Anybody using Pyramid flats? Why aren’t they more popular?

The light Pyramid flats (40-105) are some of my favorite Flatwounds... they’re woody & thumpy & rich but I still get a clear note & defined attack rather than the “thunk” of some vintage flats. Smooth as silk & a pleasure to play.

They’re probably not as popular in the US due to their scarcity relative to La Bella, GHS & other American brands - less presence in brick-and-mortar shops. Just a guess, though.

 

I had been planning to try them for a long time but once I tried my first set of TI Jazz Flats the searchin’ was over.

 

I just recently got a set of the ti flats, and I’m not convinced they are better than the pyramid golds.

Since I dont change flats often or ever I don’t need any more sets in the foreseeable future, but I think I’d get another set of pyramids next.

 

I'd have to agree with ^this^. Pyramids are fairly expensive - especially their flats - and, unless you shop online, not all that easy to find. They've been on my radar for a while, but...
- From the clips I've heard and the things I've read? They do seem nice, but... I've never thought "gotta have me some of those".
- If you want flat wounds, and you decide not to spring for gold plated strings? There isn't really much to choose from. And,
- They seem to be one of those brands that people either love to death, or consider them the spawn of Satan. "OK'; "kinda nice"; or even "Meh", are not things I can recall reading about Pyramid strings.
I might try a set of them - some day - but... all my basses finally have the strings on them that I think work best for what I like to play, so... I don't have anything to try a set of Pyramids on. Unless, of course, I just happen to acquire another bass...

 

Pyramid Gold flats - I have used those for many, many years, I love the tone and feel, I haven't found anything even comparable in any other brand. Over here in Europe they aren't that expensive.

 

I tried them once and the E string was really dead sounding compared to the others which is something I’ve heard others mention as well.

 

I have rarely seen Pyramid flats in guitar stores. They are expensive in North America, however, they’re wonderful strings - one of the very best one can buy. Be aware they’re round core so they must be crimped before installed.

I would also add another German brand - Optima. Wonderful strings and I can’t recommend them highly enough

 

That’s a characteristic of many brands. The strings balance out in time.

 

first set I tried, the low e was dead as disco for the first couple days, after that, pure heaven.

I had read about crimping before cutting the string prior.

 

I just never got past TI flats on my P...I may check them out if I ever change strings...

 

I had them on one of my basses but they are hard to get ahold of and if you happen to break one good luck on finding a single. They were a nice sounding set though.

 

In the world of Hofner basses they are very well known. Original equipment for German made Hofner bass. McCartney uses them.

 

McCartney is the only musician in the “popular” category that I’ve ever heard of pyramid flats.

 

They aren't actually gold (colored), right?

I have never played them myself - I use mostly LaBella flats (either medium or heavy gauge, not James Jamerson-level though!) - but I would like to try them someday.

I think Phil Lesh - and Jack Casady? - used them back when Alembic was modifying their Guild Starfires and then building basses for them (late-'60s through early/mid-'70s?)

 

I didn't think so! But I thought someone earlier mentioned that they might be. I actually used the LaBella gold flats a while back and they didn't like my skin chemistry - ended up stinky and dirty-looking. So I'm glad the Pyramids aren't just in case I ever get the urge to try them...

 

Labella flats suit me just fine at half the price. I'd love to try a set, though.

 

I just posted similar on another thread but I use custom gauged Pyramid Gold flats sized closer the the TI (currently using 45/60/75/100 - long scale) - feels better balanced to me than their standard 40-105 long scale set and I think the E in particular sounds better matched and less dead by comparison. Have TI on other basses and the TI are clearly still softer but does not feel like a radical difference to me - purely going on playing feel, have not looked at the tension numbers. the Pyramids still have a more old school flavor than the TI. Entirely subjective but I prefer them to TI on some basses - depending on the bass - YMMV.
Being in Europe the price is comparable to the various U.S. made flats here and less than TI.

 

Yes, Lesh and Casady used them.

Maybe thinking of the Optima Gold strings? It's confusing as the Pyramids use the "Gold" name but they are a pure nickel wrap.