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Post by twangsta on Jun 25, 2014 4:36:36 GMT -7
Couple of questions. I need to clear up a few things for myself. Are pure nickel strings, nickel wound nickel coated cores, with nickel coated nickel plains? Who and why do some of you folks prefer pure nickel over steel, stainless-steel, just nickel wound, etc? Round core vs hex core? Is it a particular feel, warmer tone, higher/lower(?) tension, lower fretwear? Any or all of the above? I've found I like the warmer tone, fixed some issues I had with my grosh and it's SS frets, the strings and a slightly higher action made it sound fuller while retaining it's top end chime. On my buckered guitar I could live with either, though I prefer the pure nickel. I recently tried DR Pure Blues, I like them for the above reasons though I though the string tension went up a bit and a mild intonation mismatch with my compensated glendale saddles on the T type. I've been experimenting with a few different string co's and def prefer some to other. Besides the nickel stuff, my fav so far have been LaBella electric 10-46 and SIT power wounds of the same gauge. The reason I've been looking elsewhere is that the dealers in India for the above mentioned strings have dried up for some reason, we're flooded with D'Addario, EarnieBall, DeanMarkley, Gibson and Fender strings, and from what's available they're mostly all steel. One last question, where's the best place to bulk order string in the UK shipping to London? Cheers
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Post by kustom250 on Jun 25, 2014 6:58:04 GMT -7
I like the slightly warmer tone of the pure nickel strings. I've always liked the sound of broken in strings compared to brand new ones, the pure nickels seem to get to that sound quicker.
My favorites are the GHS Burnished Nickels.
I used the DR Pure for a awhile but I had a run of bad sets right out of the pack and I quit buying 'em.
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Post by Hohn on Jun 25, 2014 8:56:42 GMT -7
Similar experience as Kustom 250.
Nickels are smoother. Guess what all vintage strings were?
They also wear the frets a LOT less. Steel wrapped are much harder than frets.
If you play nickel strings with stainless frets, the frets will last forever.
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Post by Stan on Jun 25, 2014 10:08:05 GMT -7
I'd also like to know if Pure Nickel is for the plain unwound strings or just the winding over a plain steel core? For me, Manufacturers are not clear on this point
and if the wound only has Nickel, how do 3 Pure Nickel strings help the longevity of your frets if you still have 3 unwound steel strings on softer frets?
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Post by randalp3000 on Jun 25, 2014 11:05:46 GMT -7
I'd also like to know if Pure Nickel is for the plain unwound strings or just the winding over a plain steel core? For me, Manufacturers are not clear on this point and if the wound only has Nickel, how do 3 Pure Nickel strings help the longevity of your frets if you still have 3 unwound steel strings on softer frets? Plain strings are just plain steel and most are not plated. Most electric wound strings are Nickel plated steel wrapped around a steel core. Pure Nickel uses a pure Nickel wrap. I'm a big fan of GHS Nickel Rocker 10's, I buy them by the gross un packaged. from the site GHS Nickel Rockers are special, since 1964 Nickel Rockers™ have provided discriminating guitarists with the PURE NICKEL sound of original rock n' roll and the warm tones of blues and jazz. The unique GHS rollerwinding process slightly flattens the strings for a smooth, comfortable feel with a "touch" of extra tension. Find a dealer near you
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Post by Stan on Jun 25, 2014 13:10:40 GMT -7
Thanks randalp3000, GHS has no mention in their materials what the unwound strings are made of, I'll email and ask.
Most of my playing is on the 1st- 4th strings,
so I don't know about all the pure nickel hoopla, unless your playing big chords all the while
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Post by Paul (TRANE) on Jun 25, 2014 17:41:00 GMT -7
According to what I have found they are plain steel on the unwound strings.
