bluesmode - Posted - 02/20/2018:  21:40:58

I was looking to get a bit more volume and projection out of my 'quieter than average' Louis Lowendall made in Berlin 1893, and I got it with the 'new and improved' Zyex Composite, while maintaining the required warmth and focus. I tried both the Silver D and Aluminum D. I think the Silver D may be better for more Fiddles, but the Silver was too much for this fiddle, and I liked the Aluminum better. The Silver is thicker, and more tension. 10.6 lbs vs 10.5 lbs for the Aluminum which is smaller diameter. The Silver just too heavy for me and this fiddle.

The Zyex E is no good imo, tried a few others and the Evah Gold (steel) was by far the best. It's warm, powerful, thicker than average....so now I've got a decently strong E string. I think these Zyex will be keepers.

I use this German for Jamming with a few acoustic guitars. I have a China that I use for busking, which I think sounds great. Way better than the $1250.00 that I paid for it. I've got that strung with Evah Gold.

anyone else using Zyex?

fujers - Posted - 02/20/2018:  22:05:38

Man you do like your strings don't you. Me I just use Piece strings and ain't got no worry in the world....they are even. Jerry

Edited by - fujers on 02/20/2018 22:08:33

bluesmode - Posted - 02/21/2018:  04:52:06

I like them when they work. I don't like them when I blow $$ on ones that don't work.

but you get a great sound from your Prims, for sure.

DougD - Posted - 02/21/2018:  05:21:56

Jerry has switched from Prim to John Pearse strings, probably the "fiddle" ones, because their violin strings are perlon.
Interesting that you like Zyex. They're not very popular around here - my luthier really dislikes them. Interesting too that Zyex is actually the name of the core material, not just the string.

RobBob - Posted - 02/21/2018:  06:33:21

Nothing new about Zyex. The late Joe Dobbs turned Bobby Taylor and myself and others on to them back in the late 1990's at a festival in Kentucky. Don't really care for them.

PrairieFiddler - Posted - 02/21/2018:  08:45:04

I've used the new Zyexs before, not bad. They came standard on a fiddle I got from a good shop. They put them on a lot of fiddles. To me they seemed like one of the "all-arounder" synthetics like Dominants or tonicas. Not too warm, not bright, not quite but not too loud. I like em all, but it's good to have variety since a certain one is bound to be better on a certain fiddle.

PrairieFiddler - Posted - 02/21/2018:  08:50:25

Now another fiddle came with Vision strings (not Solo, or Titanium, just "Vision")... man those'll make a fiddle bark. They had a really nice sort of depth but also crispness. They weren't harsh but they weren't warm either. This fiddle was already the loudest and sort of harshest fiddle I've had so I changed them for Dominants. Kinda wanted to hear the Visions again though...

bluesmode - Posted - 02/21/2018:  10:57:48

DougD: thanks for letting me know about Jerry's switch. Also interesting to know about Zyex being the name of the core material. as per the advertising hype, they've changed the package and have a composite core now. From what I remember about the 'old' Zyex, the new ones are better. for one thing, they're not as bouncy as the old ones, and seem to have a smoother, more focused sound.



RobBob: understandable if you don't care for them. it's not so much that I really like them, but the fiddle does. I wouldn't have them on my other acoustic fiddle or my barcus berry. one of my very favorite strings are Peter Infeld (PI), but none of my fiddles like them.



Prairie Fiddler: I know exactly what you mean with Vision. good description. I've had all four, Vision, Vision Solo, Vision titanium Solo, and Vision Orchestra. I really like the the Vision Solo G. I ran a set of Vision titanium Solo on a Simon Jozsef I had a few years back, used 'em for quite a while and liked 'em a lot. I had trouble deciding which I liked better on the Simon Jozsef, the Vision titanium solo's or the Peter Infeld PI's

