Earnie Ball Guitar Strings

The optimal gauges are great. Feels totally natural. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
I feel sorry for all of the players out there using standard sets. David (Belgium)

You were Right!! I was just restringing Shadow and was pulling on the strings at the 12th fret and retuning (you know the drill). The low E clearly does not have enough tension on it as compared to the other strings when tuned to pitch. You are totally right about the tension and the agauges. Eli (NY)

Thanks for the help with the strings. I can get these Zachary gauges here. And now that you've pointed out how wrong the standard gauges are, it's constantly bugging me that the B string feels weak. Once you've replaced the low E with the proper gauge, the B string sticks out like a sore thumb. David (Belgium)

I got the Z Ztringz in the mail today. Thanks a bunch. I restrung the guitar immediately and started to play non-stop for a couple of hours. The first thing I noticed is the feel of the strings under my fingers and even when using a pick with my right hand. The gauges are more uniform. I don't know exactly how to say this, but there is a much more even feel to the strings. There is a more uniform vibration to all the strings and through the guitar when I play it. More thoughts on this later when I get it all straight in my head later how I want to say it. Ted (Vegas, NV)

My only comment...put on these Zachary Strings and rock out. Alex turned me on to this more balanced tension low E and B strings in the set. It is cool. Especially on the short scale. Nobody makes these Optimized sets. Impossible to find. Eli (NY)

I was very surprised too. Thanks again, I have restrung Simba and Bloody Red ZOG strings and now it feels just right. Standard gauges are so wrong. I can't believe no one ever thought of this before. Even Edwin was kind of surprised. Guy owns a store, has hundreds of strings there, and never thought about it. We all just get conditioned. David (Belgium)

Alex, Just wanted to let you know that I'm REALLY enjoying the strings...what many may not get from your description of the strings is (and this is my opinion) that it is not just the optimized tension for the strings themselves that makes such a difference. The instrument itself "works" better with even/graduated tension. That's the real kicker here - not only do the strings "feel" better...the instrument actually plays/resonates better. Just a thought. Jay

I recently use your suggestion to remplace the B and low E string and I am really impress with the result they feel and sounds really great !!!!! Thanks Alex For Share your knowledge. I frecuently visit your web page looking for new commentary. Best Regards!!! Ruben

Alex, Once again, you are /the man.../ I slapped the Z acoustic strings on my Tacoma acoustic. Once again, the perfect evenness of feel and string vibration throughout the guitar is a revelation. Your are /the/ guitar man. Thanks so much. Ted (NV)

Hey Alex, these strings have really captured my imagination! Over time as I have adjusted to their tone secrets they have grown on me more and more. I really like the range of expression that is available by changing your playing style. Very touch sensitive and harmonically rich sounding offering a range of tonal variety. That combined with the tuning stability of the low B and its great! In short I love'em. Send me 3 more of the low B 7-string set and bill me. I have not tried the low A set but promise to do so before much longer. Best, Dave (CA)

Alex, Just received the strings today. Had to do some minor adjusting to the spring claw but man, my guitar feels so much better now!!! Awesome. Vibrato is more even, chords feel great to play, and fast picking from string to string is way more "precise" feeling. You won me over with this optimized set, and I cannot go back to a regular 9-42 set ever again. I will order more in the near future without a doubt, plus I'll mention these strings to everyone I know because I can't recommend them enough. I've spent literally 5 minutes playing and I came to the conclusion that you have the right answer to a very overlooked problem, and this is no minor thing, it totally improved the feel of my guitar and now it's more enjoyable. Thanks man! Regards, Dee. (UK)

Got the strings! Thanks. Once you go ZOG you can't go back! Or,once you go zach you can't go back! Hahaahahah! - Eli

ZOG 7-String Set
Hey Alex, I managed to get the ZOG low string to fit through my tuner by patiently using a little brute force in pushing it through the tuning machine head. Its tight but works fine. First of all the B string is amazing in its ability to hold its b tone. Not like the ones I was using which was modulating inside and outside of the B tone. Very frustrating. The set works well and extremely cool for rock oriented sounds. Very bright and bell like. The .10 takes a little getting used to but the overall feel is good and I see what difference it makes when the stress gages are 'optimized'. Very cool. I like em! -dave

