| Author | Message | ||
| mario_farufyno
Senior Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 830 Registered: 9-2008 |
Elderly is selling all strings left in stock with big discount. Pyramid Gold is being sold by 60 bucks, Elixir is 50.00, DR sunbean is 23.00 and DDT is 24.00. Worth to check this out... They are selling other brands and models, too. I've just wrote about those because they are usualy way too expensive | ||
| sparechaynge
Junior Username: sparechaynge Post Number: 50 Registered: 6-2010 |
I think those are the regular prices at Elderly. I'm on their site a lot and I haven't noticed a change. | ||
| mario_farufyno
Senior Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 831 Registered: 9-2008 |
Thanks for advice | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1299 Registered: 5-2002 |
[double post] (Message edited by davehouck on September 23, 2012) | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1300 Registered: 5-2002 |
Strings and Beyond have them for $53 with free shipping. I had a bad experience with Pyramid strings in the past, but it might be time to try again. I can't find what I did with the last set that only lasted a few days before I took them off in frustration. I want to like them! [moderator's edit: error in text corrected by request] (Message edited by davehouck on September 23, 2012) | ||
| sparechaynge
Member Username: sparechaynge Post Number: 51 Registered: 6-2010 |
Elderly is a good place to shop. I have emailed them a lot, and they always answer my questions. I just got a set of Pyramid guitar strings from them and had no problems with shipping. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2643 Registered: 5-2009 |
Elderly is where I purchased a few different sets of Pyramid Gold about a year or so ago.No problems with Elderly . | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1301 Registered: 5-2002 |
I remember being on the road in the early 90s and found out that Elderly had a 60s Starfire in the shop for a great price. When we finally got to Lansing, I made it down there and was met by an employee who told me that he decided to buy it himself. Grrr. No fair! I did really enjoy the place, though. Lots of cool instruments. I should be clear about my above post, I have had no bad experiences with Strings and Beyond. I had the bad experience with Pyramid strings. I'm sorry to have written in such a misleading way. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2644 Registered: 5-2009 |
I should also note that it is my perception that the Pyramid Gold Flat wound strings that I used to purchase in the mid 1970's and the present feel and sound a tad different to me . I can not make a concise A/B test now because I no longer have any of those old warn out sets nor do I still have my old Guild/ Hagstrom pickups ( sold them 30 years ago) . The E string response might be a little different now however the G string still has that "ping" to it. Be aware that the G string should be carefully attacked because there could still be a propensity to breakage under extreme spirited playing. | ||
| sparechaynge
Member Username: sparechaynge Post Number: 52 Registered: 6-2010 |
I've been playing with a pick more lately, to get more of a Phil sound, and that seems to be easier on the strings. I tend to play less aggressively with a pick, so it may just be me. Good luck Edwin! I'd really like to know how the Pyramids sound on your starfire. Hey, I'm a member now! Yay! | ||
| mario_farufyno
Senior Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 832 Registered: 9-2008 |
only now I realised that there is a difference between advice and advise... | ||
| bassilisk
Intermediate Member Username: bassilisk Post Number: 107 Registered: 4-2009 |
This was a good tip and thanks for that. I just got 2 sets of LaBella 760FM flats at $28.80 per with free shipping. My usual string source (JustStrings) has them for $35.81 per + shipping. I like that. | ||
| sparechaynge
Member Username: sparechaynge Post Number: 53 Registered: 6-2010 |
Elderly is a really cool place, I'd really like to visit someday. Also good to hear that Strings and Beyond is reputable, I had heard that somewhere else recently & its good to have it validated. Bassilisk, have you had any neck issues as a result of the LaBella's? I have heard from many places that they can seriously warp a neck. I have always wanted to try them on my P-bass but never did because of this. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2648 Registered: 5-2009 |
I should also note that in the 1970's as I remember there were Framus flats , Guild flats, and Pyramid Gold flats. All of these as I remember had a similar vibe, sound and feel to them. Of these three, Pyramid Gold Flats are still available and are the only ones of this " vibe /feel" that are still available that I am aware of. Therefore if you are after "that vibe/feel" they are indeed worth getting despite their idiosyncrasies. I currently have them on my remaining modified Guild Starfire and on a Series II . (Message edited by sonicus on September 24, 2012) | ||
| bassilisk
