Nickel vs. Stainless Strings

Colin Mclean · From: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

I'm curious about your opinions regarding the differences between these two string types.

Which do you use, and why? Is it the tonal properties? Do you feel that one stays in tune or lasts longer than the other? Does either produce unwanted noise that you've noticed?

Sorry if this topic has been beat to death around here, but I couldn't find anything on it using the search function.

Thanks in advance, I appreciate your input.

Jim Bates · From: Alvin, Texas, USA

Of course this is an individual preference. Through the years I have tried probably every brand and type of steel guitar string made. I keep going back to the stainless round wound (S.I.T seem to be the best for me)because I like a bright sound and these seem to keep the brightness in the wound strings better than the nickel wound.

Some differences that can cause the nickel strings to go 'dead' sooner are how much do your hands sweat and is the perspiration caustic to the nickel. I have this problem and the stainless is not affected.
Of course the climate where you live plays a big part in this.

I do like the 'flat' nickel wound strings when they are new on some guitars, like the fender T-8 I played beginning in the mid-50's.

Thanx,
Jim

David Doggett · Posted 26 Aug 2007 12:39 am

On my uni I use stainless steel, because they last much longer. Also, the low wound strings tend to sound muddy, and SS strings sound brighter and less muddy. On the other hand, SS wound strings have more bar noise. So it depends on your needs.

Jody Sanders · From: Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.

I use Frenchy's semi- flat wound silent series nickel strings. Work great and last a long time. These strings are available in stainless also.Jody.

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I use George L's which are SS strings. It's been posted on here that SS do not require as much travel as a Nickel string for a raise or lower. I know I bought a set of some "nameless" brand other than George L's one time and they were mis marked as SS and they turned out to be Nickel and I had to retune all the wound string adjustments, quite a bit.

The Stainless Steel is only on the wound strings. The plain are the same on either sets.

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

I prefer nickel wounds, though sometimes I use a stainless for my wound 6th string.

I don't buy the notion that stainless last longer. Sure, they stay bright forever, but after they've been on for several months they develop false harmonics just like nickel wounds do.

Nickel wound strings are bright when you first put them on, and then they "mellow in" over the first couple of days. They keep a warm, consistent tone for the useful life of the string.

The difference in pedal travel and tuning is more likely caused by different core diameters. Part of a string maker's formula is the core size vs. the winding size. If you switch brands, some pedals will almost certainly need to be retuned even if you have exactly the same gauges.
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Jon Light (deceased) · From: Saugerties, NY

I'm either getting slack in my old age or....I dunno....but I am less than diligent about which I have on my guitar, including mixes & matches (I rarely change all strings at once--I buy in bulk and change individual strings as needed.) The only time I am specific is on strings that require long lever throws--full step lowers on 6, 7 & 8, for instance--where I use SS for the purpose of getting the most out of the lever movement. I fully corroborate the increased sensitivity of SS re: pitch change. At least when comparing the bulk nickel vs. the bulk SS that I get at juststrings.com. A GeorgeL vs. an SIT, nickel vs. SS might be an apple orange thing with different core sizes and the results may vary from my experiences.

Andy Sandoval · From: Bakersfield, California, USA

I tried the SS's and they did sound brighter but they did have a little more bar noise and they were also harder on the changer fingers and caused them to groove more than the nickels.

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

As I noted, I've used SS on my 81 Franklin since it was new. The changer fingers are aluminum and there's very little grooving in them and no more on the SS wound strings than on the fingers for the plain strings (which are the same, nickel, whether SS or some other alloy).

I keep hearing about the potential for more grooving with SS but I don't see it on my Franklin.

Billy Carr · From: Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)

I use Frenchy's Steel Mill strings, nickel wound. I also use Cobra Coils at times.

Colin Mclean · From: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Thanks for your responses, fellas.

I'm new to this instrument and haven't undergone a string change yet. It sounds like SS is more up my alley since I like tone with a little 'bite'. I'm worried about the changer fingers on my guitar though, as it's a Carter Starter so I'm sure they are of an inferior material.

