I've never seen anything like it. The Zebras had more tension than the Elixirs I usually use and so were higher from my fret board than usual. I put them on, they were bright and seemed like they could have been the answer for piezo equipped electrics. Within 10 minutes they were dead. I've changed brands and gauges before and have never had an anomaly like this on the Parker or any other guitar. I tried a few things after the video but the Zebras were DOA. I'll post again if learn anything new.
thank you for a great video....you are addressing a concern that many players have trying to decide between phosphor bronze or nickel wound strings for their electric guitars with a piezo pickup.
Parker Fly Supreme. I love them because there's nothing at all that plays like them. It weighs 4 pounds is able to fit in any kind of work that I do. I get calls for studio and side man gigs that are at times things that I'm not accustomed to doing. My Parker just fits in. I have a variety of other guitars (the usually suspects and some not as common instruments) I find myself picking up the Parker the most. I'm as you probably suspect, I'm a gear head. More reviews to come. Thanks for watching.
sounded pretty metal honestly. that dead sound with distortion is beautiful, many metal heads like that 'heavy tone'. turns it up please -gholom my precious
If you're using different outputs for the magnetic and the piezo signal (I always do, using a piezo signal in standard guitar amp is useless to me) you can try an IR box with some good acoustic IRs. I have a pretty cheap unit (Nux Mini Studio) and the results are WAY better than with only the piezo signal direct. No need for effects/processors/preamps (although you can add something), just Piezo Output -> IR box -> PA (or FR monitor; or DAW; etc.)
I think it was Marty Friedman who puts tape on the strings near the nut to kinda deaden that new string sound. all in all you've put a smile on my face, I didn't find the acoustic sound I was looking for but I did find a new metal tone. thank you, I assure you metal heads would appreciate that dead sound *with distortion. reminds me of black sabbath
Thanks for the review! It was very informative. I I just bought a Godin LGX-SA and was going to switch to Zebra but after seeing this and reading other reviews it doesn't appear Zebras are an all around solution in getting a more authentic acoustic tone without sacrifices the electric tone. What strings did you decided to end up using?
... My comment was too long. #2. What kind of guitar is that? Sorry if you've answered this before, I didn't see anything on your channel about it. It looks cool, and has a lot of versatility the way you have it set up. You have a really nice set up overall, I'd love to learn more about incorporating the synths and other processing techniques you used. Anyway thanks again for the video!
Thanks for the review! I'm a retailer and I just picked up some of these strings, I wanted to see what people think about them. You did a really nice and fair review. Two questions: #1. Did you leave the strings on much longer? You seemed to feel like they were becoming dead very quickly - did this continue to worsen? It sounded like the action was pretty low and that the strings were hitting the neck, potentially deadening the sound. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the strings longevity. ...
just a thought since i have also purchased these strings... the description from DR states that these strings are developed for use on an acoustic-electric guitar, for a higher output (as acoustics generally need a push of input gain) which may be why the experience using them on an electric is unpleasant... although, I don't understand how you would have a 'dead' string on one pickup and not on the other... did the low E sound and feel dead even when unplugged? also, to me, the PRS hollowbody II with the piezo seems a solid choice for getting that depth and body, but still a high performance electric, but i have yet to actually play one myself... i have heard them live!
They were dead on the mag pickups also. It was jus more apparent on the piezo pickup. I have several other guitars with the piezo option: Godin Multiac steel, Mutiac Jazz, Spectrum, yet another Parker Fly, and a LGXT. I've tried this on 2 other guitars with the same results. They were dead unplugged also. I'd love to own the PRS. Maybe someday.
loved the review man, thanks for the video really useful. Any chance you could do a comparison between the parker and the godin lgxt. I'm looking to purchase ont of those models and they all sound great on video but a side to side comparison would be really helpful!
