hear the notes, nothing more. I don’t mean coated or flat wound or tapewound but the quietest roundwound when it comes to friction noise. Bass Player Magazine did many years ago. It would cool to see a more current review. Thanks .
I play mostly metal. I have a Schecter Apocalypse EX4 and a Peavey Grind 5, both passive basses. The Schecter has a much brighter/in your face tone than the Peavey does. I put the Pro-steels on the Peavey and the Nickel wound on the Schecter and they balance each other out. Works out great!
I've used stainless round wound strings for over 45 years on almost all my basses. I had come to really love flats on my old pbass, which I no longer have. I am now building a pbass and will end up putting flats on that and stay with the steel for my G&L jazz bass.
I have an interesting reason for choosing stainless steel. I play Rocksmith, Yousician, and other games that involve direct input from my bass. None of them are particularly good at detecting bass notes, and the problem is worse with detuning. By using a pick, a maxed out tone knob, turning off the neck pickup (and only using the bridge), and using bright stainless steel strings, your bass comes through crisp and clear with no missed notes. Just my two cents.
i was hardcore nickel for my first ten or so years of playing. a friend had me try some DR Hi Beams and i've never looked back. it really depends on the bass and style of music IMHO.
Given the advancements in IR and modeling, I wondering if the difference between these and other string types can "engineered" into the final sound production. I agree that the physical response and feel of the strings differ and may be a personal preference and drive your final decision. It seems that we are going toward a world where it doesn't matter so much what you play as long as you have the right IR and modeler loaded and a good engineer for the final mix.
I used to play steel wound as they are so bright, sharp, and full sounding and great for slapping. But have since switched to Nickel wound as they are bunch easier on the fingers. But yea Nickel wound does not sound as good on the high end.
Nice comparison. I like the punch of stainless and cobalt strings. They also don't turn my finger tips black and grimy like nickel strings. Anybody else have this issue with nickel strings?
I have to use steel because I am allergic to Nickel. Can be interesting for multiscale but I love the steel strings I've been using that set for over 10 years and all my 4 string basses bar 1 are strung with the EPS165.
There are too many variables at play, like bass model, mechanics, musical genre, amplifier, speaker. I tend to prefer nickel ones, I consider them more versatile, but it's just my personal opinion, and anyway, I repeat, it depends. By the way, nice comparison!
That’s it in a nutshell. For modern basses, and/or 5-6 string models; I’d probably go stainless rounds. Cheaper and more Ubiquitous But for vintage/type basses from the 70s; nickel round Vintage/type basses from the ‘50s-60s’ style; nickel flats _(expensive tho)_
I've been using Ernie Ball Cobalt strings, and they sound fantastic. The feel is a little weird, but I've gotten used to it. If you like bright tone, give 'em a try.
The difference between the two types becomes a lot more pronounced when you have a heavy attack. After years of using ProSteels, I can't stand Nickels because they don't have the same top end shape as Steels when you hit them hard, you can boost those frequencies but it's still not the same. For those with a lighter touch, Nickels are perfectly fine.
For future string reviews it would be useful to hear the the tone knob (passive bass) or treble knob (active bass) rolled off slightly. Hard to know how these strings would compare in real world playing situations without that. Thanks!
I fitted Quarter Pounder pickups to my Kimbara J-bass. Although they're my go-to strings, I wasn't happy with Swings on it - too thick a sound. I had a spare set of Pro Steels for my Aria PJ but I am planning to try Super Slinkys on the Aria so I put the Pro Steels on the Kimbara instead. I didn't expect them to suit it but they actually complement the Quarter Pounders. Well, you never know till you try! 😎👍
I have a nickel allergy so I have no other choice but to use stainless. Get blisters if I play nickel for a little bit. I really like the tone of nickel. Tried coated strings but didn't like the way they sounded. I like my strings having a more dead sound and it takes awhile for stainless to get exactly how I like. Once they are there I can leave them on for a long time thanks to them not corroding.
Nickel out of the packet..Steel after a few hours play. Steel last longer for me so go on nearly all my basses. Also generally like less tension that steel provides aswell. Al of that general but they are also pretty significant factors for bass strings especially recording
I like steels. Love Rotosounds. They are the best. Tried the D’addario nickels and they are fine. Good tone. I tried the Pro Steels recently and they sound awful. Horrible tone. Nowhere even close to Rotosounds. That’s just my ear though.
Different sounds for different occasions. There is also so much variation in both types that the difference mostly comes down to how they feel. Unless you are allergic to nickel…
our band usually play Drop Ab Eb Ab or low F Eb Ab can someone help me which is better choice? nickel or steel? is .135 gauge enough? i cant see .140 / .145 gauge.
