What's The Deal With Pure Nickel Strings? - ASK ZAC EP-20

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For many years I had heard about Fender Rock-N-Roll strings, and how they were used by Duane Allman, Eric Clapton, Cornell Dupree, Roy Buchanan, Jimi Hendrix, and many, many others. They were pretty much the standard for light gauge strings until Ernie Ball and D'Addario started eating up Fender's market share in the 1980s. I found out that the set was a strange gauge by modern standards (10,13,15,26,32,38) and that they were of different construction, having pure nickel wound strings, with round cores. Most modern wound strings are nickel-plated steel and on a hexagonal core. Fender stopped regular production of the set years ago, but I found that Pyramid made a "Jimi Hendrix" inspired set, that is to the exact specs of the old Fender set, and decided to try them. In the video, I start off with my regular D'Addario 9.5-44 set with nickel-plated steel/hex core wound strings, and then change strings on my 1967 Telecaster, and let you hear the difference.
Gear for this video
1967 Telecaster -
D'Addario XL120+ 9.5-44 strings amzn.to/3a5qxVi
Then switch to the Pyramid set mentioned above
1965 Deluxe Reverb with Celestion Vintage 30 speaker
Correction: There were 2 string factories in Battle Creek, MI. GHS, and VC Squier. Fender was supplied strings by VC, and then Fender bought them out in the early 1960s. The Fender String factory in Battle Creek was shuttered in 1981. Fender owned the Squier name and used this for a line of guitars starting in the early 1980s.
Pyramid "Jimi Hendrix" set
www.stringsbym...
#askzac #purenickelstrings #telecaster

[@RandallDaytona711]

Daddario 9.5’s - 8:11 8:33 9:05 Pyramid 10’s - 10:50 11:13 11:46

[@AskZac]

Very helpful. Thank you. I will pin this.

[@headwhop26]

Its nice to find a youtuber that doesn't over-play and isnt a nutsack. I love the pure nickel strings both DR and Curt Mangan make

[@sethgauby8730]

haha like the classic blues rock riffs ? yes that gets old!

[@michaelbuchanan3212]

Zac, I just received my Jimi Hendrix Pyramid strings 10 to 38.oh my gosh, I love them. Previous used D'addario XL 120. Now, I'll be using Pyramid Jim's. I found they allow pick harmonics more easily and there are these artificial harmonics I'm hearing under the notes plucked/strummed. There is also this woody natural sound too. Subtle, but evident. Thank you Zac.

[@pickinblues]

Been using pure nickel strings for years now. Love the warmth and just the feel of the DR Pure Blues nickel.

[@danielhoskins4690]

mike adams they are the ones I switched to a few months ago as well

[@Citizen110]

I prefer pure nickel wound strings and really like DR Pure Blues.

[@natman6905]

One of the best sets IMO!

[@johnabbot7963]

DR Pure Blues for me as well.

[@357bullfrog2]

Y'all got me interested. I think I'll try a set

[@akbrooks70]

To quote the late great Guy Clark, “Black Diamond strings’re like white flour and grits. Black Diamond strings ‘cause it’s all ya can get”. You opening point reminded me of that song.

[@RedRose4711]

That's one of the nicest sounding Tele's i've ever heard.

[@AskZac]

thanks, she's a 1967

[@theelectricsplash7384]

Yeah, that's so beautifully clean. Nice playing too!

[@boringoldman]

Agreed

[@larryhenderson3721]

Fender Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Vintage Nickel Bullet end 10-13-15-26-32-38. They are something that they just put out. They are all nickel, core and all. Also come in ball end. I like the bullets. I top wrap the stop bar on my SG. Had to reset intonation. Also as a surprise, was able to lower the action on the bass strings. Love the feel. Love the tone. They don't cost a lot. Don't know yet how long they last. Haven't been playing for long, so I have no old favorites, but I think I will be getting more of these.

[@coolsoundsoftom4090]

I just discovered Pure Nickle(wrapped) strings in the form of "StringJoy," out of Nashville. I put an 11-48 set on a 335 style (Firefly) with StewMac Parson Street PUPs. I like the sound I'm getting from them, very comfortable, especially for rhythm playing. They are the round core with solid Nickle wrap. Cost about a third more than what the Pyramids cost. Great video, BTW! Thank you, Zac.

[@stevebadachmusic]

used to play those fender R&R strings when i when i started playing in 93. once I heard Hendrix played 10-38 i was sold!

[@robertprice5039]

I actually bought a Charvel Tele a half a year ago, and it had "Fender Rock & Roll" string gauge set up in it. It was a pain to set it up for a pack a standard .010s, because of the Floyd. My friend called it the "Hendrix Set", and he still uses it.

[@ginoames]

I use the Fender Pure Nickel strings. I like how it shaves off just a smidge of treble on my single coil guitars. Great vid Zac, your vids are always top notch!

