Pyramid Nickel Classic 11-50 Strings - Your findings ?

[scouserjoe2]

Hi,

Well, it was inevitable, but the time has come in my life when I am having difficulty in accurately and cleanly fretting strings when using my current 12-52 gauge Elixirs or Fenders; I no longer have the strength nor the flexibility in my fingers particularly when using barred chords. So, I have been looking to move down a gauge, to 11-49, but the trouble is that most sets of this gauge contain a plain and not a wound 3rd string. I do prefer the sound of a wound 3rd, but also all my guitars have pickups with a raised 3rd string magnet that is designed for use with a wound 3rd. Yes, I have experimented using a hybrid set made up from two different gauged sets, or buying suitably gauged single strings to use as a replacement for the plain G. However, it's not easy to find strings of the right gauge of the same make or construction, and it can be very expensive to have to buy multiple sets each time you want to change strings.

Having decided to make a change I want to move from nickel wound steel strings to pure nickel strings. I do like nickel round core strings because that's the way strings were made in the '50s and '60s, and for me they have a warmth about them along with an audibly enhanced tone and sustain. Having looked around at the various options available I noticed that Pyramid are producing a set that might just suit my needs - a classic set of pure nickel strings 11,14,20w,30w,42w,50w. What is more, Pyramid have been around for a while, producing strings in the '50s and '60s before Elixir, Ernie Ball DR and the like were born.

Before I give a set a try, has anyone used or had any experience of these strings? Any advice, or knowledge of their use would be welcome.

Many thanks,

Ian

[rogera]

Hello Ian, D'Addario EXL115W are 11 - 49 - They are nickel plated with a wound 3rd (21) and I've used them for many years now.

The Pyramid set sound interesting and if you do try them then I would love to know how you get on.

Roger

[scouserjoe2]

Hi Roger,

Thanks for that. I used D'Addario for a time in the past but as I recall I felt that they were very 'bright' for my liking. Perhaps it's time for me to try them again now that I have a more 'educated' ear. A set would be well worth a try at the same time as I order the Pyramids.

Cheers,

Ian

[pjr]

Hi Ian, I've been using Pyramid pure nickels exclusively for the last 5 years or so.
They come in 2 flavours, one with a round core (orange packet) and one with a hexagonal core (blue packet).
They both sound superb to my (failing) ears. They also feel like silk under the fingers. They intonate very well and have good durability.
I use 10's as I play other styles besides shads so can't comment on their wound 3rd offerings.
The downside to these strings is the cost - 2 or 3 quid a packet more than D'addario's the last time I checked.
Try a pack and see if you like them and if you do you could get together with some friends as I do and buy in bulk from Thomman's in Germany.
We buy 30 or 40 sets at a time and get a far better price plus you get the shipping free instead of the 10 euros being added on.

Regards,

Pete

[JimN]

Hi,

Well, it was inevitable, but the time has come in my life when I am having difficulty in accurately and cleanly fretting strings when using my current 12-52 gauge Elixirs or Fenders; I no longer have the strength nor the flexibility in my fingers particularly when using barred chords. So, I have been looking to move down a gauge, to 11-49, but the trouble is that most sets of this gauge contain a plain and not a wound 3rd string. I do prefer the sound of a wound 3rd, but also all my guitars have pickups with a raised 3rd string magnet that is designed for use with a wound 3rd. Yes, I have experimented using a hybrid set made up from two different gauged sets, or buying suitably gauged single strings to use as a replacement for the plain G. However, it's not easy to find strings of the right gauge of the same make or construction, and it can be very expensive to have to buy multiple sets each time you want to change strings.

Having decided to make a change I want to move from nickel wound steel strings to pure nickel strings. I do like nickel round core strings because that's the way strings were made in the '50s and '60s, and for me they have a warmth about them along with an audibly enhanced tone and sustain. Having looked around at the various options available I noticed that Pyramid are producing a set that might just suit my needs - a classic set of pure nickel strings 11,14,20w,30w,42w,50w. What is more, Pyramid have been around for a while, producing strings in the '50s and '60s before Elixir, Ernie Ball DR and the like were born.

Before I give a set a try, has anyone used or had any experience of these strings? Any advice, or knowledge of their use would be welcome.

I have bought several dozen sets of that brand in gauge 11 / 14 / 18p / 28w / 38 / 48 from http://www.thomann.de, where the prices are quite reasonable. The set is called "Electric Guitar - Jazz" and is described as "pure nickel round wound strings".

As you can see, that set actually comes with a plain third string and like yourself, I find it necessary to swap out the plain G for a wound string (same brand) of 0.020". The gauge works very well with a Gibson scale (24.75"). I always found the popular 10-46 gauge gave tuning problems on my Gibson Les Paul Custom (which has just had its forty-second birthday in my possession from brand new), but a swap to 11-48 cured that and brought the instrument to life tonally.

I agree that the standard stagger on a Stratocaster (or Burns Marvin) pickup polepieces means that a plain string for G is out of the question. I've tried it several times over the years and always found that string too loud and too edgy when fitted with a 17p or 18p.

The last time I bought some sets of the above (I still have about six sets left), I also ordered a dozen of the single 0.020" roundwound as well. That combination (in my opinion) works very well on a Strat (more tension than on a Les Paul) and is much nearer to being in correct volume balance.

[dave robinson]

You would maybe benefit by checking out Newtone Strings made in Matlock Derbyshire. They specialise in custom sets as well as Low Tension strings too, which I use on my acoustic guitars. I've tried their nickel strings which are also very good.
The thing about Newtone is that you can speak to the guy who makes them and discuss your needs.

[anniv 63]

Yes as Dave said , Newtone Strings are excellent and durable(well priced too)
I found the Burns Vistasonic good although they dont supply these now.
The Newtone Electrics of nickelplated steel with hex core are also really good I.M.H.O.
Neil Silverman the owner is very helpful to your regular or tailored custom needs, in types
and Gauges.

Mike

[scouserjoe2]

Hi,

Many thanks all for your help full recommendations and suggestions, there are a few there that I will follow along with a trial of the Pyramid's themselves. Buying in bulk as Pete suggests is not an option as you will see from my location, 30 miles south of Inverness, I am unlikely to find anyone with similar requirements to mine nearby. . I haven't used Thomann at all in the past because of the shipping cost - we are always ripped off for shipping charges in the Highlands - so that often plays a significant part in the overall cost of any item I buy on-line.

Thanks again,

Ian

[Tab]

I've tried many brands over the years but always come back to DRs,
I use JZ12s for a good authentic vintage sound which accentuates the Strat 'bark' but I have a couple of guitars fitted with EH 11s but swap the plain 18 for a good wound 20.
These are my preferences but it all depends on what best pleases your ears and your fingers.

[Gatwick1946]

After hearing other players I moved up to 12-52's about 10 years ago. But the damage to my left hand was pretty painfull - so bad I thought I was done with the guitar. But, as it turned out it was a case of repetitive strain injury, and not, as I feared arthritis, or something worse.

I used to practise 2/3 hours a day. But after a long rest, and going back to 10-46's, after about 18 months things returned to normal. I now practise for about 30mins at a time, and have a day off sometimes. Professional musicians can also suffer injuries which curtail their careers - so I count myself lucky.
I have stuck with Ernie Ball regular slinky - I am not too worried about a wound 3rd - but I recently bought a set of Skinny Top Heavy Bottom - which are 10-13-17-30-42-52, which I have yet to try out. But I will likely give Pyramid Nickel Classic a go one day.

Kindest regards,
Christopher