And how would you know? Let’s discuss Pure Nickel guitar strings, what the word “Pure” means as it pertains to guitar strings, and what you need to know when deciding which Nickel strings are best for getting your tone.
Pure Nickel vs Nickel Wound Guitar Strings
Before we dive into each of these points, let’s first clarify the biggest confusion on nickel strings: The difference between Nickel Wound strings—also called “Nickel Plated”—and “Pure Nickel” strings. Remember that we are only talking about the wound strings: The low E, A, and D strings. The high E, B, and G strings are going to be plain steel, regardless. The exception to this is if the G string is a wound G, in which case the winding shares the same construction as the other wound strings. This article pertains to electric guitar strings, but for further reading check out our article on Monel strings, which are nickel-based strings for acoustic guitar.
Nickel Wound (Plated) Strings
Nickel Wound strings, or Nickel Plated Steel Strings, are steel core strings with a steel wrap and nickel plating. The plating is a thin coat of nickel on top of the steel wrap. In time, this thin coating tends to wear off. Nickel Wound strings came onto the market in the late 1960s, almost entirely displacing Pure Nickel strings.
Pure Nickel Strings
Pure nickel strings share the same construction as nickel plated strings, but with one key difference: Instead of a nickel plating, the entire wrap is constructed of nickel—hence the use of the term “pure”. Therefore, Pure Nickel strings wear more consistently, since there is no plating to wear off. Pure nickel strings were the strings found almost exclusively on vintage electric guitars in the 1950s and 1960s.
Here are 5 things that guitarists commonly say about “Pure” Nickel strings:
- Warm, smooth tone
- Softer feel than Nickel plated strings
- Less fret wear
- More consistent tone
- Longer life
Are Pure Nickel Strings Better?
Fact or fiction? Let’s discuss each point above.
1. Pure Nickel Strings Have a Warm, Smooth Tone
I’ll have to agree on this one. Pure nickel strings have a subdued roundness to them that sounds, for lack of a better word, “vintage”. To my ears, they are a little more balanced, and a tad fuller in the midrange. They may not actually be fuller in the mids, but they have less obvious high-end, and that can change our perception of the midrange sound. Good pure nickel strings have a warm brightness to them.
2. Pure Nickel Strings Have a Softer Feel than Nickel Wound strings
This is a broad statement that I’m not sure entirely agree with. However, there is a factual line of reasoning that we can base this on: Nickel plated strings have more steel in their composition. In a Nickel plated string, the entire wrap, aside from the Nickel plating, is made of steel. Steel is a harder metal than nickel, so it would stand to reason that Nickel plated strings feel “harder” than Pure Nickel strings.
In reality, there are other factors that contribute to how a string feels. And, I am not convinced that the relatively small level of hardness difference between Nickel and Steel makes a substantial difference in how a guitar string feels to our fingers. My opinion is that other key factors, such as string tension and core construction, make a bigger difference than the type of metal used for the wrap.
3. Pure Nickel Strings Result in Less Fret Wear
An experienced luthier will no doubt have an opinion on this, based on years of leveling and crowning frets. In order to determine if Pure Nickel strings are easier on frets, you would need to carefully track fret wear. In reality, the level of fret wear is mostly a result of a player’s technique, touch, and the type of music played. I get the feeling that the idea of lower wear on frets from Pure Nickel is marketing more hype than anything else. If you want to minimize fret wear, you need to look into Stainless Steel Frets.
4. Pure Nickel Strings Have Extended Life
Having played both Pure Nickel and Nickel Plated strings, I have not experienced this. I will say that Pure Nickel strings sound more “consistent” over the life of the string. Put another way, a Nickel Plated string will sound brighter initially, and lose some high-end as the string settles in. On the other hand, since a Pure Nickel lacks that high end from the start, there is less “wearing in” of the string. On some Pure Nickels I have noticed that they do settle in after a couple days of playing, but is less noticeable than most Nickel Plated strings.
5. Pure Nickel Strings Have a More Consistent Tone
Sort of. This is related to #4, and due to two factors: The overall tone profile of Pure Nickel strings feature fewer high frequencies, a.k.a, “zing” than Nickel Plated strings. All strings lose some brightness as they play in, and with Pure Nickel there is simply less to lose. This may result in the impression that a Pure Nickel string is more consistent, which in some sense it is, because the tone changes less throughout its life than a Nickel Wound string.
Hex Core vs. Round Core
An important point to bring up is the difference between hex core and round core Nickel strings. Vintage strings were roundcore, which is exactly as it sounds: The outer wrap of the wound strings is wrapped around a core wire that is rounded (you will also hear the term “vintage core” used when referring to roundcore). In contrast, hex core strings use a hexagonal shape for their core wire. Curt Mangan, of Curt Mangan Strings states that:
“Hex core strings are more durable and have consistent intonation. Round core strings will have greater flexibility and provide the true ‘vintage’ tone.”
–Curt Mangan, Curt Mangan Strings
Curt Mangan makes both hex and roundcore strings, and I have personally used and liked both.
Be that as it may, it’s worth mentioning that many manufacturers of Pure Nickel Strings gravitate towards roundcore construction. And, it makes sense: Roundcore is the more vintage construction, and many players who are looking at Pure Nickel strings favor vintage-style tones. With respect to the Nickel wound vs Pure nickel debate, it’s reasonable to attribute the reported feel difference between them more to the core construction, rather than the metal used for the wrap.
Final Thoughts
If your idea of good tone includes warm brightness, you will surely find a Pure Nickel to like, so check out our review of 5 Pure Nickel guitar strings.
For the most part, though I have become a convert to pure nickel strings, this is not to say that some Nickel Wound strings don’t sound great. See our review of John Pearse’s E Z Bend Nickel Wound Set #2500 for our impressions on these great Nickel Wound strings. Happy Playing!