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I have never found them to have a weird honk in the midrange but I love their strong mids. I love having lots of midrange in my tone. I use DR DDT in .40 based on Jeff Berlin's recommendation and they are just fabulous.
I totally get differing opinions about a particular string set: DRs or any other. I own a variety of basses from vintage-sounding passive to modern active, variety of pickup brands and types. Bottom line: I haven't found a string set that works with all my basses. Same's true for pickups. Just one example: I discovered that the EMG PJ set sounded harsh in one of my basses, but awesome in another.
Since we're talking Zon: it's my newest bass, haven't settled on a set yet. Mostly because I've only tried two sets: the factory-installed ones, and DR Lo Rider Steels which are now slightly overdue for a change. Overdue because the headless system is new to me, but the process is still straightforward so I have no real excuse... except that I'm now busy for the holidays, so I'll take care of it next year.
Since we're talking Zon: it's my newest bass, haven't settled on a set yet. Mostly because I've only tried two sets: the factory-installed ones, and DR Lo Rider Steels which are now slightly overdue for a change. Overdue because the headless system is new to me, but the process is still straightforward so I have no real excuse... except that I'm now busy for the holidays, so I'll take care of it next year.
I like this video of this bassist playing a Sonus Custom 519 w/ D'Addario XL strings, he goes thru different techniques with these strings, I really like how D'Addario's sound with a Zon:
Labella's White Nylons sound great on my Legacy Elite (freshly installed Christmas Present). The are lower tension than the Gold White Nylons, though. They feel like a round core .30/.40./.60/.80.100.125 set, where the Gold Whites feel like a stiff round core or flexible hex core .35/.45/.65/.85/.105/.135 set. They regular Whites are much brighter though and have more of the upper mid growl missing from the Gold Whites. They also seem to have a bit more below 50hz. More of a smooth extended airy low end than the punchy woof of the Gold Whites.
Well it seems as if D'Addario XL's are a popular choice. In fact when I spoke to Conner Green of Haken last year he told me that he was using XL's (and surprisingly not NYXL's) on his custom Sonus 6.
He said that he is using a custom gauge, including a tapered B.
He said that he is using a custom gauge, including a tapered B.
The Utrasonic Nickels are no joke if you haven't tried them. I use either those or the DR Lo-Rider Nickels on my Sonus.
I was checking these out on Youtube, I couldn't find anything regarding 6 string but what I heard with people playing 4 and 5 string fretted and fretless basses these strings sound pretty cool, I think I just might check these strings out for the heck of it, thanks.
Bubby Lewis uses these on a bunch of his basses. Check out his videos. They really dont sound any different than a regular string, except there is no metallic fret contact noise or string squeaks. The treble is still there , it is just more like a jazz guitar treble than the brittle "clicky" treble of a regular stainless/nickel round wound.
I am 95% sure these are the white nylons in this video of his. The only strings he uses with red silks are the White Nylons.
Here’s my Zon crew. Have a custom order that is at 18 months.....
I was kinda tempted to get a black/gold bridge. You seem to have been kinda tempted as well!
And that 8-string looks awesome!
Haha, well the wait hasn’t really been that big of a deal (although they probably should stop quoting 8 months....). I haven’t been super happy with the communication and to be honest that’s an understatement. I have a lot of sympathy for the issues they have had but a little communication over the span could’ve eased everything for me. I’m a big zon proponent and this will be my fifth bass of theirs it just hasn’t been my favorite experience although I always wish the team my best. I certainly am less inclined to sink 6k into another one however.
I agree that Joe is a great guy (never met Mark but I’m sure he is swell) and I also agree they are stellar modern basses with fairly exceptional build quality. I don’t mind a long wait as I have plenty of things to keep me busy. I just wish the customer service aspect could be improved as I said these are not cheap instruments. I’m not entitled to special treatment or expect anything out of the ordinary, all I would like is to feel like my business is appreciated enough to let me know over long stretches that there is a bass in progress. Pictures would be really cool but baby steps I suppose. I really REALLY have been a huge fan and promoter of these instruments around the northwest so this is all with due and honest respect.
