Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I am presently using Pyramid strings on my 4003 and for the McCartney or 1960s British Invasion bass sound I find these strings to be excellent. They are indeed expensive but well worth it for me as they produce the sound I want. They are of good quality and intonate well on my 4003.

On my guitars, however, I use Rickenbacker strings as I do a lot of string bending and this causes me much connective tissue pain in my hands with Pyramids. The Rickenbacker strings are well made and produce a great sound for a reasonable price.

These are both great strings The string type I use is based on a particular sound and use. I don't feel one is better than the other, but the application is the key for me. I would be most interested in knowing more details about Pyramid strings including how they are maufactured. Perhaps those in the know will comment.

Hey, Paul from Encapsulite!! You're needed here!!

Peter, do the Pyramids bass strings feel "soft" eg easy to bend? If they are low tension this should be the case.

Gerry: Yes to me they feel soft and they are easy to bend. Like most flat wounds they go thud rather than twang but I get good sustain on my 4003 and I did not need a truss rod adjustment. These strings are heaven compared to a D'Addario Chrome flats that I tried which were not comfortable and sounded poorly on my 4003. If I recall correctly the Pyramids are 45 to 105. There is precious little information on the package to speak to gauge as I recall and no information regarding the tension ratings is anywhere to be found. Having said that, I am very satified with the performance of these strings and I enjoy the sound. If I was McCartney I would be happy with the sound, if I was Chris Squire I would be unhappy with the sound. I hope that Paul and Chris will add their comments. I hope to try Rickenbacker bass strings next for comparison purposes. Perhaps someone could speak to how they like Rickenbacker bass strings here.

I have found general information with regard to Pyramid Strings at Vintage Strings Distributors. Perhaps Paul could fill us in with regard to the more detailed features of these strings. I post this information here because of comments that there is limited information available with respect to these strings.

7 String Sets, Pure Nickel Flat Wire Wound Strings with Silver-Plated Plain Strings, both plain and wound G 3rd included --- Sets available in the following gauges --- .010-.0465 , .011-.048 , and .013-.052

The Ultimate 12String Set. Pure Nickel Flat Wire Wound Strings with Silver-Plated Plain Strings . Gauges are .010/.010 , .013/.013 , .010/.020w , .013/.030 , .020w/.035 . .030/.0465

Just as a side note, the best prices I have found on Pyramids is http://www.elderly.com.

Thanks Jeff. I have also noticed that The Music Connection has them for essentially the same price.

I've found a Pyramid dealer in my local area who's price is only a couple dollars more than the sites you've referenced. I have yet to try them since I'm somewhat of a cheap sort although I'm unhappy with what is currently on my Rick. Has anyone out there tried Rotosound Jazz? If so what do you think. There doesn't seem to be much readily available outside of roundwounds these days!

Peter,
I've tried the Rickenbacker bass strings and I like them a lot! I think they are as good as Rotosounds, or at least very close. I am currently using Rotosound Swing Bass strings on mine (45-105 like Squire uses) because they are cheaper and more readily available in the area I live in. However I have one bass (a v63) that I've had equipped with Pyramid flats for nearly a year, and they are SO much softer and more supple than either the Fender, GHS, or Ernie Ball flats that I tried before.

Squirebass: Yes Pyramids are softer and more supple that any of the other bass strings that I have tried to date including the string types you mention as well as D'Addario.

I have never tried flats on the Ricky basses (or any basses for that matter) that I have owned, but I'm curious. However, my style liberally incorporates the typewriter-tapping style developed and used by John Entwistle. My roundwound Rotosounds fit the bill pretty nicely for this style, will getting Pyramid flats diminish the sound derived from my style? I'm thinking it will, but am curious nonetheless, however I don't want to drop $50+ for a set of strings only to end up having to take them off because I didn't get the required brightness I'd prefer.

I currently own a model 4003. I have to admit that I never even considered buying flats, but this website and the AGR newsgroup has me curious, being a Rick lover and all. All responses are greatly appreciated, thanks.

6025: Strings are such a highly personal thing and depend on many factors. Having said that, given the preferred style that you describe I am going to go out on the limb and say you would probably be happier with the Rotosounds. Also, as you say, you will be richer in the short run at least.

Has anyone tried Elixir coated strings on their bass? I'm considering trying them, I know they won't sound like a regular roundwound, but it'll be a lot easier on the fingerboard and frets for the hours of practice I need. I can always switch when/if I land the big gig!

I'm thinking about giving Pyramids a try on my 4003. I was under the impression that flats produced less tension than rounds on the neck, but I've read some posts on usenet from people who state that their necks were "overbowed" from using flats. I certainly don't want that to happen. Will pyramids force me to adjust my neck once I use them?

4003Seagreen: I have a 4003 and I found I needed to adjust the truss-rods slightly when I put Pyramid flats on it. The sound that resulted was well worth it for me. If you are after the "Yes" sound that would be an entirely different matter.