Sent from my SM-N900V using proboards
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Post by digs57 on Jun 25, 2014 18:30:44 GMT -7
Im real interested in the nickel rockers...used boomers yeaarrrss ago.Daddario 11-49 as of late for long time....hmmmm
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Post by wraparound (Steve) on Jun 25, 2014 20:51:10 GMT -7
The unwound strings are the same on pure nickel, and nickel plated steel sets. I find I can use either type wrap on my Fenders, but on my Les Paul with old P90's or my Ric 330/6 with toasters there is not as much adjustment possible on the pickups and the pure nickel keeps the bass on the neck pickup more balanced. There is also a more compressed attack with the pure nickel especially with higher gain. I've tried a bunch but find the D'Addario pure nickel is easier to find and the gauges are optimized for the difference in material ( 10-45 & 9-41 ) on the pure nickel instead of ( 10-46 & 9-42 ) on the standard nickel plated steel. With some makers the plain strings sound, intone, and have different flexibility too.
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Post by Stan on Jun 26, 2014 5:28:14 GMT -7
According to what I have found they are plain steel on the unwound strings. Sent from my SM-N900V using proboards Sadly seems to be the case Paul.
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Post by digs57 on Jun 26, 2014 7:40:18 GMT -7
anybody use the ghs nickel rockers (11-50) or the burnished nickel...which one for tele...curious?
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Post by kustom250 on Jun 26, 2014 9:08:11 GMT -7
anybody use the ghs nickel rockers (11-50) or the burnished nickel...which one for tele...curious? I've used both on a tele. I prefer the burnished nickels. Maybe a little warmer and they pretty much sound broken in them the start. And they feel good. But really I'm fine with either.
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Post by jb on Jun 26, 2014 22:10:28 GMT -7
My favorite strings so far are the Pyramid Nickel Classics. They are round core vs hex core on the wrap strings, which is how they used to make strings in old days. I use 10's which offer 46, 48 or 52 on the E string in case you need some additional flexibility there. They are made in Germany by a family owned business that has been making strings for just about all string instruments since 1850. The quality is great and the seem to last a long time for me. I also use their acoustic guitar strings which are also excellent.
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Post by Paul (TRANE) on Jun 27, 2014 7:36:52 GMT -7
I like the GHS Burnished Nickel sets a lot. I have used Nickel Rockers and liked those too. The Burnished a a bit better for me though.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2014 9:10:20 GMT -7
I like the warmer sound and softer feel of pure nickel on my G&L Legacy.
My Grosh ElectraJet w/P90's is too dark through my current amp. Might try steel strings or nickel plated to brighten it up a bit.
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51d
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Post by 51d on Jun 28, 2014 13:01:33 GMT -7
Clearly I have limited imagination, and to prove this have used Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 10-46 nickel wound for at least 30 years. There are unquestionably other strings out there which may have greater durability, and maybe better tone - but I've actually come to the conclusion that keeping your strings and fretboard clean is the best way to deal with clarity and feel issues.
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Post by markT on Jun 28, 2014 15:15:32 GMT -7
I really like the DR Pure Blues 11-50....for all my electrics. I used to use Dean Markley...for years until I noticed a decline in quality.
Love the vintage feel & tone of the nickel stings.
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Post by bloozeman on Jun 29, 2014 5:50:40 GMT -7
Ive been an ernie ball user for 30 years, just recently using the cobalts since they first came out. My latest guitar purchase had a set of D'addario pure nickels on them and I actually liked the feel of the D'addario. I think I just may change over to the D'addario pure nickels after 30 years of being a loyal EB customer. I can definitely feel a difference and its a positive.
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Post by twangsta on Jun 29, 2014 15:11:32 GMT -7
That's disappointing to know pure nickel set are all steel core. Wonder if they ever were nickel. Not a metallurgist by a long shot but I suspect nickel probable isn't strong enough, if they were ever used for cores or plains it might explain the huge gauges on vintage strings.
I just bulk ordered labella regulars until nickel wounds get more popular here. I couldn't find too many nickel options online for UK.
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Post by zpilot on Jun 30, 2014 22:25:00 GMT -7
I've used EB Regular Slinky's since the early '70's. I occasionally stray off to try the new 'hot item' but I always come back to EB's. Does anybody remember Nashville Straights? Currently, I use Slinkys on everything. Sometimes I will change my Strat over to Nickel Rockers. I can't seem to make up my mind on that.