Hey, Zach just wanted to thank you for the wonderful strings (11s), put them on last Thursday and went to practice and I was surprised and amazed. I didn't expected such a huge change, I was hesitant at first to think it would change the tone and feel. But it did! The strings are balanced in feel and it was effortless to play from string to string and to bend them like crazy. The mud of the low end was gone to, a more balanced tone and notes rung out even, i did have to re-eq the amp as the strings had a new sound and it was thicker than the old Elixir strings on there. I am converted now, I will spread your praise of the strings and can't wait to save up for some more gear from ya. Next is the strat with 10s and soon the bass, can't wait to hear and feel the difference. Thanks for one of the best practices in a while, its in the top 2 now, and the strings were part of it. Some guys in this business are all talk, use science and engineering to make them seem like the real deal, but they seem to take out all the feeling and mood of playing, building, and improving tone, makes me skeptical when someone starts talking about real change in the industry till its tried, glad to see its true behind you. Thanks again. Matt , Seattle, WA -- RAW ROCK KILLS! Matt "rude skalar"

Hi Alex I am using your string I am really impressed. My L5S has really gained lots of respect for you! ;-) I am still around browsing your web site and I will get one of your guitar, I promise. I am still paying my house stuff but want to keep the dream alive. thx for the strings Aldo

I have been teaching a lot of Hendrix recently. Korina has been hiding this very rich tone that you get when tuned down a half step and combined with the Z pedal. Very nice sound especially on the lower strings. Normally I never tune down but I've been teaching these students Voodoo Child, Axis-Bold as Love and others....so I had no choice. Very cool sound and without the ZOGs would not have worked as well since the low E would have been flopping all over the place. Plink also gets a very nice thing going on when tuned down to a Hendrix record even tho the trem falls back a touch because of the lower string tension. Very nice. I will not be touching the set up tho because Plink will be at standard tuning most of the time. Eli

Your guitars are wonderful. "ZOG", amazing what a little thought can produce. - Jon

Hey my name is Rob and a friend on a forum has told me about your strings. I actually have noticed how the strings seem more flimsy on the low-end, but never really thought about the tension of them. I'm glad I know NOW rather than 10 years down the line that my strings are quite frankly SHIT. Bottom line... I want to order 5 sets of 10s Nickelround Wound. What do I have to do? Rob

Heya... I believe you there, I have always thought things are wrong with the low E string for example, but I have never thought more of it than that.

I printed out for him the ZOG material from your web site. I think it was 10 pages long but my bass player is reading. It just makes sense... Ed (MI)

I'm sure the pull on a guitar neck (the difference) is, perhaps, miniscule enough that it might not matter, but I can't help but think that an even/graduated tension of the strings across the neck allows for better intonation as well as (although it's not technical) letting the instrument work more "correctly". I really think that the effect is actually much more acute on a bass than a guitar - given both the sheer foot-pounds of force given the mass/tension of the strings coupled with the longer moment arm of a bass neck. To be honest, the difference is (acoustically and physically) actually more acute with the bass strings than the guitar strings (having experienced both). The bass instruments just sing more easily with the ZOG strings. Jay

Steve loved your ZOG's for the Bass guitar. He doesn't have a good computer at moment so I'm sending his thoughts. He was amazed that his bass plays so much easier and has such a great response through-out range. Also, he has to work on mutting strings more as they are now "alive" and dancing under his fingers. Before, with uneven-tensioned bass strings he didn't have to even think about mutting as strings were so muddy, especially the Low E, Now they are alive and responsive in a way he hasn't had before. You have converted yet another musician. Obviously this will help with our bands sound as well. It comes at great time as we will now be recording with ZOG's on his bass and my Voodoo Chile Z. Would that be the first all ZOG band? I think it will... Ed

Just checking in to say hi - I've now tried your ZOG strings for guitar (in addition to bass)...much better. Again, the notes are even clearer due to the fact that the guitar "works" better with even/graduated tension. It also allows for a much better setup and lower action given the even forces on the neck. Jay

I got the strings, they came quickly. A friend of mine is using one of the electric sets and he is quite happy. He said that they are also easier to tune and stay in tune better than the regular strings he was using. He also says the B string is much more balanced than before. I've put the bass strings on a short scale brice bass (Korean made), which is a knockoff of the Hofner Beatle bass. Being semi-acoustic I noticed right off that these strings are louder. I also can tell that the E string has a much nicer bottom to it than before. It was much muddier with the other string. Let me know when you get the acoustic sets in, I want to try them also. On a different note. Have you considered doing a Zachary Guitar version of the famous Beatle Bass? It would be awesome to have one along the lines of 160406 (F1-SH). Your photography is simply awesome! Great Stuff! Your site is one I keep coming back to, just to wish and dream! Thanks, Terry

The strings came yesterday, I put 'em on, and I had multiple tone-gasms. My neck pickup sounds both darker than before, and less muddy than before. In fact, there's no mud at all. My bridge pickup sounds bright and massively cutting, and for the first time in a long time, when I put on distortion, my SG truly sounds pissed off. You and your strings... win at life. The tone, the sustain, the feel... I can never go back to my old strings again. EB