Edited by - bluesmode on 02/21/2018 11:05:33

fujers - Posted - 02/21/2018:  11:13:21

If you like Prim may I suggest Pierce strings. They are almost alike and I like the fell of Pierce better than Prim and they cost less money. But of course it's your fiddle not mine and you'll have to figure out whats right for your fiddle. Prim on my fiddle have a nice presence and a nice even tone... I don't like the unevenness you may get from some strings. Good luck in your adventure and hopefully it's not a long and costly journey. Jerry

Mojohand40 - Posted - 02/21/2018:  13:28:03

I put Zyex on my Electric Solid body, only because I broke a string, and had a pack sitting around. I ended up liking them so much I ordered a set and put on my acoustic Gliga.
My Gliga is pretty loud with Prims or Helicores. I found that after about a week or so, the Zyex's sound really good on the Gliga. Maybe I just got used to them, or they broke in..don't know for sure.
I made the switch to synthetic core awhile back and really prefer them now. I never cross tune anymore, so it's not an issue. (Before when I would cross tune, the synthetic cores never lasted or stayed in tune as well as steel).
I'm curious about the "new and Improved" Zyex...I just use the D'addario Medium tensions, DZ310A. (They have an Aluminum D).
Is that what you are using? I haven't felt like I need to change out the E string..now I'm wondering...hmmmm...
Anyway, yep, I use/like Zyex.

illinoisfiddler - Posted - 02/21/2018:  18:28:42

Now you guys are talking my language! All my amplified stage fiddles have Thomastik Vision, love them, and I have one really good fiddle with Infeld PI and that what sounds amazing! But the Vision are warm, fast and super responsive, and were louder than Helicore mediums on my fiddles. Fuller, too!

quote:

---

Originally posted by bluesmode

DougD: thanks for letting me know about Jerry's switch. Also interesting to know about Zyex being the name of the core material. as per the advertising hype, they've changed the package and have a composite core now. From what I remember about the 'old' Zyex, the new ones are better. for one thing, they're not as bouncy as the old ones, and seem to have a smoother, more focused sound.



RobBob: understandable if you don't care for them. it's not so much that I really like them, but the fiddle does. I wouldn't have them on my other acoustic fiddle or my barcus berry. one of my very favorite strings are Peter Infeld (PI), but none of my fiddles like them.



Prairie Fiddler: I know exactly what you mean with Vision. good description. I've had all four, Vision, Vision Solo, Vision titanium Solo, and Vision Orchestra. I really like the the Vision Solo G. I ran a set of Vision titanium Solo on a Simon Jozsef I had a few years back, used 'em for quite a while and liked 'em a lot. I had trouble deciding which I liked better on the Simon Jozsef, the Vision titanium solo's or the Peter Infeld PI's

---

bluesmode - Posted - 02/21/2018:  18:29:12

Mojohand40 : the code number with the aluminum D on the 'new' pack is DZ313A medium tension. the new pack has ZYEX in straight letters with a rectangle around the name. The old pack has Zyex in calligraphy style letters. I'm thinking that maybe the old ones did not offer the silver D option.

bluesmode - Posted - 02/22/2018:  04:50:21

I think that code number DZ313A was just for the aluminum D, but the code number for the pack is the same DZ310A

Mojohand40 - Posted - 02/22/2018:  07:20:27

quote:

---

Originally posted by bluesmode

I think that code number DZ313A was just for the aluminum D, but the code number for the pack is the same DZ310A

---

I think you are right.  I'm pretty sure I'm using the same Zyex.  I do like them, however, I don't think they last as long as others (certainly not longer then Prims do! Those suckers never give up).   Fortunately the Zyex sets aren't that expensive.

I'm going to try a new e string next time I change the set.  I don't find the e string that comes wth the set too "harsh" or anything, it's just "so so".  I'm just curious if I can cheat out a tiny bit better tone.  

bluesmode - Posted - 02/23/2018:  22:11:52

quote:

---

Originally posted by illinoisfiddler

>I have one really good fiddle with Infeld PI and that what sounds amazing! 

---

 

---

@illinoisfiddler: I've been thinking about this. As previously mentioned, the PI's are one of my favorite strings, Can you tell me more about the fiddle they are on? maker - warm, medium, bright - focused or rich - and anything else.

