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Topic: Nickel / Stainless questions |
Greg Vincent
From:
Folsom, CA USA
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Posted 7 Apr 2004 9:05 am |
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Hi folks! Just a few questions for y'all...
1.Which wound strings require a longer pull: nickel or stainless? Or is there no difference cuz the core is the same plain stainless wire?
2.Is the following statement true?
"Nickel strings start brighter but do not keep their tone as long as stainless." I think I heard that somewhere (here?).
3.If #2 above is true, does an old nickel string end up sounding about like a stainless string?
4.Do stainless strings LOOK darker than nickel strings?
I had been using Ernie Ball nickel but recently switched to Jagwire stainless and seem to have lost some "twang" on the bottom strings. I'm trying to find out if I'm imagining things, playing differently, or if it's due to the string change.
Thanks!
-GV
[This message was edited by Greg Vincent on 07 April 2004 at 10:25 AM.] |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 7 Apr 2004 9:42 am
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I don't think that stainless strings have the tone and fullness that the nickle ones do. You have to remember that the only strings that are stainless are the wound ones. I put new strings on a steel and then was really disappointed as to the sound. I hadn't been paying attention when I put them on and then discovered that they were stainles and they came off.
Erv |
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Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
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Posted 7 Apr 2004 9:58 am
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| Quote: |
| You have to remember that the only strings that are stainless are the wound ones. |
Actually, the only ones that are nickel are the wound ones.
Stainless-wound strings require less changer motion for a given pitch change. So if you can't get a whole tone drop on a nickel-wound .022 G#, then you should probably try a stainless wound string. It might work.
And try some different kinds too since they might have different core diameters and this pull differently.
The colors can vary. I bought some Jagwire stainless wound from b0b and the colors don't match each other.
All the strings sound the same to me. |
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David Doggett
From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
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Posted 7 Apr 2004 10:55 am
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| To me, nickel wound strings sound mellower (so I guess you could say fuller), and stainless wound strings sound brighter and twangier, out of the box and in the long run. |
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Jimmie Brown
From:
Fayetteville, NC, USA
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Posted 8 Apr 2004 4:21 pm
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stainless does not sound as good on my guitar.i recently put a set on and took them off the next day.They seemed to have a very bright sound
Jimmie |
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Jody Sanders
From:
Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 8 Apr 2004 9:53 pm
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| I prefer the sound of the nickel strings. I use Frenchy's Silent Series nickel strings. Best brand I have ever used. Jody. |
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C Dixon
From:
Duluth, GA USA
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Posted 9 Apr 2004 6:04 am
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I do not know which sounds better. But I do have an observation that is perplexing to me. Stainless Steel is almost always used when rusting or tarnishing is a problem. This has been one of the mainstays in manufacturing for eons.
Yet on a PSG, which strings are the ones that rust/tarnish the quickest? It is the plain strings. So to me, SS wound strings are trying to solve for the most part a problem tha does not exist.
Now when the day comes, they figure out a way to keep the plain strings from rusting or tarnishing, THAT will be a great thing IMO.
carl |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 9 Apr 2004 6:48 am
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The best method I have found to keep the life in your strings and eliminate tarnishing is to apply "Fast Fret" to the strings and then wipe them down after playing. A stick of this stuff lasts for years. It also makes your bar slide easier over the strings. I wouldn't be without it!
Erv |
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Loren Morehouse
From:
Meadowlands, MN USA
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Posted 9 Apr 2004 6:59 am
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| I agree with Erv. But you know, I've never tried anything else on my guitars but stainless, odd isn't it! I liked the idea of less travel on the changer so I guess that was my reasoning. I'll have to dig up some nickels and try 'em out. Loren. |
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Sonny Priddy
From:
Elizabethtown, Kentucky, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 9 Apr 2004 7:01 am
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The Best Thing I Found Is Put Some Armor All On A Spung Wipe The Strings Down Let Set For A mit. Then Wipe Down With Dry Clouth. It Won't Hurt The Sound Of The Strings Eather. SONNY.
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CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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Posted 9 Apr 2004 8:07 am
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Erv, you told me you used sardine oil and i got used to the smell
now i gotta go buy some "Fast Fret" again.
[This message was edited by CrowBear Schmitt on 09 April 2004 at 09:07 AM.] |
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Bobby Bowman
From:
Cypress, Texas, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 9 Apr 2004 8:33 am
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Buddy Emmons, who most of us consider to be the world's greatest steel player, uses George L stainless,,,,,go figure.
BB
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If you play 'em, play 'em good!
If you build 'em, build 'em good!
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 9 Apr 2004 9:12 am
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CrowBear,
I had to go back to Fast Fret as lately I haven't had much luck catching sardines. Maybe when the water warms up a bit! 
Uff-Da! |
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Nicholas Dedring
From:
Beacon, New York, USA
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Posted 11 Apr 2004 2:55 pm
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I like the idea that stainless keeps tone for longer... that I can rely on sounding the same, even if I'm "not so fresh" stringwise.
Tried nickel wounds on my lapsteel, didn't like them as much; that and the life issue make it a no-brainer for me... though it comes down to how much more you like nickel: is the sound so much better to your ears that it's worth buying new strings every week? If so, then best of luck to you  |
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