Earnie Ball Guitar Strings

ZOG GUITAR STRINGS Testiomonials scroll down for ZOG Bass String Testimonials

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

hi... i just saw yer Butchers Block Tele and have decide finally to write u... watched the site over many months and after first getting over yer 'eccentric' patter and beyond into the essence... what first really got me was the strings concept u have developed... for years i had been saying to musicians and engineers that i was not happy about the diffeence in string tension but never got a satisfactory reply... so, just for that, thanks... Geo

I was looking around online for options for my LP as I noticed some of the tension problems that you mentioned on your site, but never actually nailed down what it was. By that I mean, I knew there was a bit of a string buzz/muted sound problem, but I didn't know exactly what caused it. Adjustments to the guitar by guitar techs never really changed anything. When you specifically mentioned the LP as having these issues, suddenly it became clear. I've tried various strings over the years looking for the best, but still hadn't found them. Of course, I wasn't 100% sure that it was the strings. Honestly, I didn't know what it was.
I have to tell you though....having read your site with regards to the string tension setup as they come from the big manufacturers, I had to shake my head. As a consumer, I've just always assumed that they had some magic reason for manufacturing the strings the way that they do. I know I've seen the back of packages that lists the string gauge and associated tension. I also know that I wondered why the numbers didn't move in a more logical, predictable pattern. Like everyone else, I thought that they had done some research and had a valid reason for doing what they did. To find out that it was an arbitrary setup was kind of funny. I also got a good laugh with your story about speaking to the string makers, all the way up to their master engineer, only to find out that they couldn't provided an answer to why they do what they do. That tells you a lot about trust. We just trust that if they have a guy with an engineer's brain, usually a sign of a high IQ, that he did his homework and came up with a masterful product. I guess we shouldn't take anything for granted. Steve

By the way ZOG 10+ is killer for a LP or same scale guitars. Just think of all the dumb fucks who have LP and if they even knew. It makes the LP come alive and really usable down low. Its a more extreme optimization that it provides. The concept proves itself perfectly becuase the top strings do not have to be increased in tension, only as they get lower. Alex

Absolutely. I can totally imagine a Gibson scale guitar with the ZOG 10+. A perfect match. I play student’s LP scale guitars and the low E is always not right. It feels floppy compared to the other strings. As a result the low end definition suffers. I would love to play a Gibson scale guitar with the ZOG 10+ . Eli

hello zachary, this is dale from the houston area. i got the strings today. after about 20 minutes of getting the strings broken in a bit i immediately noticed the difference. to be honest with you i've listened to all of the hype of other string manufacturers, and i've used them all. i really didn't know what to expect, but i had hope that your strings really were different. in theory, i knew what you had to say was true, i have had all of that frustration of trying to get the perfect tension. so the first thing i noticed, IMMEDIATELY is that i can keep my wrist in the exact position as i sweep through the strings. something that i have NEVER been able to do. i've always had to adjust closer or further away from the bridge to compensate for the various tension of the strings. second and most importantly, because i can keep my wrist in the same position this lets me utilize MORE of my wrist and less forearm and elbow. resulting in a lovely much smoother attack as well as a more aggressive and articulate attack. it's almost as if they have improved my technique. so, i'm pretty damn excited right now. i'm sitting here in awe going wow.. these strings really are different, unique and BETTER. do you mind if i pitch your strings to some of the music stores in the houston area. i wouldn't be looking for any compensation or anything like that. i'm just interested in helping get the word out. i have some good friends that are pretty respected guitar players in houston that are also employees at a number of music stores. if your cool with that, i'll let you know exactly which stores i'll be approaching. that way if you suddenly get a call from one of the stores requesting your strings you'll know who's really helping you out. let me know. and thanks a million for your work on these strings. like i mentioned, they really are different, unique and BETTER. dale

Alex, A few months ago I ordered some strings from you. I absolutely love them. I would like to re-order 5 packs of 9 Optimum Gauge’s. I would love to play one of you guitars. I like the way you work and I am interested in buying one of your “Zachary” guitars one of these days.- That is of course if I meet your requirements- Thanks, Yordys (Fl)

Hi Alex, I hope this helps your situation. If your strings weren't so damn good I might have refused to send the money. Cheers, John.

