I have found good performance and longevity (comparable to D’addario NB) with the following:

GHS Americana CR1600s
Stringjoy Naturals PB
Straight-Up-Strings Resonator set

You’ll get lots of opinions of course.

There are slight differences in string gauge as you compare all these sets, so if you have preferences, you’d want to pay attention to that. And note these are not nickel bronze sets.

Good luck!

I luckily had two sets on hand so I ordered one more off eBay. That should last me a couple of years. Sad though - they really work with my Appy. My Redline doesn’t care what I put on it.

I'm just going back to EJ42's. I could get about twice the usable life out of the NB strings, so I'll just have to change more often. I usually end up changing strings about every other week with the EJ42 unless I'm playing out a lot, and then it's more often.

I just play at Madison Square Bedroom and the occasional bluegrass jam. I’m fine with EJ42’s.

A seller on eBay must have got wind of this and has 3 sets for sale for only $12.99 each ( + $23.11 shipping….)

I recently bought 5 packs for $40, free shipping.

I ordered and received two sets of Curt Mangan nickel/bronze resonator strings.
They work well with the five resos I use...

quote:

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Originally posted by resotom

I ordered and received two sets of Curt Mangan nickel/bronze resonator strings.
They work well with the five resos I use...

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Tom, would you be so kind as to provide a link?  On the Curt Mangan site, I see nickel, phosphor bronze, and 80/20 resophonic sets - but no nickel bronze.  I'm probably just missing them.

https://www.curtmangan.com/resophonic/?sort=bestselling&limit=12&mode=4

Thanks.

quote:

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Originally posted by skydog

I recently bought 5 packs for $40, free shipping.

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Who from?

A music store in FL via Reverb

quote:

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Originally posted by JC Dobro

quote:

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Originally posted by resotom

I ordered and received two sets of Curt Mangan nickel/bronze resonator strings.
They work well with the five resos I use...

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Tom, would you be so kind as to provide a link?  On the Curt Mangan site, I see nickel, phosphor bronze, and 80/20 resophonic sets - but no nickel bronze.  I'm probably just missing them.

https://www.curtmangan.com/resophonic/?sort=bestselling&limit=12&mode=4

Thanks..  Sorry... I couldn't get back sooner.. It's best that you should call Curt and discuss your situation. 970-564-5935 and press #1 to speak with him.

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I'm trying a set of GHS Pure Nickel 1600 strings this time around.
I'm very happy with the tone and volume, durability will be the big test.
The D'addario NB's were great in all regards and lasted forever.
The Mangan strings look promising as well.

Kelly

quote:

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Originally posted by kelfranken

I'm trying a set of GHS Pure Nickel 1600 strings this time around.
I'm very happy with the tone and volume, durability will be the big test.
The D'addario NB's were great in all regards and lasted forever.
The Mangan strings look promising as well.

Kelly

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To my ears anyway, pure nickel strings don't sound anything like the D'Addario NB. 

The same topic (with many more posts) has come up in the Facebook Dobroholics group, and some people figured if they no longer have access to the NB, they will go with pure nickel from another supplier thinking it might get them in the ballpark of the nickel bronze.

Description of the NB from the D'Addario site:

• D'Addario Nickel Bronze strings are made with nickel-plated phosphor bronze, wrapped over a hexagonal NY steel core.
• The nickel-plated phosphor bronze wrap wire provides a clear, focused sound, which magnifies the sonic properties of the guitar’s wood
• Nickel-plating increases natural corrosion resistance for a longer lasting uncoated string.
  
  I think the third bullet point about the lasting power is the key to any similarity - but again, to my ears - the sound is pretty different. I've written in the past that when I've tried pure nickel on a large body modern design reso, I didn't care for the sound at all and couldn't get them off the guitar fast enough. 

Mark,
You're absolutely right. I should have made that clear.
The pure nickel strings are a little more subdued and mid-range sounding
Not as punchy and bright as the Nickel Bronze, but I love the tone I'm getting from the Nickel,
As always, it depends on the instrument as well as the musician.
After a couple of gigs and a few rehearsals and they're still sounding good.
No noticeable wear on the surface of the G string which usually wears out first.
Thanks for pointing out that the Nickel is NOT a direct replacement option for the NB strings.
Phos Bronze would be much more similar sounding to the NB.
I'll probably try a set of Monel strings next.
Kelly