They are 2 different animals. I love my LGXT but it isn't even close to the same league as the Parker. I'm not sure how the lower cost Parkers perform but my thoughts are that if you can, buy the Parker. I have 2 of them equipped the way I use them. The cool thing about the Godin is that it came the way I needed it to be. I still only use it in my bedroom. It's kind of a backup to the backup. Don't get me wrong, its a great instrument. You've probably heard it before but "nothing plays like a Parker". I only own 2 parkers but I have 5 Godins. I like em.
I have used a lot of DR strings on acoustics.. and always had the low E go dead very quick ? now i see guys on here with the same problem ?? The DR s i was using a lot are Sunbeams, i just bought a Gibson J45 of a guy and he gave me a new set of DRs i put them on and the bass E string is going dead already ? I think i will be changing the brand...
I tried a couple sets of Zebras on my archtop electric. Both times they were dead before the gig ended. Very disappointing because they gave me the sound that I wanted for the first hour or so. Shortest lifespan of any string that I have ever tried. I don't understand why.
and let me clarify when I say metal I'm not referring to the 80's or metallica. I mean something like korn-lies or sound garden-fourth of July. now those have some heavy guitars. again thank you there is a nitch for these strings but I doubt they will ever catch on ;)
I just bought a set of neon dr.'s just for fun. Not for me at all, I play with my nails and the coating on the strings came right off after playing for an hour or so and they sound dead from the get go. Love the fly, I play with the magnetic and piezo both a lot, nice full sound. The piezo alone just never sounds acoustical, better to have an acoustic guitar.
I love the way they sound with the piezo, but I would never use them on a strat, or any electric guitar that you want that classic "electric" sound from. I would definitely use them on a modelling guitar, maybe something like a Godin A6, for when you really want that acoustic characteristic. But uh, yeah, keep them the hell away from my strat :)
I was thinking the same... I still have this Godin Acousticaster laying around that was originally equipped with d'Addario nickel-plated 10s, and I was wondering if Zebras could improve the sound. That's why I searched for a Zebra test /demo on RUclips. If I don't like the sound in the videos, I will keep everything as is.
I guess I just haven't experienced this or maybe I don't notice it. I've had DR Zebras on my Carvin AE-185 for months, and they sound as incredibly great as when I put them on. I couldn't believe how good they were when I put them on, and last night playing I still couldn't believe how good they still are.
+David Ziffer I thought I'd embellish this a bit. Your whole rig must support the acoustic sound in order for you to get an acoustic sound. It starts with the guitar. I have never heard a guitar with an electric bridge that sounds like an acoustic guitar, except yours in the first clip. The Godin guitars NEVER sound like acoustics DESPITE having acoustic bridges. The only guitar I have ever heard that does both jobs well is the Carvin AE-185, which is my main performance guitar. Next, I have never gotten an acoustic sound out of a normal guitar amp. Sorry, but at 12" speaker alone is not going to convey an acoustic sound. There's a reason acoustic players play through rigs that have tweeters in their speaker cabinets. So if you're playing through your favorite standard Fender amp, forget it: you're not going to get the sound. The amps through which I get an acoustic sound are the Crate Taxi (for very small gigs) and the Carvin Stagemate (either S400 which has now been replaced by the S600). So while it is fairly easy (via EFX boxes) to get an electric sound through an acoustic amp, it seems to me impossible to do the opposite. As for the DR Zebra strings: they have never disappointed me. After reviewing your video I just went and tried out a set that has been on the guitar for MONTHS and it still sounds great, though the shimmering highs are a bit less gorgeous than when the strings were new. By the way you don't need a hollow-body to get the acoustic sound; I have a Traveler Escape that is basically a block of pine, but it has an acoustic bridge and I also have DR strings on it (best sounding strings I've ever put on - they are an inspiration). You can hear it only thru an amplifier, but it does indeed sound like an amplified acoustic guitar. So you need all three components: acoustic bridge on a great acoustic-sounding AE (avoid Godin), DR Zebra strings, and an acoustic-style amp with a tweeter in the cabinet. Have fun!
