Pure Nickel Alchemists Union

[Patchman777]

I’ve played both types, but in different gauges. I have the Fender 7150 in .100, and the Pyramid Nickel in .105. The Pyramid and Gabriel Tenorio are my favorite all-around nickels so far.

I like the Fender quite a lot- nice focus, higher tension from a .100 set than I expected, top end mellowed pretty fast and stayed there.

The Pyramid nickels are really nicely balanced (tonally), taut but flexible to bend, nice full low end that isn’t boomy and the lows reach down deep. Pretty neutral & Balanced mids… no hype, but no scoop either.

I’d highly recommend the Pyramid nickels, and I really like them in .105 gauge

I need a new set of strings for my G&L JB. I have been using the beloved Sunbeams but want to try something different, that I haven't used before. I'm torn between Pyramid, GHS balanced nickels, LeBella RX or their standard NOS offering, and Dunlop Superbright Nickels. After reading your post my mind is made up (I think) - Pyramids it is. I like the 105 gauge too. I wanted to try the LaBella Chicago nickels but they only come in 40 to 100 gauge option. Anyway, thank you for your input.

 

[Phaidrus]

I need a new set of strings for my G&L JB. I have been using the beloved Sunbeams but want to try something different, that I haven't used before. I'm torn between Pyramid, GHS balanced nickels, LeBella RX or their standard NOS offering, and Dunlop Superbright Nickels. After reading your post my mind is made up (I think) - Pyramids it is. I like the 105 gauge too. I wanted to try the LaBella Chicago nickels but they only come in 40 to 100 gauge option. Anyway, thank you for your input.

My Pyramid pure nickel 45-105 set is on its way.

 

[e-flat]

I need a new set of strings for my G&L JB. I have been using the beloved Sunbeams but want to try something different, that I haven't used before. I'm torn between Pyramid, GHS balanced nickels, LeBella RX or their standard NOS offering, and Dunlop Superbright Nickels. After reading your post my mind is made up (I think) - Pyramids it is. I like the 105 gauge too. I wanted to try the LaBella Chicago nickels but they only come in 40 to 100 gauge option. Anyway, thank you for your input.

I think your chose wisely w/ the Pyramids I played Sunbeams exclusively for a couple decades BTW (before I got sucked down the rabbit hole ) and am very familiar with their properties. I think you’ll find the Pyramids more “taut”, generally more focused and with more low mid girth and less sheen in the high mids & treble.

 

[WG Plum]

Just received my La Bella Chicago flats, now I'm just waiting for my new fretless to arrive. Giggity!

 

[Phaidrus]

Put the Pyramid pure nickel rounds (45-105) on my Am. Pro Pbass last night and have played them a few hours and can already tell their potential for MASSIVE deep punch. Through a 2x12 cab you don't hear them, you feel them even at bedroom practice volume level.

 

[Hachimitsu]

Put the Pyramid pure nickel rounds (45-105) on my Am. Pro Pbass last night and have played them a few hours and can already tell their potential for MASSIVE deep punch. Through a 2x12 cab you don't hear them, you feel them even at bedroom practice volume level.

Sounds awesome.. are you coming to these from flats or rounds? I have a set which I haven't taken the time to break in... I just like the sound of flats too much with the band I play with

 

[Phaidrus]

Sounds awesome.. are you coming to these from flats or rounds? I have a set which I haven't taken the time to break in... I just like the sound of flats too much with the band I play with

On this bass, from rounds (Fender 7150 and before that Fender 7250 and D'Addario NYXL). Have another Pbass with DR Legend flats. Pyramid pure nickel rounds seem to be rather low tension and quite flexible for 45-105 pure nickel rounds, which is a pleasant surprise. I wouldn't say they're a substitute for flats, rather they're low mids-heavy rounds with a characteristic thick sweet tone yet still chimey enough to play modern funky stuff like, say, Jamiroquai. They're pliable too, which works well with bends, vibratos, taps, slaps/pops. And, yes, lots of punch.

 

[Stan_da_man]

Do the Pyramid Pure Nickels have silk at either end of the string?

 

[Phaidrus]

Do the Pyramid Pure Nickels have silk at either end of the string?

No, they don't. They're good strings with character. Don't sound like Fender 7150s, they're much more lively (lots going on tone-wise) and have less tension.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

I recently tried the 45-105 set of the Fender 7150 on my P. They weren't for me, but I did have time to notice that lowered to Eb Standard the tone seemed to bloom and bring out the character of the bass in a new way.

 

[Stan_da_man]

No, they don't. They're good strings with character. Don't sound like Fender 7150s, they're much more lively (lots going on tone-wise) and have less tension.

View attachment 4558613 View attachment 4558614

I really liked the 7150s but never enjoyed the tension/flex.

How do the Pyramids compare in the same gauge?

 

[Phaidrus]

I really liked the 7150s but never enjoyed the tension/flex.

How do the Pyramids compare in the same gauge?

The Pyramid have less tension, are more flexible and have a suppler feel overall than the 7150s. I'd say they resemble nps strings in that respect. The Pyramid have perhaps less tension and are more flexible even compared to the 7250s. I have tried all sets in 45-105.