Having read your site with regards to the string tension setup as they come from the big manufacturers, I had to shake my head. As a consumer, I've just always assumed that they had some magic reason for manufacturing the strings the way that they do. I know I've seen the back of packages that lists the string gauge and associated tension. I also know that I wondered why the numbers didn't move in a more logical, predictable pattern. Like everyone else, I thought that they had done some research and had a valid reason for doing what they did. To find out that it was an arbitrary setup was kind of funny. I also got a good laugh with your story about speaking to the string makers, all the way up to their master engineer, only to find out that they couldn't provided an answer to why they do what they do. That tells you a lot about trust. We just trust that if they have a guy with an engineer's brain, usually a sign of a high IQ, that he did his homework and came up with a masterful product. I guess we shouldn't take anything for granted. Thanks again, Steve

Hey Alex. I'd like to again thank you very much for taking the time and giving my bass a great adjustment. It plays smoothly and sounds great. The strings are AMAZING! Everything you talked about on your site is true and these strings work wonders. (my guitarist loves them too) Thanks. Kyle

I have to say there is something to your string tension argument. It is definitely more noticeable on 24 3/4 scale guitars on which things just get "mushy" (for lack of a better term) in the lower registers, especially on the 6th string. Wish I could say I was looking to buy a Z guitar, I really like some of your design ideas I have too hand it to you,you've got alot of conviction. Maybe some time in the near future I'll solicit you to sell me one of your creations. Best wishes and good work! Rob

I love the website and thoroughly believe your right on all subjects. Thank You For Your Time Larry,

I'd like to place an order for more strings. My last ZOG electric set seemed to last forever! Thanks and happy non-denominational winter holiday! Oh, and merry Christmas. AP

i just made the payment. thank goodness for monday shipment. i just put my last set on one of my guitars. i go through a set of strings a week. but i got to tell you, and this is the craziest thing that i never thought i would say. but i would rather play with an old worn set of zog strings than a new set of anything else. that's about as good of a compliment that you can get. damn, these strings are good. they're like some type of drug. the more i play with them the more i discover about their brilliant design, and the more i love them. i literally won't use anything else now. Dale

Hi Alex, Those strings of yours are terrific. I did indeed have to have some adjustments made, both to the springs and the intonation; they were well worth it. I noted especially with the low E that the voicings are now quite subtly beautiful. Well done! All best, Seth

Hi Alex, Received x10 sets of ZOG PB today. Thanks for the prompt service and a great product. Regards, John. (Melbourne, Australia)

It 's like the difference between riding a bike with a rusty chain and flat tires and riding a well maintaind bike. I expected a lot when I ordered your strings yet I was shocked by the difference in tone and playability... and I didn 't even use regular sets before since I know from experience they stink. I put the baritone 10 set on my main guitar yesterday and played unamplified on it and could immediately feel and hear the difference.: much better balance, much faster feel, better note separation in chords, ... I could put more subtility in my playing style. When played through my amps all these differences were... amplified. It took me some time before I could get myself to putting the 11 set on my other guitar... same improvement. Thanks, Jef (Belgium)

hello alex, i've been using your strings for a number of months. obviously love them. can't and won't use anything else. i mostly play tele's.
As far as people not getting your strings. It's insane. There really are a lot of idiots out there. People just don't get it.
Well, your strings need to be introduced to the world. It's the least I could do. I worked in corporate marketing for over 20 years and very seldom do you really come across a new product that is uniquely better than the market leaders. I find this exciting and challenging. Eventually, I'll get your strings in the stores. You'll see. It just takes a little patience, persistence and time. Just don't stop making them, because then I'll have to go back to using the dog shit that has over saturated the market………Dale

