| Author | Message | ||
| sparechaynge
Junior Username: sparechaynge Post Number: 42 Registered: 6-2010 |
Yes, I'm starting another strings thread. this one has a pretty specific goal: a wrap-to-wrap cage match between Thomastik-Infeld and Pyramid flatwounds. I have a set of what I believe to be Hofner-by-Pyramid short scale strings, and I have read pretty much all of the threads here and elsewhere about these strings, but I would really like to hear what all you more experienced players have to say about these two in relation to each other. I haven't tried thomastik yet, as I haven't needed to change strings in a while. I'm mostly interested in short-scale basses and electric guitars, but all comments are more than welcome. Please consider these criteria: 1) Tension 2) Sound (bright/dark etc) 3) Durability/lifespan Again, all input is welcomed and encouraged. (Message edited by Sparechaynge on September 05, 2012) (Message edited by Sparechaynge on September 05, 2012) | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1921 Registered: 9-2002 |
Good Luck. Tension would be demonstrable, if the readings were performed from the same load cell. IF. What they sound like is soooo very subjective. And durability . . . . a guy who frams hard with a pick in a seaside environment to a very light-touch fingerstyle player in a desert clime, and everything in between . . . . What I'm saying is this is all very subjective. How and where do you pick who / what to believe? And, oh, BTW, flatwounds? Flatwounds? Really? Tone difference in flatwounds? Really? J o e y | ||
| sparechaynge
Junior Username: sparechaynge Post Number: 43 Registered: 6-2010 |
Yeah, I know, tone and flats. I just wanted to put it out there. I really wanted a players prospective, as I know there are some here who have tried both sets. I posted this because I have found this forum to be a consistent source of honest opinions, and I tend to believe comments made here more than elsewhere. No one has to respond if they feel they don't have to. | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 1120 Registered: 6-2002 |
I personally hear huge tonal differences in brands of flat wounds . The difference in tone from say a stainless steel set compared to a nickel set is quite obvious. I can hear the difference in TI's as opposed to D'Addario Chromes, or Labella's deep talking flats. Big difference. I will be following this as I have not used Pyramid in quite a while and wonder how they compare to the TI's. I was toying with the idea of trying the Pyramid's again. I used to love them, but then I only compared them to Roto's back in the day. | ||
| sparechaynge
Junior Username: sparechaynge Post Number: 44 Registered: 6-2010 |
Thanks, Michael! that is a problem similar to the one I'm having. It seems like Pyramid has had some quality issues lately, and as my set had sat in a closet for like 10 years before I opened it, I have no idea how they compare to newer ones. | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1275 Registered: 5-2002 |
I've used both. The Pyramids had serious problems with the low E string. To their credit they replaced the first one, but the second one also was weird, so I gave up. Tonally it seemed like the TIs were smoother sounding and maybe had a touch more sustain. They are more comfortable to play. Tension-wise it's hard to remember exactly. I think the TIs might be a bit lower tension, but I could be wrong. I wanted to like the Pyramids. I really did. They did not seem reliable enough to use on a regular basis and the tone did not seem spectacularly better enough to put up with the unreliability. Please discount my opinion freely. It's possible that my experience is fairly unique. | ||
| bassilisk
Intermediate Member Username: bassilisk Post Number: 106 Registered: 4-2009 |
A number of years ago I picked up a Hofner knock off by Turser. I just couldn't see spending the $$ for a real one since I use it so infrequently. However, I decided to put some Pyramid flats on it to maximize the effect. So I spent the not insubstatial dough on a set and put them on. I kinda freaked because the acoustic response of each string was so extremely different I immediately assumed I got a bad set. The A and E were downright dead. I wrote to Pyramid (withought bothering to play it plugged in) and was informed that these short scale strings were specifically designed and balanced for Hofner basses. Don't panic and try them out. I did and to this day (they're still on there) I can't get over how different they sound electric. There is plenty of sustain and the bass sounds very "Hofnerish". This is my only frame of reference as I have not used them on any other bass. As to TI's, though I think they're the most musical sounding flats, I have a heavy touch and they feel like rubber bands. I need more tension than they provide so I use a variety of other brands. I am also currently using SIT Silencers which have are roundwounds with a very tight wind (not groundwound) and have a lot of flatwound character. | ||
| groovelines
Senior Member Username: groovelines Post Number: 734 Registered: 4-2003 |
Just a word about TI's: Ridiculously, high price aside, I liked the feel under my fingers, playability and sound they provided on my Alembic neck-through bass (purple heart stringers). What I didn't like is that being a low tension string I needed to pay more attention to keeping in tune. With a more "normal/common" tensioned string (such as Boomers, DR Lo Beams, or Ken Smith Burners) I could tune once a week with only the occasional confidence check (rock solid). As already mentioned by Joey, playing style, climate, ect all factor into string performance. | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 2634 Registered: 3-2004 |