[@neko_789]

Thats the set I've been using ever since I tried them a few years ago. They're perfectly balanced imo. The tension of the low E is nice for using your thumb, the g is nice for index finger bends and bends in general, and e and b are nice because you can hit them a little harder than a set of 9s. I use fender 10-38 bullets though. They sell them as the JH set.

[@18echosf]

I loved the Fender R&Rs.........that’s all I used on my Les Paul guitars throughout the late-60s and mid-70s. And yes, now that I’m a very old ex-player..........I definitely miss those days onstage! Great review, Zac!

[@handlewithcare1234]

about to put a set of Stringjoy pure nickel for the first time and there you are with this video. Looking forward to exploring them.

[@MarkB219]

Thanks Zac, Really enjoy your channel and real world perspectives- you seem to understand there is a massive difference in gear and tone requirements when playing solo at home vs in a live band with 1 gtr vs 1 gtr + keys vs 2 gtrs + keys. And when you have to sing and do all this....well, tone/EQ/dynamics of a given rig ( including strings) become VIP! Thanks again.

[@seanandben]

Hi Zac, and greetings to you from Ireland. I'm pretty "new" to your channel, but I enjoy the stories about the history of different guitars and other equipment like amps and the strings one you did today very much. Would it be possible for you to do a lesson on the various pedal steel style bends you use and any other relevant country-style bends? I hope you and your family and loved ones are safe and well in these strange times.

[@BenPrevo]

I will make a little vid for you if you want.

[@sebastiannai4381]

well that was enlightening. I've known that as the Hendrix set, and thought that it only made sense becåuse of the reverse headstock. But here I found that the mismatched gauges seem to compress the sounds, tame the transients of the low E and G....that G string can really stick out. I can see how it would have made sense for recording. Very cool video! Usually wouldn't consider that light of gauge but this makes me curious to experiment.

[@b.rodclark7349]

Before i got my very first guitar, i remember as a kid at least three times buying Fender strings to put on my dad's four-pickup 60s Kawai not knowing anything about string gauges or even tuning a guitar; I broke a lot of strings until I'd have at least three or two remaining for a long time. Going to band rehearsals my brother played keyboards in, I learned of tuning by checking out guitarists guitars and the basses as well as playing guitars and basses in music stores. After my mother bought me my very 1st guitar (a LP Effector w/onboard effects) for my 15th birthday in 1984, i started out with super light gauge (8-38) and next came LTHB GHS Boomers and I still use both brands in light gauge sets (10-46) though Ernie Ball strings are good too; I'm open to any brand of strings... here's to another great video!

[@hkguitar1984]

Great comparison, thank you Zac. Yeah, a couple months back I purchased a couple sets of the Fender Hendrix Nickel Plated Steel. Not pure Nickel but similar gauge balance. What I found is that the "G" string output seemed to even out a bit with the rest of the strings. I'll add this was on a Stratocaster with vintage stagger pickup poles. What great about guitar nerd-ism is that the combinations are endless.

[@ThinPicks]

Great strings, the steel or nickel.

[@sauljewhebrewberg3147]

Of course it will sound different...everyone knows that 50% of a guitars tone is in the pick guard.

[@AskZac]

YES!!!!!

[@mattwestcott1663]

Preach brother! I leave the guard off my Lester as I love the added challenge of playing with half the sonics being sub adequate. I feel it makes me a more honest player!

[@lastofthe4horsemen279]

Good one

[@thefrost2005]

Dont forghet the strap,,, a major sound bender

[@wiwiksundari8668]

Specially the underrated reissue of '57 Fender Gold Anodized aluminium pickguard:)

[@dangolguitartech]

When I was younger I used pure nickel strings on my guitar’s and really loved the sound and the feel of them but they seemed to go dead faster than nickel plated steel strings. Great video!

[@misguided6876]

I’ve been using the Fender Voodo Child strings for a few months now on both my tele and my Les Paul. Like you, I love the way they tame the “boomy-ness” of the low strings to even things out into my tweed Bassman and my 50watt bass plexi. I use the nickel plated steel version of them, and I believe they are hex core. I usually find them around $6 per pack. I’m pretty sure that GHS offers a 10-38 gauge set also. To anyone trying this set, I do recommend giving your set up a look over before making up your mind. Along with pickup height, I found that my guitars needed the truss rod to be loosened basically to the point of no pressure being on it to achieve my personal taste of relief. On a personal note, I love your playing, your historical information, and always the tele tone! You really got me hip to that clean tele neck pickup sound. You ever get into any fuzz faces?

[@AskZac]

Yes, I had to adjust the truss rod after the show. I have not messed with fuzz much, but will after things settle down

[@richardlynch5632]

It does help the strings longevity ( if you have string-through tuners) to crimp the cut string ends. This keeps the string wind tension over the round core longer. From what has been my knowledge, the hex core was invented to help keep the winding from loosening.