I was wondering when someone was going to "get it" when it comes to string tension. I am an Electrical Engineer who specializes in Utility Grade engineering and wire tension in my field is the name of the game. You get the wire tensions wrong and you end up with Electical Transmission towers on the ground. Of course my tensions are more like 1000 to 2000 pounds depending on the wire size.... Mike

Dear Zachary: The strings are just awesome man, I can really tell the difference. You have a repeat customer on your hands now. James

I really appreciated your reply. The interesting part of arguing with the laws of physics is that the one arguing loses...pretty much always...so while you may not get the credit for it (which you would deserve), the fact remains that there will be (in the end) no arguing against the fact that the strings and instrument work together "better" in this configuration. Of course, you are also correct in that there will always be a certain group of individuals who will never see reason. Go figure. Perhaps it will eventually get crammed down their throat by force once a large percentage of people who can actually play start using them. Hope your week is going well - by the way, the G2 looks phenomenal....Take care, Jay

I always knew that something wasn't right, and I believe you are onto something. Robert

You sold me on the strings. There isn't a doubt in the world what you said doesn't make sense. Sincerely impressed with your guitars. -Hernan

Hi Alex, Sorry I've been so busy that I just haven't had a chance to let you know how incredibly great your ZOG strings are. As a marketing guy for 25 years (though I've been playing for 40), it's been dizzying to watch all the so-called "innovations" and "advances" that continue to be trotted out by the commercial string market -- ALL of them having to do with materials, coatings, processes, etc., yet in all cases, truly driven by brand image, paid endorsements, and advertising.

Like most guitarists, I've tried probably 20 brands over the years. Yes, there are differences, and you can hear them if you really try hard enough, but they all fall within a certain range of response, and frankly it's rarely enough to matter. In the end, you learn to just pay the absolute least possible for guitar strings, whatever the brand.

Or that's how I felt until I tried your ZOG strings. Of course, I realize I'm not part of the elite group of guitar cognoscenti who are fortunate enough to own one of your unique handcrafted guitars, though someday I hope to. But what the ZOG strings have done to my two guitars (my 37-year old Martin D-35, and my 8-year old Fender U.S. Fat Telecaster with 5-way) is nothing short of remarkable. Your astonishing innovation of "Tension Optimization" not only delivers in spades in terms of drastically improved playability, but, amazingly, in tonal response. My Martin now simply BLOOMS with glassy, even tone, and the dreaded Dreadnought boominess has vanished. The Tele? Well, I thought I was lucky before when I managed to find such a sweet production guitar, but now it's just eerie. At first, the change was so dramatic that I had to tweak the set-up -- especially the pick-up height. Once I got everything dialed in, I couldn't stop playing the thing. On both guitars, it took my fingers about five minutes to get used to the change, and then it was like I'd been wearing the wrong size shoes for 40 years, and someone suddenly gave me the right ones. Ahhhh -- delicious.

Anyway, Alex, I don't mean to ramble on, but I just wanted to thank you again for this truly marvelous product. You've done guitarists the world over a tremendous service, and I hope that many more come to hear about what ZOG strings can do for ANY guitar -- whether boutique, production, or budget.
Best regards, Roger (Prescott, AZ)

Finally used up all the sets of DR 9's I used on my son's POS Jackson. Yesterday I put ZOG 10's on it. After spending time adjusting that dreaded floating tremolo and getting it tuned up I put the guitar back on the Z stand ready for my son to play again. My son is a drummer and just hacks around on the guitar. Now here's where I got a surprise, when he got home from work last night he practiced his drums as usual and then picked up his guitar and played for about 30 minutes. When he put it down he said "Dad, I'm getting better, didn't that sound good?". Of course I agreed. He also asked me if I changed the strings on his guitar, which he has never asked before after a string change. I was busy at the time and didn't think much of it but......and this is for all the idiots out there - even my son noticed something was different about his guitar and the tone that he was getting, despite having no clue or technical knowledge about guitars. Note that my son plays left handed guitar and I play right handed so he has never played any of my Z's. I think this just shows the difference ZOG's make. Eagle

Alex, I can understand why you reach such a state of frustration with some of the clowns you must encounter. Well, your fee is on the way (for the my second string order) and I'm looking forward to receiving the string sets. Keep making your great guitars. I'm still saving to order one. Thanks, William

Hi Alex, I check the site every day to see whats new and if there's a Z2-T that might possibly come my way. I do have to add that the ZOG strings have been great. my wolfgang plays great, sounds awesome, and is the most stable its ever been. I used to play 9's and the adjustment to the 10 set has been no problem. thanks, Bruce

Alex, these strings are pretty cool. strung them on my acoustic on tuesday and they feel better already. strumming is really easy now with the fixed gauges, and fast picking is a dream. i'll keep you posted in a couple of weeks on how the tone is coming out. -Justin

Probably. If you are NOT using ZOG strings. I have to say that I am a believer and I am now using these strings. I have some spares, and at this point in time I will probably replace and order more. I will let you know how they hold up. Right now I like them better than Elixirs, but I don't think they will last nearly as long.

