Bit the bullet and ordered new strings

[TheyCallMeVolume]

I've only got the picks from S&B. I'm quite disappointed. The R Cocco's certainly look interesting!

[Plenum n Heather]

Just fitted the R Cocco's onto my Strat...

[Plenum n Heather]

I put about 3 hours of play on the Strat last night, acoustic and amplified, with the R Cocco strings.

I am happy to report that despite the marketing hype, these strings really do deliver. Are they the 'finest handmade strings'? Well, they are certainly the best strings I have ever purchased -- they hold pitch without any serious work (tuning was a breeze), the tension feels great and consistent everywhere on the neck, and the strings themselves have a great feel to them.

Tonally, they are very neutral; not noticeably dark nor bright.

If I made a recording of the Strat using DRs an then the R Cocco's, would anyone hear a difference? Probably not, but I can feel the difference, and that's worth something to me.

Now to see how long they live/hold this feeling and tone!

[Plenum n Heather]

It's not very often that a new set of strings inspires a new song!

https://soundcloud.com/bena/an-epical-journey-pt3

[Plenum n Heather]

UPDATE:

The Pyramid strings were a COMPLETE FAIL on the tele!

Details: I pulled off the current temporary set of Tite Fits that were on the tele. Put on the Pyramids. The .026/4th string was TOTALLY DEAD. It sounded like someone was holding their hand over the string -- just dead and lifeless, with no sustain. It sounded like a standup bass string. I was perplexed.

After checking the string's travel, etc, and loosening, reseating it a few times, I gave up and put on a brand new .026 from the other set. This string was not dead, but I had MAJOR issues with it -- first, it would not intonate AT ALL. It was going sharp every time I fretted above the 5th fret and would not play in tune with the other strings, even after I verified that the string was otherwise in tune when open.

Frustrated, I slackened the strings and went to bed. Got up this morning and first thing I did was do a whole new setup on the guitar from scratch. Same issue with the .026. After doing some research online, I came to the conclusion that either a) there was something wrong with the nut, b) there was something wrong with the saddle, or b) the string was causing some sort of issue.

So -- I removed the Pyramids from the tele, rechecked neck relief, fret height, etc etc.

Put on the second set of R Cocco's ...  BINGO. String tuned up perfectly, no intonation issues at all, no buzzing, nothing.

WTH is THAT about??

I am going to try the Pyramids on a shorter scale guitar to see if it just doesn't like the Fender scale length, but I do not have high hopes.

However, since this was a big experiment anyway, I can say that the R Cocco strings are a big win, though the Pyramids were a complete /fail. :(

[FernandoDuarte]

Interesting!!! How much is the difference in price of a R Cocco from a EB or D'Addario?

[Plenum n Heather]

Don't know, but it's about 25% more than DRs.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Interesting observations. I've never had a problem like that with the Pyramids, or really any string. Glad you like the Cocco's though, I'll have to try them out.

[Slartibartfarst42]

Interesting review, thanks. I also use DR strings; Tite Fits in my PRS and High Beams in my Jackson. They're very good strings so at the moment I have no plans to change, especially not at a 25% premium, though I confess those Cocco's sound very good indeed  :D

[Plenum n Heather]

I had a set of Tit Fits on my Tele as a stopgap measure until the Coccos got in; it was like barbed wire! :)

[Crunch]

While you're trying on new strings, try a set of Circle Ks before you settle in. I never knew strings could be so good.