I’ll defer to Eric on this one. I did try the light gauge at one time and I liked them. I’m partial to the mediums however as I like a little more string under my fingers.
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Double Bass Zyex strings?
- Thread starter Francois Blais
- Start date
I'm re-visiting my zyex lights I bought for my db about 6 to 8 years ago. I took them off within the week back then because the E was totally gutless and the A was ridiculously bright. D & G were great. I also had developed a shoulder injury around then so soon started using solo strings and have since then. I just put these zyex lights on my Eminence EUB and of course the E and A are just as bad as on my db. Both these basses have had lots of different strings on them and every time (except with zyex) they've been even across the strings. I can't believe they were put on the market like that.
The mediums are pretty well balanced on my bass; I don’t notice the E being particularly weak.
prior to finding tempera, i really liked zyex, but found myself switching back to spirocore light or evah pirazzi for better bow response. zyex was marketed as a hybrid string, and really - at least for me - did not respond quite as well under the bow as the other options. the E string also tended to be weak.
they had a really nice jazz sound for what they were, though. they are still on my hybrid bass that i almost never play.
they had a really nice jazz sound for what they were, though. they are still on my hybrid bass that i almost never play.
Greg Clinkingbeard
Commercial User
I am most content with Spirocores but I have restored a 100 year old German flatback, and it wants just a bit darker string on top. The 3885 3/4 weich sound and feel great, but are a bit sterile and thin on this particular bass.
My experience with Zyex began several years ago when I bought a medium set. I put them on and took them off after a few days. Yea, I hated them. A customer renting a bass for a jazz gig asked for Zyex lights so I put a set on for him, but even after two weeks I didn’t see the appeal. However, I decided to put the G and D on my flatback and immediately loved them. They produce just a hair more volume than the Spirocores but have a similar tone, with a bit more weight to the note. The bass sounds more open, with a bit more nuance. The pizz and bow response are very good. As a long time user of the Oliv G I am very happy with the Zyex G. It has a similar feel but bows much better.
My experience with Zyex began several years ago when I bought a medium set. I put them on and took them off after a few days. Yea, I hated them. A customer renting a bass for a jazz gig asked for Zyex lights so I put a set on for him, but even after two weeks I didn’t see the appeal. However, I decided to put the G and D on my flatback and immediately loved them. They produce just a hair more volume than the Spirocores but have a similar tone, with a bit more weight to the note. The bass sounds more open, with a bit more nuance. The pizz and bow response are very good. As a long time user of the Oliv G I am very happy with the Zyex G. It has a similar feel but bows much better.
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I'm currently really enjoy the Innovation Supersilvers, in my case with a Spirocore E. I do find that their dynamic range seems a bit squashed, though, and the overall effect is that it makes my bass lines seem "bouncy" in recordings with my big band. Maybe that corresponds to what @Francois Blais noted about them not seeming alive enough.
I have tried the (light gauge) Zyex strings and genuinely didn't enjoy the tone on my LaScala New Standard hybrid. They came off rather quickly.
Greg Clinkingbeard
Commercial User
Greg Clinkingbeard
Commercial User
If we are being honest, we all suck. The key is to suck less and less daily, until the end. Then it won’t matter.I’ve been sounding bad longer than that!
I have the lights on my bass, and yes they sound like a banjo at an Ozark hoedown at first, but I just kept playing them and at the 2 week mark, they settled in nicely, and my bass has a warm, growly fat attack and my E sounds great. The Dark Gift is different for us all.... (credit Tom Cruise, who didn't even know he was in that vampire movie for 3 months...)
