Opinions on Pyramid Nickel Flatwounds?

[Fauxkinbacker]

I've been using D'addario Chromes (11-50) on all my guitars for about a year and a half now. I really like them, more then I ever liked roundwounds. Still, I feel like they lack a little. I've heard the Pyramids are much more harmonically rich, but I wonder if I can justify the price.

1. Do they last as long or longer then Stainless Flats?
2. Do they sound richer, or just different, and how?
3. Where can I get them the cheapest?

Halp?

 

[catalinbread]

I dunno how long the flats will last since I've only had mine about a month. I bought them from juststrings.com for a reasonable price considering. The sound is very different than round wound. I have some Pyramid rounds on my Jazzmaster and that is a great pairing. Flats on my Casino. All accounts I've heard about Pyramids is you can count on them lasting 3-4 times longer than regular strings. So far I like 'em.

 

[dorfmeister]

In doing some research on the web I have been finding some mention of dead strings in the Pyramid Flatwound sets.

http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=153927

I also noticed that Thomastik Infeld makes a set of Nickel Flatwounds, too.

http://www.thomastik-infeld.com/joh...e=Guitar&ID_Setfamilie=13&ID_SetfamilieSub=29

http://www.juststrings.com/thomastikinfeldelectricguitarjazz.html

 

[Mandoboy]

1. Do they last as long or longer then Stainless Flats?
2. Do they sound richer, or just different, and how?
3. Where can I get them the cheapest?

Halp?

1. WAY longer, and sound so much brighter than regular flats, you won't believe it until you hear it (I have them on my Casino).
2. They have the characteristic punch and attack of flatwounds but much more sustain than the usual flats.
3. Don't know- they really last a long time and I forget where I got my last sets- mail order from a place in NJ that advertised in Vintage Guitar.

I don't have acidic sweat, and they just don't go dead- it's not my main guitar, but I am talking many months, so they pay for themselves.

100% worth a try IMHO.

 

[Mike McLenison]

I use them in my sig vid, but on a Rick 12 string. Great strings, the best I've tried for flat wounds.

For round wounds, the Pyramid Nickel Classics are one of the best, if not the best (round core, not hex).

 

[skeeterbuck]

I've used both and like the Thomastik better. The tone on the wound strings is in between a SS flatwound (thud sounding) and a roundwoumd ( twang sounding). They last a long time and have a lower tension that the Pyramid strings. Comes in handy for those Ric 12 strings.

 

[jumpnblues]

I really like the Pyramids. Also like GHS but Pyramids are my favs so far. Last a long time. Just a note...I've found dead strings in every single brand of string sets I've purchased over the 48 years I've been playing. It's maddening I know, but it's going to happen occasionally with any brand you buy. At least that's been my experience.


Tom

 

[Fauxkinbacker]

Thanks for the responses, especially the heads-up on the TIs.
My local shop is a TI dealer so I'll be able to get them with my student discount (yay!).

I'll try them with my next string change.

 

[dorfmeister]

Review of several popular brands of flatwounds including the Pyramids and Thomastiks.

http://www.ggjaguar.com/quest2.htm

 

[dorfmeister]

I've done my research and I have decided to get a set of .011 - .047 Thomastik Infeld Flatwounds for my guitar and a set of .60 - .105 Pyramid Gold Flatwounds for my Bass.

Will have a guitar tech set them both up.

 

[Jon C]

what Mandoboy said ... I use them on my Gretsches and really like 'em, they sound good and last a long time.

 

[dorfmeister]

Just got my nickel flatwound sets from Elderly.

 

[dorfmeister]

Getting both my guitar and bass set up with flatwounds this weekend.

Pyramid on the bass. Thomastik Infeld on the guitar.

 

[dorfmeister]

I've got the Thomastik Infelds on my Warmoth Stratocaster now. Had a full set-up on Saturday. Changed from 10 Snake Oils to a set of 11 Jazz Swings.

My take on the flatwounds at this point. Is there much of a break in period?

I love the smoothness of the flatwound strings. I do alot of sliding around and these are perfect for that.

The tension is greater than with the SOBS but I did go up a gauge, too. The wound g string is a bit tougher to bend.

There is definitely less sustain on the wound strings. I don't think this will be a problem but it is noticeable.

I am noticing at this point that these seem a bit less dynamic than the SOBS.

Another thing I am really noticing with these is that the bass is very tight and plentiful in a good way. I am liking the way these respond to fuzz.

More on these as I play them more.


I am surprised that more people aren't into nickel flatwounds.


Also have the Pyramid Gold Flatwounds on my Warwick Corvette Standard Bass. Impressive strings.