What's the deal with Pyramid strings?

drumbob · Post by **drumbob** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 12:39 pm

I see some people like Pyramids and some people don't. A friend of mine said they'll help keep my 330-12 in tune better. True?

Pros and cons?

Where can one get them? I have never seen them in stores.

kenposurf · Post by **kenposurf** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 12:48 pm

You can get them at http://www.tone-man.com I've used them for the last several years..they last a VERY long time and I hate to change strings. Congrats on post #100!

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 1:02 pm

Pros--long-lasting.

Cons--higher string tension. They could require truss rod adjustments.

Stay in tune better? Hmmm...Why?

kenposurf · Post by **kenposurf** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 1:08 pm

In fact, I've used the SAME set for the last several years as Paul knows...hah!

sharkboy · Post by **sharkboy** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 1:23 pm

George, as a bandmate, Paul might be a good judge of how well you stay in tune.

I can only think of one guitar I have that I would be willing to try a higher tension guitar string, and that is because I have a little buzz in the bridge that drives me a little kooky. There is little chance in my mind that Pyramids are going to last as long as the Elixirs I use on my 6-strings (I'm quite loyal to Rickenbacker 12-string sets, since they've never given me a reason to change.)

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 1:27 pm

In my experience, Pyramids have resulted in major tailpiece lift on my ex-4001c64, some MAJOR tweaking on my ex-370/12, and have been of inconsistent quality.

Go with TI's, or go with Chromes.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 1:29 pm

I have Pyramids on one guitar--my '67 625, just for reference's sake. I like Rick 12 sets, and using a bit of Lem-Oil occasionally in a wipe-down mode preserves them well.

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 2:38 pm

Make sure you don't go looking for the "Tetrahedron" brand..... I understand they're pretty hard to find.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 3:18 pm

Nope...they're right next to the Jingle Bells!

ben_brown · Post by **ben_brown** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 3:28 pm

Ernie Ball Slinky 100-45... I like's 'em!

mgauction · Post by **mgauction** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 6:42 pm

The ONLY guitar I had Pyramids on that didn't cause major tension and adjustments was a 1964 Hofner bass. I hated them on my 360V6412. I vote "no."

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 6:46 pm

Lately it's been pentahedron and jungle balls.

teb · Post by **teb** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 6:49 pm

I don't believe there is any reason that they would stay in tune any better and in my opinion they don't, compared to RIC strings, TI's or other quality brands. I have heard from a couple high-powered sources (people in the business of strobe-setting intonation) that Pyramids tend to vary more in diameter along the length of the string than other brands which are more precisely made. This could cause intonation problems, though I can't say that I've noticed them on the guitars that I've used Pyramids on.

I really think that the reason that both Pyramids and TI's "last" so long is that their tone is so dull from day one. The wound strings never have that bright ringing tone that you get with fresh roundwound strings - not even when they're brand new, so you don't see it fade over time and get dull. They start dull, stay dull and it contributes to the overall tone that they have. It's not better or worse than the tone of brighter strings, it's just different and may sound more like the vintage sound you hear on old recordings made during the days when nearly all electric guitar strings were flatwound.

A great demonstration of this is to sit down with a pair of 330 or 360 twelve-strings, one with RIC compressed roundwounds or other good rounds and one with Pyramid Gold strings or TI flats. The two guitars have a very different sound and feel. Especially if you start with them unplugged, the rounds will have a much brighter tone and a much livelier feel. The flats will feel and sound pretty dead. Plugging into your amp will even the sound up a fair amount, bringing more tone and volume to the flats, but there is still a difference in the sound. Over time, the sound of the flats won't change very much and the rounds will lose their twang and dull down. Assuming that you would be replacing strings because the tone is suffering (not because they're breaking of corroding) I suspect that a set of Pyramids or TI's could easily last two or three times as long.

I switched a while back from Pyramids to TI's to reduce the tension on the necks. It also makes a noticable difference in how hard you need to press down to fret the strings. The sound is basically the same, the strings last just as long, the guitar plays easier and there is less stress on the neck. I'm satisfied. If I choose to switch back to RIC rounds, the most it seems to need in terms of adjustment is about 1/4 turn of the rods, if that. YMMV, but those are my observations.

elysrand · Post by **elysrand** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 6:56 pm

I did not know that jungles have balls.....

Besides, my Pentas have Gone five-sided on me years ago already, hedonistic or otherwise

beatlefreak · Post by **beatlefreak** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 3:43 am

John wrote:
"Lately it's been pentahedron and jungle balls."

Don't forget hovercraft - I love that one!