[@marccarter1350]

Thanks for this. I really enjoyed it. Greetings for the Thames Delta in London UK! I have just switched to DR Pure Nickel round core. Yep, from Erine Balls. Same as you, i played strings until they broke, bought what ever they had in the shop as long as they were 0.10/0.11.

[@telecasterbear]

I started playing electric in 1975. The first brand I stuck with was dean markley. I still have some of the yellow stickers that came in each pack. Then GHS. I have used Ernie Ball 9-42 in the pink package for decades now. Do you remember that you could save and mail in the labels from Ernie Ball strings and get a corduroy Ernie Ball hat? I still have the red hat.

[@18echosf]

I was a professional guitarist from 1969-1978...........I wish I had a dollar for every set of Fender R&R strings I went thru during those years! I just went with the strings that almost every Les Paul player of that era was using.

[@theelectricsplash7384]

Wow, that's cool to know about. I'd never heard of Fender Rock n Roll strings.

[@davidrice3337]

Damn brah - how old are you & why you quit - I'm lefty and- backwards as hell as far as tone and using an amp - I wish they had a reset switch

[@AlanAckroydMusicVideos-yd4ig]

Great to hear a guy who knows his stuff! In 1980, Fender used to sell nickel plated, groundwound (or maybe roller-wound) strings with a bullet end, and they were really affordable, too. I wish I could still get those, today. Gonna give the GHS Nickel Rockers a try. What I would really like, though, is good but cheap stainless steel flatwound string, for a couple of my guitars.

[@michalmikolajmaslowski3994]

Zac, just discovered your show - great content! Plus, it’s so Tele-centric - to the point that it feels it’s been made for me, lol! Thank you & stay safe!

[@babalaughing]

Thanks for the great content on this episode (and the others as well)! I'll share this-- the Fender 150 set was in part designed to correct the inherent balance problems that resulted from using a plain third (usually the loudest string in a set) with a pickup set that was designed for a wound third (usually the weakest). The 150 set uses a light-gauge plain third (reduces its output some) with a much heavier fourth-- it doesn't fix the problem, but it helps. The .038 low E seems intolerably light, but those GHS-made rollerwounds are very dense, high-tension strings (even higher tension than GHS flats), so it almost seems to make sense. I'm guessing that was done for balance, too, but don't quite understand why the output of the low E needed to be reduced.

[@ThinPicks]

Completely agree, but I also wondered for a long time if they were to "fix" the intonation on the vintage Telecaster bridge around the G and D (which it actually does to some extent). Interesting isn't it!👍

[@babalaughing]

@@ThinPicks Good point. The traditional Tele saddles are more workable for a wound-third set-- the problem comes when a wound D and a plain G share the same saddle.

[@escargotomy]

Well welcome to the party. I've been using nickel strings for close to 15 years now and it gives me exactly what I had been looking for for my single coil equipped guitars. My favorites are DR Pure Blues and GHS Burnished nickel rockers...always 9's. Good luck in your tone quest.

[@robertknapp9054]

I remember purchasing "Black Dimond" strings at the HEB store in Austin Texas in the early 70s. Man Im old!!

[@ttswan]

Yea, I've used 10-38 nickel wounds for ages, Fender when they still made them and Curt Mangan's round core now which are great strings. That set was commonly used by R&B guitar players from the 60's onward and Hendrix came from that school and stayed with them. You can't as easily play R&B or funk with heavy bottom strings and 10-38 is easy to navigate those styles with. And the .15 G string has a unique vocal character to it that really suited Jimi's style, you just can't get that vocal quality out of a .17 G. I prefer the Mangan's over the Pyramids especially since they're fresher, come in Zerust paper and are in sealed packages, so whenever you open them they're still new without any pitting having started from oxygen doing its thing on them - and they cost much less. Good video Zac.

[@AskZac]

Good info

[@jonathanhandsmusic]

Slinky strings came out when I was in high school. That was 1970 or around then. I remember using them in a 9 gauge set. My brother liked super slinkys which were way too noodlely for me. I've gone through all kinds of brands, ending up using EB rock n roll 10-48. I like whatever is on sale these days. Good video man. This is the first time I've seen your channel. Like the sound you're getting from the Tele and deluxe!

