Why You Should Try Pure Nickel Strings

[gmacdonnell]

12's is a piece of cake: my archtop has Thomastik 14's on it, (used to have 15's!) Of course, it's got low action, and I don't do many big bends on it, so it actually plays real easy.

If you usually change strings every 2 weeks, the Thomastiks and Pyramids should probably last you at least twice as long. They just don't die out the way most common strings do. They're like the Enegizer bunny.

I almost went broke changing strings all the time years back, but these strings saved my financial situation, and improved the tone and feel of my guitar as well.

The DR's are a great string in their own right, however. They're made of much better materials than most American strings, and use a better design, similar to the Pyramids. I actually am surprised at how affordable they are, and wonder how much of it is do to them being made domestically, (though the nickel and steel is imported from Europe.)

[Mayo5]

I'm really likeing these pyramids strings for my acoustic. They aren't "broken in" yet, but I am liking them alot. They feel and initialy sound alot like my Elixxir poly webs. But they have something in their tone that I just can't describe. It's better and more full, if that makes sense. The notes I hit with my pick, fingers are more controlled and accurate. It's a brighter sound to my playing. I can't wait to hear how they sound after a while of playing, and I will try to record them so you can hear the difference.

[V!N]

The way to calculate tension isn't unified among string producers yet but it isn't exactly rocket science. Most often, the numbers apply to the the amount of force that's pulling on a piece of string that's 25½" in length to get it to reach the correct pitch. Whether we like it or not, that's the most common scale for guitars nowadays.

The set of T-I.010 is probably more slinky than D'Add.010, but I doubt it'll be more slinky than a set of EB.009. I'll hold onto the T-I's until I can handle playing for a longer period of time without too much pain and then they're the first in line.
Yes, I topwrap for the slinky feel. Let's leave it at that before 'they' hear us.


For those of you who now use the Thomastik-Infeld Blues Sliders .010" (SL110) Do you find the high E to be a bit stiff compared to the other plain strings ? Or the other way round, the G and the B a bit rubbery compared to the high E ?

[gmacdonnell]

I actually think the TI sets are among the most balanced feeling and playing around.
D'addario always, to me, seems to too tight on the unwound strings, (though the wound strings also are fairly tight.)

[Wuchak]

If you clip your strings before putting them on the post be sure to heed the warning inside the DR string package (printed inside the cardboard box) about crimping the string first so it doesn't unwind. This probably applies to any string with round core instead of hex.

[BluesLover]

Thank you very much for such an informative thread! I am thinking about trying out the Dr Pure Blues. However, from what I am reading it seems that they sound more mellow. Is that true? I prefer a brighter sound, so is there another quality pure nickel string you can recommend that has a bright sound?

[gmacdonnell]

Originally Posted by BluesLover

Thank you very much for such an informative thread! I am thinking about trying out the Dr Pure Blues. However, from what I am reading it seems that they sound more mellow. Is that true? I prefer a brighter sound, so is there another quality pure nickel string you can recommend that has a bright sound?

As far as strings go, the DR Blues are more middle of the road than truly mellow sounding, imho. They're never as bright as a set of D'Addario's are when brand new, but they don't get as dull as D'Addario's get after a few days of hard playing either.

But for nickel strings that are bright and punchy, you should try the Snake Oil Brand "Rock Formula" Strings. They're bright, clear and powerful, without losing bottom end or being thin. They're really easy to bend,
and like all well-made nickel strings, they last a really long time without noticeable loss of tone.

Snake Oil strings, (As far as I'm aware, at least,) have to be ordered directly from them. But that actually saves some money, since these strings would probably go for 2x what they cost, in a Guitar Center.

Snake Oil Brand Strings

[BluesLover]

They have a round core like the Pure Blues, right?

[Lance_S]

Just got my new Thomstiks and Pyramids in the mail today. Can't wait to give them a shot. Playing this Sunday in Church, gonna string up the Thomstiks. I will give you a report. Currently using the EB 11 pure nickels.

Peace.

[JMAnz]

I play Thomastik-Infeld Power Brites on my Dean Baby V, and put them on my Michael Kelly Patriot, but don't like them as much on the Patriot. I will DEFINATELY order some Blues Sliders next time I order strings... I love Thomastiks... best string ever.

[gmacdonnell]

Originally Posted by BluesLover

They have a round core like the Pure Blues, right?

Yup

[Lance_S]

So I received my long awaited $20.00 guitar strings from thomstik. Terribly excited to lace them up I proceed to dig into it. Get to the G string and it's Gold.....mmmmmmm.....didn't order Gold, those are almost $40 bucks a set. Threw it on anyway. Next string, the B string....yup it's Gold too....WTF????

High E is back to silver. Not wanting to sound like a dumbass, is this correct. I am assuming this was just a packaging mistake but this is my first set of Thomstiks so I am just not sure. Either way, I am a little disappointed to pay this kind of money on a string and have them be different colors.

[V!N]

I just took a look at both my sets of Thomastik-Infeld Blues Sliders.
Just opening up the little envelopes to see what's inside and you're right.
The plain G and B string are gold !
I find that appalling. Yes, I'm appalled !

[BluesLover]

Are they really gold, or bronze? Do you mean gold-colored?

[Lance_S]

Not all the strings are Gold, just the G and B strings, the high E is regular silver color. And yes, the G and B are really Gold color. The only thing I can think of is that they offer these strings in Gold and someone made a mistake????

[BluesLover]

That is weird dude...

