Pyramid strings

[JakeK]

Who on here uses Pyramids with their 6 and/or 12 string Ric? How much better/worse are they from Thomas-Inkfield or D'Addario strings?

[whojamfan]

I put a set of Pyramid 12 flats on my 360/12, and had to widen the slot on the low e saddle and the nut a hair so the string would fit in the grooves. The strings were very pretty and shiny, intonated well, and sounded great.

Ok, downside, they were stiff as a board, and like trying to bend clutch cables, and had read of the higher tension of these strings possibly creating problems with the neck. So, I pulled them off, put the TI flat set from Pick of the Ricks on, and have been extremely happy with them. They are lighter, more bendable, and sound great. I will be using these exclusively now, as they do exactly what I want them to.

I also tried a set of Pyramid roundwound 6 strings on my 330, but after a week, I changed back to RIC strings, and have used them since.

These are the experiences I've had with them, and the 12s did sound good. I'm sure others here will chime in with their experiences.

[stringsncords]

I find Pyramids to be pretty stiff - I use Elixir 10's on my 6-string 360, and they're great. On my 12-string 360 I have a set of custom-matched TI flatwounds from POTR, which are absolutely awesome.

[teb]

Pyramids didn't do anything on my twelves that the TIs can't do as well or better and the TIs are much easier to play and easier on the necks because they're much lower tension. I wouldn't put Pyramids back on even if I could get them for free. I'm using TI Jazz Flats (10/10, 13/13, 20/10, 25/13, 33/20 and 39/25). As long as they keep making them, I will keep using them. I didn't like the Jazz Flats on my six strings as much as other brands (RIC, D'Addario, etc.) but I don't play jazz and generally want a little more twang than most flats (including TIs and Pyramids) have.

[jazzsmith]

I agree with you 100% Todd. I had Pyramids on my '65 360/12 for a while and they just didn't have enough brightness for me. On the plus side however, they do last forever and considering that I have to medicate myself every time I attempt re-stringing that guitar it was a BIG plus. Now I'm using Thomastik-Infield. I didn't see an electric set on the juststrings.com site, so I got a set of Power Brights .010 - .045 and added single strings to make up the set. Cost me about $25.

[ken_j]

I have played guitar with Pyramids and didn't like them due to their high tension. I currently have TI flats on my C63. The TI's sound great and are more playable IMO.

[lennon211]

I have the D'Addario flats on a number of my guitars, including 4 Rics. I think that they are great feeling strings. I've heard way too many things about Pyramids and the downside to them. I'm simply not willing to pay out a lot on them to not like them, especially when the D'Addarios are inexpensive and sound just fine to my ears. I'm probably going to put them on at least 2 more guitars in the near future.

[deaconblues]

I have the D'Addario flats on a number of my guitars, including 4 Rics. I think that they are great feeling strings. I've heard way too many things about Pyramids and the downside to them. I'm simply not willing to pay out a lot on them to not like them, especially when the D'Addarios are inexpensive and sound just fine to my ears. I'm probably going to put them on at least 2 more guitars in the near future.

I use D'Addario flats too. Another plus is that they're actually AVAILABLE outside of cyberspace unlike almost every other brand of flatwounds.

[jazzsmith]

It seems like everybody is pretty much sold on flatwounds, especially on their 12-strings. I had Pyramid Golds on my 360/12 and tried to make myself like them. They just didn't seem bright or jangly enough. I finally couldn't con myself anymore and went looking for some roundwounds. I love the TI "Power Brights" but they only make 6-string sets. So, I bought a .010 - .045 set and made up the rest with single strings. They sound great and they are really pretty with the gold plated unwound strings. The whole set cost me about $25 from juststrings.com

[jazzsmith]

I'm sorry..... I just realized that I posted this information earlier (its morning and I'm still working on my first cup of coffee). But let me take this opportunity to ask a question. Do flatwounds have more or less tension than roundwounds of the same gauge?

[hjarnett]

I have the D'Addario flats on a number of my guitars, including 4 Rics. I think that they are great feeling strings. I've heard way too many things about Pyramids and the downside to them. I'm simply not willing to pay out a lot on them to not like them, especially when the D'Addarios are inexpensive and sound just fine to my ears. I'm probably going to put them on at least 2 more guitars in the near future.

I use D'Addario flats too. Another plus is that they're actually AVAILABLE outside of cyberspace unlike almost every other brand of flatwounds.

+1 im sold on the d'addario flats i just wish they had a 12 string set

[jimk]

Unless it is ridiculously expensive, why not buy 2 six string sets and combine them to make your 12 string set?

JimK

[hjarnett]

Unless it is ridiculously expensive, why not buy 2 six string sets and combine them to make your 12 string set?

JimK

it would be the price i could be wrong but to get the right gage for the octave strings you would need no less than 3 set's maybe 4 sets of stings to do one 12 stringer if someone here has done the math on this please chime in

[Darkhollow]

I used Pyramids on my Ric for the first year'ish. Then I gave in and started using Elixir poly 10s.

I agree with what a few people here said, they seem to have high tension and feel stiff. I use Elixirs on my 6 & 12 acoustics and my electrics and have for at least 12 years now. I switch things up now and again, but always seem to go right back. If it ain't broke...ahh you all know.

Just Strings used to be a great place when they first opened their retail store in NH. I used to be able to walk in and deal with people, check out different strings and buy singles etc. Now they have no counter sales and I have to order online and wait for a confirmation to pick them up. Even though I am only 10 minutes away.

[hjarnett]

Unless it is ridiculously expensive, why not buy 2 six string sets and combine them to make your 12 string set?

JimK

it would be the price i could be wrong but to get the right gage for the octave strings you would need no less than 3 set's maybe 4 sets of stings to do one 12 stringer if someone here has done the math on this please chime in

ok i did the math the ric set for a 12 string go's like this 10,10,13,13,20w,10,26,13,34,20w,42,26. and a set of daddario chrome flats are 10,14,20w,28,38,48 so it would take 3 sets of the chrome flats to make one 12 string set like this 10,10,14,14,20w,10,28,14,38,20w,48,28 so that would be about $30 so for about the same price i think i will order a set of TI flats for my 360/12 and save my brain and time