Anyone use/like D'Addario Nickel Bronze?

[Chiogtr4x]

Hey folks, this is just me being curious...

I have my fave acoustic strings, but maybe just out of boredom...

(happens with me, when gigs are sparse/Winter)

... I thought I'd get a few sets of D'Addario Nickel Bronze ( I use lights) to revisit, after trying them out years ago. I think I liked them before, but stayed away as they are more expensive ( $12 vs. $7), and I know I change strings a lot.

Anyway, $$ aside, I don't know how to feel about them as I have mixed feelings, that may be neurotic or petty ( Ha!) and am curious to 'hear' other's experiences with these strings?
My notes, for the moment:

- they have a rich detailed tone and a loud volume, which seems to have come out after a day or two of playing ( Martin D-1 dread, 30 in May!)

- can't describe why, but I feel like they will hold their clarity and tone for a longer time than my usual Phosphor Bronze strings (.not a big issue, as I kind of change strings after 3 gigs anyhow, but still, good to know)
* I have read these strings are Phosphor Bronze strings with a nickel coating

- the tone does not seem as warm as my fave strings ( can't explain)- kind of 'antiseptic' or cold (?)

- I dont like the way they look! Nickel color vs. Bronze on an acoustic bugs me!

- the wrap on the wound strings seems a little more aggressive than the strings I normally use ( that's one of the reasons I got away from D'Addario PB lights), but i dont use coated strings.

So I'm sort of wondering if my not liking their nickel appearance is causing me to transfer imagined traits about their tone- when they really may be an excellent, or even 'super string'?

Curious for opinions from those that have tried- thanks!
( just a fun thing)

 

[backalleyblues]

I tried a set on my national tricone some years ago, and I didn’t really care for them on that guitar, didn’t really do anything for me really, so off they came….

I’ve been using Martin Retros on my OM-15 for awhile now, and on that guitar I love them , they sound great on that guitar. The NB I’m guessing is D’Adarrios way of making a Monel alloy without actually buying it from the only company that makes that alloy-I’m not convinced they got the recipe right…

 

[Chiogtr4x]

I tried a set on my national tricone some years ago, and I didn’t really care for them on that guitar, didn’t really do anything for me really, so off they came….

I’ve been using Martin Retros on my OM-15 for awhile now, and on that guitar I love them , they sound great on that guitar. The NB I’m guessing is D’Adarrios way of making a Monel alloy without actually buying it from the only company that makes that alloy-I’m not convinced they got the recipe right…

Thanks!
Once again, my neurosis flaring,

I tried Martin Monels (lights) on my Martin years ago, but had once again, a 'mental issue' over the different string gauging of these; why they weren't the same gauge are almost any other light?...will revisit!

I did read that Monel was an anti-corrosion alloy designed to waterproof Navy ships- don't know if it was used in paints, or actual metals

 

[arlum]

You've got me curious. Cosidering how often you change strings, (I agree and do so as often as time allows), why would a string coated with something anti-corrosive be of any interest to you? Personally I don't use any coated strings. To be honest .... how long they last has never been a part of the equation I use when selecting strings. When I find a string set that sounds the way I want my strings to sound I buy a box of 30 sets and don't look back. Usually, when they run out, I don't explore other possibilities unless something specific about the current selection has become an issue. I just order 30 more sets. I run D'Addario XL 9 to 46 on my 6 string electrics, Rickenbackers lightest gauge strings on my 12 string electric and Martin Marquis in their lightest available gauge on my 6 and 12 string acoustics. I know these aren't the most popular gauges or brands but they've worked for me forever. I hope you find exactly what you're looking for. I'm just curious as to why you're looking.

 

[Chiogtr4x]

You've got me curious. Cosidering how often you change strings, (I agree and do so as often as time allows), why would a string coated with something anti-corrosive be of any interest to you? Personally I don't use any coated strings. To be honest .... how long they last has never been a part of the equation I use when selecting strings. When I find a string set that sounds the way I want my strings to sound I buy a box of 30 sets and don't look back. Usually, when they run out, I don't explore other possibilities unless something specific about the current selection has become an issue. I just order 30 more sets. I run D'Addario XL 9 to 46 on my 6 string electrics, Rickenbackers lightest gauge strings on my 12 string electric and Martin Marquis in their lightest available gauge on my 6 and 12 string acoustics. I know these aren't the most popular gauges or brands but they've worked for me forever. I hope you find exactly what you're looking for. I'm just curious as to why you're looking.

