In the 1950s, when electric guitars started to become mainstream brought new requirements for guitar strings - not only did they need to have great tone and longevity, that also needed good magnetic properties to work with magnetic pickups. The requirement led string manufacturers to experiment with different metals and alloys including Monel steel, stainless steel 430, chrome, nickel, and others. These had better magnetic properties than the traditional bronze and brass used in acoustic guitar strings.

Nickel was found to produce a good well-balanced tone and less distortion than other metals - remember, in the 50s and 60s distortion was considered as an un-desirable side-effect and a lot of work was put into both strings and pickups to avoid it. Being a relatively soft metal, Nickel was also easier on frets and caused less fret wear than other metals. Pyramid Strings (Germany) are thought to be the first to offer Nickel strings in around 1954, but due to it's rarity and high cost Nickel didn't start to become mainstream until the late 1950's.

As a result of the Korean and Vietnam Wars the price of Nickel rose dramatically throughout the 50s and 60s, leading string makers to consider alternative approaches. However, the cost of Nickel was not the only driver. Whereas in the 1950s and 1960s players sought a rich clean tone, as the sixties turned to the 70s rock guitarists were turning up the gain and using effects pedals. Nickel-plates steel strings gave more output, a brighter sound and greater tolerance of chains of effects pedals. By now, distortion was a virtue, not something to be avoided! The nickel-plating had little effect on the tone of the strings, but was there mainly to provide better feel on the fingers, reduce fret wear and increase the life of the strings.

Are Pure Nickel Strings better than Nickel Plated?

Whether the reason that Pure Nickel strings went out of fashion was financial or musical, they're now available again in many brands and gauges, often marketed as "vintage" or "Rock'nRoll" sound and costing somewhat more than their more common Nickel-Plated counterparts. They have gained a resurgence not only from guitarists seeking vintage tones, but also other musicians who fall in love with their full, lush tones. As with any strings, the only way to find out if they suit your style is to try a set - why not try it next time you change your strings?

Popular brands of Pure Nickel Strings

Most major guitar string makers have resumed mainstream production of pure nickel strings - here's a few examples:

• D'Addario Pure Nickel
• DR "Pure Blues" (pictured)
• Dean Markley Jimi Hendrix™ Pure Nickel
• Ernie Ball Classic Pure Nickel Slinky range "Rock n Roll"
• Fender Pure Nickel
• Gibson SEG-900ML Pure Nickel Wound Guitar Strings
• Pyramid Pure Nickel Round Wound 6 String
• Rotosound Pn10 Pure Nickels