Morton Kellas · From: Chazy, NY, USA 1

Hi! Colin,
I honestly doubt that any material on your Carter starter is inferior. As or strings, I have been using nickel over the past months and am going back to stainless. The main reason for me is that I notice too much of a change when I go from the wound to the plain. The stainless seem to balance better in that respect. The plain strings are bright to start with and the nickel wound strings seem to be a bit too mellow to balance as well. I hear more differential with the nickel that I do with the stainless. Others may disagree, but that is what I hear. Best wishes and good luck with your steel.

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

Morton Kellas · From: Chazy, NY, USA 1

bOb, Thank you for that idea. I may try that.

Danny Hullihen · From: Harrison, Michigan

KENNY KRUPNICK · From: Columbus, Ohio

I am using Cobra Coils,and Jagwires. I put a new set of Jagwires on my Sierra about a month ago,and they sound pretty good. I still like Cobra Coils though. Very Happy

I did use George L's stainless strings, which were pretty good too,but the Cobra's,and Jags are at the top of my list. Cool

KENNY KRUPNICK · From: Columbus, Ohio

Thanks to Bobbe for the Cobra Coils,and Danny for the Jagwires. Very Happy

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

I am from the old school and prefer the rich, mellow tone I get from the nickel strings.
I also like the smooooooothness of a nickel string. Couple that with a BJS chrome bar and string noise is virtually eliminated. Very Happy

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

I realize I'm dating myself with this post, but I find myself thinking: How fortunate we are today and how soon we forget?? Hasn't been that long ago, you were lucky to find strings close to the gauges you required. The local drug store or Western Auto would sell you a Black Diam ond set for a couple of bucks and you were glad to get them. Stainless, nickel...who knew or cared? I don't recall ever buying singles....

New technology has changed all that and your needs are nearly instantaneously met. Be grateful for the instant response...it wasn't always so.

Just pick an alloy and stay with it. I'm bettin' if you close your eyes when you take them out of the package, you won't notice the difference one to the other. JMO.

Colin Mclean · From: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

I betcha I would. Very Happy

I put a set of "Snake Oil Brand" strings on my strat a while back and could absolutely tell the difference.

Believe me, I was shocked at what a difference strings could make on the sound of a guitar.

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

There might be better strings but with all the different guitars I string up, I buy Ernie Ball strings by the gauge.
I've got strings all the way from 11 to 70 gauge in my collection.

Colin Mclean · From: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

70??? That must be for 12 string right?

What are the Ernie Ball strings, nickel? IIRC the package on the ones I put on my 6-strings say "nickel wound". Actually the reason I started this thread was because of the "Snake Oil Brand" strings I mentioned earlier. They were supposed to be pure nickel, thus having a warmer tone. They sure did have a "warmer" tone, they sounded dead the minute I put them on.

Just curious if anyone here noticed the same difference with nickel strings and avoided them for that or other reasons.

KENNY KRUPNICK · From: Columbus, Ohio

A "70" gauge string is for the 10th string on C6th. Very Happy

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

Good for you Colin. It's great that you have found the strings that work best for you. If you're using the S.O.B.'s, then you probably already know how that guy feels about 'em. Hates 'em.....Says their horrible and fret killers too boot.

My comment was meant as a very general one about the differences among the same mfg. All I meant was that if you have to make a choice, only you can determine what is the best choice tonally and action wise.

For pedal steel, just decide on one, tune the pedal changes for that alloy and stick with it.

There are so many great makers/distributors nowadays. It's hard to miss with any of the majors.

I've always used SS. But, whatever works for you Smile

Colin Mclean · From: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Well, when I say I tried this and that string, I'm referring to the strats/les pauls/other 6-stringers. I've been playing those things for almost 20 years now and have a pretty good handle on what does what to your sound, and what style it applies to best.

As far as the steel guitar goes, I've just started playing a little over a month ago and haven't changed strings yet. As you're saying Jerry, it's all subjective and you just have to find what works best for you. I was just hoping to gain some insight into why someone would prefer one or the other on this instrument, and what they felt the advantages or disadvantages were.

I think I have, and I thank you all for your responses. I'm thinking I'll buy a set of both and try the nickel first. If they go dead too fast for my ears, I'll try the SS and see if that's any better. Whatever I decide, I'm sure I'll change my mind once I buy a new amp... Razz

And BTW I'm not knocking SOB strings, many people use them and prefer them. Anyone playing jazz guitar would probably love them.

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