Author Topic: Strings Shootout! (Read 576 times)

sparechaynge · « **on:** September 05, 2012, 02:47:27 PM »

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 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 05, 2012, 10:55:18 PM »

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 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 06, 2012, 07:46:15 AM »

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 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 06, 2012, 08:26:06 AM »

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 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 06, 2012, 09:08:36 AM »

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 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 06, 2012, 10:52:37 PM »

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 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 07, 2012, 06:35:15 AM »

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.

mikedm · « **Reply #7 on:** September 07, 2012, 08:18:51 AM »

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 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 07, 2012, 09:28:47 AM »

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 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 07, 2012, 10:10:00 AM »

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 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 07, 2012, 10:34:05 AM »

i dont change strings often but when i do .......it's the bloddy G string.

edwin · « **Reply #11 on:** September 07, 2012, 11:35:34 AM »

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 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 07, 2012, 12:07:40 PM »

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 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 07, 2012, 04:12:53 PM »

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 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 07, 2012, 04:56:25 PM »

Hey, Wolf! what gauges did you custom order? I think I read somewhere that it's .40 .55.70.100. is that right?