+David Ziffer Also I thought I'd belabor one more thought about the Carvin AE-185 (mentioned in my comment below). If you are really looking for serious acoustic/electric capability in one guitar you really should check out its dual output jacks. When you plug in two cables, one goes to the acoustic piezo and the other goes to the humbuckers. So in addition to having the best acoustic sound I've ever heard in an acoustic-electric hybrid (when using the Zebras), this guitar lets you (optionally) put your outputs into two completely separate amplification streams, each one with its own separate EFX and amp. So plug the humbucker output into your fuzz box and favorite Fender amp and the acoustic output into an acoustic amp for a TRULY sparkling set of contrasting sounds from a single guitar.
David Ziffer I have to disagree with you regarding the Godin. I have a Godin A6 Ultra and the DR Zebra Customs sound great on it. Very nice acoustic sound and I normally add just a touch of the neck humbucker and it sounds sweet indeed. I’ve heard great things about the Carvin as well.
Man, try GHS White Bronze. I use to play a Godin Xtsa and have walked a similar way like you trying to find the best acoustic piezo sound but not compromising electric tone. I used DR Zebra and first impression was... OMG, finally! But yes, low E and A sucks sometime later... I could get with it but then I found people talking some good things about GHS White Bronze and hybrid guitars: www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-93691.html Well, I’m trying GHS WB since 2 weeks ago, and of course they sound different from Dr Zebra, but they have a good acoustic tone, maybe not as good, but a good one, and good electric tone too. And don’t seem to die in any way... It seems that it could be the way , dude. Also, I’m thinking to try to mix both, something like use 6 and 5 GHS (and maybe 4) and DR on the rest... we’ll see if it’s crazy or it’s works. Anyway, GHS seems to be the winner : )
Thank you for the tip! I've had very good experiences with GHS mandolin strings, and my ex-brother-in-law loves the Boomers on his Strats. I'll order a set from my mandolin dealer.
I had the same problem with d'Addario EXP16. The low E gets dull/dead in no time. I switched to d'Addario EJ16 and the problem was gone. They're also more affordable.
You can't make a piezo sound "more" acoustic, the sound it gives IS acoustic. The problem is that most electric guitars produce shitty acoustic sound, because that's not what they're designed for. True hybrids are few and far between, and almost none of them produce both acoustic and magnetic tone righteously. The zebras were designed to offer more tone to acoustic guitars not equipped with a piezo that gives true acoustic sound, but a magnetic that simulates it based on string movement. The stainless core registers better with a magnetic.
9:04-9:10 CONDUCT ELECTRICITY??? That's something that EVERY METAL does! It's TOTALLY IRRELEVANT! What's relevant is whether the metal is MAGNETIC or not, because you use magnetic pick-ups! You already stated that the tension of these strings is heavier, so we can assume that the STEEL CORE is THICKER. That combined with the steel windings should provide enough magnetic material to cause magnetic flux changes above the pickups when the strings swing and therewith create an electromagnetic signal.
Just get a damn acoustic guitar! That simple! Thats why we have different styles, strings, makes and models of guitars for them all to sound different.
Sadly I wanted to try one of these sets but sadly DR stopped making them.
Thank you for sharing your experience!!
I've never seen anything like it. The Zebras had more tension than the Elixirs I usually use and so were higher from my fret board than usual. I put them on, they were bright and seemed like they could have been the answer for piezo equipped electrics. Within 10 minutes they were dead. I've changed brands and gauges before and have never had an anomaly like this on the Parker or any other guitar. I tried a few things after the video but the Zebras were DOA.
I'll post again if learn anything new.
thank you for a great video....you are addressing a concern that many players have trying to decide between phosphor bronze or nickel wound strings for their electric guitars with a piezo pickup.
