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Hello everybody!
I have a bit of a situation here! I'm torn between purchasing D'Addario Zyex and Thomastik Precisions. I've seen the Zyex review at fiddlershop.com and I'm intrigued by them! There's just one problem......years ago, I've cursed the name, D'Addario.
You see, I've played Bass Guitar for over 15 years and tried many different styles and brands of strings (...and yes, it was extremely expensive!). When I came across the D'Addario's, I've had nothing but problems. Sure, they sounded great for few days, but after that, they lost sound quality within a week and began to unwind and even break. At first, I thought I just had a bad batch, so I purchased another set/different style and the same thing happened. I eventually went through 4 or 5 sets and finally cursed the D'Addario name. I even scolded the poor sales rep at Guitar Center for recommending them to me again. I eventually found the GHS Bass Boomer's-Medium and fell in love with them.
I just don't want to make another expensive mistake when buying strings! I know that sometimes, companies can manufacture great strings for one instrument, then really crappy ones for another. Maybe Bass Strings aren't D'Addario's forte! I mean, I was inspired when FM demonstrated the Zyex, but I still have a bad taste from past experience.
Another brand that keeps getting recommended to me is the Thomastik Precision's. They are steel core though. I don't really mind the differences between those and synthetic.
Can anybody share with me how the 2 brands compare? I think I'm starting to lean toward synthetic, but I want to hear some more opinions!
Thanks!
EJ
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” ~Benjamin Franklin
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I've had both kinds on two different instruments (v's) and I'm more than happy with the Zyex ones so far. I have Preludes on another violin and I can't say they appear better in any way, in fact they are pretty close to the sound of a typical Chinese steel core wire wound string. Nothing special there. I've had no experience with the Thomastik variety so sorry there.
The Zyex on the other hand, from the day I put them on, stretched and settled for about 3 days, then they got rock solid for tune, I've not had any issues with the string unwinding or anything like that. They sound a 100% better than any other string I've bought. I got the set with the silver E and so far, I'm happy and would by another set in a heartbeat. Of course spending $40 for a set of strings isn't something you take lightly so I guess, violin strings are something the D'A company can do well.
You'll just have to bite the bullet and take your chances. They're cheaper on FM's site (http://www.fiddlershop.com) than anywhere else so you might think about buying from him. I know I looked a lot of places and came back here to get my two sets.
"If you practice with your hands you must practice all day. Practice with your mind and you can accomplish the same amount in minutes." Nathan Milstein
Honorary tenured advisor
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cdennyb said
I have Preludes on another violin and I can't say they appear better in any way, in fact they are pretty close to the sound of a typical Chinese steel core wire wound string. Nothing special there.
"It can sing like a bird, it can cry like a human being, it can be very angry, it can be all that humans are" Maxim Vengerov
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I bought Pro Arté from FM and though the A string did unravel in one small area it could have been because if me kinking the string while fitting ( I had never fitted strings before)
Tbh, the Rep was straight on it and I had a complete new set within 2 weeks ( I live in the Uk)
I also bought some Zyex and ever since fitting them I have been chuffed with the sound quality (and so has my teacher so it's not just my beginners ear!)
The Pro Arté set are on a second violin that I have temporarily acquired. Both violins were previously steel wound strings, and a comparative quality set of strings here in the UK would have cost considerably more than I paid at Fiddlershop. My violin sounds better than the borrowed one, but that was the case before the strings were changed.
I have no experience of any other string maker but have to say I am absolutely satisfied with the D'Addario sets.
I am amazed at how old people of my age are.....
If you want to try synthetic core strings try the Pro Arte. I have them as well as the zyex and although I like the zyex better I also like the Pro Arte on my electric. Ther is a big difference between steel core and synthetic core so if you aren't sure tou'll like synthetic don't go with the most expensive first.
I think the issue here is the name "D'Addario, not so much which of their product's to buy. 
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I'm willing to "bite the bullet" and purchase the Zyex from fiddlershop.com, I just want to make sure I have as much info as possible. I made the mistake in the past of purchasing several sets on bass guitar and didn't want to go down that path again! lol 
I'm actually using perlon strings right now. They're okay, nothing special. One string is already lacking that nice sound, but not too bad, but definitely needs to be changed! LOL
I'm also concerned with how the strings are going to hold up for outdoor playing! That's where steel core Thomastiks concern me and where I think the Zyex synthetic may be better.
The price isn't really an issue right now, after all, I'm used to paying $40-$50 for bass strings. I more interested in what's the best over-all string from beginner to pro! 
I've heard a lot of good things about both the Thomastik's Precision Steel Core's and the D'Addarrio Zyex's. I just wanted to get through the hype and see everyone's experiences!
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” ~Benjamin Franklin
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TerryT said
I also bought some Zyex and ever since fitting them I have been chuffed with the sound quality (and so has my teacher so it's not just my beginners ear!)
Chuffed? Is that some sort of Brit slang for pleased? because it sounds like something a college kid would do with a beer...
EJK, I have Preludes on my fiddle. I like the sound, good for an old-time fiddle, and my fiddle is really loud. I don't know if it is the strings or the fiddle, and I am too much of a noob to know, but they work for me. 
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I can't tell you how the Thomastik Precisions will compare to the Zyex but I can tell you that I used Tomastik Dominant for many years and the Zyex is far superior in my opinion.
If I were to compare Thomastik Precisions to anything I would test them against D'Addario Prelude which is a solid steel core string as is Precision. However, if you want to go with steel core, Helicore is considerably better. It has a multi-stranded steel core.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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I'm actually starting to lean toward the Zyex now after watching your videos on the difference between steel & synthetic core.
I actually have a tendency to play heavy with my bow when excited and playing fast! I did start to notice the pitch change on my other violin. The funny thing is, when I heard the pitch change, I adjusted my fingers thinking I missed the note or was going out of tune. I never even thought that I might be bowing to hard or aggressively!
I have a feeling that I am going to be doing that a lot, especially playing in front of people! Zyex might be better for that reason! Maybe I'll just pretend that they're not D'Addario's! 
LOL
Oh boy....now which ones.......Aluminum or Silver D string??? 
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” ~Benjamin Franklin
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I always get the silver D. I used to wear my D strings out after just a few weeks when I first started using Dominant twenty something years ago. I then switched to silver and never had a problem. I just don't feel like testing it with the Zyex. I always but the Zyex silver D option.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Are there any extra care/maintenance for silver strings aside from regular care? I know silver has a tendency to tarnish rather quickly and I'm not sure if that affects the sound.
With only a $2 price difference between the 2 at fiddlershop.com, I might as well get the better ones!
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” ~Benjamin Franklin
It's not a question of wether the aluminiun or the silver is better but what sound you want. If you have a violin that has an overly bright D string go with the aluminium if the D string is always a little dull than go with the silver.
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My D is a little on the duller side. But I know I have a tendency to overuse that string as well! lol
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” ~Benjamin Franklin
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