String Feel - Nickle vs. Steel

[ZiggyDude]

Greetings!

Just a quick question on EBMM strings if I may.

To date I think about all I have used is the Nickle wound. The green 5 string package which I think is 45 > 135 or something like that. They are nicely bright sound and have a nice feel. Most of the time on my various basses I use DR High Beams which are a steel wound. I use about the same gauge for either.

The DR strings seem to have more tension or resistance if that makes sense. The EBMM feel a bit more "Buttery". When I am relaxing at home I may even prefer that to the tighter tension strings. I go back and forth on that actually. But - when playing live and a bit more aggressive and the heat of the moment I like the tighter feel.

Would the EBMM steel strings have that tighter feel - or some other EBMM string product?

Time to restring my Bongo. It still has the stock strings on it (what ever they were). Somehow it only seems proper to keep EBMMs on it. :-)

Much-much many thanks!

- Ziggy -

[DCStingray]

Hey Ziggy,
I'm assuming you're reffering to Regular Slinkys which are called "nickel wound". In this case, the strings are actually nickel-plated steel wrap wire. This is not to be confused with the pure nickel wrap which is used for EB's "Rock n Roll" sets, however, I don't believe this is available for bass sets. The stainless steel sets are entirely steel which will definitely have a different feel than what you are used to. Stainless steel will have a much brighter tone and in my opinion feel a bit tighter than the nickel plated steel used for regular slinky sets. I would definitely recommend giving them a try.

[Powman]

Yes, try stainless steel. Some people love 'em...I do not. But thats a matter of personal opinion.

For my Sterling, it is already quite a bright bass so I think stainless steel would be too bright.

The Bongo is not as bright or aggressive as the Sterling so it might be able to handle stainless steel.

[ZiggyDude]

I know it is on the site someplace - but I can't find it.

The strings that come with the Bongo - are they these? I might get one set and also a SS set.

Ernie Ball Electric Bass Guitar - Roundwound 5-String Slinky, .045 - .130, 2836

Thanx!

[ZiggyDude]

Never mind - I found it. It was on the sticky. Sheesh!

[ZiggyDude]

I put this on another thread to. But added a question here since this is where we were talking the SS thing.

I could not find a 5 string set. Does EBMM make one - or can I only get the nickel plate?

I had the original strings on the Bongo HH5 that I took delivery on last summer. I noticed that I was having trouble dialing in certain tones recently. Also the bass was deader when just playing w/o an amp. Since the memory of what the bass sounded like new was somewhat faded - I popped on a fresh set of the Slinkies. Goodness! What a difference. I think I will record some with my Zoom H2 while they are still fresh (now about 4 days and one gig old) and keep for comparison differences. The strings, oddly, also felt a bit softer or more buttery. Not sure why or if that was just me.