Parker Fly Supreme. I love them because there's nothing at all that plays like them. It weighs 4 pounds is able to fit in any kind of work that I do. I get calls for studio and side man gigs that are at times things that I'm not accustomed to doing. My Parker just fits in. I have a variety of other guitars (the usually suspects and some not as common instruments) I find myself picking up the Parker the most. I'm as you probably suspect, I'm a gear head. More reviews to come.
Thanks for watching.
sounded pretty metal honestly. that dead sound with distortion is beautiful, many metal heads like that 'heavy tone'. turns it up please
-gholom my precious
If you're using different outputs for the magnetic and the piezo signal (I always do, using a piezo signal in standard guitar amp is useless to me) you can try an IR box with some good acoustic IRs. I have a pretty cheap unit (Nux Mini Studio) and the results are WAY better than with only the piezo signal direct. No need for effects/processors/preamps (although you can add something), just Piezo Output -> IR box -> PA (or FR monitor; or DAW; etc.)
I think it was Marty Friedman who puts tape on the strings near the nut to kinda deaden that new string sound. all in all you've put a smile on my face, I didn't find the acoustic sound I was looking for but I did find a new metal tone. thank you, I assure you metal heads would appreciate that dead sound *with distortion. reminds me of black sabbath
John Pearse makes pure nickel acoustic strings. Have you tried those?
Thanks for the review! It was very informative. I I just bought a Godin LGX-SA and was going to switch to Zebra but after seeing this and reading other reviews it doesn't appear Zebras are an all around solution in getting a more authentic acoustic tone without sacrifices the electric tone. What strings did you decided to end up using?
Man, you got some sweet axes!
... My comment was too long.
#2. What kind of guitar is that? Sorry if you've answered this before, I didn't see anything on your channel about it. It looks cool, and has a lot of versatility the way you have it set up. You have a really nice set up overall, I'd love to learn more about incorporating the synths and other processing techniques you used.
Anyway thanks again for the video!
It sounds like your neck tension is too tight and can be relaxed a bit. These are heavier gauge strings so that will affect the action.
Thanks for the review! I'm a retailer and I just picked up some of these strings, I wanted to see what people think about them. You did a really nice and fair review. Two questions:
#1. Did you leave the strings on much longer? You seemed to feel like they were becoming dead very quickly - did this continue to worsen? It sounded like the action was pretty low and that the strings were hitting the neck, potentially deadening the sound. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the strings longevity. ...
Helo. What did you use to make that sound like a synthesizer? How is that done? Very cool.Thanks
Put some acoustic strings on it-it works great with piezo. Never mind, you already did it! :)
just a thought since i have also purchased these strings... the description from DR states that these strings are developed for use on an acoustic-electric guitar, for a higher output (as acoustics generally need a push of input gain) which may be why the experience using them on an electric is unpleasant... although, I don't understand how you would have a 'dead' string on one pickup and not on the other... did the low E sound and feel dead even when unplugged? also, to me, the PRS hollowbody II with the piezo seems a solid choice for getting that depth and body, but still a high performance electric, but i have yet to actually play one myself... i have heard them live!
They were dead on the mag pickups also. It was jus more apparent on the piezo pickup. I have several other guitars with the piezo option: Godin Multiac steel, Mutiac Jazz, Spectrum, yet another Parker Fly, and a LGXT. I've tried this on 2 other guitars with the same results. They were dead unplugged also. I'd love to own the PRS. Maybe someday.
thanks for the demo :) will give those a miss and stick with my nano strings. God bless from Wales,UK
Strange... I've used Zebra's for decades, and never had that happen... wonder if they've run into a bad batch...
loved the review man, thanks for the video really useful. Any chance you could do a comparison between the parker and the godin lgxt. I'm looking to purchase ont of those models and they all sound great on video but a side to side comparison would be really helpful!