I'm actually not really looking for anything, as I now ( going on 10+ years),
I'm very happy with John Pearse strings ( both Phosphor Bronze and 80/20 lights) which have now consistently replaced ( just saying this as time has gone by now)
the D'Addario, Martin, and GHS strings I used for
' my first 30 years' of playing. The Pearse strings ( IMO) are just the best strings for me- a 'tweak above' my old brands.

I think that this time ( just bored/curious) I came across a bookmarked review of various Nickel alloy acoustic strings, bought some of the D'Addario Nickel Bronze ones, put them on and am playing now, comparing...

So I was just interested in folks experience/opinions of these specific strings.

 

[Freeman Keller]

After trying a lot of different strings trying to quell the overly bright sound of a new archtop I put a set of these on it. Helped some but they are very finger noisy. I'll leave them on a bit longer but they probably won't stay.

 

[mandoloony]

The high nickel content probably does make them more resistant to oxidation, which will let them last longer. I've used them on two guitars so far and they are indeed lasting a lot longer than phosphor or 80/20 bronze.

And yes, the tone is not as warm as conventional bronze strings. That's the whole point - they're bright strings with a big upper-mid hump.

 

[Chiogtr4x]

The high nickel content probably does make them more resistant to oxidation, which will let them last longer. I've used them on two guitars so far and they are indeed lasting a lot longer than phosphor or 80/20 bronze.

And yes, the tone is not as warm as conventional bronze strings. That's the whole point - they're bright strings with a big upper-mid hump.

Got it, thanks!

I usually trust my ears, when it comes to what I'm hearing when 'working' on either my electric or acoustic sound/ tone.

But sometimes you need 'confirmation' from others to verify what you think you are hearing...

I don't think these strings are gonna stay on, as with me string longevity is not a big issue, and I like the tone of my usual strings better...

The Nickel Bronze are still pretty new, so I can take off, and save them for backups.

I do my '4 string switch':

Since putting used plain steel 1st and 2nd strings back on is a pain, I leave these on the guitar, as they are pretty new; take off the 4 wound strings only and save.

Then put on just the 4 new wound strings of my fave ( Pearse PB's) on, and the 2 plain strings from this new set go with the ones I just took off!
Neurotic, but it's a way to keep good complete sets!

Edit:
Nickel Bronze are OFF, Pearse PB's back ON!
( now I can sleep)

 

[uriah1]

Love my nickel bronze. They sound like old strings
and are a tad warmer than most.
If you need wanky bright, don't use these.

 

[Chiogtr4x]

I'm the OP, with a quick update.

I ended up taking the Nickel Bronze strings off, as I just found them noisy, not really warm, not like old strings' to me, and like D'Addario PB's...

(I used many years, not knowing the difference until trying others)

....found the wrap on the wound strings, a little rough with friction, compared with other strings I used.

I understand the strings may have mellowed tonally and felt smoother with some more playing time, but if I'm not happy right away, 'Now!' (with any gear item), then I'm not happy!
( it's OK, a fun trial)

So my old faves are back on, have my sound and feel back, and have the Nickel Bronze as backups.

 

[Freeman Keller]

Just an update to my post #6. I just took the nickel bronze off the archtop after what, about a week I guess. They were just too noisy and frankly I wasn't all that impressed with the sound. I guess I'm just too addicted to Elixers (which I have tried and like on this guitar). I did have a set of the brand new D'Addario XS (their new coated string) in PB so I figure this would be a good test. I like them immediately, lets see how the age.

 

[Mike Eskimo]

If you don’t like Nickel bronze then don’t try the Martin retro strings.

I like them both.

I like old dead strings because I don’t have a big boomy dread.

If I did/when I do get one, I’ll probably go with brighter strings .

And - try to find the definitive answer as to which strings are brighter - 80/20 or phosphor bronze ?

It’s a complete toss up on the internet .

Even among some string manufacturers !

