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Read about them over at the Les Paul Forum, so I thought I'd give them a whirl. The LPF raves about Pyramid strings and Snake Oils. They don't have a website, but the guy that makes them has written a ton of articles for Vingage Guitar Magazine about different strings, manufacture, 60's string vs new strings, ect.

Anyhow, I e-mailed him and he got right back to me. I'll see if I can find the link to his articles, but it was like 16 or 17 different articles each in a different months issue all regarding strings...it seems to me that they're worth at least a try:
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Hi Jeff,

Our Snake Oil Strings are $8.50 in 9-46 gauge sets. These sets sound incredible if you want that real AUTHENTIC vintage tone. Nothing else on the market is even similar to these. They're very long-lasting too. They were designed for use under the worst imaginable conditions...either by acid hand syndromes or massive heat and humidity. Where I live now in Florida it cannot get much worse as far as these conditions are concerned. Many of our customers are getting many months from a single set of Snake Oil Strings. I get approximately six or seven months from a set (depending upon how often I clean them and/or care for them).

Next, we have our Rock Formulas which are a brighter string yet never harsh (and they will not wear your frets prematurely either). These sets are the same prices as the Vintage Formula SOS strings.

Our newest member to the SOS family are our new phosphor bronze acoustic sets that have been released last week. They come in a 12-53 gauged set at the moment (however, we will add more gauges to the list in the next week or so). This is a special phosphor bronze which hasn't been used in any acoustic guitar strings for about the last 40 years or so and sound just unbelievable! These are $9.00 each per set.

So, please tell me which gauge of guitar strings you currently use and how many sets of Snake Oil strings (and of course which types) you'd like to order and I will get back to you with a price quote okay? We gladly accept Paypal and Visa and/or MasterCard too. These strings are really moving. BTW, our Paypal email address is this one here at Leomuser(@)aol.com. I look forward to hearing back from you.

Sincerely,

Dean Farley

PS: We also have SOS T-shirts available in sizes S to XL for $14.50 and sizes XXL to XXXL for $16.50 each (shipping included in prices given).

Dean has forgotten more about strings than most humans know. They rave about 'em on The Gear Page, too.

Yeah, I read a couple of his articles, and man, talk about in depth. I thought it was interesting that he talked about strings in the 60's being pure nickle, and comparing it to the change in metals in coins around the same time. Nickel and silver got to expensive, so nickle wound steel became the standard due to cost. Makes sense, I guess I just never really thought about it.

I don't mind paying $10 a set including shipping if the strings are really warmer and last as long as he says. Tone starts at the strings....something to think about.

Very Interesting String Articles

Here's the link if anyone is intereste. Click on quot;Articlesquot; at the top of the page, and then go to quot;The String Storyquot;, by Dean Farly. There is a ton of info, and gives you some stuff to think about. We all obsess about pickups, type of wood, amps, ect....but are we playing with inferior strings? I never gave much thought to strings other than which ones felt the best, and were sold where I could walk in and get them whenever I wanted.

Man, if they last as long as he says he does i might try a set... Im currently using 12-54 Just Strings bulk pack strings and they are destroyed in 2-3 days. Tell me how they are will ya??

btw: the links not working for me...

Fixed the link. Click quot;Articlesquot; at the top of the page, and then go to quot;The String Storyquot;

I'm too cheap for highend strings. I got too many guitars to be buying $10 packs.
$10 needs to be spread across 3 guitars, so it's the D'Addario 3 packs for me.


Originally Posted by GearjoneserI'm too cheap for highend strings. I got too many guitars to be buying $10 packs.
$10 needs to be spread across 3 guitars, so it's the D'Addario 3 packs for me.

Don't knock 'em till you try 'em

If you hate restringing your guitar all the time, buy them. I've had them on my Grosh for a couple of months and I swear, quot;they sound better with timequot;. These things have an incredibly long life and feel and sound great. They're quot;thequot; electric strings for me (and I'd gladly spend $8 for that kind of durability and tone... some people have had theirs on their guitar for over a year )

i've been a diehard D'Addario XL user for years and similar to what GJ said since i own 11 guitars and use numerous odd gauges depending on the guitars this could get pricey...but heck if they are as good as people say i guess it could be worth a try...i think i'll wait for your review and then go from there.

also can he do any gauges at all or is it limited in any way? b/c i use odd mix gauge strings (10-52 and 10-49).