I know it isn't what you asked but... I love the Chromes on the SSB. LaBella and TI sound too dead to me. I can dial down the treble if I want that tone, but you can't dial sparkle in if you're using the deader-sounding flats. -bob | ||
| sparechaynge
Junior Username: sparechaynge Post Number: 45 Registered: 6-2010 |
Edwin and Bassilisk, i have had similar first impressions w/pyramid, but my set seems to have leveled out, as the company claims they will. they G is still way too bright to match well, though. The low tension is what I was most afraid of. the pyramids are a little light as it is, but I'm slowly getting used to it. The chromes on my other bass are really heavy (.55-.110) and nice to pick but not to fret. I want to move away from them because the steel is way too bright, even in flats. my attack is so strong that the "zing" from steel is too much. I have not yet broke the G on my pyramids, so low tension is maybe not a bad thing. | ||
| serialnumber12
Senior Member Username: serialnumber12 Post Number: 997 Registered: 12-2004 |
i dont change strings often but when i do .......it's the bloddy "G" string. | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1277 Registered: 5-2002 |
Well, maybe I'll the Pyramids another shot. Can anyone tell me what color the silks are? I have a bunch of used strings lying around and I'm not sure which are which! | ||
| sparechaynge
Junior Username: sparechaynge Post Number: 46 Registered: 6-2010 |
I think the silk is either green or red....mine are Hofners by packaging, don't know if they change the color depending on which name is on the envelope. I wish Pyramid would package extra G's like they used to, then I wouldn't worry as much. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2611 Registered: 5-2009 |
Hi Edwin , I recently purchased several sets of Pyramid Gold flat wounds . The long scale #640 sets have "Violet" silks and the short scale 640/1 sets have "Green "silks. They also made me a Custom Gauge long scale set to my specifications that has "Blue" silks. Nothing is impossible, ____ it just costs more! LOL <}}}}}}}}}}}, !!!! . | ||
| sparechaynge
Junior Username: sparechaynge Post Number: 47 Registered: 6-2010 |
Hey, Wolf! what gauges did you custom order? I think I read somewhere that it's .40 .55.70.100. is that right? | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2613 Registered: 5-2009 |
Sparechange/ Syd , Yes .40 .55 .70 .100 | ||
| sparechaynge
Junior Username: sparechaynge Post Number: 48 Registered: 6-2010 |
ok, that seems like it makes more sense than the regular set, balanced-tension wise. I know you have had a lot of experience with pyramids, do you have any advice for someone with less? | ||
| jimmyj
Senior Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 406 Registered: 8-2008 |
One of us ought to get one of these: http://www.tensitron.com/fine_wire.html Probably not a cheep device ... but it might yield some interesting numbers on different strings, the effect of bridge/nut angle and overall string length, etc... Jimmy J | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2616 Registered: 5-2009 |
HI , sparechaynge. My first experience with Pyramid Gold strings was back in the early 1970's to use with my Guild Starfire Bass . At the time there were also Guild Flat wounds and Framus Flat wounds that seemed to have a similar "vibe" about them. Pyramid Gold flat wounds seemed to stand out among those choices . At the time I believe Alembic was also stringing the Pyramids on their Bass's when I was hanging around occasionally at the old 60 Brady St location . I very fondly remember the Alembic Instruments hanging on the wall there and even more fondly remember being allowed to check a few out from time to time. 60 Bradey was where my first Starfire had the Alembic bridge with brass block and tail piece modification done. My advice regarding the Pyramid flats is to experiment to find what feels right for you to get the sound that you are searching for. Since the 1970's it is my experience that the Pyramids seem to perhaps have changed somewhat . Specifically I find that the E string on both the thicker gauge and lighter gauges feel and sound differently. Be very careful with the G strings because they still could have the propensity to break under heavy attack. The G strings also still seem to "ping" like they did in the 1970's. I use other types of strings to match the sound I want . For round wounds I like Dean Markley Blue Steel XL #2670 40-95 Other flat wounds for electric bass that I have used are the D'addario Chromes which I liked for their "thud snap" for playing "Salsa" . In comparison to the Pyramids I would say that the Pyramids have a wider spectral response but also feel loser to your touch due to lower tension. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2617 Registered: 5-2009 |
jmmyj, Thanks for the link to the cool tension measuring device. | ||
| sparechaynge
Junior Username: sparechaynge Post Number: 49 Registered: 6-2010 |
thanks for the input, Jimmy and Wolf. The tension tool looks really interesting. If I decide to go deeper into the guitar science/building field I will certainly look into it more. Wolf, I understand your point about picking what's right for me. I think at this point I will use Pyramids for the shortie and maybe try TI's on my long scale, if I find that I can adjust to the lower tension. Anyone with thoughts about guitar strings from these two brands? |