FYI I am using a 9 set on my Tele - its sounds Tele Spanky and surprised the hell out of me. I always thought 9s were wimpy and failed to understand the Tele Spank connection - thanks to the magic of the ZOGs (and the recommendation of their legendary inventor). I am now a believer that some guitars simply need a certain kind of strings. Silly me I am playing my Tele more than ever so there is something to it - no doubt. Also I put a 10 set on my Onyx Forge and like the improved tone especially overdriven.

Without a doubt I will change out strings on my other players. Sound wise they sound like D'Addarios which is what I now have several new unused sets of sitting around - I'll probably give them away. With ZOG strings I am finding more tone and a more natural playing style across the strings. The theory behind this string seems to feel correct. Intersting the strings are NOT labeled as to gauge and there are no specs, but not to worry as they are so reasonably priced as to make it silly to search elsewhere or build your own sets. (Also I suspect perhaps some of the sizes are not off the shelf spec.) Frank (CA)

Hi. Thank you so much for your ZOG strings!!! It´s true, it finally felt right :-) Kalle (Sweden)

Hello my name is Jason, I discovered your site the other day while browsing the web for guitar related information. I must say you have some very innovative ideas which is likely why you get the negative reaction from those afraid of change or experimentation. The old guard have a hard time with new things. Many of them have closed their minds to any new possibilities. In terms of pure physics your idea on string tension was completely logical to me. So I decided to see if I could try it out by buying a few single strings to mix into the standard 10-46 set. I could not get the B and G strings needed to approximate what you have in your sets but just feeling and hearing what changing my low E string has proven to me beyond any doubt that optimizing the gauges is well optimal.

Your ideas may cause controversy but remember Galileo caused controversy when he said the world revolved around the sun. (I sure hope they don't put you in jail) I am sure you will not let simple closed minded people stop you from being innovative. Which is why I will follow up frequently with your site and enjoy the artistry of your guitars. I Just wish my finances would allow me to ask you to build no wait,... create me one of your guitars. So now that I have tried the concept of ZOG to the extent possible from what my local guitar store carries in strings. I need to order ZOG strings! To not use them would be a crime against my guitar and my playing. I know spruce is a crime for an acoustic top but it works pretty good on the big jumbo Takamine I have. I promise my next acoustic will have a cedar top. It just makes sense. I would love to try one of your guitars to see if the feel is as great as my mind envisions it. I think it would be better than I could imagine. Sorry about my mind wandering there. Keep up the good work and innovative thinking and screw what the establishment thinks. Money grubbing bastards that they are. Thank you, Jason (ON, CN)

p.s. you now have a customer for as long as you keep making your strings they feel great. Jason (ON, CN)

Hi, my name is Chrystal. Yeah, girls can play guitar, too. And I fucking rock at it. Anyway, I stumbled across your site recently and I gotta give this Alex guy two thumbs way up. I don't have the dough to afford a Zachary guitar at the moment, so for now I'm gonna have to stick with my Schecters. I was just wondering if there's any more genius to these ZOG strings that I should know about before I got sticking them on all my guitars? I think I can grasp it. I understood pitch axis theory better than any guy player I know.

I've been using Ernie Ball 10s for a while now, but what I read about progressive tension from high to slow struck a chord with me (no musical pun intended) and I gotta try these out now. I've been using slightly tighter gauge low E strings for a while and it made a difference in my tone and feel. I wasn't sure about the tension ratings, but now I'm starting to feel like my B string is sorta pitiful and I need a slightly tighter G string as well. Tighter strings on there instead of lighter ones. Heavy ones, not dinky ones. Shit, that'd make my shit go slack.

Okay, no jokes about that last one. I could probably fuck around and match single strings until I get to your ZOG tension or pretty damn close, but I'd rather just buy some of your strings and eliminate the guesswork. Thanks for sharing your secret with all of us unenlightened ones. You could have just been an ass and kept it to yourself and been a guitar god, you know. Pretty thoughtful to spread the wisdom to all. Rock on. Chrystal L.