I actually like Curt Mangan Fusion Matched strings a little better than Slinkys but they are next to impossible to find.
By the way, I think the choice of strings and picks have the most effect on sound for the least amount of money. I'm surprised there isn't much discussion about them here.
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Post by twangsta on Jul 2, 2014 12:57:27 GMT -7
Very true picks have a huge impact, ice picky to blanket on your amp!
On further experimentation over time, I find nickel wounds get very dark after a few days in conditions climates on LP types. I can live with them on single coils. They're fantastic the first few days though.
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51d
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Post by 51d on Jul 2, 2014 22:46:41 GMT -7
Absolutely right about the effect of picks on sound; every time I'm tempted to use one of my Stubby jazz picks (instead of my usual Dunlop 88s) it's like I'm learning guitar all over again. The articulation is different (no stunt licks possible), and the attack at the front end of the note is that woofy Wes M sound instead of the usual mildly overdriven twang. Don't buy a new amp, buy a new pick (but there again, buy another amp - just to make sure...)
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Post by The Bad Poodle Experience on Jul 3, 2014 10:10:04 GMT -7
Does anybody remember Nashville Straights? yes. i'm THAT old.
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Post by digs57 on Jul 5, 2014 16:48:57 GMT -7
have had the ghs bnrockers for a couple days and have to say they are a quality act...they last...I used boomers 11-50...30+ years ago...they have been around a while.
Tone...they have mellowed my texas tele w/nocasters...I have been fighting the tele tweaking demons with that guitar for some time now and I think they are on to stay...
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Post by Sdan on Jul 8, 2014 0:55:09 GMT -7
My favorite strings so far are the Pyramid Nickel Classics. They are round core vs hex core on the wrap strings, which is how they used to make strings in old days. I use 10's which offer 46, 48 or 52 on the E string in case you need some additional flexibility there. They are made in Germany by a family owned business that has been making strings for just about all string instruments since 1850. The quality is great and the seem to last a long time for me. I also use their acoustic guitar strings which are also excellent. Just arrived this morning!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2014 14:06:27 GMT -7
My favorite strings so far are the Pyramid Nickel Classics. They are round core vs hex core on the wrap strings, which is how they used to make strings in old days. I use 10's which offer 46, 48 or 52 on the E string in case you need some additional flexibility there. They are made in Germany by a family owned business that has been making strings for just about all string instruments since 1850. The quality is great and the seem to last a long time for me. I also use their acoustic guitar strings which are also excellent. Just arrived this morning! I buy mine from Don "Toneman" Butler. I think he's one of just a few US distributors. Great strings.
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Post by bloozeman on Jul 8, 2014 14:58:17 GMT -7
excuse my ignorance but what is the difference between a round core and hex core string?
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Post by jb on Jul 8, 2014 18:44:29 GMT -7
Round core strings require you to crimp the string before you cut it, otherwise, the outer winding may slide on the inner round core. This was how they made strings in the 50's 60's etc. and the tone was great. They went to hex core in the 70's or 80's to eliminate this string wrap slippage issue since the string wrap grabs much better on a hex core, due the the distinct points of contact. It also could be done by machine instead of by hand. Didn't sound as vintage, but guitarists were using a lot of effects at the time, so you couldn't really tell the difference. If you don't use a lot of effects and don't mind this minor installation hassle you may appreciate the more vintage sound of the round core.
Would appreciate your thoughts after you have played them. Thanks.
I copied this from the Strings and Beyond website where I order my strings. Good people to do business with. Hex Core vs Round Core Strings
Guitar Strings used to be made with round cores, but high production manufacturing made it hard to wind the strings efficiently using the round cores. The introduction of hex cores allowed for more efficient manufacturing and more consistent string winding tension. Here are the key selling points for both:
Round Core Strings - are generally wound by hand to ensure quality and have 100% contact with the core wire making them more dense, providing maximum sustain and a more vintage sound of yesteryear.
Hex Core Strings - are currently the industry standard because they can be precisely wound to ensure tight core tension. This gives the strings consistent performance and intonation according to the materials being used.
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