Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

TI Flats have been my flat of choice for many years, but occasionally I find a bass that prefers a different flat. My '61 P-bass likes La Bellas. The one that recently surprised me was my 4004 with the Darkstar pickups. It needed more bite and definition than the TIs offered. Rounds did not sound good on it but someone just happened to give me a set of Pyramid Chromes. Just the ticket. Higher tension, but the tone is perfect. I've used Pyramid nickle flats on my Hofner for years, but have never checked out their chromes. I heartily recommend them.

-TS

Anyone ever notice how how much Fender flats sound and feel like Pyramids ? At half the cost !

Pyramid dosen't make Chromes, D'Addario does.

I used their medium gauge set . . . the 45-105, I believe. They sounded good, but I just couldn't play them; my hands tired out after 20 minutes.

Randy,

I beg to differ. Pyramid also makes chrom rounds. I have a set on my 4004 now. THey have a lovely purple silk that looks great on a black bass to boot!

I bought a set of Fender 9050 flats (for $30 bucks at the only music store around here...only flats they had). The E string sounds terrible on these...really "warbly" if you know what I mean.

Greg, My experience with the Fender 9050s also. Two sets (they were closing out for $13) and both E strings did that, on two different basses.

Yes, but they are not billed as Chromes. If they were, D'Addario would likely have some issues with that.

I'm referring to the Pyramids in the last post.

On the package it says, " Pyramid Gold" and "Chrome-steel Flat Wire Wound". I've never seen this set before though so I don't know what they are commonly referred to as.

"Chrome-steel Flat Wire Wound" is the type of wire used for the outer wrap on the "Pyramid Gold" strings.

I thought they were supposed to be pure nickel flats?

These chromes are a totally different string then their nickel flats. I use the nickel flats on my Hofner. They have a different silk wrapping (the nickels are green and these chromes are purple), different feel, and radically different sound.

I've used those Fenders for years...at least 3 sets on my J and I think I used 2 sets on the 4001. Never had a problem with them. <confused> I wouldn't spend no $25 a set on them...but they were a decent price at $13.

Thanks for all the suggestions..
And Yes...the brand I was in search of is the Thomastik-Infeld !!!
Regarding the Rot-O-Sound flat wounds...
Would these be considered flatwounds that have more brightness than other flats???

Chris