From Pyramids to Thomastik-Infelds

[DoubleThink]

Tonight I changed the strings on my '01 370/12 JG. I'm sure it was an easier job last time....

I've switched from Pyramid Flat 11s to Thomastik-Infeld Flat 10s. After a slight bridge height adjustment to allow for the relief of the 11 to 10 change, I'm letting her rest for the night. Tomorrow, further tunings, adjustments and intonation.

Already I notice a significant difference in the way she frets. I've heard people describe the Pyramids as 'cheese cutters', but I never really found that to be a concern (I string my flattop with 13s). The TIs, however, are much softer and (almost) feel buttery. Maybe that's just because they're so light. I'll have to wait & see. What I can tell already is that my playing style will have to adjust to the new, lighter strings. The Pyramids require a particular approach, I find. I went with the 10s because I couldn't find TI Flat 11s anywhere.

There's a major difference in the sound, too. I really like the sound of the Pyramids so, when she's properly settled into her new setting, I'll have to give the new strings a serious workout & appraisal to determine whether the TIs meet my need .. or introduce me to something new.

Why the change? Well,there's so much talk about the negative effect of Pyramids that I thought I'd give the TIs a test as a possible alternative to avoid potential damage.

Anyone else made the switch? Any thoughts?

[teb]

I switched several years ago and never looked back for a second. Sound quality? Sounds pretty darned good to me:
http://webpages.charter.net/tbradshaw/M ... string.mp3
I also have all TIs on my eight string bass for exactly the same reasons. When I first got it, I used some leftover Pyramid guitar flats for the octaves and could barely even play it. With eight Thomastic flats, it plays quite nicely and sounds just fine:
http://webpages.charter.net/tbradshaw/M ... 20bass.mp3

[kiramdear]

Talk to Pick of the Ricks about their TI sets for Rickenbacker. A lot of people have made the same discovery and switched from Pyramids. Me, too. I found them much too stiff. My 360/12 CW sports one of their custom sets, and it plays easier than many 6 stringers. A good setup is important, too.

[jdawe]

What Kira said: the PoTR TI sets are really nice (although I haven't played Pyramids and can't compare them directly). They sound good and feel even better.

[DoubleThink]

sounds just fine:
http://webpages.charter.net/tbradshaw/M ... 20bass.mp3

Sure does sound fine. Thanks for sharing. Great tone, Todd.

I did manage to get the TIs through POTR. Quick turn-around time, too, which always makes it better. It's like waiting for Christmas when you mail order something Ric-related.

This light gauge, though, is taking something to get used to. So far, I'm missing the muted 'thunk' I get out of the Pyramids. The string change has changed the character of the guitar. Certainly, she's playing very differently, much lighter, but there's something else, too. It's almost like the breadth of tone has expanded. Acoustically, she sounds much fuller as a 12-string.

[Hotzenplotz]

I moved from the original Rickenbacker strings to the TI JS110 strings.

Amazing sound, exactly what I was searching for, especially combined with toasters. If wanted, they sound through a tube amp very old school! For those who desire a British Invasion sound a good choice, maybe THE choice.

How to describe the sound?
Well, dry and warm at the same time, with a wide dynamic range and an absolute clear point of attack.
They react very directly when using different tunings of the amp.
A lot of nice different sounds! - I am still exploring more possibilities...

The feeling while playing is smooth but not weak, no problem to play and to play and to play.

I love them!

[Folkie]

Talk to Pick of the Ricks about their TI sets for Rickenbacker. A lot of people have made the same discovery and switched from Pyramids. Me, too. I found them much too stiff. My 360/12 CW sports one of their custom sets, and it plays easier than many 6 stringers. A good setup is important, too.

I've never tried Pyramids, but I was accustomed to using a D'Addario Nicklewound .010 set on my 330/12, until I got my 360/12 last year from POTR and had Chris set it up with a Thomastik Infeld Flatwound .010 set. The improvement in tone was so dramatic that it's hard to describe: much more treble and chime from those octave strings. And with low enough action, they play very smoothly.

I would recommend TI Flats for anyone looking for the classic Beatles or Byrds sounds. They do cost a pretty penny at about $30 a set, but they last a lot longer than roundwounds or compressed roundwounds, and they really nail that sixties vibe.

