So.. Pyramid flats are garbage.

[Gremson]

I've been running Chromes on my vintage Epi shortscale since I got it. It's what was on it when I bought it, but I thought I'd enjoy a more vintage tone. I thought Pyramid strings would be the bees knees, but damn. what a terrible feel.
Like many had mentioned, the low E was super dead. And I was OK with that. I actually really liked the sound of them. A lot. But the D and G strings just buzzed against the fretboard like crazy. I even tried raising the action up to ridiculous levels but the buzz never went away. I thought I'd done something wrong to my bass. But I put my old Chromes back on and it played just as it always had.
Is there a trick to getting pyramid flats to work on a bass? I've read the break in period can be kinda long, but I can't wait to break in strings if they're unplayable until they're ready.
I think I might give La Bella a shot.

 

[michael_t]

Don't forget to include the GHS Precision Flats (45-95) on your must-try list for something vintage and old-school.

 

[Yahboy]

Labella LTF4A sound 80% broken in fresh from pack, but not available in short scale set.

 

[Gorn]

A set up is more than raising or lowering action.

 

[shoulderpet]

I tried Pyramid gold flats on my Hofner and was also really dissapointed, was really looking forward to trying them and getting that old school Hofner thump, I got the thump but the strings just felt really stiff compared to the Labella's I had on the bass before.

 

[Root 5]

Pyramid strings are superb. What you need is a set up.

 

[wagdog]

Pyramids are just different enough where you'll need a complete setup. Once you get them dialed in and broken in you will find there is nothing else like them.

 

[markjazzbassist]

i've owned many pyramids, you need a proper setup. adjusting the bridge is not a proper setup. truss rod, pickup height, bridge string height, you will need.

as far as d and g being brighter, thats standard for all flats when you get them, play them for a while and they mellow quick and will all be dead.

 

[Rev. Cornelius]

My only complaint with Pyramids is that they, being pure nickel, are soft. It is easy to flat spot the strings at the frets. Sound wise, just ask Sir Paul.

Tx

 

[Linnin]

Don't forget to include the GHS Precision Flats (45-95) on your must-try list for something vintage and old-school.

^^^Agreed^^^ Don't miss out on "The Sound of Chocolate"

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

I've played Pyramid flats since 1971. I certainly don't think they are garbage. In my estimation, they are the Rolls Royce of flat bass strings. It sounds like you need to have proper adjustments to your instrument. The sooner any bass player knows how to set up his own instrument the better.

 

[Gremson]

I suppose it's worth a shot. I've always been a little fearful of adjusting my truss rod. I've never felt the née to with most basses.

 

[shoulderpet]

I suppose it's worth a shot. I've always been a little fearful of adjusting my truss rod. I've never felt the née to with most basses.

Where on the neck is the fret buzz?

 

[Gremson]

Where on the neck is the fret buzz?

It was mostly the G string. But it went from open to somewhere around the 8th fret if I recall. I swapped back to the chromes fairly quickly.

 

[Pantone 333]

I've had Pyramid flats on my Jazz for well over 5 years. They are fantastic. No flatwound string feels smoother. When my strings were initially put on, the E string was dead unusable. I contacted them and they immediately shipped me a new one which worked great.

 

[Gorn]

A set up is still more than saddle and truss rod adjustment.

 

[shoulderpet]

It was mostly the G string. But it went from open to somewhere around the 8th fret if I recall. I swapped back to the chromes fairly quickly.

Ok so open and from frets 1 to 8 ? If so then it sounds like there is a backbow with the Pyramids on and the truss rod needs to be loosened a little

 

[Gremson]

Yeah. It’s starting to make sense. I’ll give em another try when I get home from work today.
I just worry that the E and A strings played fine. Hopefully I won’t experience too much relief on that side.

 

[shoulderpet]

Yeah. It’s starting to make sense. I’ll give em another try when I get home from work today.
I just worry that the E and A strings played fine. Hopefully I won’t experience too much relief on that side.

It does seem strange when you think about it but tbh pretty much anytime I have had fret buzz it has been with the D and G strings, rarely the E and only occasionally the A.
Just make sure to only make small adjustments at a time so that you reverse what you did if you have any issues.

 

[Gremson]

Alright. So progress was made.
I relieved the truss rod a bit and I've gotten it to be playable with the Pyramids, but I wouldn't consider it great. It seems like these adjustments can be a few-day process to let it all settle in.