[@eaglewindrider7700]

I use the Jimi Hendrix set 10 - 38s made by Fender from Guitar Center after 30+ yrs of trying just about everything usually 10 - 46s. Use them on my Strats & Tele and I extremely happy with them 👍🔥🎸🦅

[@kyrandell3290]

Great show Zac. Very enjoyable to hear the difference in the two sets of strings and your obvious dilemma/struggle between the merits of both. We've all been there with various aspects of our gear as we struggle between what we know and what we think we may like - grass is always greener syndrome? Kings' new clothes? Personally, I used to use Fender R&R back in the day when choice was severely limited but moved on to 10 - 46 which I found much more balanced, mainly with Ernie Ball and more recently the Curt Mangan Nickel sets which I find particularly toneful. However we're all different and find inspiration in different things . Most importantly Zac, you've once again highlighted something new with your usual informative enthusiasm and laid-back charm. Fully endorse you message - Keep trying new things (and strings don't cost much) and you may find something new that you really like. Thanks

[@AskZac]

You are so welcome

[@jfinester]

I used Fender Rock’n’Roll 150 sets on my SG in the late ‘60s. They never felt balanced to me-I felt like I had to hold back when playing on the wound strings. But I used a very light pick back then too! What I’ve heard is that the unusual gauges were chosen because they would intonate properly on a 3-saddle Telecaster bridge. I’ve never tested that out, as I quit using those strings before I started playing Telecasters. And Fender strings either hate my body chemistry or love it too much, I can’t figure out which-I can kill a set of Fenders by the end of the first set!

[@Sasketchejuana_man]

interesting. ive got issues getting my tele to intonate right, even after getting the nut slotted good. I may try that .

[@azzuro195]

Thumbs up for the RnR set ! But that's me.. Anything you wind up on that tele and move through that Deluxe will sound amazing.. One of my favourite combos.

[@bartcornand]

I've been using Pyramids for over two years now, and I love them. Great tone, great feel, and they last long.

[@j.b.55]

Pyramids are some of the last great strings!

[@brucerobenalt8048]

I was going to order the Pyramids but Strings by Mail was sold out so I tried the Fender VooDoo Chile pure nickel set and I’m really enjoying them. This was my first time with the old Rock and Roll 10-38 gauges and I was really surprised that I wasn’t bothered by the super skinny low strings. They felt fine, I think because I find pure nickel strings usually feel a tiny bit stiffer than steel cores. They sound beautiful and through the amp the low strings balance out much better with the high strings. They are hex core though, so I’m still going to try the Pyramids once I can get hold of some.

[@jeffmcleod2855]

Curt Mangan makes a pure nickel round core 10-38 set. They’re great strings and I know they are way cheaper than Pyramid.

[@KorbenDenver]

The one's on the Mangan website are almost $3 more than the Pyramid on Strings by Mail right now. Are the Pyramids usually $15 or something like that?

[@jeffmcleod2855]

Korben Schrock I have an “ artist” hookup where I can buy them for $6.17 per set plus shipping. If you’re a working musician check with them about getting an artist deal.

[@j.b.55]

I use Gibson ‘Les Paul’ 10-46 pure nickel on a steel hex core….red silk-wrapped ends. Absolutely the purest, warmest and roundest guitar tone…great on the Les Paul, Telecaster and Jazzmaster.

[@fearnpol4938]

I’ve gone down this very road too, a couple of years back I contacted Newtone strings in England and they offer custom sets with no upcharge. So I ordered sets based on my beloved DR Jeff Healey strings but with an 11 high E and fully nickel and with a round core. 11-56 and I’m never going back, they also make a Monel set for acoustics that murder Martins versions. And all handmade in England, and they’re priced as a regular string so no Pyramid type costs.

[@toddlynch869]

I used the 10-38 Rock and Roll set for many years. I gravitated to a heavier top end about 15 years ago (12, 13, 16).

[@purimuadmuang2259]

Big change... What about the wound strings size?

[@valentino3191]

I love the riff you play at the intro to your videos. It reminds me of Les Paul or something he'd play with Mary Ford.

[@kevdean9967]

Sounds like Jimmy Bryant to me.

[@ebeep]

Pyramids much preferred in every aspect, at least as heard through the audio filter of KZbin.

[@GerryBlue]

Got an ad when he said "we'll take a break and come back" felt like old time Tv :p

[@kommi1974]

What's an ad? Oh yeah, Ad-block.

[@TheDjinnFizz]

NEVER, before - have I ever sent money to a KZbin guy. But you have been such a font of USEFUL info. It'd be a crime not to send a few bucks. Thanks.

[@jaybe813]

Very interesting! I’ve never even heard of the Rock n Roll strings before.

[@newenglandrockabilly]

My novice ears found the Pyramid Rock n’ Roll strings to be more pleasing. It may be an improvement in sparkle, clarity, & cross string uniformity. I would certainly give these a try.

[@MiguelLumberto]

Thanks Zak! I ordered two sets. I've always thought standard sets were waaaay out of balance; wound strings too loud vs the plain strings, plus the G & B strings are completely out of whack (compounded by the weird stagger on most vintage-style Strat pickups).

[@joeltunnah]

The "weird stagger" was designed to balance the nickel wrapped strings of the 1950s, with a wound G.