Novice bassist, so this helps me out. I had flats on my pre lawsuit '72 Electra EBIII copy, and I absolutely hated them. I prefer strung wound over flat. I think I am using nickel plated steel, but I still don't like it's tone as much as the Squire Fender Precision bass, so i use it more. Now I think I am going to try buying steel Pro strings, as mine are cloth wrapped in red, white, and blue, bought for $17.76 on a July 4th special sale, but I feel it doesn't have best tone, likely due to being wrapped, or maybe they are just painted this. The novice bassist I am showing up brighter than the string's colors, I know, I admit it!!!
Steels have clarity and will retain a broken in sound longer. Also if you have a nickel allergy steels are absolutely better. But broken in steel sounds much better than broken in nickel.
For modern music or metal I use stainless steel but another instrument what I use more tradicional music I put nickel wound strings. But in lifetime of the strings are so different the ninckel strings zing what I love it least maximum 2-3 weeks but the stainless steel keep the bright sound 2-3 months. So thats the point why I vote for stainless steels.
as im allergic to nickel..... steel all the way. not that i mind.... i prefer the bite and feel of steel. sadly it does hurt to try the other... blisters on the fingers is not fun.
Over 45 years of trying every kind of bass string, stainless steel with a high chromium content wins every time. Harmonics , power and articulation stand out better than nickel.
@@jazzman0173 refret one and see. I did that with mine and couldn't be happier. The good thing about ss frets is that they don't need any kind of maintenance whatsoever. Even with nickel strings nickel frets need some leveling, polishing, crowning from time to time. And at some point, nickel frets get so worn out from use you need to replace them. On the other hand, ss frets are a "set it and forget it" kind of thing. They'll last longer than your life.
How long does it take though? People hear that and while it is true, it doesn’t happen in a few months or even few years. I’d say it would easily take over 5-7 years of heavy playing.
@@Facu_RoldanI refretted mine with stainless and still use nickel strings. Now I don't have to worry about anything at all. Best decision. Now I don't have to polish every damn time. Saves time cleaning the bass.
Thanx thanx Gregor and Sophie , always a joy to see and hear Sophie play a bass 👍
I use *steel* on the _low E_ and *nickel* for the _rest of my bass strings!_ Sometimes you gotta have the *best* of *both* worlds! 😎
Interesting!
What’s the advantage for you?
@@jfinneynowable I have a Drop D tuning key and need a heavier low E that will hold up, I found steel strings work best for drop tuning, but since I prefer nickel wound for the best finger tone I had to make the compromise, but it turned out to actually sound great, I just have to play more notes up and down the fretboard on the low E string if I want to keep that punchy tone.😁
@@hillblocksview does someone sell a custom set or do you need to buy 2 packs?
@@MasterKydis no manufacturer has picked up on this string combination yet, I buy the nickel string pack and individual low E steel string separately.
As someone who uses active basses, nickels are a good compliment, in my opinion. Also, something to consider is, steel strings are much harsher on your frets.
Nickels + Steel frets ✅
Steels + Nickel frets ❌
@@Shallow_Death_Doom nailed it
Right. Nickel strings on active basses. I have two Stingrays and a Sadowsky Metroline stung with DR Sunbeeams. With active basses the tone is eaier to dial in without a harsh top end.
I am going to say steel for me. I like punk/hardcore/metal and the bass tends to have more clank than most other types of music. Steel for clank unless I am wrong.
Comes down to the tone you want out of your bass.
Example, I use stainless on my spector euro and my 78 Ric. I use nickel on my spector coda, soector 5 Korean made, and on.my fretless jazz bass. This gives me some variation from bass to bass, but I get what I like to hear from each bass. To me that's what matters. 😊
Sophie is such a sound bassist, every note she plays just feels *right*
Agreed. She just needs a little work on her bass face -- but don't lose that great smile!
@@12cmf i dont like her style at all too much soft touch
My bass has a set of Elites on it, which were fitted last century!
This was a fantastic video, thank you for it... Sophie is a fantastic player, a real joy to listen to her playing. And you, Gregor, are hilarious... Super funny, but informative and covered exactly what I wanted to know about steel vs. nickel... Bravo!! 🤘
Subjective.
Depends on what you’re going for.
As always such balanced and well-considered reviews. I hope we hear the voices of the players in the future.
Good presentation for the comparison. Using nickels 45-125 on a Wick 5er detuned a half step.
You gotta try the Markbass Balanced strings! Stainless Steel strings with the last outer wire being nickel, best of both worlds!
Thanks for the video and commentary. I always enjoy listening to the guests on your channel play. All the best.
AWESOME!!!! video, I use the nickels they are very consistent and have a longer life than steels and much more easier on the frets as well, again AWESOME!!!! video Gregor and really excellent playing from Sophie.
where's cobalt?
Gregor I use nickel wound by D'Addario yay
I got into using stainless steel strings back in 2012, after listening to Marcus Miller’s “Renaissance” album, despite the fact I had a nickel allergy 😂. I started using the Pro Steels in 2015, and I’ve been a dedicated user ever since!