They are 2 different animals. I love my LGXT but it isn't even close to the same league as the Parker. I'm not sure how the lower cost Parkers perform but my thoughts are that if you can, buy the Parker. I have 2 of them equipped the way I use them. The cool thing about the Godin is that it came the way I needed it to be. I still only use it in my bedroom. It's kind of a backup to the backup. Don't get me wrong, its a great instrument. You've probably heard it before but "nothing plays like a Parker". I only own 2 parkers but I have 5 Godins. I like em.
what about the necks man? I heard parkers have very thin necks which Im not a fan of... I prefer kind of beefier necks
I have a few Godins and yes, they do have fatter necks. The weather is changing and my Parkers stay the same. All of my Godins need an adjustment.
I have used a lot of DR strings on acoustics.. and always had the low E go dead very quick ? now i see guys on
here with the same problem ??
The DR s i was using a lot are Sunbeams, i just bought a Gibson J45 of a guy and he gave me a new set of DRs i put
them on and the bass E string is going dead already ?
I think i will be changing the brand...
I tried a couple sets of Zebras on my archtop electric. Both times they were dead before the gig ended. Very disappointing because they gave me the sound that I wanted for the first hour or so. Shortest lifespan of any string that I have ever tried. I don't understand why.
and let me clarify when I say metal I'm not referring to the 80's or metallica. I mean something like korn-lies or sound garden-fourth of July.
now those have some heavy guitars. again thank you there is a nitch for these strings but I doubt they will ever catch on ;)
I just bought a set of neon dr.'s just for fun. Not for me at all, I play with my nails and the coating on the strings came right off after playing for an hour or so and they sound dead from the get go. Love the fly, I play with the magnetic and piezo both a lot, nice full sound. The piezo alone just never sounds acoustical, better to have an acoustic guitar.
Round CORE strings are sweet but hard to find for acoustic
I love the way they sound with the piezo, but I would never use them on a strat, or any electric guitar that you want that classic "electric" sound from. I would definitely use them on a modelling guitar, maybe something like a Godin A6, for when you really want that acoustic characteristic. But uh, yeah, keep them the hell away from my strat :)
I was thinking the same... I still have this Godin Acousticaster laying around that was originally equipped with d'Addario nickel-plated 10s, and I was wondering if Zebras could improve the sound. That's why I searched for a Zebra test /demo on RUclips. If I don't like the sound in the videos, I will keep everything as is.
Gonna be honest here I thought this was a review for zebrastrings bow and crossbow strings
I guess I just haven't experienced this or maybe I don't notice it. I've had DR Zebras on my Carvin AE-185 for months, and they sound as incredibly great as when I put them on. I couldn't believe how good they were when I put them on, and last night playing I still couldn't believe how good they still are.
+David Ziffer I thought I'd embellish this a bit. Your whole rig must support the acoustic sound in order for you to get an acoustic sound. It starts with the guitar. I have never heard a guitar with an electric bridge that sounds like an acoustic guitar, except yours in the first clip. The Godin guitars NEVER sound like acoustics DESPITE having acoustic bridges. The only guitar I have ever heard that does both jobs well is the Carvin AE-185, which is my main performance guitar. Next, I have never gotten an acoustic sound out of a normal guitar amp. Sorry, but at 12" speaker alone is not going to convey an acoustic sound. There's a reason acoustic players play through rigs that have tweeters in their speaker cabinets. So if you're playing through your favorite standard Fender amp, forget it: you're not going to get the sound. The amps through which I get an acoustic sound are the Crate Taxi (for very small gigs) and the Carvin Stagemate (either S400 which has now been replaced by the S600). So while it is fairly easy (via EFX boxes) to get an electric sound through an acoustic amp, it seems to me impossible to do the opposite. As for the DR Zebra strings: they have never disappointed me. After reviewing your video I just went and tried out a set that has been on the guitar for MONTHS and it still sounds great, though the shimmering highs are a bit less gorgeous than when the strings were new. By the way you don't need a hollow-body to get the acoustic sound; I have a Traveler Escape that is basically a block of pine, but it has an acoustic bridge and I also have DR strings on it (best sounding strings I've ever put on - they are an inspiration). You can hear it only thru an amplifier, but it does indeed sound like an amplified acoustic guitar. So you need all three components: acoustic bridge on a great acoustic-sounding AE (avoid Godin), DR Zebra strings, and an acoustic-style amp with a tweeter in the cabinet. Have fun!