[@wesvader1]

That little bit of Pete/Dwight there at the end was great!

[@clevebaker8399]

I grew up on black diamond, then slinky strings.. but started using d’addario in about 1980 ! My tone is in my fingers😵‍💫😘

[@2500BC]

Just discovered this channel. I play a much heavier style than Zac but use round core pure nickel wrap strings (DR) because nickel plated steel is brash to me and a new set of pure nickel sounds like a worn in set of nickel plated steel without the remainder of the brashness. Due to bending i change wound strings every 12 or so playing hours and a new set sounds just like a well played set

[@rockrollresale2668]

They extend fret life too. Especially on vintage gear.

[@boogieman00001]

Only on the wound low strings. Plain strings are still steel and wear just as much doing bends.

[@unabonger777]

yeah but the strings themselves wear out faster

[@gangnamstylegrandpa6352]

All the new strings are better than our choices in the early 60's . I never liked Fender strings , I used Gibson sometimes but they sucked . Nothing is as bad as " Black Diamond " strings . I started buying Guild light strings ( they were not very light .), throwing away the low E string and using 2 high E strings I strung my guitars E,E,B,G ,D ,A . But tuned to 440 , or as close as we could get to it by ear . Tone still sucked , but man could I bend strings , and that is how I learned to bend . In the old days our choices were pretty small with brands and gauges . We are now in another Golden age of instruments . Fender used to ship their guitars with .012's on them I still use .011's ( tuned to Eb ) . I tried the all nickel strings ,but they always sounded 1/2 dead to me . I use D' Addario strings exclusively now. For all my gear , including nylon string classical , Electric Bass , acoustics , Uklele , 12 string , and all my electrics . Life is to short to play with Crappy strings ! I played Ernie Ball for a long time , martin acoustic strings for a while . I still stand by my statement that Fender and Gibson strings suck . D' Addario has my business for strings , and I go thru a ton of them . By the way , I love Fender guitars , and I own 6 of them , just the strings that are less than good ! Keep in mind I started playing guitar in 1963 at age 15 years , so I have witnessed a whole bunch of history music , played in Blues and Rock bands till I was 65 years old , and I still play every day !

[@Kasper911band]

Anybody else realize with pure nickel wrap strings with a round core ,you have to be careful and bend them before cutting them to length, or they can literally unwrap from the round core! I just find out about it recently after using DR pure blues, just a heads up for those who didn’t know. 🤘🏽

[@AskZac]

Very true, and something I forgot to mention in this video.

[@tongusgrump2261]

I’ve played fender F150’s 10-38 forever I get the pure nickels from just strings and build my sets GHS made the 10-38 set after fender f150’s disappeared. I love the feel across the board very even almost classical feeling and great for speed and vibrato and they last forever. This WAS one of my secrets:) when asked I always say 10’s

[@barbarasmith3579]

Can someone remind me what the individual string gages are to replace the fender f150 10-38 strings?

[@ThinPicks]

​@@barbarasmith3579Sure, 10, 13, 15, 26, 32, 38, hope that helps.👍

[@bostonmainemike]

Rick Beato and Rhett Shull did a string gauge comparison recently and came up with similar results, but no mention of Pyramids or the old Fender set.

[@AskZac]

They were using nickel plated, and talking about eq and Bass. They stayed with a dirty sound.

[@robertsanders7061]

I’ve been using GHS nickel rockers 12/52 on pretty much everything. Love them

[@HenrikLumholdt]

I am using Fender 150 pure nickel. .009's on all my telcasters (except on my mex tele with SD Quarter pound pu's, where i use nickel plated for a more modern sound) Love the vintage sound of pure nickel :-)

[@scottfulghum8408]

Switched to pure nickel 10-46 on a Strat. I’m liking them so far. 68 Vibrolux EV 10 and Ragin Cajun 10 speakers. Playing around with plugging into the number 2 side of the vibe channel. 6.5 ish volume. The amp sits on an old diner table pointing two feet from my face. No gigging just stare out the window and play. It’s good.

[@oliverjackson2594]

I love pure nickel strings. I play 11s and both DR Pure Blues (11-14-18-28-38-50) and D’Addario Pure Nickel (11-14-18-27-37-48) sets are great for me. Also a tele player and my bass side ends up a little higher than my treble side on both pickups. Really dig your channel man, love how telecaster-oriented your content is 🤘

[@AskZac]

Very cool!

[@NERDOFUNK]

I LOVE the "Hendrix" gauge what we call it in these days 10-38, interesting to find that many more used these!! I really dig this channel =) If you get the chance or maybe you already have, try some "Curt Mangan" strings, those i use also 10-38 both pure nickel and plated they have. Before i used Pyramid for years but the Curts are magic.

[@AskZac]

Thanks for the info!

