String type over magnetic pickup

[Rickco]

Would a nickle round (over steel) wound be louder than a 80/20 of same guage over a magnetic pickup at same action etc. ? An example would be not only set to set but if you were playing round wound nickle/steel and you wanted the same guage low E with less volume when playing though your humbucker at moderate to low accompaniment volume would an 80/20 make a difference in volume ignoring tonal considerations? I know I should get off my ass and just do it but having some intel starting out will make it more fun.

[Spook410]

To get something a bit less bright but still responsive with a magnetic pickup you might try monel strings. I also find TI Swings to be less zingy than something like chromes.

[John A.]

Would a nickle round (over steel) wound be louder than a 80/20 of same guage over a magnetic pickup at same action etc. ?

Assuming the cores are the same, the nickel wound string (or nickel alloy such as Monel] is louder than an 80/20 (or PB) through a magnetic pickup (something I’ve tested)

An example would be not only set to set but if you were playing round wound nickle/steel and you wanted the same guage low E with less volume when playing though your humbucker at moderate to low accompaniment volume would an 80/20 make a difference in volume ignoring tonal considerations? I know I should get off my ass and just do it but having some intel starting out will make it more fun.

Yes it would be, but it would probably be out of balance with the other wound strings. I think it makes more sense to experiment with pole piece and overall pickup height if you’re trying to deal with the low E being too loud.

[Cunamara]

Would a nickle round (over steel) wound be louder than a 80/20 of same guage over a magnetic pickup at same action etc. ? An example would be not only set to set but if you were playing round wound nickle/steel and you wanted the same guage low E with less volume when playing though your humbucker at moderate to low accompaniment volume would an 80/20 make a difference in volume ignoring tonal considerations? I know I should get off my ass and just do it but having some intel starting out will make it more fun.

Yes. The electric signal of the nickel string over a magnetic pickup will be much louder than an 80/20 string; the wrappings of the latter are not magnetic. The wrapping of the nickel string are. Basically, nickel > monel > bronze/brass.

On my archtop with floater, which has limited pickup height adjustment, I sometimes use Monel strings as they have less magnetic signal than the plain B and E strings. Currently, I am using John Pearse Jazz strings, which balance pretty well.

[Wolfie175]

I’ve only recently tried Martin Retro Monel strings on both archtop and a dobro with a magnetic pickup.
I really like them amplified and unplugged. Used the John Pearse Nickel before too and was happy but the Monel has a warmth coupled with clarity that is making me question using flatwounds for all these years.
Got a lot of sets of flats in the house though, so thriftiness will see them continue to make an appearance.
For me, it’s fun to change up strings. Let’s me appreciate different qualities from the same guitars. Not better, just different.

[GuyBoden]

Better acoustically, but the Bronze Alloy 80/20 strings amplified were too low volume and noisy for me with an Armstrong single coil floating pickup. I've put a set of D'addario Nickel round wound on instead.

Edit: Beauty is in the ears of the beholder.

[Rickco]

You guys rock! Thanks to all exactly, what I was wanting to know.