Pyramid Pure Nickel Round Wound 6 String, .011 - .048, GR61148star rating 5John BardiAugust 14, 2009Yes, these strings are horrifically expensive. As my amp tech recently said to me, however, when you buy quality, you only cry once. If you have nice vintage style equipment, Pyramid strings are actually a great "value." They last an extremely long time because even when new they don't have that bright "bing" that nickel plated strings have lose. They are a bit duller than other strings, but not in a bad way. It is a mellow, warm, fat tone, not a sharp, cutting, and bright one. Also, they are lighter in feel, so you can go up a set. It isn't that a set of 11's feel like 10's, but they are lighter than other 11's. Also, strings that are today called "pure nickel" are not. They are an alloy. I can't say I know for certain what these are, but I can sure tell the difference in tone. Most of the people I know who play these strings play them until they break. Highly recommended.