I have been using these strings on all of my guitars since last year. Thanks, John

Alex, I have sent your web info to a few musician friends... Pierre Bensuan, Lawrence Juber, Eric Schoenberg & John Storpes! I really think you have something here!!! David

By the way, I love your strings and my buddy I play with is also ready to switch. Bob (HI)

How did I ever play without your strings? I love my low end now. The concept is so simple, yet totally logical. No wonder nobody thought of it before you. Paul

I had been doing some searches online as I have not been happy with my gauged strings and I came across your site and thought I would give them a try... THEY WORK PERFECTLY AND IT IS THE BEST STRING I HAVE EVER USED. David

Alex, I never thought of doing something about it but I agree that I noticed this many, many years ago. The idea is correct and the physics are correct. You may well be a genius. I have no idea why with all of their R&D research dollars and virtuosos performer sponsorship dollars, etc. no one at any of the major string companies did anything about this. Probably because most of us just buy what we are sold. More than anything I think it matters most for people who bend more than it does for speed demons who play 256th notes…in 200 beat per minute tracks…
Congrats on a brilliant piece of discovery and research. Rick Wagoner (Guitarist for Demolution) http://www.myspace.com/rickduderocks

BASS STRINGS

Alex, Got the strings - changed out the strings on the Fender today...took a while to setup the instrument again and reintonate it, but it sounds fantastic now. We tune down a half-step to Eb, and with these strings (and the fact that I have very little relief in the neck) I am able to get a very nice level of action - the bass sound very authoritative. I love the even tension of the strings across the fingerboard. I'll be playing that bass out tomorrow night for a show...if we get any video, I'll try to send you some of it. The tension on the E-string is perfect - the open note is very tight, and the overall sustain and organic tone of the instrument is improved. I'm looking forward to the show tomorrow. Jay

Hi Alex, Used the new strings last night for the show - sounded great and worked great as well. I enjoyed the very "easy" feel to the strings - which was very even across and up the fingerboard. Thanks, Jay

Hi there, You probably don't remember but I bought a couple of ZOG bass string sets a while ago and have now played them to destruction! Have to say I am really impressed and wouldn't mind taking another 2 sets off your hands (one set is for friend who I've converted). Hope thats possible, Alastair. (Scottland)

Ok you have done it, cool. Its exactly as you say about these strings. They are the solution to a problem that I have spent years looking for. Thanks! Mitch

Bass IS cool…and the ZOG strings make a HUGE difference on the bass as the tension differences are greater and the moment arm over which those tension differences work is longer as well. The ZOG strings on the guitar were a marked improvement (as we all know), but on the bass they are mind-numbingly better….really quite shocking. Jay

I just bought a new fretless and it was strung with fender strings. I'd forgotten how bloody awful their sets are - I actually switched them for an old set of ZOGs I had (that were already pretty dead) because I couldn't stand the feel of them!
Just a quick email to say the strings arrived a few days ago (nice 'n' speedy!) and I've got them all strung up now on my basses. I love the Flatties! Had to have the bridge on my new Fretless bass slightly modified to take the E string however (the thread at the ball end has just that bit too thick) but other than that no problems with them and they sound (and feel) fantastic. Top stuff, cheers, Alastair. (Scottland)

The ZOG 5-string is perfect…I've not gotten much opportunity to play it much, but it fits a Hipshot A bridge nicely and the taper is doing really well. It does take some light filing of the nut given the gauge, but it plays wonderfully well. Very tight and HUGE in tone.
Of note - players will need to alter the angle of their pickups some…i.e. with the gauges of the ZOG E and B strings, there is a LOT of metal vibrating in the pickup field. They will need to angle them with the "bass" side of the pickups a good deal "lower" into the body of the bass than "normal". More soon - miss talking to you! Jay

Thanks Alex, You have answered something I have scratched my head over for years. I am one of those idiots who trusted the "experts". I've seen the tension rating on the back of the D'Addario string package and wondered the same thing. I can't wait to be a Born Again Bassist. I would like to order two (2) sets of 4-String Nickel Roundwound I'd like to do a paypal transaction please. Thanks, Jim

Hello, I would like to purchase 3 packs of bass strings. I recieved a pack as a gift from a friend this christmas and I loved them!
Thanks. -Nate Beauvais band-Gravity Works (Smithfield, Rhode Island)

My guitarist, Zack, gave me a set ZOG's for Christmas and I'm glad he did. The E string is my favorite part of the set; it's so solid and beefy! The way you tensioned the strings also gives a great feel for finger-style picking. Your fingers always have a solid landing point because they land on a string of higher tension than the one you are plucking. I really can't imagine playing without them now. Jeff