Thanks.

illinoisfiddler - Posted - 02/23/2018:  22:21:04

I have the Infeld PI on a Heinrich Gill 68 violin with a one piece back that has a very rich and warm sound, but yet still focused and clear in the top end without being overbearing--something I have sought for years but not found, until now. I am not sure the PI are my favorite string, but I love the sound of this violin so much I don't want to mess with it too much. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

I would like to try some other strings on this violin at some point. My current favs are Evah Pirazzi with gold E and Vision. On occasion I have also liked Obbligato strings, although I don't think this particular fiddle needs that much warmth--it already has it.

quote:

---

Originally posted by bluesmode

quote:

---

Originally posted by illinoisfiddler

>I have one really good fiddle with Infeld PI and that what sounds amazing! 

---

 

---

@illinoisfiddler: I've been thinking about this. As previously mentioned, the PI's are one of my favorite strings, Can you tell me more about the fiddle they are on? maker - warm, medium, bright - focused or rich - and anything else.

Thanks.

---

bluesmode - Posted - 02/24/2018:  00:12:29

Mojohand40 : after playing these Zyex for a few more days in a few more places, I've decided to go back to what I had on before, which is a Violino G, Evah Gold D, Evah Gold A, regular Evah E.

I can mail the Zyex to you for free. Wouldn't be the first time I've done this, a coupla years ago I sent fujers a set of Prims that I wasn't going to use.

Is there a personal message option on FH? send me your mailing address.

there is both the silver and aluminum D.

bluesmode - Posted - 02/24/2018:  00:39:21

quote:

---

Originally posted by illinoisfiddler

I have the Infeld PI on a Heinrich Gill 68 violin with a one piece back that has a very rich and warm sound, but yet still focused and clear in the top end without being overbearing--something I have sought for years but not found, until now. I am not sure the PI are my favorite string, but I love the sound of this violin so much I don't want to mess with it too much. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

I would like to try some other strings on this violin at some point. My current favs are Evah Pirazzi with gold E and Vision. On occasion I have also liked Obbligato strings, although I don't think this particular fiddle needs that much warmth--it already has it.

 

quote:

---

Originally posted by bluesmode

quote:

---

Originally posted by illinoisfiddler

>I have one really good fiddle with Infeld PI and that what sounds amazing! 

---

 

---

@illinoisfiddler: I've been thinking about this. As previously mentioned, the PI's are one of my favorite strings, Can you tell me more about the fiddle they are on? maker - warm, medium, bright - focused or rich - and anything else.

Thanks.

---

 

---

Thanks for the reply. I'm using 2 PI's on my barcus berry, the G & D along with a regular Evah A and an Evah Gold (stainless steel) E. this mix works well with my Mark bass Combo II amp.

The Heinrich sounds like it would be a very nice violin. Congratulations. from your description, I agree with your assessment of obligato's. Evah's might work, or maybe even Evah Gold. for the G string, I'd recommend the Evah Gold (silver) over the Evah Gold (gold)....and it wouldn't cost you a fortune to try Visions.

But you said it.... 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'. You might not find a better string for the Heinrich than the PI's. 

Edited by - bluesmode on 02/24/2018 00:42:13

bluesmode - Posted - 02/24/2018:  01:51:11

.... doggonit, I think it would be better if FH let you edit your post for a longer period of time.

just one more thing I'd like to know. the PI's were on the fiddle when you got it, yes? do you know who put them on, a dealer or privately? could be wrong, but I'm thinking that it would be less likely that a dealer would string a 'for sale' violin with PI's, prolly something more common like Dominants or Evah's.

if it was the owner, maybe it went thru a few other sets until it finally arrived at the PI's.

illinoisfiddler - Posted - 02/24/2018:  13:39:05

Dave--not sure if it had anything on it before I got it. Very possible the PIs were put on at the dealer, Metzler Violins in Los Angeles. I bought this violin over the internet/phone, and really love it. I don't use it for bar gigs, though, and it is acoustic only. I have a Gill 58 that has a Baggs bridge and that is my main gigging fiddle. It has Vision strings and also sounds very nice both acoustic and electric.