I've got to say that your strings are terrific...even though I don't have a tube amp to test thru, I love them....... mark [louisiana]

Progressive string tension is so brilliantly simple that it's simply brilliant and kind of disgusting that no one has had the brains or the passion to do it much sooner. Bravo. I will have ZOG's before my next string change, how could anyone with a brain do otherwise once they know. I told my wife after reading that page that I had always noticed, playing bass, that the D-string felt tighter for some reason, (finger-style playing allows for noticing these kinds of things quicker), but I just accepted that strings feel that way. How could ANYONE think that it would be proper for there to be MORE tension on thinner strings than the thicker ones??? Utter fucking insanity. I guess those kind of people just don't understand the mechanic's of………..well……..anything. Dan

I want to order some more strings and 2 stands from you. I don't know if you remember me, but I ordered some strings from you around the beginning of 2009. I have to say that I don't think I can ever go back to my old brand. I definitely feel a difference, my guitars sound better, seem more playable and are more responsive. Jamie

Hi! I would like to order more strings. I have PayPal and have ordered before -- My Les Paul never sounded so good! Thanks! -Hank

Alex, Just wanted to let you know I received the strings and WOW! what a difference. After reading about Progressive Tension, it made sense, so I thought I would try them. I admit I was a little leery on whether I would notice a difference....I could tell the difference within 30 seconds of playing. It is like I got a new guitar. Thanks for making a difference. Bill

I got my ZOG, and they're awesome! I actually am not able to use the 7-string low A set yet because I need to widen the string tuner hole to accommodate the diameter of the 7th string, but I'll drill it out soon. I put on the 10 RW set on my 6-string and they are great. I can detune down to B or B flat and not lose tone, plus the higher strings are much more loose than previous sets I've had, so it's easier to play solos even in lower tunings. I can't wait to try the 7-tring set. I could never get my 7-string to sound right with the strings I had. Aaron

Your strings are amazing. Not only do they feel better. They sound better. I don't know why, but they do. My action has never been better. I can get real tone out of my low B string on the bass. My guitar feels wonderful. There's a pressure to the strings that makes playing really enjoyable and even. Great job Alex. -Stephen

Hi Zachary guitars, I am completely satisfied in every way with my ZOG 10+ strings purchase and I will be purchasing more in the future. Could you tell me the science behind the rock solid note hold of these strings? When I tune my LP guitar with my electronic tuner and ordinary strings all the flashing lights make my head spin as the string wanders up and down in pitch, but with the ZOG strings the tuner locks in, no searching, no matter whether I tune to the attack or the decay. It's amazing, and I was just wondering why it is so stable like this, other than you simply using the best material made. Thanks, Kurt

After restringing the Zachary with ZOGS, I immediately noticed a stronger attack, and a strange fusion of greater tension, yet ironically it also plays easier. Jay

Hey, I had a friend give me your acoustic strings as a gift and I loved them. Very nice. I would like to order 5 sets of acoustic strings. Thanks much. Scott

Thanks again for best strings I have tried. I would like to order 10 sets of 10 nickel roundwound. Karl

Afternoon Alex, I meant to get a string order into you over a month ago. Had to resort to a couple of sets of my old gauge stings. You certain notice the difference, especially switching back. Mark

Hello, Good work on providing affordable strings that actually make sense. I pretty much started out playing guitar on 7 string guitars (about 12 years ago), and thank god there were no 7 string guitar sets out yet! Those things have the most ridiculous rubberband gauges for the B string! I was forced into assembling my own guitar string sets from the beginning, and I experimented with lots of different gauges until they felt right. I'm going to order some of your strings so I don't have to keep on assembling sets, which gets expensive, and your sets will be even better optimized. Thanks, Louie

G'day Zach. Well, I'm old now & have been in this rather odd industry for many years! When I find something valuable I'm really happy to promote it in whatever ways I am able. Your strings are excellent, save me a lot of time buggering about, & I am really happy to tell guitar players about them. I'm currently doing a bit of an "ask around" to get a bulk buy together, so pretty soon, maybe this week, I should have it together for you. I don't hang around many in my "famous peer group" much any more, but if I do see any of the old blokes, I'll let them know. Again, thank you for your efforts. Over, Bob.

