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Double Bass New Zyex Strings

#22
some new thought... since I put the Zyex they become better in about a month of use... now sound much better than before, I even kinda like it (with the other unknown E string!) I'm wainting a set of Velvets to come but in the meantime I'm pretty happy with the Zyexs... I think for my bass this type of tension work better than spiros or other normal jazzy strings... i agree with ZuluFunk, they aren't comparable with gut sounds..... but Fran Dresher is nice too :)
 
#23
A couple updates about using the Zyex for several months. We played an outdoor party in early June, and from all reports, the bass filled the yard very nicely. I also really enjoyed playing with a slightly larger ensemble (3 guitars, 1 Dobro or guitar, 4 voices, and myself on the SB88), no amps or PA. Quite a few positive comments on the sound (and look of the bass) from both musicians and non-musicians, so I was very pleased.

This weekend, we tried to figure out how to record the UB seriously for the first time. We had several mics: AT4041 to mic the top, AT4050 for the bottom, and a couple of Apex 250 ribbon mics, top and bottom. Much to our surprise, the "cheap" 250 ribbon mic at the TOP position gave us a HUGE, balanced sound, with a wonderful, full low-end that we do not hear acoustically in the room. I'll try to post a short clip soon, if you don't mind a bit of sloppiness from lack of practice due to travel.
 
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#24
I've been using Zyex Lights since November. I decided to give them a try after hearing a recording of Ed Fuqua and digging his sound. They are really working great for me so far, both arco and pizz. Fat, punchy, with clarity and growl and very easy to get a solid, singing sound with the bow. They probably come closest for me to Evah Weichs as hybrid strings, but are less dark which seems to bring out more "personality" in the sound, as with Spiros. There have been times when they have felt too loose, but raising the bridge a bit brought them back to a feel I can work with. These strings are also easy on the hands which I appreciate.

So, after 2.5 months, they are winners for me!
 
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#25
Another Xyex/Shen update. Over the fall and winter, the sound of my bass started to change for the worse, with buzzing, the D even louder than before, and a weaker low-end. After putting it off for far too long, I finally bit the bullet and took it into Heinl Music in Toronto for a setup. Troy looked it over, and did his magic: dressed the fingerboard to correct a buzz on the A string, loosened the endpin (it was sticking), raised the nut and action a bit, and the biggy, moved the soundpost. What a difference! The notes are now much more even, no booming D string, more clarity, more volume, more low end, MORE FUN! Played a ton of music with friends this past weekend, and just loved it. I still really like these strings, and may change to the mediums when the time comes.
 
#26
byrdzeye said:
Another Xyex/Shen update. Over the fall and winter, the sound of my bass started to change for the worse, with buzzing, the D even louder than before, and a weaker low-end. After putting it off for far too long, I finally bit the bullet and took it into Heinl Music in Toronto for a setup. Troy looked it over, and did his magic: dressed the fingerboard to correct a buzz on the A string, loosened the endpin (it was sticking), raised the nut and action a bit, and the biggy, moved the soundpost. What a difference! The notes are now much more even, no booming D string, more clarity, more volume, more low end, MORE FUN! Played a ton of music with friends this past weekend, and just loved it. I still really like these strings, and may change to the mediums when the time comes.
Click to expand...

byrdzeye: Not too long ago I took my bass into Heinl's for a new bridge, soundpost and fingerboard dressing.
Same reaction as you when I picked it up. So much easier to play and it sounded much better. Worth every penny.:hyper:
 

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