SNEak PEEk
mids and bass. I decided to use the Pure Nickel set as a point of reference to compare the Nickel-Plated Steel strings. When I compared
the Tele set up with Nickel-Plated Steel strings, I noticed that the steel
core brought out a distinctly crisp, edgier and more biting tone while
the nickel retains some of the warmer characteristics. There’s more
snap and pop to them, they are more sensitive to finger movements,
and they cut through more than the traditional-sounding Pure Nickel
strings. Nickel-Plated Steel is good choice for a Tele when playing a
more aggressive style where you would want to hear more “spank.”
The same is true for the Strats. The Pure Nickel strings serve up
warmer, more classic sounds while Nickel-Plated Steel strings bring
out more hard-hitting characteristics. Depending on the sound of
your pickups and the tone you’re going for, either set can do the job.
For the Charvels, I preferred Nickel-Plated Steel, particularly for
playing heavier rock and lead lines with sharper teeth to cut through
the mix. The steel also seems to bring back some of the harmonics
that can be lost when a guitar has a floating tremolo like a Floyd
Rose. The Pure Nickel strings are simply rich and classic, and I
preferred them for playing cleaner parts with the Charvel. To my
ear, the Pure Nickel strings also proved to be a better match for the
flame-maple top Les Pauls. I favored the rounder tones produced by
the strings to smooth out some of the biting tones that a maple top
adds. However, if I was using a Les Paul with a dark, dull or muddy
tone and needed to add some edge, sparkle and perhaps a bit more
definition of the notes, the Nickel-Plated Steel strings would likely
be a better choice to balance out the tonal range and bring out
more of the highs and harmonics I would want to hear along with
the warm, rich over all tonal characteristics.
To test the longevity of the strings, I left them on each guitar for
a week and listened to them over and over again to see if there
was any noticeable degradation in their tonal quality or feel. It is
important to take note of whether strings retain their tonality and
to see if they become brittle or tarnished. What I found is that the
strings held up extremely well through the week with no real loss
in tone. They continued to stay in tune (I did check tuning each
time I picked up the guitars) and the finish did not tarnish. Wiping
off your strings after playing is typically recommended to remove
dirt and help extend their life.
If you’re always tweaking your gear and searching for that magical
combination, your strings should be a strong consideration. There is
great value in learning what the tonal characteristics are that different
types of strings will produce. This information is essential in know-
ing how to shape your tone. So before making major gear-change
decisions, simply try changing the type of strings you use. It’s surely
the easiest and most inexpensive piece of the tonal puzzle. After test-
ing Fender’s new string offerings, I’m sure they have a set that will
enhance your guitar’s tone and feel to suit your playing style.