[@thommackris920]

Last week I tried a set of Curt Mangan - 11046 Fusion Matched Nickel Wound (10-13-17-26-36-46). I'm liking them. I've been hesitant to try Pyramids for fear of liking them (price). The Mangans are definitely a step up from my D'addario EXL110s. It's been too long since I ran EPN 110 pure nickels, so I don't want to compare against those.

[@iannicholls7476]

Great video. I’m not sure if I will switch to pure nickel but I’m definitely going to cop a few of your licks!

[@CORNPOP24]

I have never strayed away from Dean Markley years ago but now GHS. I am really going to try this out. Awesome channel.

[@middle_pickup]

Hahaha I literally just switched back to DR Pure Blues earlier this week! I wanted to give 9-42's a try after seeing Rick Beato's video on taming bass frequencies with smaller strings. I love the feel of pure nickel strings, and I think they sound better for clean tones. I don't notice a big difference on my leads, but they sure play better to me. You have to clean them aggressively though. They don't last as long, and are more expensive. Loved this episode, Zac! Btw, If you have a scanner consider uploading some of those magazines for us to see. I would love to read the good stuff.

[@AskZac]

I am in the process of uploading articles to my soon to launch askzac website.

[@middle_pickup]

@@AskZac Sweet!

[@cognoscenticycles4351]

In the 80's Ernie Ball had a nickel vintage set that I really liked. The nickel just seemed warmer sounding.

[@AskZac]

The EVH set from the 90’s was pure nickel from EB

[@misterknightowlandco]

@@AskZac i used to looooove the evh strings. Maybe thats why!

[@richthetrashpicker-upper5244]

Yes thank you for your videos I love learning more about my favorite guitar,,I just put some 8,s Ernie Ball's regular set on my 09Telly from Mexico feels like rubber bands pretty sweet but,,,going back to 10's seems like that's a good gauge for my tele I can really dig in when I want to I wish I could play like you sound so sweet like a 57 Chevy

[@markferguson3745]

When I lived in NYC, used to be able to get SiT ,- Stay In Tune,- strings; swore by those, and you could only get singles, so it was easier when using alt tunings. When I moved Upstate, started trying everything else, and though I do like the Boomers, and the Slinky's, gotta say D'Addario always stand out.Like when you ask yourself "what's different?" ~when you're playing well, feeling it.Almost prefer to say otherwise, but they work for me, especially the "Optimized C" and "D"(NYXL).In the end, it's just one less variable to consider.And I hate old strings,- change every other week.

[@zachcerasani3043]

Hey zac. I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoy your channel. Thank you. You are gifted in many ways, thanks you for sharing with us!!!

[@AskZac]

You are so welcome

[@slideguitarist]

Great demo, must have been a lot of work. Thanks for spreading the word about pure nickle strings. In Duane Allman's case, he tuned those up to open E for slide on some guitars. So the lighter than modern-guage low strings in the Rock and Roll set were probably the perfect tension, once tuned up to that pitch. The round core strings are easier to bend than hex core, but the wound ones with round core die sooner because the windings eventually get loose.. I prefer the tone of pure nickel on all of my electrics. Curt Managan makes an excellent modern 9.5 set with pure nickel. I tried many, many strings in my 40 years of playing. Pure nickel Gibson Vintage Reissue Strings are my favorites,. because they give you the best of both vintage and modern designs. They have that classic round tone of pure nickel , but with modern guages and the durability of a hex core. And they are the least prone to breaking of any strings have ever used. But they are a challenge for bending, in a good way!

[@Sasketchejuana_man]

i just found out that duane was actually using flatwounds on the bottom strings with his SG which was tuned to open E for slide. When he was using the les paul for both, and tuning back and forth, it was the fender rock n rolls. Jack Pearson does this too. Flatwounds on the low strings for guitars he uses slide.

[@rickbearden6041]

Hey Zac. Class again today excellent. Dig the R&Rs. Thanks for giving an old house bound used up picker something to play with! Really appreciate the all the info, keeps my fat fingers busy and the mind working. (Missed Mabel!) : )

[@AskZac]

She was not in the room for that one.

[@hunkydorian]

For decades I just bought D'Addarios because why not. They're in every store and they have a wide selection and why not. But I always had trouble with them. One string would be too loud and one string would go dead and one string just wouldn't play right. And they had that scroingy sound that I hated. So one day I started using Ernie Ball Pure Nickel and all those problems just disappeared. I still have to replace the 13 B with a 12 because the 13 is too loud but I always had to do that. But the Ernies sounded sweeter just like Zak's Pyramids sound sweeter. The Ernies aren't as smoooth as the D'Addarios but so what.

[@georgecovetskie6717]

Thank you for making that video. Well worth it for us Tele players to hear. Yes, The Rock & Roll set is much more defined and sounds like it gets each tone across much more defined. It sounds like it entices you to keep playing. Isn't that what it all about ? Again, thanks for this video.