Intermediate Member Username: bassilisk Post Number: 108 Registered: 4-2009 |
sparechaynge - Whatever you heard is a myth. Whatever may have happened to certain individuals had to stem from a neck that was bad to start with. These are esxcellent strings and LaBella is a highly regarded manufacturer. If there was anything at all out there that caused any damage it wouldn't be out there long. Go ahead and check them out. I've also had good experiences with Strings and Beyond. Another quality retailer. | ||
| sparechaynge
Member Username: sparechaynge Post Number: 54 Registered: 6-2010 |
I certainly will get a set now. Thanks! Wolf I have seen photos of your Guilds, and I am really impressed. I hope to do something similar to a hollowbody bass in the future. Perhaps not a real starfire, but something close enough. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2649 Registered: 5-2009 |
sparechaynge , Perhaps a wild half -sized Bass Violin ! LOL !!! | ||
| sparechaynge
Member Username: sparechaynge Post Number: 55 Registered: 6-2010 |
LOL! What about a ES-335 with 2 strings missing? All the shape, none of the features, at one great low price! Better yet, a 40" scale neck attached to a hall closet as an acoustic chamber. Tone the size of a house!! But I digress, I had an Eastwood or a Hagstrom viking reissue in mind as platform. They look cool, are short scale, and have lots of space inside for electrical craziness. I was considering a Craig Anderton "super tone control" because I could probably put that together myself, and it is close enough to a SF-2 for a beginning project like this. I would like to get a SF-2 anyway, for use in my regular rig, but having something like it on-board has a certain...Over-the-top-ness that I find way cool. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2650 Registered: 5-2009 |
An out board SF-2 is a great idea and can be utilized with any axe ! If I decide to do an "acoustic" bass guitar project next time it will be long scale with wider string spacing then a Starfire. I would like something that I can play arco (bowed) with a bridge and fingerboard that will permit that. I am thinking 1/4 - 1/2 sized Bass Violin. The strings of course would be flat wound . Think 1/4 sized Bass violin played on your knee while seated! | ||
| sparechaynge
Member Username: sparechaynge Post Number: 56 Registered: 6-2010 |
That sounds really cool. Perhaps an acoustic Classico? I have no experience with classical instruments, not even a fretless bass, so my understanding of such instruments is limited. you suggest a long-scale bass guitar that can be played with a bow, right? Sorry the 1/2, 1/4, etc. sizing is hard for me to grasp. One day I hope to have an Alembic pre->SF-2->McIntosh->hard truckers cabs. I'm building a six string bass that is similar to an Excel/Modulus Quantum, and I really want to have something nice to play it through. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2651 Registered: 5-2009 |
1/4 sized would be about 35.5 inch scale. I hope that you put together your dream system soon. The SF-2 to F-2B works swell. That front end could nicely complement a Pyramid Gold string choice. | ||
| sparechaynge
Member Username: sparechaynge Post Number: 60 Registered: 6-2010 |
Ah ok. sorry for my ignorance. I bet that would sound really cool, especially bowed. I have read a lot about Phil's systems, and amplifiers in general, and this seems like they best way for me. It's only a few components, and will be as versatile as I need it to be. I hope to be able to hear a club members setup, so I can decide in person what combination I should plan towards. Always with Pyramids, or maybe Labellas for 72-001 sounds. | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1303 Registered: 5-2002 |
Well, if you ever make it to Colorado, I'd be happy to give you a tour of my rig: Guild/Alembic or SI shorty->SF2->F2B->QSC CX1202V->Fearful 15/6/1. I know that I'm not running a Mac or Hard Truckers but I don't think they are as necessary as the front end. I have a MC2105 which sounds nice, but it's just not worth lugging the weight around. 20lbs for 2200 watts vs. 60lbs for 270 watts makes it a no brainer. Offer stands for anyone here! To keep it on topic, my Pyramids just arrived from Strings and Beyond, so I am looking forward to checking them out tonight! | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1304 Registered: 5-2002 |
first impressions: A lot more tension than TI flats. I'm going to need to tighten up the trussrod probably 3/4 of a turn. I haven't had to adjust it in years. It seems like the brightness decreases as you go from G string to E string, along with the tension. There is a definite defect in the outer winding on the E string around the 10th fret. Acoustic tone seems very nice, although not incredibly balanced. I'll have to see what it sounds like plugged in. With the winding defect, I'm a little skeptical of leaving them on for my gigs this weekend. I guess I can just keep the TIs on hand and see how it goes. I'm hoping that the strings will all meet in the middle and sound more like each other as time goes on. | ||