-Mike

I really think he can do any guage you want.


Originally Posted by ArmotronMan, if they last as long as he says he does i might try a set... Im currently using 12-54 Just Strings bulk pack strings and they are destroyed in 2-3 days. Tell me how they are will ya??

btw: the links not working for me...

Most strings would sound dead after 2-3Month anyway (mine usually snap once in 2-6 Weeks)


Originally Posted by ArmotronMan, if they last as long as he says he does i might try a set... Im currently using 12-54 Just Strings bulk pack strings and they are destroyed in 2-3 days. Tell me how they are will ya??

btw: the links not working for me...
Try switching to d'addario or DR. I find that d'addarios are a bit harsh feeling and not as good for bends as Ernie Balls, but Ernie Balls break much sooner - even within hours of putting them on. At least, with 12's. Lighter sizes things seem to be reversed. DR seems to provide the best of both worlds and I'm going to go back to them with my next box. They feel rounder like Ernie Balls, but they last lonegr.

Tone isn't something I can talk about when it comes to guitar strings. I haven't done side by side comparisons.

I've been a hardcore DR Pure Blues guy for a couple of years now, but my interest is piqued here.
What is the exact brand name/model? Is there an official website? Are the handmade?

Pure Blues here go for about $8/set here in NYC, so I don't think 8.50 is bad, especially if they're superior.


Originally Posted by TwilightOdysseyWhat is the exact brand name/model? Is there an official website? Are the handmade?

Dean is still ramping up production. They're called Snake Oil Strings by folks but who knows if that name will hold up when things go to full production. Last I heard, Dean was still using old labels from his days with Scalar.
There's no website. Right now it's strictly word of mouth/keyboard. You can get his contact info here.
I don't think they're handmade. As I understand it, the secret is in special alloys in the cores and winds.

I don't think Dean would mind me posting his e-mail. Here it is.

LeoMuser (@) aol.com

Right now there are 2 types of strings that he outlined in my original post. Vintage and Rock. Vintage is a little smoother, Rock a little brighter, but not overly bright. The acoustic strings also sound interesting. I'll order some once they come out with 11's.

I bought 5 sets of the vintage just to try out. I'll most likely try a set or two of the Rocks just to see the difference. E-mail Dean and he will get right back to you. I literally sent him an e-mail, had a response back in 10 minutes, and had completed my order in under 30. Not bad for a guy who has no website.

I'm always up for new stuff that will help me sound better than I am!!

Tell you guys what. I should have the strings in the next day or so. I'll try to do a couple of riffs recorded using a set of my standard strings (new) and then a set of the Snake Oils on the same guitar. My new Lester will be here Thursday, so maybe I;ll use that.

The clips will just be quick and dirty thru my Marshall. Couple of clean, couple of dirty. Sounds like fun?


Originally Posted by Jeff_HTell you guys what. I should have the strings in the next day or so. I'll try to do a couple of riffs recorded using a set of my standard strings (new) and then a set of the Snake Oils on the same guitar. My new Lester will be here Thursday, so maybe I;ll use that.

The clips will just be quick and dirty thru my Marshall. Couple of clean, couple of dirty. Sounds like fun?

Definitely! I love clips!!!!

I'd like to try some strings as well... The problem with living in Portugal is that experimenting with things like that is hard, as I can't just walk into any store and get what I want...


Originally Posted by theboatcandreamTry switching to d'addario or DR. I find that d'addarios are a bit harsh feeling and not as good for bends as Ernie Balls, but Ernie Balls break much sooner - even within hours of putting them on. At least, with 12's. Lighter sizes things seem to be reversed. DR seems to provide the best of both worlds and I'm going to go back to them with my next box. They feel rounder like Ernie Balls, but they last lonegr.

Tone isn't something I can talk about when it comes to guitar strings. I haven't done side by side comparisons.

Nah, Ive tried D'addarios, Ernie Ball, DR, etc... all completely black, dead, or broken depending on the gauge (11 or 12 e) in 1-3 days ( if you didnt notice, i play, alot. )