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Double Bass D'Addario Zyex

#122
salcott said:
I get the feeling that the Zyex strings are still somewhat in development, so I wouldn't make any assumptions yet; the good things about them are really good; the negative aspects can be fixed, I'm sure.
Click to expand...

If that is true, then D'Addario should be giving away free sets for us to try! They did just that with the Helicores. When my Helicore Pizzicato low E kept breaking they sent me replacements. They finally figured out that they specified a core wire that was too thin, and eventually fixed it. All I got out of it was some free strings, but I'm sure my reports of breakage helped them to realize something was wrong. I wish they'd do the same with Zyex, as they are quite a bit more costly and you can practically get a set of Thomastiks or Pirastros for that price!
 
#123
SeayBass said:
Anybody else find these to die young? When the spring weather came in last month, my Zyex strings (ADG) began to behave very badly and got progressively worse. I had them on since late Novemer or early December, and they came of in late February.
So either 1. the Zyex only live about 4 months, or 2. these are my winter strings, not for use in the spring/summer.

My wife is a violist. She used Zyex and has to change them more frequently than other strings. Anybody have similar experience?

Also wanted to share this- with the Zyex strings on my bass (Hawkes 7/8), I had to move the soundpost a LOT to get it where I liked it. I moved it down (about an INCH) and pointed it at the A string to fix the common A-is-too-loose problem. Eventually I got it right. I used the top 3 zyex medium with spiro med/mittel/orch and with D'Addario hybrid medium with good results.
Since the spring came in, I've put permanents back on, and had to move the post back up to 'starting point' location. FYI
Click to expand...

anybody else?
 
#124
Progris report:

Zyex have been on for approximately 3 weeks now. I'm digging them a lot. The lower strings, which were originally very hard to bow and "live" especially the A string, are now much easier to bow and have a very nice sound. I would describe it as warm with definition, a bit like turning up the low mids on an amplifier.

There's a good low end for when I play orchestral music (they did very well in the Brahms Tragic Overture and German Requiem concert we did last weekend), but with enough definition that I'm happy playing them as I work on Bach's Sonata for Viola da Gamba no.2 in D major. They also performed very well in the two "jazz" gigs I did with the university jazz ensemble. I was very happy with the sound on the recording and coming through the amp.

Are they perfect strings? no. Their wrapping is a bit rough coming from obligatos, and the aforementioned E and A string troubles (the brightness comes from the tungsten winding on the lower strings) gave me some doubts at first, but considering price point and the sound I am going for, these strings are going to stick around for a while, i think.

research shall continue...

eerbrev
 
#125
Played a noamp jazz gig last night-very pleased-I got a good, projecting sound without killing myself. I'm gonna give them a good thrashing for a few more days and try the bow again. eerbrev's comments re arco make me optimistic; hope it pans out.
 
#128
Progris report:

I played my Jury on them on Tuesday. These strings, especially the lower strings which initially had given me so much trouble, have really developed. The sound is very good, and there is a lot of warmth with a good amount of clarity in the low register. They're one of the best strings I've had on my bass. I'll try to get around to posting some sound clips on my bass (classical, sorry pizz guys) later on, maybe on monday.

End Progris report

eerbrev
 
#129
eerbrev, that's great news; I look forward to your arco sound clips. The pizz sound is really working for me-if the arco issue resolves with break in time, that's OK by me. In retrospect, I perhaps should have been more patient with the A on my original set, but I had gigs where I had to bow, and it wouldn't.
 
#130
eerbrev said:
Progris report:

I played my Jury on them on Tuesday. These strings, especially the lower strings which initially had given me so much trouble, have really developed. The sound is very good, and there is a lot of warmth with a good amount of clarity in the low register. They're one of the best strings I've had on my bass. I'll try to get around to posting some sound clips on my bass (classical, sorry pizz guys) later on, maybe on monday.

End Progris report

eerbrev
Click to expand...

I look forward to hearing that!
 
#131
I have not played a set (yet?). But it seems to me that they've gone overboard with a different metal wrap on each string. If they're going to compete with the likes of Obligatos or Evahs, they need to get their consistency sorted out. There's no reason that a good steel wrap (which they do have on one string) can't do what they want it to do on the other strings, improving consistency and response.

Meanwhile...it's time to practice some more on my well-used Spiros.
 
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#132
iiipopes said:
I have not played a set (yet?). But it seems to me that they've gone overboard with a different metal wrap on each string. If they're going to compete with the likes of Obligatos or Evahs, they need to get their consistency sorted out. There's no reason that a good steel wrap (which they do have on one string) can't do what they want it to do on the other strings, improving consistency and response.

Meanwhile...it's time to practice some more on my well-used Spiros.
Click to expand...

I'm sure there's a good reason for this. I'm seriously thinking of giving them a try.
 