quote:

---

Originally posted by bluesmode

.... doggonit, I think it would be better if FH let you edit your post for a longer period of time.



just one more thing I'd like to know. the PI's were on the fiddle when you got it, yes? do you know who put them on, a dealer or privately? could be wrong, but I'm thinking that it would be less likely that a dealer would string a 'for sale' violin with PI's, prolly something more common like Dominants or Evah's.



if it was the owner, maybe it went thru a few other sets until it finally arrived at the PI's.

---

fujers - Posted - 02/24/2018:  21:27:43

See... how can you tell if a certain type of string that others say fits there fiddle and will work on yours. Dave sent me a set of Prim because they don't work on his fiddle and I love them. Evah sound so thin on my fiddle because I like a big fat tone , Dominant fill like rubber bands nice tone but to rubbery. You just can't trust what others say about strings..you have to find out for your self. Jerry

Edited by - fujers on 02/24/2018 21:29:09

illinoisfiddler - Posted - 02/25/2018:  00:03:23

True that, Jerry.

Bluesm what Barcus fiddle do you have? I had a Barcus Berry fiddle a while back that I liked. I had upgraded from a cheap solid-body electric, and the upgrade was significant. However, the Barcus was about a student-level instrument that was not particularly responsive, although it did work very well for amplified. I like my current setup a lot better, but of course it is considerably more money.

fujers - Posted - 02/25/2018:  12:08:15

I have 3 fiddles and there all different. My main fiddle is a 1800's Check fiddle. Now this one I have an old Barcus Berry bridge PU and it's been on my fiddle for about 35 years and it has a really nice tone. Second I have a 5 string I use on recordings well not all recordings but some it

s an acoustic electric by Gliga . Third I got me a cheap electric fiddle mostly for if I don't want to be heard..and I had a lot of work to do on it..the bridge was way to high and had shave it down..I mean way down.. and some other adjustments. But to listen to it..it sounds like a fiddle or violin and that's all I want.

You know when you record something and you want to twin or 3 fiddles or 4. You want to play a different fiddle on the twin part because it has a different tone a different quality to one you just played. Thats were I play my 5 strings because it has a different quality to it and it sounds different 



But I work on my own fiddles always looking for that perfect tone..if there is one. My fiddles to me sound about as good as you can get them. But still I look for that perfect tone...you don't need a lot of fiddles to make noise on it just a couple is all I use...just have to find ones that suit you.  So I'm down to three. Jerry

Edited by - fujers on 02/25/2018 12:26:02

bluesmode - Posted - 02/25/2018:  12:35:12

quote:

---

Originally posted by fujers

See... how can you tell if a certain type of string that others say fits there fiddle and will work on yours. Dave sent me a set of Prim because they don't work on his fiddle and I love them. Evah sound so thin on my fiddle because I like a big fat tone , Dominant fill like rubber bands nice tone but to rubbery. You just can't trust what others say about strings..you have to find out for your self. Jerry

---

I agree with you 100%. Buy 'em and try 'em is my motto. but even so, it's still fun to yak about them. and sometimes you can get steered in the right direction, or avoid going in the wrong direction. One could argue that different strings have the same characteristics no matter what fiddle they are on. it's just if they work on a particular fiddle or not, just as you have said. I'm just saying that if you know your fiddle's characteristics, and the string characteristics, it may help you to find strings that work better or the best.

admittedly, I made a mistake with Zyex. I thought the 'description' of warmth and volume would work on my German, but...it just didn't. that's why I'd like to give them away to some one who will use them, or even wants to try them. 

Edited by - bluesmode on 02/25/2018 12:46:21

bluesmode - Posted - 02/25/2018:  13:05:50

quote:

---

Originally posted by illinoisfiddler

True that, Jerry.



