Double Bass D'Addario Zyex

[AndreasH]

Just put them on today-I got the "Light" gauge. I've been trying to find some strings that won't kill my fingers while I come back from a 3 month layoff. They feel pretty good so far. I agree w/ Adrian re volume and bow feel. I have a Gamut G and D coming and will be interested to see how well they and the Zyex A and E work as a set.

I'm looking forward to hear your report when the Gamuts arrive!

 

[AMJBASS]

IMO the Zyex E is the weakest string of the set. Not sure if I would recommend it as a mix set for Gut, but YMMV. Depends on the bass of course, but the Evah Pirazzi might be a bit better.

 

[AndreasH]

IMO the Zyex E is the weakest string of the set. Not sure if I would recommend it as a mix set for Gut, but YMMV. Depends on the bass of course, but the Evah Pirazzi might be a bit better.

Okay. It was mostly the E-string I was hoping for anyway. Oh well, I guess it's better to save up some money for a new set of Chorda instead

 

[Ben Rolston]

What about the G string (and D) might they be a good match for spiros underneath?

 

[Don Higdon]

(in a really fast voice) "Possible side effects of ZYEX include; nausea, blurred vision, headaches, disorientation, flatulence, prolonged priapism...".

OK, enough with the hard sell. Can I buy these without a prescription?

 

[AMJBASS]

The A D and G sound great on my bass. Loud, clear, but warm. I think with a Spiro E they would be excellent. Do I like them more than EP's? Not sure yet. Nice strings though, and very reasonably priced.

 

[grillmaster]

IMO the Zyex E is the weakest string of the set. Not sure if I would recommend it as a mix set for Gut, but YMMV. Depends on the bass of course, but the Evah Pirazzi might be a bit better.

I got a free Zyex E-string from a player who could not use it because of his Low E Extension. I have been using it for a while mixed in with my Spirocore Mediums. I think it blends volume wise wonderfully. I never feel that the E-string is weak in this config. With the other Zyex strings, I do not know yet.

This string does not lack sustain at all... and definitely bows easier then the Spiro E. I have never played on guts, but feel that it has more of a gut like sound based on old recordings with gut string basses. I am no expert on this, though.

The one thing I like in comparison to the Spiro E, is that doesn't have that overpowering harmonic ring that can mask the fundamental. Other points to note is that it has no "roll" like some of the other synthetics I read about. I think I am going to try the rest of the set.

 

[Ben Rolston]

Last saturday I actually broke my spiro D, so I figured it was a good time to try some new strings. I've got a zyex G and D on the way. I hope their a good match for the spiros, I was getting tired of the spiro G anyway.

 

[pacow]

Hello everybody, this is my first post in TB.

Can anyone compare the Zyex volume to, say, Velvet Garbos (the louder strings I've experienced) or to wathever you consider a loud string set?

 

[AMJBASS]

They are the loudest strings I have had on my plywood(haven't put velvets on it yet). Played a tradional gig tonight and it sounded great. Really big and full with nice bounce to it.

 

[pacow]

I found this at Gollihur's.
I don't know if they are endorsers, sounds like they are. But anyway, if Larry says it...

What are artists saying about the Zyex bass set?

Ira Coleman (Sting, Herbie Hancock, Jessye Norman, Dee Dee Bridgewater): "I am currently very excited about the new Zyex for bass. The strings have the fast response of a gut string with the clarity and sustain of a steel string. They are more elastic than steel core strings and are very smooth. I like the gauge relationship from E to G. Finally the best of both worlds! Pure delight from peg box to tail piece. Thank you D'Addario."

Larry Grenadier (Pat Metheny, John Scofield, Brad Mehldau): "I am very excited to have found these strings! They combine the warmth associated with gut strings with the presence and quickness of metal strings. They sound great bowed as well. I am very thankful that D'Addario has taken the time to address the jazz bass player's unique string needs."

Jim Robertson (DBR, Beaty Brothers): "The Zyex give me the feeling that I am playing gut strings. They still retain the depth and warm qualities that I liked so much in gut strings, but there are not as many inconsistencies in the tone that would tend to be the case with traditional gut strings. They are extremely even, retaining the warmth and depth, but still cutting very well."

 

[martinc]

Which gauge of Zyex is everyone happy with....medium or light?
Thanks.

 

[fretlessspence]

Which gauge of Zyex is everyone happy with....medium or light?
Thanks.

I'll restate because I am interested as well. Which gauge of Zyex is everyone happy with....medium or light?

 

[franzose]

I think you can go with medium tension.

Until then, my bass was strung with Obligatos, which I was happy with, except that even after one year, the G feels somewhat scratchy and harsh under the bow.

Reading about the Zyex and knowing both, Obli and Zyex are synthetic strings meant to emulate guts and to be good at both, pizz and arco, I decided to buy a Zyex G to make a try.

The Zyex G is softer than the Obligato G. But it's as loud, and is a good match soundwise with the rest of the Obli set. Even if it's only one week old, it sounds a tad darker and less scratchy under the bow than the Obli G.

I might buy the rest of the Zyex set, because of the softer feeling compared to the Oblis without loosing volume and a nice sound.

 

[jmmcc]

Does any one have information about the tension of this strings (in kg or lb) ?

 

[Ben Rolston]

So I've had the G and D on for a couple of days now and I like them. They are a nice match for spiro mittels underneath. They're a little fatter sounding, particularly the G, which is really what I wanted. I don't have to work as hard to get a full sound. If they don't die too fast I may be set for a while. Although given the price they go for, I can afford to swap sooner than with other strings.

Seems to me that they're somewhere in between Evahs and Spiros in terms of sound. A good thing for me!

I'm kind of curious about the A and E now....

 

[martinc]

So I've had the G and D on for a couple of days now and I like them. They are a nice match for spiro mittels underneath. They're a little fatter sounding, particularly the G, which is really what I wanted. I don't have to work as hard to get a full sound. If they don't die too fast I may be set for a while. Although given the price they go for, I can afford to swap sooner than with other strings.

Seems to me that they're somewhere in between Evahs and Spiros in terms of sound. A good thing for me!

I'm kind of curious about the A and E now....

Ben: Light or medium?

 

[Tommy el Gato]

So, I'm about to purchase a bass from Nick Lloyd (which I'm enthusiastically looking forward too) and I asked about having it set up with Zyex strings. Because they're super new and he's not really familiar with them, he asked around with other luthiers and came back to me saying they weren't recommended. I didn't catch why that is - I suspect the newness to the market - but I'll be sure to ask when I pick up the bass and report back. I still find this rather curious because of the positive feedback I'm seeing here, but it's not something I'm terribly worried about it since I'm sure I'm still going to walk away with a fantastic set up.

 

[Phil Rowan]

Wonder if Arnold might chime in re: not recommending these strings.

 

[robobass]

Last saturday I actually broke my spiro D, so I figured it was a good time to try some new strings. I've got a zyex G and D on the way. I hope their a good match for the spiros, I was getting tired of the spiro G anyway.

You broke a Spiro? I don't think that's ever happened before. Seriously!

Anyway, I'm about ready to order a set of these ZYX%&* or whatever they are called. They should have chosen a sexier name, but if they do the job...