[EDIT]

Hey I read up on the strings and apparently some people don't like the gold finish either. It isn't a mistake, they are saying the exact same thing you are. The G and B strings have a gold finish.

[V!N]

Ah, wait, yes. The high E isn't gold. My mind and eyes playing tricks with me at this ghostly hour.
Regardless of the sound and feel, I do think this looks rather odd. Yes, I'm still appalled.
Perhaps these two are created in a different way ? That would also explain the difference in tension for these.


Thomastik-Infeld
Blues Sliders SL110

e | 0.010 | 17.1 lbs - 7,8 kg
B | 0.013 | 14.5 lbs - 6,6 kg
G | 0.016 | 14.3 lbs - 6,5 kg
D | 0.028 | 20.8 lbs - 9,4 kg
A | 0.037 | 20.1 lbs - 9,1 kg
E | 0.048 | 20.1 lbs - 9,1 kg

A picture is worth more than over nine thousand words. Here are the D and the G from one of my sets:

[Lance_S]

Crazy,

Never seen anything like it. You would think that they would tell you they are a different color, right???? I guess it's not that big of a deal, it's actually hard to tell once you get them strung up. I ordered the 11's so it looks the the 10's you have and the 11's I have are at least consistent.

Here are a few pics for fun

[V!N]

Hi, my name is V!N and I'm in love with Lance's Spotlight Special. We were going to elope to Switzerland, but there was footy on the telly .. JERRY ! JERRY !

Ahum .. Well, it doesn't really look that bad when they're on a guitar, far better than I expected. How do you like the tone and feel of them ? That's why Gabe is getting us onto these in the first place. And how do they take topwrapping, they are not wound so that they're prone to breaking ?

[Lance_S]

V!N,

Great stuff bro, but maybe I should get a restraining order on you just in case! I am starting to worry about my axe accidently disappearing! The top wrap is fine so far, no unraveling or anything I can tell but it's been a whopping 5 hrs or so. I will let them set overnight then pound them in the morning, playing the Easter Sunday gig at the Church. The feel is good so far, they feel a hair thicker to my fingers than the EB Nickel 11's I had on before. I thought they might be easier to bend than the EB's but actually I think they are a hair stiffer. No matter tho, I am strong like bull....The tone is rock solid, loud and full. I haven't plugged them in yet, just unplugged so far. I will give you an update tomorrow and let you know how they wail.

It's true about the look, I can hardly tell unless I am right on top of them. I think I top wrap out of habit now. I switched to all FABER gear, the bridge, tail piece and locking studs so I don't actually have to top wrap anymore but I still dig the look and did it without thinking this time. I will keep an eye on the tuning over the next week to make sure they aren't slipping. I have never had breakage problems as long as I have top wrapped but I don't slam my LP either, haven't broken a string in ages, but they are 11's too so less chance of that happening.

[johnny q]

Originally Posted by overdriver

IMO that is weird I and most players I know like them on Fender but find they sound some what dull or muddy on LPs each to their own depends on what a persons needing.

This has been my experience, especially in a band situation. Great on brighter guitars like Strats, but too dark in most of my humbucker equipped guitars.

[gmacdonnell]

I've never really cared about how they look: they sound and play wonderfully.


I usually use 11's on up, and those have 3 gold unwound strings.

[Lance_S]

I don't mind the mix and match either, it's just that when your not expecting it you wonder if it was a mistake or not, just wanted to make sure.

[gmacdonnell]

Originally Posted by Lance_S

I don't mind the mix and match either, it's just that when your not expecting it you wonder if it was a mistake or not, just wanted to make sure.

I understand, man. I'd actually forgotten all about that or I would've mentioned it. I had been using 10's on my Tele, but haven't used them in awhile now.

I used to use really heavy strings, like 15's for the high e, but lately I've been more middle ground, 11's or 12's, except my archtop.

[MapleLeaf97]

Alright, boys

I picked up a set of DR Pure lues strings because of this thread. I can't really tell about sound yet because the strings are still pingy, but the feel of them is actually incredible.

Thanks for starting this thread

[gmacdonnell]

Originally Posted by MapleLeaf97

Alright, boys

I picked up a set of DR Pure lues strings because of this thread. I can't really tell about sound yet because the strings are still pingy, but the feel of them is actually incredible.

Thanks for starting this thread

Enjoy them!

[mrpesca]

I bought some too because of Gmac. I noticed that they are pretty stiff when putting them on. Let's see how they sound. Bought the DR's

[GoofyDawg]

+1 DR Pure Blues on a Strat - very nice.
On my humbucker guitars, I use DR Tite-Fit, nickel wound steels. They strike a good tonal balance, and play and feel great.

Liked the Pyramids a lot - tried a couple of sets awhile back, but couldn't bear the expense of them breaking, but fell in love with using nickel strings. Now I just play with DR's, and occasionally go with D'Addarios.

[ba614]

Tip'uh the hat to ya' MacDonnell

Jus' finished stringin' up my Les Paul with Blues Sliders

would've never known of such a fine set of strings without ya'

[Carroll1218]

Seeing a lot of mixed reviews. Are the DR pure blues 10s easier or harder to bend than D'addario 10s?

I've been thinking of trying some pure nickel strings, but on their website, the Thomastik sliders don't seem to come in nickel (I only see steel), but I might be reading it wrong. Also, I read that the pyramid website is outdated?

I'm more interested in the Thomastik/Pyramid brands than DR pure blues because they're easier to bend and are warmer/less bright.

I play a lot of classic/alternative/progressive rock, including Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Muse, Tool, Radiohead and many others.

If anyone has a suggestion to what would be the best?