Bluesm what Barcus fiddle do you have? I had a Barcus Berry fiddle a while back that I liked. I had upgraded from a cheap solid-body electric, and the upgrade was significant. However, the Barcus was about a student-level instrument that was not particularly responsive, although it did work very well for amplified. I like my current setup a lot better, but of course it is considerably more money.

---

I got my bb about 20 years ago. it's called a Chromatic AE, made in Romania. it's got that metallic car paint type of finish. the dominant color is a vibrant shade of purple, but depending on the viewed angle and light, it will change quite significantly to copper, and some times to some pale shade of green. The action is fairly low and it plays fast and easy. unplugged it sounds quite thin, more so than a few other bb's I've played. but I'm convinced that the unplugged thin-ness translates into a focused clear sound when amplified. no boomy overtones jumping around all over the place. Close to a 'natural' violin sound.

was at a blues bar jam yesterday and got some compliments for my sound with the bb and my little Boss ME 20 pedal into my Mark Bass Combo II amp.

Edited by - bluesmode on 02/25/2018 13:12:51

fujers - Posted - 02/25/2018:  13:11:01

Well Im always looking for tone and some strings work and some don't...I'll take em if you're going to give them away. No big deal if you gave them away already. Jerry

Dave whats chromatic A/E mean never heard of that

Edited by - fujers on 02/25/2018 13:12:46

illinoisfiddler - Posted - 02/25/2018:  15:20:19

Jerry--that is a purpose-built, relatively affordable Barcus Berry acoustic/electric violin from some years back. I had a Barcus Berry VN-100 that was made in Australia that I liked for a long time, but eventually upgraded to a German acoustic violin with an L.R. Baggs bridge and have never looked back. I find the string-to-string balance on the Baggs very good, and the output is higher than the Barcus Berry violins with a volume control, since that cuts down the output a little.

bluesmode - Posted - 02/25/2018:  19:33:49

Thanks, illinois. I think at one time I might of known that A/E stood for acoustic/electric, but I had completely forgotten about it. This one is certainly not much of an acoustic. as for the chromatic part...just a marketing gimmick....I can't see anything more chromatic on it than any other fiddle.



a lady came up to me at a bar jam a while ago and said 'does that violin change color, wow that's really cool yada yada. I told my jam partner about that and she said it's a 'chic magnet' haha.



anyways...sure Jerry, you can have the strings. I'd maybe wait until your current strings wear out and then try 'em, but it's up to you. but let me know if they work on your fiddle. there are 2 D's, a silver and an aluminum. They make quite a difference in the sound and the way the set plays.



I don't have your mailing address anymore...please send.

Edited by - bluesmode on 02/25/2018 19:36:54

fujers - Posted - 02/25/2018:  19:47:43

Ok Dave I will. I'd be better off giving you my address now because I'm soon to forget we ever had this conversation.haha and I'm not kidding..getting old.

I'll let you know what I think about the strings..not to change anyone's opinion of them tho. But I will. Check you private email. Jerry

fujers - Posted - 02/25/2018:  19:50:26

Hey Dave, Private email ain't working. We'll just wait I'm in no hurry..If I remember. Jerry

illinoisfiddler - Posted - 02/25/2018:  20:10:39

Oh, and when I had my Barcus Berry fiddle, I think I had Jargar blue strings on it--the only steel strings I played for any length of time.

fujers - Posted - 02/25/2018:  20:20:04

Steve, Like I said I have an old Barcus on my first fiddle and it works for me just fine and I get a nice balanced tone. Do you use a pre amp to go between your fiddle and your amp. I think you already know this but the preamp boost your signal greatly..so instead you sounding blah..it gives you a nice natural fiddle sound..at least it does for me. I don't use any other effects tho..because it takes away from the natural sound of the fiddle. I've heard of story's on the very website of people playing with a great many effects on there instrument..like I plug my fiddle into x and then it goes to y and from y it goes to j. Now where does the fiddle come in..now what I mean. Me I look for the natural sound and as natural as I can get it. It does no good to cover up what the fiddle actually sounds like..it destroys it. But that's my take on it the subject. But you know what..fiddlers are fiddlers and they'll be what they are and you can't change that. Jerry

fujers - Posted - 02/25/2018:  20:32:31

I use only steel strings because they project more than other strings do and they sound good to me. Jargar can never hold up to what Prim or other steel string do. I guess because they weren't made for the challenge we face in an electric band. I've tried a many of string in my time and I like a bold natural sound and steel gives that to me. Now not to say I don't like other strings because I do. I use different strings for different things..and I use different string on my 5 stringer. Jerry

dsreiner - Posted - 02/27/2018:  08:09:28

My two cents...