[DoubleThink]

I spent the day playing and recording with the 370/12 and its new TIs. The tone range is mind-blowing. There is a very distinct sound high tension 'thunk' sound achieved when using the Pyramids and, certainly, as distinctive a sound achieved when using the TIs. Can I describe the TI sound yet? Very acoustic, but otherwise the joy of dicovering a new dimension to my axe is beyond description. Which is better? It's up to you. That said, I'm having a blast with the TIs, but having to learn their application.

The TIs bought mail-order from POTR are about $20 cheaper than the Pyramids purchased locally. Anyone know how I can get a single low-E Pyramid Gold 34-inch scale bass string? They're next to impossible to buy as singles.

[Hotzenplotz]

... and they really nail that sixties vibe.

+ 1.000.000

[stsang]

I completely agree with everyone's comments about Pyramids vs TI flats. There was an earlier discussion on this topic too that covered it well:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=388246

I used to use D'Addario roundwounds on my 12-string, and when I switched to the Pyramid flatwounds, I immediately noticed a substantial neck dip (that I was never able to completely get rid of) and the stiffness of the strings. However, I did like the sound! That Pyramid "thunk" sound that you mentioned is very distinctive and sounds totally 60s to my ears. When I switched to the TI flats (after reading posts on this forum) I couldn't believe how much easier it was to play my Ric, and the sound gained a sparkle that was missing when I had the Pyramids on while still having a strong 60s vibe. The neck bow also disappeared, to my relief (pardon the pun). Now, I can't use anything other than the TI flats on my 12-string, at least for the lower courses.

[DoubleThink]

When I was doing the change over to the TIs, I noticed that the body finish, where the neck meets the body (on the underside), has separated slightly. In English, the finish has cracked and separated about a finger nail's worth at the joint. There is no apparent separation of the wood or joint. Now, I won't swear on the stand that the Pyramids where directly responsible for the separation, but the correlation is present. Also, when tuning up after the switch-over, I had to raise the bridge height one complete turn per screw before I could even sound one of the newly strung TIs. With all the neigh-saying that's going on about a difference in string tension, I can attest that, in my experience, there is a relief in neck tension when switching from Pyramids to TIs. How credible is my observation? Just keep in mind that I switched from 11s to 10s. It might all be a bit of apples & oranges.

I still have Pyramids on my six strings. There are no tension problems whatsoever after several years with Pyramids. And, I've gotta say, the Pyramid 'thunk' is an awesome sound and a sound quite unique to the string. I still love it, but not at the cost of my 370/12.

[Tommy]

Now, I won't swear on the stand that the Pyramids were directly responsible ...I can attest that, in my experience, there is a relief in neck tension when switching from Pyramids to TIs.

That's interesting. I have Pyramids on one of my acoustics and I noticed the guitar's neck has far more bend than when I had other strings on it. I just thought the guitar finally settled to what she is, I never thought it could be tension of the Pyramids. Thanks for a possible lead.

[stsang]

on one of my acoustics and I noticed the guitar's neck has far more bend than when I had other strings on it. I just thought the guitar finally settled to what she is, I never thought it could be tension of the Pyramids. Thanks for a possible lead.

Tommy, before making any conclusions, make sure that you are using the same string gauges for comparison. Stefan mentioned that he switched from .11 Pyramids to .10 TIs - the lighter gauge will induce less tension on his guitar's neck. In my experience, the D'Addarios .10 and Pyramids .10 had more or less the same gauges and the neck was noticeably bowed when I put on the Pyramids. The TIs seem to have a lighter tension than both the D'Addario and Pyramids, but the string gauges are also slightly smaller - for example, a .44 on the low E instead of .465 on the Pyramids and .46 on the D'Addarios.

[stsang]

When I was doing the change over to the TIs, I noticed that the body finish, where the neck meets the body (on the underside), has separated slightly. In English, the finish has cracked and separated about a finger nail's worth at the joint. There is no apparent separation of the wood or joint. Now, I won't swear on the stand that the Pyramids where directly responsible for the separation, but the correlation is present.

How long did you have the Pyramids on your Ric? And are you sure the crack wasn't there before you had the Pyramid strings?

[DoubleThink]

About a 14 months. The finish damage appeared only just recently with the change in seasons.