Pure Nickel Strings

[mdubya]

My 2014 335 came with a set of Gibson Vintage Reissue strings when I bought it last year. They were noticeable right from the start. They felt different from the nickel wound Slinkys I have used and preferred for the better part of 20 years. The Vintage Reissues lasted forever, too.

I was anxious to try my old favorite Slinkys (9-42) on the 335 and I must admit I was disappointed when I strung them up. Some of the "magic" was gone from the guitar. Not cool, but I persevered and had a case of those to work through.

I have been wanting to try Pure Nickel Slinkys but couldn't find any locally and didn't feel like ordering any, so I purchased another set of Gibson VR's. Damn, these strings are sweet. They feel more substantial than the Slinkys but are smoother to the touch and easier to bend.

They also sound better, bringing back that new guitar magic. Seriously, the tone improvement is not much different than what I would expect from a set of boutique pickups. Rounder, fatter, smoother tones, while still being clear and snappy and lively.

I would still like to try the Pure Nickel Slinkys, but I might just be stuck on the Gibson VR's, now.

 

[Tiboy]

I agree 100% about the Gibson VR strings. In fact I'm putting a set on my PRS next string change.

 

[agiehler]

I just put on a set of D'Addario NYXL strings and had a similar experience. Much clearer and snappier, while feeling slinky right from the start. Who knew strings made such a difference

 

[bulletproof]

Very interesting....Ive been a faithful user of DR Pure Blues for quite awhile,but,I may just have to give these a run.

 

[X–Ray]

I love my Stay-In-Tune pure nickel strings I've been loyal to for years

That is, until I started cheating on them with Rev. Willy's 7s - best strings (for me) I've ever played....

Have no idea what they're made out of, probably manufactured at the Crossroads

 

[mdubya]

I am not sure the brand matters so much (maybe it does?), but it sure takes me by surprise when something makes such a big difference after so many years of playing.

 

[bulletproof]

Just did a quick order of a pack off the 'Bay.....will follow up here on this.

 

[VictorB]

I've been using these for years:



Haven't found a better brand.

 

[mdubya]

Roger Mayer's comments on Jimi's custom string gauges got my attention recently, too. Don't know if it is true, but I'd like to try.

The actual strings we used were not what people would expect. The string gauges would run .010, .013, .015, .026, .032 and .038.

Good and easy read

The Secrets of Jimi Hendrix's Guitar Setup: Interview with Roger Mayer | Guitar World

I could swear EVH used to use a .038 bottom E also.

 

[corbo]

liking the Gibson VR as OP stated they just feel right

 

[X–Ray]

I am not sure the brand matters so much (maybe it does?), but it sure takes me by surprise when something makes such a big difference after so many years of playing.

Me too - it's rare that something gear-related really grabs my attention, I thought it was just marketing hype for a signature string but I read too many glowing reviews

Thankfully, I play with a super light touch and picking style because there's definitely some adjustment necessary with the Rev. Willy's - they're easy to over play but you can adapt pretty quickly

I went from 9s to 7s and didn't even have to reset the intonation

A striking difference on my Strat and Tele, obscene on my LPs

Probably not everyone's cup of tea but at least worth trying a set

Didn't mean to derail the OP as I still love pure nickel strings

Highly recommend for those so inclined

 

[kevinpaul]

I have used most all strings on the market over the last years. I did not like the coated strings, they sound dead in a few days. I ended up liking the EB pure nickel, 8 - 38 slinkys.
I put them on some of smarter friends guitars, they all really love them. I get the same tone and after playing a long time I don't need to pack my hands in ice. They are the EB blue pack.

 

[mdubya]

You aren't derailing anything, Ray! Carry on, please.

 

[NotScott]

I recently tried the Gibson VRs and liked them very much. If I wasn't such a cheap !@#$%^ I would string all my guitars with them.

I have tried a few sets of the DR Blues and never liked them. I could never get the D string to intonate properly and the wound strings never seemed to last for me.

I liked the D'Addario and EB pure nickel offerings, but they are not always in stock at my local GC and I liked the Gibsons better. I Used Snake Oils for a while after I received several promo sets when they started back up, but I am just not into mail ordering strings.

My current solution is I am sticking with my regular nickel-plated EB Slinkys and just back my pups down a hair to simulate the softer attack and highs that the pure nickels offer. It works for me.

 

[Jason Taylor]

My 2014 335 came with a set of Gibson Vintage Reissue strings when I bought it last year. They were noticeable right from the start. They felt different from the nickel wound Slinkys I have used and preferred for the better part of 20 years. The Vintage Reissues lasted forever, too.

I was anxious to try my old favorite Slinkys (9-42) on the 335 and I must admit I was disappointed when I strung them up. Some of the "magic" was gone from the guitar. Not cool, but I persevered and had a case of those to work through.

I have been wanting to try Pure Nickel Slinkys but couldn't find any locally and didn't feel like ordering any, so I purchased another set of Gibson VR's. Damn, these strings are sweet. They feel more substantial than the Slinkys but are smoother to the touch and easier to bend.

They also sound better, bringing back that new guitar magic. Seriously, the tone improvement is not much different than what I would expect from a set of boutique pickups. Rounder, fatter, smoother tones, while still being clear and snappy and lively.

I would still like to try the Pure Nickel Slinkys, but I might just be stuck on the Gibson VR's, now.

Totally agreed and I posted about these strings in another post. Those Gibson VR strings are extremely good strings and my fave. Their Brite Wires are equally excellent!!!

No need to try and find something better IMHO because you won't.

I am using some D'Addario NYXLs currently just to try them out and they sound really good as well, but not better than Gibson strings for my tastes. In fact I look forward to switching back when I can... but at almost $12 a pack I thought if use these NYXLs as long as I can

But soon enough... back to Gibbys!!!

 

[DavidRamey]

I like the Gibson Vintage Reissues. Great feel and sound. The reason I don't use them is because they turn my fingertips black. I now use Pyramid Nickel Classics. You install these strings, tune to pitch, stretch them, tune to pitch and they stay in tune. It is like they are pre stretched. They sound great and last a long time also.

 

[HeartString]

I like these

Fender 150R Original Pure Nickel Electric Strings - | Musician's Friend

 

[tazzboy]

I Like DR Pure Blues cause they are Pure Nickle, but they also use Round Core instead Hex Core like some of the above mention strings.

Yes intonation can sometime be a pain in the butt, but if Pyramid Nickle Classic didn't cost so much I would be using them instead of DR.

 

[DavidRamey]

The Pyramids are using a round core also and in my experience last 3 times longer than DR Pure Blues. No intonation problems with the Pyramids. And that more than makes up for the difference in cost.

 

[spitfire]

I'm another fan of Gibson VR's. I like them on my 335's and LP's.