#133
iiipopes said:
I have not played a set (yet?). But it seems to me that they've gone overboard with a different metal wrap on each string. If they're going to compete with the likes of Obligatos or Evahs, they need to get their consistency sorted out. There's no reason that a good steel wrap (which they do have on one string) can't do what they want it to do on the other strings, improving consistency and response.

Meanwhile...it's time to practice some more on my well-used Spiros.
Click to expand...

don't obsess about the wrap. soundwise they do match up.
 
#134
What's the verdict on their arco performance? I'm torn about whether or not to put them on my Kolstein or not. I usually use Corelli 370F or TX on that bass because they sound good for arco and jazz/pizz, but I play mostly jazz anyway. I still want good arco out of that bass, as my plywood is a dedicated jazz bass and will keep steel strings (probably Spirocore Weichs or Helicore Pizzicato) on it. I'd love to hear some arco soundclips and opinions.

I don't like Obligatos, and the added sustain and growl of the Zyex catches my attention, and so does the tungsten wrap, which is what I'm used to on the Corellis--very smooth and tight wrap.
 
#135
DaveAceofBass said:
What's the verdict on their arco performance? I'm torn about whether or not to put them on my Kolstein or not. I usually use Corelli 370F or TX on that bass because they sound good for arco and jazz/pizz, but I play mostly jazz anyway. I still want good arco out of that bass, as my plywood is a dedicated jazz bass and will keep steel strings (probably Spirocore Weichs or Helicore Pizzicato) on it. I'd love to hear some arco soundclips and opinions.
Click to expand...

I'll make an effort to put arco clips up on monday or tuesday, but once you get past the break in period of 2-3 weeks the arco is quite nice. I will make the caveat of saying that they're not an easy bowing string like bel cantos (or as we call them around Ottawa, Can Blendos), but they are a very nice SOUNDING arco string. What i'm trying to say is, don't expect them to be the easiest thing to bow, but you will be rewarded by a nice sound (in my opinion at least)

eerbrev
 
#136
eerbrev said:
I'll make an effort to put arco clips up on monday or tuesday, but once you get past the break in period of 2-3 weeks the arco is quite nice. I will make the caveat of saying that they're not an easy bowing string like bel cantos (or as we call them around Ottawa, Can Blendos), but they are a very nice SOUNDING arco string. What i'm trying to say is, don't expect them to be the easiest thing to bow, but you will be rewarded by a nice sound (in my opinion at least)

eerbrev
Click to expand...

So, would you compare the bowability to something like Spirocores?
 
#138
These strings are great...I got given some to trial by D'addario just before Xmas and they haven't been off the bass since.

Fantastic growly sustain for jazz / pizz with a nice thud too.

Good for bowing / orchestral work too.

My only complaint would be (on my bass anyway) is that because they are quite a bright aggressive string they don't sit in the section (least those I've played in) that well. Flip-side though is that you can hear yourself in the section.

But it's a hybrid string so you can't have everything!

I've been through quite a number of different strings and finally I've found a hybrid that will let me pizz and arco equally as well and play jazz / classical too.....

I can't recommend these highly enough....the caveat being....for my bass at least....as all basses are different then all strings are necessarily different. I'm just glad I've finally found some strings I like (the bank account was suffering!).
 
#139
dodgy_ian said:
These strings are great...I got given some to trial by D'addario just before Xmas and they haven't been off the bass since.

Fantastic growly sustain for jazz / pizz with a nice thud too.

Good for bowing / orchestral work too.

My only complaint would be (on my bass anyway) is that because they are quite a bright aggressive string they don't sit in the section (least those I've played in) that well. Flip-side though is that you can hear yourself in the section.

But it's a hybrid string so you can't have everything!

I've been through quite a number of different strings and finally I've found a hybrid that will let me pizz and arco equally as well and play jazz / classical too.....

I can't recommend these highly enough....the caveat being....for my bass at least....as all basses are different then all strings are necessarily different. I'm just glad I've finally found some strings I like (the bank account was suffering!).
Click to expand...

That's a great endorsement. I may have to give them a whirl. Just out of curiosity, have you ever played Corellis? I'm a big fan of them for hybrid use, but would like to know how the Zyex compares.
 
#140
No I haven't tried the Corelli's,

But I did have some of the original D'addario hybrids (Helicores?) for a while (John Pattitucci was using them for a bit I think) but they weren't much good.

Then I also tried spirocores, flexocores and the Velvet animas. Good but not right.

Like I said though I think I've come to the conclusion that both strings and pickups / mics on double basses are ultimately very related to each individual instrument. Unlike electric basses which are pretty uniform in character / sound / output etc double basses are really entirely variable in every way. So you can only really give things a go and see hey? I'm just stoked to have finally found a place where I'm happy. Heck I've even managed to get it to sound good live.

Now to go and work on my intonation...

If you want to hear a sound clip of the bass I can probably send something across?

PM me
 

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