Just ordered Pyramid flats...

scottpro1969 · Post by **scottpro1969** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 5:44 pm

Pyramid strings have an oily/dirty substance on them when new. I wipe the strings down before installing them on my bass. Denatured alcohol will take care of the problem....Pyramids are great strings!!!

marc67 · Post by **marc67** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 6:36 am

I have a set of Pyramids purchased from Pick of the Ricks - cheapest last time I checked and a pleasure to deal with. I used them on my Hofner and they sound and feel great. One of my V63's is strung with Pyramids too (that is what the previous owner had on it). They are OK but I prefer rounds on V63's.

david_schwab · Post by **david_schwab** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 8:59 am

Rickenbacker never used Pyramids. The flats that they used to have were made by Maxima.

Thanks Timothy... I knew it was one of those German companies! :-\

david_schwab · Post by **david_schwab** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 9:02 am

Pyramid strings have an oily/dirty substance on them when new.

La Bellas are that way too. They used to leave my hands smelling like a machine shop!

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 9:52 am

To me it always smells like fish oil.

The original Maximas always left black marks on your hand when winding them which I attributed to some kind of oil along with the soft nickel.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 10:12 am

another reason to use round wound strings ...

wings012345 · Post by **wings012345** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 10:53 am

I personally like light Semi-Flats, best of both worlds

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 12:00 pm

Go pressure-wounds! It's why DR's and RS55's sound and feel so good . . .

marc67 · Post by **marc67** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 12:30 pm

Robert, I'm with you on this one - love DR's. Used to use RS 66 but they seem to lose their brightness too quickly.

jps · Post by **jps** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 1:44 pm

Chromes also have the "fish oil" on them. I just wipe them down with alcohol before I put them on (not on me, on the basses!)

blaire · Post by **blaire** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 2:47 pm

hmmm...i only use roundwounds mostlee...like the growl and attack...tho i also like to do feedback solos and use the tube overdrive frome my V-9...giggles...but i love flats on the old 67 corranado i have...its got the d'armmonds..and a piezo bridge....shes sweet too...but shes not the 4002...it sings...it still totally blows me away everytime i play a note on it...

philipharris · Post by **philipharris** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 4:49 am

I tried Pyramids on my '65 4001 but got very anxious about the tension, so I switched to TIs (on a recommendation from this Forum) and they are just perfect.

johnashfield · Post by **johnashfield** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 11:44 am

How does the tension from the pyramids compare to the tension from Fender 9050 flats?

I am trying the pyramids because the fenders are just super stiff feeling. So I am hoping the pyramids will be less so.

lamar12string · Post by **lamar12string** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 8:58 pm

pyramid flats are great strings..but their tension is unbelievable..the 10-46 set, i have tried it..you'd be better off getting a lot lighter E A and D STRING...YOU CAN ORDER single strings in individual gauges from juststrings.com...i buy the thomastiks..i have even heard of pyramids causing the 'r' tailpiece to crack in half...the tension on the 10-46 set is very high...it might sound like a light gauge set but they dont feel light...they have a ton of nickel in them,,,still, if you like stiff action and your guitar has a good truss rod, then go for it...but expect your neck to shift dramatically after you install them....lamar

johnashfield · Post by **johnashfield** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 12:40 am

Well the strings came in and I put them on... and ....

These are the best things ever! So much more supple and pliable than the fenders, and tight sounding!

I may need to adjust the neck or bridge tomorrow but so far, so good, a LOT less tension than the fender flats (aka bridge cables).

The bass is just so much easier to play.

I also put on smaller tuner bushings that Ken S. made for me! Thanks Ken, you rock!