I grew up playing Dominants and later switched to D'Addario Helicores and Vision Solo Titanium, both of which I like a lot for their tone and playability on my George Craske (English) fiddle.

Full disclosure: D'Addario is a sponsor of my Fiddle Hell event, where we give away around 60 sets of their strings each year.

Dave

fujers - Posted - 02/27/2018:  10:12:45

Dave, What fiddlers did you have at your show this year I'll bet some good ones. Did your son play..I like the way he plays..actually I like the way you both play. Jerry

dsreiner - Posted - 02/28/2018:  14:53:32

quote:

---

Originally posted by fujers

Dave, What fiddlers did you have at your show this year I'll bet some good ones. Did your son play..I like the way he plays..actually I like the way you both play. Jerry

---

Hi Jerry,

A little off the strings topic, but our 2017 Fiddle Hell concert had these players: Dave Reiner; Alan Kaufman / Ken Perlman; Rose Clancy; Andrea Beaton; Pete Sutherland; Gretchen Koehler / Rebecca Koehler; Don Roy; Rob Flax; Frank Ferrel; Lissa Schneckenburger; Duncan Wickel / Flynn Cohen; Ellen Carlson; Andy Reiner / Joy Adams; Rob Thomas; Tom Morley; Ron Grosslein / Van Kaynor / Eric Eid-Reiner; Judy Hyman; Éric Favreau; Abby Newton; Darol Anger; Bruce Molsky / Stash Wyslouch / Allison De Groot.

During the concert, Andy proposed to Joy and vice versa (see it here after they play a tune together).

Best,

Dave

fujers - Posted - 02/28/2018:  15:17:11

Very nice, Is that a cello she plays. What's that called where you bow harmonic's I just call it ghosting. Jerry

illinoisfiddler - Posted - 02/28/2018:  17:54:46

Jerry, Jargar ARE steel strings kind of like Helicore, and yes they can hold up to similar strings. But it doesn't matter to me since I prefer synthetic. I get more tone and more projection out of them, even over steel. I went back to Helicores for a gig, and was surprised that they were quieter than my Vision strings on my German violin with a Baggs bridge. Went back to synthetic. Plus I can't take the picky tuning of steel.

quote:

---

Originally posted by fujers

I use only steel strings because they project more than other strings do and they sound good to me. Jargar can never hold up to what Prim or other steel string do. I guess because they weren't made for the challenge we face in an electric band. I've tried a many of string in my time and I like a bold natural sound and steel gives that to me. Now not to say I don't like other strings because I do. I use different strings for different things..and I use different string on my 5 stringer. Jerry

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fujers - Posted - 02/28/2018:  19:32:01

Hey Steve, I guess what ever floats your boat and you use whats right. I used to do a lot of recordings and the exactness of the Prim made it whole lot easier for me to play. But today I don't record that much except for things I record at home. I know we have different fiddles and different fiddles need different strings..it's not one size fits all kind of thing. But I am happy you found the string that fits you the best..because some people never find that. Jerry

fujers - Posted - 02/28/2018:  19:35:14

Sorry forgot. Now I play on John Pierce Fiddle strings. They are about the same as Prims just smoother to the touch

illinoisfiddler - Posted - 03/01/2018:  18:58:03

I do like the way steel strings "resonate" together so I can see how they can be clear to play in tune. However, I still find the synthetic strings to sound "fuller" overall, and easier for me to stay in tune. I guess I am used to that rubber band effect.