[@stewartlancaster2745]

Hi ya, in "Lockdown World" just to say I've been playing guitar for over 50years, and tried so many brands of strings in my time. I recently found the best strings I've ever used....wait for it...."Harley Benton Value Strings" Trust me, try them I can't believe that the set I first used have not tarnished sound brilliant no breakage....as we say in the UK: "Cheap As Chips"

[@kjatexas3679]

I got my first serious guitar, a Fender Jazzmaster, in the early '60s. I never heard of Fender Rock and Roll strings then. I thought at the time, there was only one gauge of guitar strings. When I bought strings, I just asked for guitar strings, and the guy gave me 12s , I think. Back then I used flatwounds. Later I heard guitarists bending strings and, my drummer turned me on to "stringing down" my guitar. That consisted of using a tenor A banjo string (gauge ?) in place of the e, the e in place of the B, the B in place of the G, etc. By that time, I was playing a Tele. I use D'Addario 9.5-44 now, after trying 9s. I find 9s too light and I inadvertently bend chords out of tune. Tried 10s next, but found them a bit too heavy. I settled on 9.5s. I love the sound of your Tele.

[@kjatexas3679]

The lightest string gauge for a tenor A banjo, ball end, that I can find is .10, and assuming 12s were the string set I was getting from my music store, that gives me a strung down set of: 10 12 16 20 32 42. Close to the 10-38 set of Fender Rock & Roll strings.

[@joebryant8500]

I thought Squier made Fender strings back in the day? Squier was originally a violin and guitar string manufacturer, which Fender acquired around the time of the CBS buyout and later turned into the instruments brand that we know today. I love pure nickels. My local guitar luthier/repairer told me off for using them ("you should only use plain stainless steel on electrics") but I don't care.

[@AskZac]

You are correct. VC Squier supplied strings to Fender, then Fender bought them. CBS bought Fender, then they shut down VC Squier in 1981, and then started making Squier guitars because they already owned the Squier name. I should not have mentioned GHS. They just happened to both have their factories in Battle Creek.

[@AskZac]

@@joebryant8500 I messed up in mentioning GHS in the vid. I was beating myself up. All good.

[@JonManness]

From a mixer/producer perspective, this was awesome. I dug the D'Addrio's for the neck and middle settings and nice on the bridge. The Pyramids were awesome on the bridge, but I felt like I lost something on the other settings. Very insightful!

[@AskZac]

Awesome, thank you!

[@cwbutlergm]

I use the GHS strings on all my electrics. Over the years I've experimented but always come back that string gauge... String life and tone is typical to me.

[@ScottAnders62]

I like the Pyramids. They're very articulate and balanced.

[@820hurleyj]

WOW! I was NOT expecting that much difference. I just received my first Tele today and immediately, before even plugging it in, I started looking into strings. I have a Les Paul and a Strat. I've usually used GHS Boomers .009-.042 or .046 on them and usually bronze or phosphor bronze. But the whole reason for getting a Tele is I want that classic Tele country style sound. I can't get that with the LP or Strat. I much prefer that 2nd set you put on. I'm probably going to try String Joy soon and/or next. I grew up listening to Don Rich in the Buckaroos. Albert Lee is another fave and anything by the Helecasters. I don't even know what gauge is on the Tele yet. It's actually a used, mint condition Fret King Jerry Donahue Black Label guitar with his custom Seymour Duncan pickups and electronics. Zac, I discovered your channel a couple of years ago and I've come to believe, if I ever have a Tele question, I just need to Ask Zac. So what's your opinion on coated strings? I've read that they might be a little less bright than non-coated. But I've also heard they feel wonderful on the fret hand. I also play finger style a lot and "they" say they feel much better on the picking fingers.

[@ThinPicks]

If it's any help, yes coated strings do feel nice but they tend to sound a little duller. They usually last 3-4 times longer than uncoated strings but because of that you don't know quite when they're going to break!

[@820hurleyj]

@@ThinPicks thanks!

[@christianboddum8783]

120+ devotee for many years here! :-) Trying out Curt Mangan custom set now (46-36-26-16-11,5-9,5) I would stick with D'addario if they made this set. I'm hoping for a "custom shop" option one day, like Curt Mangan do now. For rhythm playing 46-36-26 is important, also the 24 d-string breaks easier with my style of playing ;-)

[@caleshtcincredibles]

Ernie Ball Slink 10-46 are my go to strings , I have tried many others and still go right back to the EB Slinky .

[@dannyv.6358]

Settled on DR pure blues for years now. But also buy the 3 pack of standard daddarios to keep on hand when I feel like mixing it up. I feel like nickle wound can be a little to warm for some pickups/guitar setups tho.