 

[LetItGrowTone]

- DR Jonas Helborg

The Hellborgs (spelled with two Ls) are made by Dogal now. Same idea as before. They have a stranded core, and no intermediate winding, just one outer winding with larger than average diameter wire (so they're rougher than other strings at the same gauge). They are by far the most flexible (talking about construction not tension) of all those I tested them against. Very, very clear and pure highs and lows.

Their tone compensates for that roughness enough that for me, for now, they have replaced TIJRs. TIJRs might be the greater combination of both flexible and smooth, for most people [EDIT: ...for a round. Cobalt flats are both more flexible and smoother than TIJRs.]

 

[Stan_da_man]

The Pyramid have less tension, are more flexible and have a suppler feel overall than the 7150s. I'd say they resemble nps strings in that respect. The Pyramid have perhaps less tension and are more flexible even compared to the 7250s. I have tried all sets in 45-105.

Okay - final question!

Longevity? How long do they last before they really are dead?

I've tried multiple times to like flatwounds but can never get on with them. I think pure nickels are great strings for the feel of a roundwound but the 'sound' of a flatwound.

 

[Phaidrus]

Okay - final question!

Longevity? How long do they last before they really are dead?

I've tried multiple times to like flatwounds but can never get on with them. I think pure nickels are great strings for the feel of a roundwound but the 'sound' of a flatwound.

I don't know for a fact. Installed mine a couple of months ago, or so. They still sound pretty much like new with about an hour of playing per day, five days a week. But I wash my hands prior to touching the bass! There are some posts in this thread where people report that they never go dead, just become flats-mellow with time. So far, on my Pbass, they have a nice full bodied chime with punch. No scoop here. Really like their slap/pop sound. They're juicy strings.

 

[Stan_da_man]

Will be dropping by Chicago Music Exchange next month and was thinking of picking up a set of the La Bella Chicago Style Pure Nickels. Still worth a punt?

 

[markjazzbassist]

BIG OL’ LIST OF PURE NICKEL STRINGS:

Roundwound:
- Fender 7150
- Gabriel Tenorio Pure Nickel
- La Bella Chicago Style (CME)
- GHS Balanced Nickel
- Pyramid Pure Nickel (Blue Pack)
- Thomastik Jazz Rounds
- Pearse Pure Nickel
- DR Jonas Helborg

Flatwound:
- Thomastik Jazz Flats
- Pyramid Gold Flats
- Optima RB (red pack, old Rick style)
- Optima Standard Flats (black pack 4099)

big fan of Pyramid Gold Flats and TI Jazz Flats. I am playing more Hofner than Fender bass right now and with the hofner already having so much low end and woodiness i'm thinking of pulling off my pyramid gold flats and trying something different. this is the perfect thread for that

Honestly i'm thinking Pyramid Nickel Rounds or TI jazz Rounds, maybe even TI jazz flats (which i find punchy, brighter and bass shy for a flat). Tonally i would like more punch and less woof, i don't need more high mids or top end though, a little is fine.

Thoughts?

 

[e-flat]

big fan of Pyramid Gold Flats and TI Jazz Flats. I am playing more Hofner than Fender bass right now and with the hofner already having so much low end and woodiness i'm thinking of pulling off my pyramid gold flats and trying something different. this is the perfect thread for that

Honestly i'm thinking Pyramid Nickel Rounds or TI jazz Rounds, maybe even TI jazz flats (which i find punchy, brighter and bass shy for a flat). Tonally i would like more punch and less woof, i don't need more high mids or top end though, a little is fine.

Thoughts?

Hmm… TI flats are terrific for this, as you know. If you’d rather go roundwound, though , I’d recommend either:

1) TI Jazz Rounds: These have a lot of the mid character of TIJF but IMO the mid peak sits at a slightly higher frequency. They are the smoothest round, and have a pretty even frequency response with a burnished, subdued top end.

2) Gabriel Tenorio Pure Nickel rounds: A completely different feel from the TIs… these are taught and chunky with a nice thick outer winding. When new, they are really close in sound to Pyramid Pure Nickel rounds. The Tenorio age into a really dark, focused, rich sound that is just awesome. Not thumpy but definitely stronger in the low-low mids than the TIs . People sleep on these strings and it’s crazy… they’re really deep & rich after they age.

 

[Dynacord]

As this thread has kicked back to life...

On the rounds, I've had GHS Balanced Nickels on one Jazz Bass for quite a long time and Pyramid Pure Nickels on another Jazz. As they've really broken in I personally have a strong preference for the Pyramids - the GHS have just become too dead for my tastes. They had a sweet spot for quite some time but now I'm going to change them out on that bass. Probably Pyramids though am curious about the Gabriel Tenorio ones.

 

[GwenOnBass]

New Balanced Nickels after 18 months play on the Nordy Cat bass was a revelation. The only reason I changed them is because I forgot what fresh BN's sound like. They break in so sweetly. But now I won't wait so long between changes.