The Steel Guitar Forum

Several string makers are producing what they call "pure nickel" wound strings, claiming that they produce a more "vintage" tone. Has anyone here tried "pure nickel" strings on a steel guitar? If so, what kind of music do you play, and what were your impressions of the strings?

Yes, I have used them on and off. They are a bit warmer/less bright sounding than standard strings.

The other advantage, irrelevant for the instruments discussed here, is that as nickel is softer than steel, they will theoretically wear down frets less quickly than steel.

I guess everything's really an alloy, though, despite the term "pure".

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Here is a link to a Guitar Player article with some info on the differences and controversy relating to pure nickel vs. nickel plated strings. Apparently the difference is that nickel plate is only a small percentage nickel v. pure nickel wrap.

SOB [Snake Oil Brand] string head Dean Farley had some articles out a few years ago on the subject.

Either is available from the Fender company and they are somewhat specific about which new guitars are loaded with which alloy.

I have heard that there is supposed to be some advantages with the nickel strings, when using effects. Not sure if it was just talk, or has some truth in it.
Gene Warner

b0b

GHS makes and markets "Pure Nickel" strings, and has for a long time (1960's)

The 'windings' on the stainless core are called Pure Nickel Wrap

They come as "Roller Wound Semi-Flat Strings", and "Nickel Rockers Pure Nickel Rollerwound Strings". (I think they are the same thing) There is also a Pure Nickel Burnished string, that some pro electric 6-stringers like.

These are not zippy like their 'Boomers', but they are not flatwound either.

My ears and hands like the Rollerwound strings. I have them on my electric 6 stringers, and all my steels, acoustic and electric.

I play Country, Western Swing, Jazz, and old-time rock and roll.

FWIW, GHS uses steel cores. Even on sets marked as stainless the plain (non-wound) and cores are plain steel. I've been told by GHS that stainless is not suitable for cores.

Interesting.

I did not know that, and did no research on the plain strings. If I misled, it was not intentional. Part of the urban myth around here.

Ron

b0b
Yes, they give a vintage sound on Stratocasters, Stringmasters, pedal steel,
and resonators.
They are not as bright as Stainless wound strings, and the pure nickel strings lose some of their tone sooner than stainless wound strings.

My main axe is a SU12 MSA Milly so my low string pitches are lower than an E9 guitar.

Stainless wound strings last longer, IMHO.

I change the Pure Nickel about 3 to 4 weeks. I have never been sorry I change often. Rockin' on my Strat about once a week.

Ron

I remember putting a set of DR pure nickles on my telecaster and being completely underwelmed.The guitar lost all its snap crackle and pop.
After reading rave reviews of the snake oil strings I also tried a set of those-I never learn-with pretty much same result.Does "vintage tone"mean dead...?
I did get a heavier set in the same order and tried them on an archtop with much better result but not enough to justify the expense.I have tried the Jagwire nickles on steel and they were okay in that application but I still much prefer stainless.
just my 2

Rich, it makes sense that anyone who prefers stainless wound over nickel would not like pure nickel. It's sort of the opposite direction, tone wise.

I've ordered a set of pure nickel strings to try them. I expect that they will sound mellower right out of the package. My main concern is that they might not have the sustain of regular nickel wound strings. I won't know until I try them.

Okay, here's the result of my experiments with pure nickel wound strings. I worked with S.I.T. Strings to develop two different sets for 8-string steel guitars: E13th and A6th. I've only tested them on my Stringmaster so far - they sound really nice on that guitar. The product is now in stock - click here to see them in the Forum catalog.

Here are pictures of the package inserts:
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Too cool! Those sets are right up my alley- I am definitely going to try those out.

Can you buy the strings individually to make up your own set?