Question stainless steel roundwound strings on MM bass?

[plchung3]

Hi all,

Does anyone use stainless steel roundwound strings on MM basses? Does it hurt your bass over years?

My nickel strings are dying and I want to try using SS roundwound on my bongo 5 because SS seems lasting a bit longer, but i worry that it "eats into the frets". Anyone know what is the material used to build the frets of Bongo?

Thanks

 

[cellkirk74]

I played Steels on my Stingray 4 for about 15 years and there is an impact to the frets, but it is still playable. It may have been a liitle less with nickles or coateds, but I don't belive they will kill your frets right away...

So just do it.

 

[strummer]

Don't worry about fret life, worry about tone, go for SS if you think they'll do the trick for you

 

[nashman]

There will be a noticeable difference in tone - and also "feel". Depending on which SS strings you get - they can produce a bit more string noise - and be rougher on your fingers. I have a set of both SS and flats - nice to have to cycle in when you feel like it.

 

[Caca de Kick]

but i worry that it "eats into the frets".

That *might* depend on how hard your fretting hand grips, and wether you grind a side-to-side vibrato alot. SS strings is all I ever use and I have never worn out any frets.

But like Stummer said, worry about your tone...if they're your sound, then they're your sound. Thats why refret jobs exist.

 

[Chuck B]

The same here. I played steels for years on the Ray but switched to nickel plated steels years ago. Love the feel more.
The frets are ok on my bass...