No one ever does a Round-wound strings review of which brands have the least amount of finger friction noise. That would be interesting. Especially for solo work where you want to hear the notes, nothing more. I don’t mean coated or flat wound or tapewound but the quietest roundwound when it comes to friction noise. Bass Player Magazine did many years ago. It would cool to see a more current review. Thanks .
Soo which roundwound have the least friction noise according to the Bass Player Magazine back then tho?
Wait, there are people who put new strings on their bass?
I play mostly metal. I have a Schecter Apocalypse EX4 and a Peavey Grind 5, both passive basses. The Schecter has a much brighter/in your face tone than the Peavey does. I put the Pro-steels on the Peavey and the Nickel wound on the Schecter and they balance each other out. Works out great!
I've used stainless round wound strings for over 45 years on almost all my basses. I had come to really love flats on my old pbass, which I no longer have. I am now building a pbass and will end up putting flats on that and stay with the steel for my G&L jazz bass.
I have an interesting reason for choosing stainless steel. I play Rocksmith, Yousician, and other games that involve direct input from my bass. None of them are particularly good at detecting bass notes, and the problem is worse with detuning. By using a pick, a maxed out tone knob, turning off the neck pickup (and only using the bridge), and using bright stainless steel strings, your bass comes through crisp and clear with no missed notes. Just my two cents.
would have been cool to see them send a set of the nyxl to add to the comparison, im curious how those compare in a situation like this
That’s my favorite size of bass string. Perfect balance of fidelity and solidity
i was hardcore nickel for my first ten or so years of playing. a friend had me try some DR Hi Beams and i've never looked back. it really depends on the bass and style of music IMHO.
Given the advancements in IR and modeling, I wondering if the difference between these and other string types can "engineered" into the final sound production. I agree that the physical response and feel of the strings differ and may be a personal preference and drive your final decision. It seems that we are going toward a world where it doesn't matter so much what you play as long as you have the right IR and modeler loaded and a good engineer for the final mix.
I used to play steel wound as they are so bright, sharp, and full sounding and great for slapping. But have since switched to Nickel wound as they are bunch easier on the fingers. But yea Nickel wound does not sound as good on the high end.
Love steels. Takes some getting used to on the fretting hand but it's not bad.
Nice comparison. I like the punch of stainless and cobalt strings. They also don't turn my finger tips black and grimy like nickel strings. Anybody else have this issue with nickel strings?
I have to use steel because I am allergic to Nickel. Can be interesting for multiscale but I love the steel strings I've been using that set for over 10 years and all my 4 string basses bar 1 are strung with the EPS165.
"We're on tik tok, and don't worry - I'm not dancing" LOL
Great video, I've used nickels for most of my life
Thanks for the deep dive ❤❤❤❤
Stainless steel flats on all of my basses. La Bella low tension flats on regular scale ones and La Bella Deep Talking on short scale ones.
Yip, love the La Bella Deep Talking flats on my Mustang bass. A perfect match.
There are too many variables at play, like bass model, mechanics, musical genre, amplifier, speaker. I tend to prefer nickel ones, I consider them more versatile, but it's just my personal opinion, and anyway, I repeat, it depends. By the way, nice comparison!
That’s it in a nutshell.
For modern basses, and/or 5-6 string models; I’d probably go stainless rounds. Cheaper and more Ubiquitous
But for vintage/type basses from the 70s; nickel round
Vintage/type basses from the ‘50s-60s’ style; nickel flats _(expensive tho)_
I've been using Ernie Ball Cobalt strings, and they sound fantastic. The feel is a little weird, but I've gotten used to it. If you like bright tone, give 'em a try.
I like the snap of stainless better. But I also use DR Hi-Beams rather than ProSteels.
The difference between the two types becomes a lot more pronounced when you have a heavy attack. After years of using ProSteels, I can't stand Nickels because they don't have the same top end shape as Steels when you hit them hard, you can boost those frequencies but it's still not the same. For those with a lighter touch, Nickels are perfectly fine.
For future string reviews it would be useful to hear the the tone knob (passive bass) or treble knob (active bass) rolled off slightly. Hard to know how these strings would compare in real world playing situations without that. Thanks!
I fitted Quarter Pounder pickups to my Kimbara J-bass. Although they're my go-to strings, I wasn't happy with Swings on it - too thick a sound. I had a spare set of Pro Steels for my Aria PJ but I am planning to try Super Slinkys on the Aria so I put the Pro Steels on the Kimbara instead. I didn't expect them to suit it but they actually complement the Quarter Pounders. Well, you never know till you try! 😎👍
I have a nickel allergy so I have no other choice but to use stainless. Get blisters if I play nickel for a little bit. I really like the tone of nickel. Tried coated strings but didn't like the way they sounded. I like my strings having a more dead sound and it takes awhile for stainless to get exactly how I like. Once they are there I can leave them on for a long time thanks to them not corroding.