 

[fretknot]

Not sure what the difference in alloys is, but I've switched to GHS White Bronze, for my acoustic guitar. It all started when I was trying to get a more acoustic sound from an archtop, while still maintaining a good magnetic signal for the floating pickup.

I now use them on my flat top. Tone-wise, I like straight bronze, but they have a short lifespan. These are close, and produce a good signal if using a mag pup.

 

[Chiogtr4x]

I'm the 'string neurotic' OP

I say that because I actually ( now years ago) found the acoustic strings my (2) guitars and I really like, a lot.

But for some reason, I will always get a bug to try out others, even ones I KNOW I did not like before ( or liked, but like what I use better, now).
I spend the $$( not much)> put on strings X> don't like them> take them off, but keep> put my faves back ON> Happy!

 

[zombywoof]

I just slapped a set on my 1961 Gibson B45-12. My take on those strings though is I have always preferred them on heavier built guitars.

 

[Dan German]

After years of using D’Addario EJ-16 PB (habits die hard) I hunted for a better option for my Godin 5th Ave acoustic. I didn’t try the nickel-bronze from D’Addario, but I did try the GHS White Bronze and the Martin Retro Monel 13-56. The GHS WB were good, but the Martins got my vote. (I also gave quite a long test period to Thomastik-Infeld, and they were great, but not so much better that my wallet could go for it in the long run.) Comparing the Monel to the PB, they are less “zingy” and more balanced low to high. The heavier gauge means more volume, which is nice. I am learning that I have to work for the zingy/pingy high end if I want it, but I prefer that to working to avoid it. If I had a flat top acoustic, I would stick with the PB, but I have this because I want a different sound.

 

[srblue5]

When I bought my Gibson J-160E, they came with the D'Addario Nickel Bronze. They worked with the pickup on the guitar and sounded okay, but they felt like barbed wire. It hurt my fingertips quite a bit to play them and I play a lot of acoustic guitar with light or medium gauge PB strings. I changed them to a gauge lower and same thing. Maybe it was something about that run of Nickel Bronze sets, but I then switched to Martin Retros and have had those on the J-160E ever since.

 

[Chiogtr4x]

When I bought my Gibson J-160E, they came with the D'Addario Nickel Bronze. They worked with the pickup on the guitar and sounded okay, but they felt like barbed wire. It hurt my fingertips quite a bit to play them and I play a lot of acoustic guitar with light or medium gauge PB strings. I changed them to a gauge lower and same thing. Maybe it was something about that run of Nickel Bronze sets, but I then switched to Martin Retros and have had those on the J-160E ever since.

I'm the OP ( that ended up not liking the Nickel Bronze)

Too bad I bought 2 sets; a little less $$ than just getting 4 sets of the Pearse PB or 80/20 strings I like so much- live and learn!

Edit:
just an FYI- as a Pearse fanboy, I did try their 'Pure Nickel' lights a while back. The wrap on the wound strings is smooth and comfy and the string tension has a lot of 'give'.

The tone was fine, but really quiet on the volume- so that just didn't cut it for me, as I will play Bluegrass, blues, R&R, along with the quieter stuff, and these strings weren't the right fit- the guitar was just not putting out the energy I'm used to

 

[mexicanyella]

Out of left field department...or maybe out in left field department:

I recently bought a used Epiphone Jeff Baxter Acoustic. My string search is beginning to look like those “Family Circus” panels where the dotted line show’s Billy’s path through the neighborhood.

It came with Elixir Polyweb .010-.047. High e and b too thin and wimpy sounding.

I tried D’Addario EJ16 phosphor bronze (.012-.053) and they were too stiff for me, and also kind of harsh and clangy.

Currently evaluating D’Addario chrome flatwounds in ‘011-.050 with a wound third. They feel great. Volume is down a bit and they are kind of in the plunky old parlor guitar tone zone, but that might be useful for me.

It does look weird to see silvery Gray flatwounds on an acoustic.

Also, new tuner day: that set of flats put me over the edge on D’Addario “player points” and I ordered that little soundhole tuner. Works great.

 

[stephent2]

I use Nickel Bronze on my Waterloo. Perfect for that guitar. D’Addario Nickel Bronze are Martin Retros for adults.