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I’ve been using the standard Nickel Classics by Pyramid for over ten years. I then learned they offer a hand polished version for a couple of extra bucks per set, so I had to bite. They’re almost opposite of my expectations. They’re actually a little rougher feeling. I had expected the jams polishing to be an extra step after the machine polish, but I’m guessing it’s instead of it. I’m not getting more sting noise, just a little edgier feel. The sound of these strings seems a bit brighter with more ring, but there’s a bass presence that I’m feeling in the body. I mean, the first full pluck of the low e string and i literally felt it in my gut in a new way. Maybe the hand polish removes less string material, so a little bit more mass in the windings? Last observation is the intonation sounds very true, I mean, really perfect which it almost never is. Maybe I just got lucky this morning. Anyway, here’s some free range playing to road test them this morning. They’ve been on the guitar not quite 24 hours.
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05-04-2020 01:03 PM
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interesting....are the hand polished also round core?...max @ pyramid is a stringmaking wizard!
great playing per usual..keep it free range! hah
cheers
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Originally Posted by neatomic
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Wow, the tone is noticeably different that the previous videos with Pyramid strings, but maybe the reverb is a little heavier than it had been. I really like this sound! There is more bass not only on the low E but the A as well.
Is that a Benedetto floating pickup? It doesn't look like an Armstrong (no visible polepieces).
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Originally Posted by Mark Kleinhaut
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Originally Posted by Cunamara
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Thank you for posting, Mark. No-one better to take the measure of these strings.
Maybe they are fresh, maybe it is confirmation bias but I got goosebumps, in a good way. The notes seem to ring truer in intonation, sound thicker and richer, better top to bottom balance. I daresay that the handpolishing, whatever that is, brought something out of those strings. Clearly, the $1.50 premium per pack, about 10% surcharge, is well worth it.
The tone is more golden than the silver of the standard Nickel Classics. It is like listening to a good tube amp versus a good solid-state amp.
Now to put my money where my mouth is. You saved me money actually from buying the standard Nickel Classics because I like the Handpolished more. The rougher feel will help with my tiny grip.
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Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
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Mark, would you mind telling me exactly the Pyramid product ID for the hand polished strings? I do not see "hand polished" in Pyramid's electric string sets (I do see "hand polished in Pyramid's acoustic sets. I see "hand wrapped in the electric sets." I'm looking at Strings by Mail's listing for Pyramid Electric Guitar Strings and see these:
Pure Nickel Classics - the standard set you've used for years
Pure Nickel Hand Wound
Pure Nickel Round Wound
Thanks.
Richard
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Scroll to the bottom-
Pyramid Guitar Strings | Pure Nickel Classics | Strings By Mail
Availability by gauge has been variable historically and if you don't see the gauge you want, check back in a week or two.
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Thank you!
At this time, they have 10-46 and 11-48 in PNC hand-polished. Do they carry heavier gauges in hand polished (but sold-out at this time)?
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Originally Posted by Eclectic16
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Mark, ah, Strings and Beyond. Thanks! BTW, most enjoyable to hear you playing in the video above.
Richard
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Originally Posted by Mark Kleinhaut
ok so they do have a round core!!!..a pure nickel roundwound with a round core...good stuff!
cheers
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Originally Posted by Eclectic16
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I'm going to try to use the Pyramid .012s flatwound. My wife told me she hates the string noise with a passion and she told me she'll make me sleep in the yard if I don't get flats.
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Originally Posted by hot ford coupe
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hi Guys, here’s an update for Wednesday 5/6/20 as these strings have now been on since Sunday morning and that sharpness that comes with fresh strings has smoothed off a bit. I still love these strings!
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Originally Posted by Mark Kleinhaut
I‘ve tried them today and they sound very nice and rich, full of sustain and overtones. Sweet and mellow but full of clarity. And I have to agree, intonation is incredibly better. Don‘t know why, it‘s amazing.
On the other side they feel a little stiff and dirty, not really slinky. They even look a bit old and dirty...maybe I‘ve got an older set?
Tone is phenomenal, dunno if I get used to their „roughness“ under my fingers.
Last edited by Stefan Eff; 03-06-2021 at 08:55 AM.
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