| sparechaynge
Member Username: sparechaynge Post Number: 61 Registered: 6-2010 |
Thanks for the offer, Edwin. If I'm ever out that way I'll be sure to let you know. I agree that the Mac and HT's are less important than the front end, and that weight is certainly an issue. Interesting review of the Pyramids. I had a feeling that the tension was drastically different compared to the TI's, and its good to know for sure. The brightness/balance thing is "by design" according to Pyramid. I don't fully understand why, but with time they do get a little better. The difference in tension between the strings I have is pretty normal, except the G is really tight compared to everything else. Too bad about the winding defect. Maybe contact S&B or Pyramid for a replacement string. | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1306 Registered: 5-2002 |
Big props to Strings and Beyond for sending me a replacement E string right away! Really excellent customer service. | ||
| sparechaynge
Member Username: sparechaynge Post Number: 64 Registered: 6-2010 |
Just put a set of Pyramid flats on my Esquire. WOW, these are so much better than the GHS flats I was using. They're much more responsive, and feel better on when both fretting and picking. | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1308 Registered: 5-2002 |
From my Talkbass ramblings at 4AM this morning: OK, after night one with the Pyramids my attitude towards them is cautiously optimistic. They are VERY different from the TI strings. They've gotten a bit more consistent from string to string, but there is still a progressive sense of tension and brightness going from the E string to the G string. The G string is much twangier than the others. The E string could be considered a lot more dead sounding. However, if I worked it as a feature rather than a bug, I could get very different tones by playing in different parts of the neck. It did take a while to dial in the tone, so that there was sufficient low end but without the sound being muddy. I run each pickup in the bass through an Alembic SF2 channel and an F2B channel. The F2B on both channels was run with the bass at about 11 o'clock, the mids about 1 and the treble at 12. Bright switch off. The SF2 added some very deep lows on the neck pickup and the other channel I played with depending on the sound I wanted. I also experimented a lot with the onboard filters and could go from a pretty bright twangy sound to a much thicker, deeper tone. Some of it was almost upright-like in the lower registers of the E and A string. One thing that I seemed to notice, but I'm not sure if it was all about the string, is that it seemed like the lack of the TI boxy mids allowed the guitars to have more space in the mix. Also, it seemed like the onboard filters worked a bit better with the Pyramids, especially playing with the different Q amounts. Physically, they're more work to play and I did have to tighten the truss rod a fair amount to get the neck to go back to where I'm used to it. With the TIs, the truss rod was pretty loose. As far as comparing to the 60s tone from recordings of the Guild/Alembics I've heard, the Pyramids sound and feel a lot closer. I can hear how those tones were achieved. The TIs are similar, but there are some aspects that are pretty different, once you start playing with them and the way they interact with tone controls. There are still some differences, but they have a clarity that the TIs don't seem to have. We'll see if I feel the same way after tomorrow. | ||
| sparechaynge
Member Username: sparechaynge Post Number: 65 Registered: 6-2010 |
Very cool, I haven't played them at gig-volumes yet (broken amp), and it's especially interesting to hear your thoughts on their interaction with the filters. I totally get the 60s tone thing, when I watch these Hot Tuna videos and them play it sounds much closer than the Ernie Ball flats do, especially the parts where Jack walks up and down the neck in "Mann's Fate". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJ0onxQIY_w http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjfhsLuOEWI Interesting that the Pyramids sound clearer than the TI's I would have suspected the opposite. Maybe because of the tension difference? | ||
| mario_farufyno
Senior Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 834 Registered: 9-2008 |
Interesting discussion about consistency... In fact, I'm a GHS's Bassics long term user just because they make a set with a heavier E (.102) then expected to be seen along with a light G (.040). This is the only way I felt them well balanced on tension. Lighter E make it floppy and increases fret noise, heavier G makes it too stiff (and I don't like it since I love to bend them all the time). So choosing a right string set for me has been quite a quest (as is the right amount of crispness/brightness related to lifespan). I would love to get the smooth feel of a Flat, but they always end to be too muffled for my taste. Tried the Elixir, great feel, but there was the balance issue (all you get is .040/.090 or .045/.100) and lacked the hight top sparkle (not to mension the peeling factor when age - remember, I love to bend). In the other hand, Steel strings sounds too agressive. Even GHS super steels, that gets easier on finger tips then other brands, zings too much on Alembic (IMHO). So I'm always interested in new string sets and how they behave on Alembics, thanks for everyone's input. Still on quest... | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1303 Registered: 10-2006 |