+David Ziffer Also I thought I'd belabor one more thought about the Carvin AE-185 (mentioned in my comment below). If you are really looking for serious acoustic/electric capability in one guitar you really should check out its dual output jacks. When you plug in two cables, one goes to the acoustic piezo and the other goes to the humbuckers. So in addition to having the best acoustic sound I've ever heard in an acoustic-electric hybrid (when using the Zebras), this guitar lets you (optionally) put your outputs into two completely separate amplification streams, each one with its own separate EFX and amp. So plug the humbucker output into your fuzz box and favorite Fender amp and the acoustic output into an acoustic amp for a TRULY sparkling set of contrasting sounds from a single guitar.
David Ziffer I have to disagree with you regarding the Godin. I have a Godin A6 Ultra and the DR Zebra Customs sound great on it. Very nice acoustic sound and I normally add just a touch of the neck humbucker and it sounds sweet indeed. I’ve heard great things about the Carvin as well.
There are made for and acoustic electric maybe that's why?
Man, try GHS White Bronze. I use to play a Godin Xtsa and have walked a similar way like you trying to find the best acoustic piezo sound but not compromising electric tone. I used DR Zebra and first impression was... OMG, finally! But yes, low E and A sucks sometime later... I could get with it but then I found people talking some good things about GHS White Bronze and hybrid guitars: www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-93691.html Well, I’m trying GHS WB since 2 weeks ago, and of course they sound different from Dr Zebra, but they have a good acoustic tone, maybe not as good, but a good one, and good electric tone too. And don’t seem to die in any way... It seems that it could be the way , dude. Also, I’m thinking to try to mix both, something like use 6 and 5 GHS (and maybe 4) and DR on the rest... we’ll see if it’s crazy or it’s works. Anyway, GHS seems to be the winner : )
Thanks for the tip. I just ordered a few set to try out.
WHAT STRINGS DO U USE NOW? DID U TRY ANOTHER SET OF ZEBRAS AND HOW DO U LIKE THE GHS WHITE BRONZE? THANKS
Thank you for the tip! I've had very good experiences with GHS mandolin strings, and my ex-brother-in-law loves the Boomers on his Strats. I'll order a set from my mandolin dealer.
I have these on acoustic and the E string sounds dead out of the box.
I had the same problem with d'Addario EXP16. The low E gets dull/dead in no time. I switched to d'Addario EJ16 and the problem was gone. They're also more affordable.
Buy an acoustic man, it might save you some money :)
You can't make a piezo sound "more" acoustic, the sound it gives IS acoustic. The problem is that most electric guitars produce shitty acoustic sound, because that's not what they're designed for. True hybrids are few and far between, and almost none of them produce both acoustic and magnetic tone righteously. The zebras were designed to offer more tone to acoustic guitars not equipped with a piezo that gives true acoustic sound, but a magnetic that simulates it based on string movement. The stainless core registers better with a magnetic.
9:04-9:10 CONDUCT ELECTRICITY??? That's something that EVERY METAL does!
It's TOTALLY IRRELEVANT!
What's relevant is whether the metal is MAGNETIC or not, because you use magnetic pick-ups!
You already stated that the tension of these strings is heavier, so we can assume that the STEEL CORE is THICKER. That combined with the steel windings should provide enough magnetic material to cause magnetic flux changes above the pickups when the strings swing and therewith create an electromagnetic signal.
Wow you are playing it soo bad but your gear is awesome dude
Just get a damn acoustic guitar! That simple! Thats why we have different styles, strings, makes and models of guitars for them all to sound different.
Yeah, buy a Maton!