Custom 24 owners, do you prefer nickel or nickel plated strings on your guitar.

Revelation

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I would think depending on your style might make a difference as well, but I am curious if you want a little warmer (less bright, pingy) nickel strings on your guitar or if you prefer the brighter more open sound of nickel-plated strings that come stock with the guitar?
 
Pure nickel is my go-to for any electric guitar.

Pure nickel nail the classic tones of the 70s/80s, and have a more pleasing feel. They often feature a round core (vs. hex core on nickel plated), which usually have less tension. Harmonics tend to be richer with softer overtones.

Playing with different size gauges can make the tone brighter/darker. 85/15 pickups react beautifully to pure nickel too.

Of course these are my opinions, and much depends on the type of music you’re playing— want classic tones through single-coils? Pure nickel is the way to go ;)

A few parting thoughts:
- DR Pure Blues = round core
- String Joy Broadways (I think) = round core (pure nickel)
- Ernie Ball Rock & Roll Slinky’s = hex core (pure nickel)… available in 8s
- GHS Nickel Rockers roller-wound have a fantastic feel
- D’Addario XL Pure Nickel hex core
- Hex core may be a little brighter than round core
 
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Ernie Ball regular slinky's which are pure nickel ... this is what I have used on all my guitars since the 90's including my CU24 and Mira. Generally, I'm changing every couple weeks when I'm gigging regularly, so about every second weekend of gigs.
 
Ernie Ball regular slinky's which are pure nickel ... this is what I have used on all my guitars since the 90's including my CU24 and Mira. Generally, I'm changing every couple weeks when I'm gigging regularly, so about every second weekend of gigs.

The Ernie Ball are nickel plated and not pure nickel.
 
The Ernie Ball are nickel plated and not pure nickel.
Most EB's are nickel plated... However, the Rock & Roll set are pure nickel:

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Since we're on/around the subject of string types/gauges, here are a few videos I think some here will enjoy:


 
I would think depending on your style might make a difference as well, but I am curious if you want a little warmer (less bright, pingy) nickel strings on your guitar or if you prefer the brighter more open sound of nickel-plated strings that come stock with the guitar?
I install pure nickel strings on my guitars.

Not all pure nickel strings sound the same, just as not all plated strings sound the same. The brand I use doesn't sound dull or closed-off in the high end at all.

I should add that if you use the Pyramid round core set (not my current brand, but they're excellent strings), you need to put a little bend at the tuner end of the string after it exits the hole on the machine head to prevent the wrap from unwinding a little.
 
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I have only tried DR Blues nickel strings but am interested in the D Addario pure nickel. The hex vs round core would be interesting. I wonder if round core works better with guitars with a tremolo.

According to AI
Tone
Round core strings have a mellower, darker sound with a boomier bottom end, while hex core strings are brighter, louder, and have a more modern sound.
Playability
Round core strings feel easier to play and bend, while hex core strings can feel stiffer and be more difficult to bend.
Tuning stability
Hex core strings are more stable in tuning because they can grip the outer wire more firmly.
Durability
Round core strings last longer because sweat and other substances don't get into the winding as easily.
 
I anxiously await the day when this matters to me! For now, I needed a way to decide, so PRS strings, ‘cause they must be decent if PRS puts their guitars out with them. The more expensive ones ‘cause they must be *better*, right? Plus I don’t consume many sets of strings yet. So far, works for me. My used KL380 came with a few sets of Ernie Ball Extra Slinky 9.5’s and they seem pretty decent. I like 9.5’s. Hmmm, yet again I’ve added very little to this discussion.
 
I install pure nickel strings on my guitars.

Not all pure nickel strings sound the same, just as not all plated strings sound the same. The brand I use doesn't sound dull or closed-off in the high end at all.

I should add that if you use the Pyramid round core set (not my current brand, but they're excellent strings), you need to put a little bend at the tuner end of the string after it exits the hole on the machine head to prevent the wrap from unwinding a little.

So true-- every manufacturer has a unique sound, but like models tend to be in the same ball park. I forgot about Pyramid-- yes, those are wonderful strings. Also SIT are excellent... I seem to remember Ted Nugent being a promoter of them back in the day. Also, Dean Markley-- didn't they have a cryogenically treated set of strings-- some crazy thing like that in the 80s/90s?

That little bend at the end of the strings (non-ball end) is recommended for all round core strings; keeps them from "unraveling" enough to sound dead. One benefit to the hex core is the strings really hang onto the sharp portions of the core.

I anxiously await the day when this matters to me! For now, I needed a way to decide, so PRS strings, ‘cause they must be decent if PRS puts their guitars out with them. The more expensive ones ‘cause they must be *better*, right? Plus I don’t consume many sets of strings yet. So far, works for me. My used KL380 came with a few sets of Ernie Ball Extra Slinky 9.5’s and they seem pretty decent. I like 9.5’s. Hmmm, yet again I’ve added very little to this discussion.

We all start somewhere ;)

I remember like it was yesterday, walking into Alta Loma Music to buy my first set of new strings (early 80s). Open the door, and in front of you along the wall to the left was the checkout counter, and to the right were guitars displayed in the window, with drum sets in the middle of the room, bass guitars hanging on the wall to the right (further into the room keyboards and such, with the guitars/amps in the adjacent room).

At the counter a Brian May Star Licks video was running, talking about the song, Crazy Little Thing Called Love. Behind the counter a large, colorful banner with a crazy looking eagle advertising Ernie Ball Strings. The clerk asked how he could help, told him I needed new strings, he asked what kind/gauge... I had no clue. Said I had a Yamaha SE300h, he said, oh-- that's easy then, and handed me a set of Ernie Balls in a bright green package. Been a fan of Ernie Ball ever since LOL!

The things we remember...
 
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My favorite part about this image from the EB page is that you can download the user manual for a pack of strings.
Your post just made me download the manual to see what's in it.

There are basic instructions that might help someone who's never changed the strings on a guitar.

"That would be you, Laz."

"So what. I hate changing strings."
 
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