Obviously from the same session, but the YouTube labels give "Mann's Fate" as 1969 & "Hesitation Blues" as 1970; I knew these guys did long sets back then, but wow! (Seen both before, but always glad to start the day right - thanks.) Peter | ||
| sparechaynge
Member Username: sparechaynge Post Number: 66 Registered: 6-2010 |
LOL! Wish I could have spent a year with those guys! I never noticed the year labels, but it has to be '69 because Jack's "Yggdrasil" was stolen shortly after Woodstock. I used these vids as a reference because Jack used this bass during the 1968 Bless it's Pointed Little Head/Crown of Creation tour, my favorite Airplane era. Glad I could help Peter! | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2653 Registered: 5-2009 |
" Bless it's Pointed Little Head" should be required listening for any electric bass player, in my opinion. I think Jack was so "on it" in every way ! Every cut on that recording ! I also LOVE_____ Grace on "Bear Melt" ,____WOW ! I was very influenced by that recording, I was also very influenced by Phil from "Live Dead " as well. That version of "Dark Star "in particular. "Pyramid Gold Flat Wounds ", _____could get you there. (Message edited by sonicus on September 30, 2012) | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 1159 Registered: 1-2005 |
I have never tried the Pyramid flats. Been using LaBellas on my Guilds, D'Addario Chromes on my Stanley Clarke. I will say that the LaBell "James Jamerson" set has EXTREMELY high tension - totally unlike their regular strings. That could be what the person who said they would damage a neck was talking about. TI Jazz Flats on the other hand I could never really get into too much, though I have them on my doubleneck and they actually feel pretty nice. One of these days maybe I should give Pyramids a try... Oh yeah, and I definitely am Team Phil - the Airplane just doesn't do it for me, I think it's the singing voices... | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2654 Registered: 5-2009 |
The Airplane album " Bless it's Pointed Head " ALSO had incredible drumming ! Spencer Dryden was incredible together with Jack on that live recording. Spencer Dryden was an incredible drummer in my opinion in general. One of my faves! | ||
| sparechaynge
Member Username: sparechaynge Post Number: 67 Registered: 6-2010 |
+100000000. Jack, Jorma, Paul and Spencer were never more ON then they were on that album. It is THE sound I hear in my head when someone says "electric bass". Speaking of team Phil, does anyone have a guess as to what the skinny pickup is near the bridge at 7:10 in this clip? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PODPgBaiFI4&feature=related It's right in between the bridge and bridge pickup. It's definitely a plastic cover, not wood. It looks like a humcanceller, but why there? (Message edited by Sparechaynge on September 30, 2012) | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1311 Registered: 5-2002 |
I think it was used for a frequency detection circuit. I recall reading an interview where he discussed a circuit that would measure the frequency so that his filters could be tuned around the note that was being played, sort of like a shiftable formant setup. Back to Pyramids: I really liked them last night. The G string is still a bit twangy and tends to stand out if I'm not careful. They are also a lot more work to play than the TIs that were on there. I had been using a Dunlop Graphite big Stubby pick but shifting to a Fender heavy made life a little easier. I'm going to have to start practicing a bit more to stay in shape to use these on a regular basis. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2655 Registered: 5-2009 |
I am glad that they worked out for you Edwin. That G string " Ping Twang" can be smoothed out a bit with the filters. both on board and out board. | ||
| gleech
Junior Username: gleech Post Number: 23 Registered: 1-2011 |
very glad to hear that someone else shares my opinion on 'Bless It's Pointed Little Head'. I had to buy a second copy because I wore my first one out, then had to get the reissue CD. Keep in in my car at all times. Learned so much from Jack and Spencer, and how to play as a band. Yes, when I hear Jack's bass on that recording, that is the way an electric bass is supposed to sound. Still looking to do that for myself. | ||
| sparechaynge
Member Username: sparechaynge Post Number: 68 Registered: 6-2010 |
Oooh, a part of the OO I didn't know about! I too am glad that the Pyramids are working out. Are they more work because of the balance issues or the tension? Gleech, that is one of my favorite albums EVER. I wish that there was more material live available from that period of the Airplane. The quality recording itself is very good, especially for the rhythm section. Not at all like "live Cream" or other live albums from that time. | ||
