Strings for p90

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oloboy

New member
I just picked up a Monaco III with 3 Lollar p90s. I'm really liking it but it needs a new set of strings. Do you MIII/p90 players out there have string suggestions?

For long scale/single coil Fender guitars, I like pure nickel strings. But, on my short scale Studio with humbuckers, they sound too soft and muddy. Ni plated sound better. The MIII's long scale with single coils has me wondering which way to go.

Has anyone tried monel strings? I see Pyramid is selling vintage monel strings now. They advertise as being snappier than pure nickel but warmer than nickel plated. Truth or BS?

 
I am using Pyramid nickels, the orange packs or just plain Daddario XL's, depending on the guitar. But I think I have Pyramid's on the MIII.

I think the MIII would sound as fantastic even if you put barbed wire strings on it. This guitar just can't do anything wrong. /emoticons/default_biggrin.png

 
pyramid-monel.jpg


Pyramid Monel Classics

string gauges

009-042 $9.00 USD 010-046 $10.00 USD 010-048 $10.00 USD 011-048 $11.00 USD 010-052 $11.00 USD

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Monel is the missing link in Vintage Tone. There has not been any Monel Strings for Electric Guitar manufactured since 1970. Gibson Guitars (I have no affiliation with Gibson) offered "Mona Steel" & "Sonomatic" strings that were both made from Monel Steel during the 50's & 60's. Monel Steel is comprised of 67% Pure Nickel, 23% Pure Copper & 10% Iron. These strings have the warmth of Nickel, but with a little Midrange Growl and Attitude added in. The attack is much quicker and snappier and they last even longer than the pure nickel strings. I think you'll find that the "Monel Classics" are the answer to your Vintage Tone Quest. As with all Pyramid Strings, the Core wires and Plain strings are made from Silver Plated German Steel.

Pyramid is proud to announce the return of the unique "Monel Classics" electric guitar strings. Relive the great tones of the 50's and 60's with a modern touch, we call it, Vintage bright. It's a wonderful alternative to pure nickel and nickel plated strings.

 
Nickel!

Thomastik Infeld Power Brights are great too. I'm partial to the heavy bottom series for P90s.

Never tried Monel for electric, but love 'em on my hog-top parlor acoustic.

 
Another formula that ought to work well with Lollar P90s is Formula 52. This is highly magnetic, 52% iron and 48% nickel with a sweet, rich tone, which also has great punch and dynamics and is easy on the fingers. For example, La Bella makes a series called Super Alloy 52. Rotosound offers them in their Nexus line. GHS alloy 52 is found in their Progressives and also in their Boomer B 52 bass strings, which I like a lot.

 
Political Alchemy, Django49!

A couple years ago I went on a big string experimentation phase. I do not like tone too bright so I gravitated to the pure nickel strings. Between Mangan, Snake Oil, Pyramid. T-I Blues Sliders and DR Pure Blues; the Blues Sliders were my favorite on single coils. But, at half the cost and damn close in quality, the Pyramid Classics became my string of choice. (That said, many months later the Blues Sliders still feel and sound brand new) Unfortunately they sound too muddy on short scaled humbuckers. Hopefully the monels will remedy that. I plan to try both on the p90 MIII. Maybe the Alloy 52s also. However, that guitar does not need any help in the "mid range growl" advertised by Pyramid. The pure nickel Pyramids may be perfect then.

We will see. Its pretty cheap fun trying to find out and pretty striking how the simple things (different strings and picks) can really change a guitar tone.

 
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