If you’ve read our Is Your Nickel Pure? article, you know the difference between Nickel Wound and Pure Nickel Strings. If you’ve decided to give Pure Nickel strings a try, read on for our review of 5 top brands of Pure Nickel strings. Our impressions are based on playing them on various electric guitars, including a Telecaster, Stratocaster, and a spruce-topped Hollowbody guitar.
Pure Nickel vs. Nickel Plated
First, a quick review on what makes a nickel string “pure”. Pure nickel strings share the same construction as nickel plated strings, but with one key difference: In a Pure Nickel string, the entire outer wrap is constructed of nickel. In contrast, the outer wrap of a nickel plated (aka nickel wound) string is steel, which is then plated with nickel. An added bonus is that pure Nickel strings wear more consistently, since there is no plating to wear down. Pure nickel strings were the strings found almost exclusively on vintage electric guitars in the 1950s and 1960s. This is why players who favor “vintage tone” often choose Pure Nickel strings.
1. Curt Mangan Fusion Matched Pure Nickel
I have played Curt Mangan strings on a few guitars in recent years on both a hollowbody and a Tele. These are the hex core version of their Pure Nickel strings.
Curt Mangan Playing Impressions
Feel
The Mangans are good feeling strings. It’s hard to describe, but there is a high quality, balanced feel to the Mangans. I tried the Curt Mangan Fusion Matched Pure Nickel on both my Telecaster and Hamer Hollowbody. On the Tele, the tension was higher than the SIT Power Groove that I typically use on that guitar, but I wouldn’t call it stiff. The Hamer is a 24 ¾ scale, so the extra tension is welcome. The Mangan’s string feel is smooth and silky.
Sound
The Mangans have a warm brilliance to them that was immediately noticeable on both the Tele and hollowbody. The sound is balanced and musical. While they were good on the Tele, the Mangans really shined on the Hamer hollowbody. The Hamer is set up with an .11 gauge, and the Mangans had that guitar ringing richly, with great intonation.
*** Update 4/13/23: *** After playing the Mangans for a few months, they have become my top string choice for the Hamer Newport hollowbody. They’ve worn well, and their feel and intonation has been consistently good.
2. GHS Burnished Nickel Rockers
The GHS are a hex core, Pure Nickel String. The wrap is then lightly polished for a “slick” feel.
GHS Burnished Nickel Rockers Playing Impressions
Feel
Though I knew that the GHS strings were polished—”burnished”, as it were, I experienced the same feel as I have in the past with other sets of GHS strings: Not only did they not feel slick, they actually felt slightly sticky. I’m not sure if this is a body chemistry thing, or something in my fingers that doesn’t quite agree with the polished finish, but the friction was noticeable compared to other string brands. The tension was a little bit higher, too, but this isn’t a criticism. A slightly higher tension lets you gauge down and retain a similar feel.
Sound
These were pretty mellow, with a soft attack compared to some other strings. The string noise that they do generate—which is not a lot—seemed slightly softer than some others. A quality string if you like the feel of the polished finish. As a bonus, GHS strings are packaged in their “Fresh Pack”, which is nitrogen-sealed packaging designed to eliminate corrosion.
3. SIT Power Groove Pure Nickel
The SITs are my default string for the Tele. SIT stands for “stay in tune”, a feature that SIT is proud to advertise as a strong point of their guitar strings.
SIT Power Groove Playing Impressions
Feel
The SIT has become one of my regular strings because they are consistent, intonate well, and yes, stay in tune. The feel is not quite as slick as some strings—a tad less than the Mangans, but slicker than the GHS—but I have gotten used to the SIT feel and I like it.
Sound
The sound of the SIT is solid and consistent. I don’t know if it is the power of suggestion, but they do seem to stay in tune consistently. Before I switched to the Pure Nickel Power Groove, I had been using SITs Power Wound Nickel, which are Nickel Plated (check out Is Your Nickel Pure? for more info on nickel plated vs. pure nickel strings). The Power Grooves are indeed a little bit mellower and more vintage sounding, just as you would expect from pure nickel strings. These are the strings I keep on my Tele most of the time. Their fair price, stability, and good sound make them an excellent choice.
4. D’Addario Pure Nickel XL
These are D’Addario’s Pure Nickel strings with a hex core. I have used these regularly off and on with a Tele, Strat, and a Hamer hollowbody.
D’Addario Pure Nickel XLPlaying Impressions
Feel
The D’Addario XLs have a slippery feel, with lower tension. One reason for this is that D’Addario specs the 4th and 5th string gauges slightly lower than is often found on many other brands (at least this is the case on the .10 and .11 gauge sets I have used). For example, in the .10 set (Regular Light Gauge), the 4th string is .25, vs. a typical .26, and the 5th string is .35, instead of the more common .36. A slight difference for sure, but it does contribute to the D’Addario’s lighter feel. These are a good choice for someone who wants to bump up a gauge but is concerned that they will feel stiffer than they’d like.
Sound
The sound of the D’Addario’s is good, if not great. They lack the brilliance and some of the Mangans, but this isn’t to say they don’t sound good, because they do. They are a good, all around Pure Nickel string, and a versatile choice. In addition, I have gotten good life out of these strings.
5. DR Pure Blues Roundcore
Unlike all of the other strings in this test, the DR Pure Blues use a round core, instead of hexagonal. Many players believe round core strings represent the most authentic vintage tone. I have used these strings on one of my Strats for years, so I know these strings well.
DR Pure Blues Playing Impressions
Feel
Proponents of roundcore strings point to smoother bending and lower tension. The DR Pure Blues have a substantial but slightly slinky feel, and bend easily. These are good feeling strings.
Sound
I can see why these strings are named “Pure Blues”. On my Strat, these Pure Nickel Pure Blues DRs sound thick and woody. They seem to bring out a girthy richness in the sound without being overly bright. And, being a roundcore string, they feel substantial but bend easily, with slightly lower overall tension. Try these strings if you’re looking for an earthy, rich tone from your guitar. I can see Blues players loving these strings.
Final Thoughts
There’s a reason that Pure Nickel strings are still around. As I’ve mentioned before, I have become a Pure Nickel convert, because I find that their strengths match up well with the tones I like. I encourage you to give all of these brands a try if you’re experimenting with strings, or are are finding your sound lacking in some way. Even though they are all Pure Nickel, they each have a house sound.
If you prefer bright, aggressive sounds, Pure Nickel might not be for you. Otherwise, you’ll likely find a great nickel string that will become your favorite. Happy Playing!