hi everyone!
some time ago I mentioned the fact that Hofner and Pyramid strings were not actually the same, when you buy the standard set of strings (like from Thomann), and I've noticed it comparing my Hofner basses:
my Hofner v62 was bought many years ago and the strings were rusty, so I didn't even played them and strung with a new set of Pyramid, and I had another wonderful Ignition SE (that I stupidly sold...) with Pyramid.
when I then bought a Cavern v61 it was almost new and kept with care, and the strings were the original stock Hofner Flats, and I immediately noticed some differences in feeling: the G string was harder to play, the A string felt too small, and the E string was a little lighter/softer.
being the exact same instrument in terms of shape and neck measures, and with my identical setup, the feeling was different, and it was more noticeable with the plucking hand.
I picked up the digital caliber and checked:
Hofner: 44-58-75-98
Pyramid: 42-58-78-100
checking the gauges online, considering that only Thomann shows the Hofner's gauge, they were also different:
Hofner: 45-55-75-95
Pyramid: 40-55-70-100
it's also interesting that Pyramid, that actually have a bigger A string, says that it's a 70.
in the beginning I thought that it probably was only a matter of tolerance or just inconsistent production, or maybe that specific set of Hofner strings was polished/sanded in a wrong way, but I've had two other sets to compare in the last years:
the first is a set of sealed Hofner that I can't recall how I got, and the second is the stock set of a 2007's Hofner Club I bought yesterday.
after setting up this Club, I immediately noticed the same feeling/difference experienced with the Cavern: tighter G string, rubbery A string, softer E string.
again, I picked up the caliber, and again: 44-58-75-98
then I checked the sealed set: 44-58-75-98
so, after checking three sets of both, I can say that they are actually different sets, probably made by Pyramid, because they look and sound the same, share the identical dark green silk and rubbery feeling when not in tension.
it's interesting that they decided to use slightly different gauges, and I'm wondering if it has something to do with intonation, because the Hofner strings have a slightly better octave compared to the Pyramid.
as per the setup, I still prefer Pyramids because the overall feeling is better balanced string-to-string, the only thing I prefer in the Hofner is that, having the E and A a bit smaller, they are easier to play in the first frets (having the zero-fret doesn't allow to set the single string height at the nut), but nothing extreme, and it's more noticeable on the A string, the E is an hair lower.
hope it helps other Hofner aficionados in the search for the perfect string set
BONUS: here's a picture of my now three Hofner basses: from bottom to top:
Hofner 500/2 Club Bass v64 from 2007
Hofner 500/1 Mersey v62/63 from 2008
Hofner 500/1 Cavern v61 from 2011
three beauties that see a lot of stages and studios, everything but limited, unless you need the bright modern chainsaw sound
for overall "bass parts" in songs from blues, pop, vintage rock and punk ecc, they just fit perfectly in the "bass space".
some time ago I mentioned the fact that Hofner and Pyramid strings were not actually the same, when you buy the standard set of strings (like from Thomann), and I've noticed it comparing my Hofner basses:
my Hofner v62 was bought many years ago and the strings were rusty, so I didn't even played them and strung with a new set of Pyramid, and I had another wonderful Ignition SE (that I stupidly sold...) with Pyramid.
when I then bought a Cavern v61 it was almost new and kept with care, and the strings were the original stock Hofner Flats, and I immediately noticed some differences in feeling: the G string was harder to play, the A string felt too small, and the E string was a little lighter/softer.
being the exact same instrument in terms of shape and neck measures, and with my identical setup, the feeling was different, and it was more noticeable with the plucking hand.
I picked up the digital caliber and checked:
Hofner: 44-58-75-98
Pyramid: 42-58-78-100
checking the gauges online, considering that only Thomann shows the Hofner's gauge, they were also different:
Hofner: 45-55-75-95
Pyramid: 40-55-70-100
it's also interesting that Pyramid, that actually have a bigger A string, says that it's a 70.
in the beginning I thought that it probably was only a matter of tolerance or just inconsistent production, or maybe that specific set of Hofner strings was polished/sanded in a wrong way, but I've had two other sets to compare in the last years:
the first is a set of sealed Hofner that I can't recall how I got, and the second is the stock set of a 2007's Hofner Club I bought yesterday.
after setting up this Club, I immediately noticed the same feeling/difference experienced with the Cavern: tighter G string, rubbery A string, softer E string.
again, I picked up the caliber, and again: 44-58-75-98
then I checked the sealed set: 44-58-75-98
so, after checking three sets of both, I can say that they are actually different sets, probably made by Pyramid, because they look and sound the same, share the identical dark green silk and rubbery feeling when not in tension.
it's interesting that they decided to use slightly different gauges, and I'm wondering if it has something to do with intonation, because the Hofner strings have a slightly better octave compared to the Pyramid.
as per the setup, I still prefer Pyramids because the overall feeling is better balanced string-to-string, the only thing I prefer in the Hofner is that, having the E and A a bit smaller, they are easier to play in the first frets (having the zero-fret doesn't allow to set the single string height at the nut), but nothing extreme, and it's more noticeable on the A string, the E is an hair lower.
hope it helps other Hofner aficionados in the search for the perfect string set
BONUS: here's a picture of my now three Hofner basses: from bottom to top:
Hofner 500/2 Club Bass v64 from 2007
Hofner 500/1 Mersey v62/63 from 2008
Hofner 500/1 Cavern v61 from 2011
three beauties that see a lot of stages and studios, everything but limited, unless you need the bright modern chainsaw sound
for overall "bass parts" in songs from blues, pop, vintage rock and punk ecc, they just fit perfectly in the "bass space".