[@kaindog1007]

Fender and GHS also make 10-38 but I’m 3 years late to this video. I love them and currently using Pyramids

[@MrKaufmana1]

Hey @ask Zac love the content- keep it coming. I got interested in pier nickel strings a few years ago, when working at a music store. I had been down the same rabbit hole, hearing about older strings, how they used to sound different, etc. I’ve tried quite a few different ones and recently DAddario started making a set. I love the sound of nickel strings, and I will personally never go back. Curious to see how you’re feeling with the strings on your personal tele for a little while now.

[@bobbaumeister5243]

Thank you very much Zac. The Pyramids - a real good set, it is excellent! Have it on a strat and i like the sound.

[@richardellis8808]

Been using this gauge (.10-.38) for more than 45 years. They are on all of my guitars. GHS makes a LXL that I use. Yeah, I have tried Fender's Hendrix strings, too.

[@voxpathfinder15r]

DR pure blues 11-50 gauge on my teles, love it - sitting over fender custom shop ‘51 nocaster pickups. With a touch of treble bleed

[@markdakel9253]

It’s the classic tone, the sustain and warmth is excellent

[@drewsollars2239]

Been using the pyramid Hendrix set on my strat for a while. Love em.

[@hoagyguitarmichael]

Wayne Krantz uses the Fender gauges. As a kid he heard Hendrix used them and decided if they were good enough for Jimi they were good enough for him

[@AskZac]

But what does Michael Ross use? BTW, I mention you in my next Ask Zac on Cornell Dupree. Stay Safe

[@hoagyguitarmichael]

@@AskZac I use .010s but switch out the .017 G string for a .016. and I'm honored. You too

[@jazzguitarneophyte-christo7988]

If its a Fender yougotta use pure nickle! They go hand in hand and just sound oh so sweeeet!!! Thanks Zac!

[@AskZac]

Right on!

[@carlostorres1171]

The thing that MOST strikes me is the consistency of tone in terms of brightness between your pickups. 🤯

[@jesseleite]

I'm not sure where his tone knob is at, but he did mention in another video that he likes to wire his tone knob to the bridge pickup only. This way he can set the amp's treble to suit the neck pickup first, then roll back some high end on the bridge pickup so it's easier to switch between the two. Such a cool idea!

[@mikefromusa6902]

Zac- this video started a journey for me months ago. I had been using those D’Addario 9.5s for like 8 years on my tele. I found the Fender Jimi Hendrix voodoo child set that is identical to the pyramids. They were very different and I hated the pure nickel, but there were aspects about them that I liked. Long story short, I now use 42,32,24,17,13,10 on all teles-basically the plain strings from a 10s set, and the wound strings from a 9s set. Much more even sound than the 9.5s and generally a joy to play. Too bad no one makes a set like this...

[@AskZac]

I have used a set like that with a 15-G. But I made it from singles. Yes, too bad

[@MrBallynally2]

Same here. I think a player gets used to a certain gauge for a certain guitar so i would just use the unwound strings on that basis. Then i would pick the gauge on the wound string based on tention, feel be it round or hex core. For the round core i did find the Jimi set too light on especially the low E so would use 42s mostly. Then 32 for A, 22 for D. That is the regular Light set. Some guitars seem to like a 17, 13, 10, mostly Fenders, humbuckers can use 9s so ill use a full light set for them.

[@MrBallynally2]

These are Nickel Classics and have a steel round core.

[@gilsanderson3275]

Great "primer" on rock-style strings, Zac. I used Pyramid strings for a long time, although not in a Jimi-gauge set. (I used 10,13,17,26,36,46) More of an Regular Slinky sized......and the Pyramids were great. I, too, used Strings-By-Mail, so the price was reasonable, but after years of "cork sniffing" with strings, I decided there wasn't enough difference in all the brands to worry about. I've used Everly Brothers Strings, ghs, Fender, etc......and usually come back to boringly "normal" Classic Ernie Ball Regular Slinkys. I like a little bigger bottom (no wisecracks) with the 36 "A" and 46 "E" strings. I don't need a string set to make me sound better.....just one to make me "play" better. Thanks, Zac......and Happy New Year!.

[@2000SkyView]

Thanks for all the work you put into this video, very very well done and very interesting history lesson. Honestly, I do not hear much of a difference. I am sure the stings have a different feel and that might make a difference in your playing, if it feels better I say go with it. As far as tone, in my opinion, its 6 or half-dozen as the saying goes.

[@4034miguel]

Of course it is subjective and I do not have the best ears, but the pure nickel seem warmer, more noticiable in the bridge position. I really liked that. Great video. thanks.

[@ZacCostilla]

I’ve been using D’Addario Pure Nickel strings for years, but I like the balance the Pyramid “Inspired” set had. Makes me wonder if the move to heavier gauge wound strings was a factor in going from vintage/medium to jumbo frets.