Strings: D'addario NYXL, Pyramid Monel classics

[Roe]

It would be interesting to hear what strings people are using. I've went to 9s recently - I prefer the classic 70s tone produced by light strings. My favorite vintage string is the pyramid monel classic 9-42. favorite modern string is the d'addario nyxl 9-40

[bill bokey]

I never tried the Monel Classic, never heard of them until now ! I have been using the Nickel Classic for years, have you compared these two ?

[Roe]

yes, I dont like the green or blue nickel strings too much personally. the monels sound brighter and punchier. they resemble the mona-steel strings gibson used to make that was used by pete townsend, paul kossoff, steve cropper, and malcolm young

[bill bokey]

These are the ones I have been using for about 6 years :




I'll give the monels a try

[Roe]

the orange nickels seem to be the most authentic pure nickel string available. I have still one set lying around. I found the wound strings to be slightly sticky due to the glue used on the round core

[shakti]

Never noticed the Nickel Classics to be sticky, and I do like them a lot. The 9s are actually usable since the B string is 12 and not 11, but the D is a touch wimpy at 22. But I agree 100% about lighter strings, most of our favourite classic rock and blues sound were made with light strings. If you have a dead sounding guitar then heavier strings may appear to sound bigger and better, but on a good guitar it seems to matter less, both light and heavy strings sound great. I prefer lighter strings though as I seem to get more of a shimmer and high harmonics out of them, and my hands just play them better. Depends on the player I guess.

If Pyramid made 10-38 sets I would be all over them, since that has become my favourite gauge for both Strats and Les Pauls. Since they don't offer that gauge I have moved to Curt Mangan pure nickel strings. Perhaps not as "pure" and warm as the Pyramids, and they are hex core, but they sound great and a touch brighter than Pyramid Nickel Classics. They don't last as long though.

I've been meaning to try the Monel strings for a long time. Where do you buy yours, Roe? I have a feeling they could be great on my SG Special for Townshend tones.

[bill bokey]

10-38 is my favourite gauge for strat as well. Never tried it on a Les Paul ....
I buy my Nickel Classics on Thomann.de and I never noticed them to be sticky either. I had a few go dead though, one because of my not bending the end before cutting the string but another was just dead out of the pack. They're still my favourite so far !

[Roe]

I buy pyramids from https://schneidermusik.de - highly recommended. Pyramid can also make custom sets

[neikeel]

I'm boring, quick resume:

Les Paul R0 D'addario NYXL 10-52
Martyn Booth Signature D'addario 9-46
Martyn Booth Classic D'addario 9-42
Martyn Booth Junior D'addario 10-46
Gibson ES-335 D'addario 9-42
Jap 62 RI strat D'addario 9-42
Mex 60's tele D'addario 9-42
Antoria Jazzstar D'addario 12-52 (wound G)
Antoria LP copy D'addario 12-52 (tuned C-C)
Epiphone SG D'addario 10-52 (Drop D)
Fender J Bass V 105 top G
Squier J bass 105 top G

The NYXLS were a freebie in a tin of 10-46. I quite like them.
Moved over from EB and Fender and Gibson Brite wires,didn't like Elixir Nanos at all.

[bill bokey]

Just tried a 10-46 Pyramid Monel Classics set on my Les Paul.... First impressions after half an hour : I really like the high mid punch but not keen on the wound strings.... they sound "weak" compared to the Nickel Classics.

[bill bokey]

A month and a half later : I really like the monel Pyramid. Thanks for the tip, Roe

[Roe]

glad you liked them. The D and A strings intonate differently than most modern strings. and I prefer a little high action on the wound strings to prevent fret buzz with the monels