@ChrisyopherCassisi Have you tried flats?
Wow, how did the SS and nickel strings end up sounding so similar?!
Nickel out of the packet..Steel after a few hours play. Steel last longer for me so go on nearly all my basses. Also generally like less tension that steel provides aswell. Al of that general but they are also pretty significant factors for bass strings especially recording
I like steels. Love Rotosounds. They are the best. Tried the D’addario nickels and they are fine. Good tone. I tried the Pro Steels recently and they sound awful. Horrible tone. Nowhere even close to Rotosounds. That’s just my ear though.
Agreed
when you like Rotosound nothing else will sound better
Different sounds for different occasions. There is also so much variation in both types that the difference mostly comes down to how they feel. Unless you are allergic to nickel…
our band usually play Drop Ab Eb Ab or low F Eb Ab
can someone help me which is better choice? nickel or steel? is .135 gauge enough? i cant see .140 / .145 gauge.
Novice bassist, so this helps me out. I had flats on my pre lawsuit '72 Electra EBIII copy, and I absolutely hated them. I prefer strung wound over flat. I think I am using nickel plated steel, but I still don't like it's tone as much as the Squire Fender Precision bass, so i use it more. Now I think I am going to try buying steel Pro strings, as mine are cloth wrapped in red, white, and blue, bought for $17.76 on a July 4th special sale, but I feel it doesn't have best tone, likely due to being wrapped, or maybe they are just painted this. The novice bassist I am showing up brighter than the string's colors, I know, I admit it!!!
Nickel coated strings can be slippery if you sweat a lot
Steels have clarity and will retain a broken in sound longer. Also if you have a nickel allergy steels are absolutely better. But broken in steel sounds much better than broken in nickel.
good lessons, helps me to chose nickel - daddario is spend but is excelent
Steel strings will start eating your frets up quick unless they’re also stainless steel. Just be aware
For modern music or metal I use stainless steel but another instrument what I use more tradicional music I put nickel wound strings.
But in lifetime of the strings are so different the ninckel strings zing what I love it least maximum 2-3 weeks but the stainless steel keep the bright sound 2-3 months. So thats the point why I vote for stainless steels.
Nickel or Steel...i dont care...I 💜Sophie 😊
as im allergic to nickel..... steel all the way.
not that i mind.... i prefer the bite and feel of steel.
sadly it does hurt to try the other... blisters on the fingers is not fun.
Nickel for me. Been using them for 20 yrs.
Over 45 years of trying every kind of bass string, stainless steel with a high chromium content wins every time. Harmonics , power and articulation stand out better than nickel.
Steel rules! 🤘🎶🎸
Pro Steels are one of the best strings out there.
The Adam Friedland Show Jadakiss episode comes to mind......
I agree with Gregor what he says
Me too
Please Dance. 🤟😉👍
I prefer nickel, but both sounded great here.
What about those rubber strings that were the big thing in the 90's? 😆
Steel eat up fretts
Use stainless steel frets then.
@Facu_Roldan like I'm gunna refrett all my basses
@@jazzman0173 refret one and see. I did that with mine and couldn't be happier. The good thing about ss frets is that they don't need any kind of maintenance whatsoever. Even with nickel strings nickel frets need some leveling, polishing, crowning from time to time. And at some point, nickel frets get so worn out from use you need to replace them. On the other hand, ss frets are a "set it and forget it" kind of thing. They'll last longer than your life.
How long does it take though? People hear that and while it is true, it doesn’t happen in a few months or even few years. I’d say it would easily take over 5-7 years of heavy playing.
@@Facu_RoldanI refretted mine with stainless and still use nickel strings. Now I don't have to worry about anything at all. Best decision. Now I don't have to polish every damn time. Saves time cleaning the bass.
I like coated strings.
I love comparison videos where they never play the same bass line or technique.😐
Just watch the full video
I like nickel more. I feel them much better under the fingers
I have a nickel allergy so im using stainless steel roundwounds.
Pro steels! They keep their tone longer
I find that steel strings age much better than nickels...
..Nickel made steel more Oxygen resistant, Steel Strings tending more to corrosion..
D'Addario, not "dee adario". Ignore the apostrophe.
I don't really get to choose, I'm allergic to nickel 😭
Rotosound 66's all day long
It's all about personal preference. I find nickel strings too grabby.
Steel more economic
Flatwound!
Only steel strings. 😊
I just use the cheapest strings i could find lol
Spaghetti.
how about: not d'addario?
Easy...Stainless Steel bright...Nickel...not bright
None because cobalts
OMG,, stop with the slap crap please. No one plays slap bass. No one LIKES slap bass.
Calm down . Also you’re wrong