| sparechaynge
Member Username: sparechaynge Post Number: 69 Registered: 6-2010 |
Sorry for the weird grammar in my previous post, I hadn't had any caffeine yet. Just a thought: Would using a nylon tape wound G instead of the stock string make a difference in the balance of the set? | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1312 Registered: 5-2002 |
It's more work because of the tension. I wouldn't think a tape wound G would be better, but maybe using a G from the TI set. I'm going to leave it as is for now and just try to get more practice time in. | ||
| sparechaynge
Member Username: sparechaynge Post Number: 75 Registered: 6-2010 |
Bump! Any update Edwin? | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1319 Registered: 5-2002 |
Well, I have to say that I like them. They are higher tension, so I tightened the truss rod on my Starfire. I used them for the shows last weekend, but I had some amp trouble, so I was too distracted to really be able to make an objective call. However, I am done with crappy DIs, etc., and am waiting on a Grace Design M103 to be the center of my rig. I don't get quite enough gain from my F2B to drive the power amp, plus I want some compression before it hits the power. But I digress. The Pyramids are staying on for the foreseeable future. Now the question is how long they last. Also, big props to Strings and Beyond. They sent me a new E string which does not have the defect that the original one had and it got to me within a couple of days. Good folks. | ||
| sparechaynge
Member Username: sparechaynge Post Number: 76 Registered: 6-2010 |
Great! Not the rig problems, the other stuff. I'm glad they were worth it. I have heard they last forever, but that remains to be seen. | ||
| sparechaynge
Member Username: sparechaynge Post Number: 88 Registered: 6-2010 |
Bump. How are the Pyramids doing Edwin? Any thoughts on using a different G, or have they balanced out? I played my Aria w/pyramids the other day and it sounded better than I remember. The tension on the G still bothers me though, its so much tighter than the D is. | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1330 Registered: 5-2002 |
I guess I'm still up in the air. I'll know more after this weekend's gigs since I'll be playing through a Grace M103 and if that doesn't tell me exactly what's coming off the bass, nothing will! Afterwards, for contrast, I'll go back to the TI's. The TIs are definitely more consistent, but there is something about the Pyramid tone that is pretty cool. In a way they remind me of the DR flats. The DR flats are very nice, but they don't play as well with short scale basses. The DRs are much more consistent string to string. I wish it were as easy as roundwounds. Sunbeams and I'm done! | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1336 Registered: 5-2002 |
At this point in time, I'm declaring the Pyramids the winner. One thing that helped was a tweak on the truss rod. Once I got that all leveled out, the increased tension was no longer a problem. The G string still hits a bit hard, but I'm getting used to it and it can be a useful tool in the belt. It's kind of like the rest of the Starfire. It's idiosyncratic as all get out and there's no way I would consider the tone and feel consistent all over the bass the way an Alembic is, but that's part of its charm. Once you get used to it, it becomes part of the palette of flavors. I also really like the interaction of the strings with the Series II filters. They are different because the TIs have more midrange information going on, so that can be interesting, but for what I'm going for, the ability to bring out more of the top end stuff and then boost it so that it drives the input of the F2B gives me some of the grind on big chords that I was looking for. TIs are great strings, but the Pyramids have something very cool going on. Much more like the late 60s/early 70s Casady/Lesh tone. I'll see about getting a few samples up on soundcloud. While I'm blathering on, I also think the Grace M103 is a huge step up from all the DIs I have been using before. I ended up not really using the EQ section, but had the compressor set up with a high ratio but also a high threshold so it only kicked in on peaks. My previous DIs had all been transformer based, which can sound very good (the F1X is excellent), but Mike really got it right with this one. The combination with the F2B is a winner! | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2671 Registered: 5-2009 |
Excellent ! This outcome on your behalf with the interaction of your choice of electronics, instrument and Pyramids is NOT a surprise to me. My intuition told me so __________. | ||
| sparechaynge
Member Username: sparechaynge Post Number: 94 Registered: 6-2010 |
That's great Edwin! Now I really want a hollowbody to go to town on. Maybe I can find one while I'm in SF... I hope you get some samples up soon. |