Man, I can't believe it. God bless you - ...and I rarely say that. I'm fighting the string tension problem for at least 15 years and almost everybody thought I'm crazy. I customized sets as well as I could with the shit available and still unhappy, ...till now. I couldn't believe my eyes reading your site ; exactly what I was saying over and over to everyone here and in Europe. I'll probably be your client forever. Thanks for seeing the common sense and the straight logic when everybody else seems totally blind or too busy to just make money. All the best, Dan

Hi Alex, Just wanted to say thanks for the ZOG, I put them on my Parker Fly over the weekend and they feel great. They sound great too, you have a customer for as long as I can play a guitar, and when I can’t play shoot me cause I don’t think I will want to live without it. Rob

Since I found these .11 baritones I rarely break or change strings anymore... In a way I feel a bit guilty of talking you into making baritone sets and then buying so little of them... In a way it 's a compliment since it means these sets really work. Jef (Belgium)

i am ready to be enlightened...i found out about your strings while trying to figure out why the hell my low b on my 7 string still doesn't have the right tension...i am also open to suggestions since i have been ignorant in the ways of proper string tension so far in my musical career... -Chase

I saw Your great long article on ZOG and String Tensions; and over the years, I knew the standard sets out there did NOT balance; so I found myself having to do things like buy a 7 string set and scrap the middle string to get some balance... like Standard tuned strings running 9-42, 10-46, and so on, made NO sense for many years. Innovation as opposed to Imitating the Big Conglomerate s**t out there... I sort of despise it and I'll leave it there... my own belief and maxim is we ALL were put here one Earth to Innovate, NOT Imitate and be mindless clones... I think You relate how that is... Ricky

The Optimized Gauges principle makes a lot of sense to me. I have found the A and D strings overtensioned compared to the low E string on most sets, and hated to play an open low E because, as you say, it sounds "muddy". My guitars have 25.5" and 24.75" scale. Rune (Norway)

The 13's Phospher Bronze sets you arranged for my short scale acoustic are great by the way. Don't think I reported back on that one. Cheers, Andy

Man, I can't believe it. God bless you - ...and I rarely say that. I'm fighting the string tension problem for at least 15 years and almost everybody thought I'm crazy. I customized sets as well as I could with the shit available and still unhappy, ...till now. I couldn't believe my eyes reading your site; exactly what I was saying over and over to everyone here and in Europe. I'll probably be your client forever. Thanks for seeing the common sense and the straight logic when everybody else seems totally blind or too busy to just make money. Dan (Canada)

Alex, I got the strings two days ago. I haven't had the time to put them on until today. I just couldn't stop playing them till now although I just came from a gig. I knew I was right all these years but I couldn't do anything about it but trying to choose the closest match from what was available. I can't believe that lots of players do not feel that's something wrong with the string gauges they are using. Whenever I was complaining about that, almost everybody around thought I am too picky. It is like you were walking in a pair of wrong size shoes and you think that that's the way it should feel wearing shoes. If you play guitar for 15-20 years and don't realize that's something wrong with the strings, you should probably switch to bassoon or just stick with the hockey. I have two sons studying jazz guitar as well ; I'm gonna interest them to use anything else but ZOG.
I calculated that if I order 100 packs now, I probably won't run out of strings for the rest of my life. Just to play safe. And I'll take my big box with all sort of other strings that I bought all these years and give it away as a gift to my worst enemy.
I'm just thrilled. Nothing really unexpected, but exactly the feel I was aiming for for such a long time. I knew it's possible and I knew I'm right. I was rarely this lucky...
I can't thank you enough ! I'll be back soon with a new order for my acoustic as well.
My best regards Dan (Toronto)

Having tried your strings (my neighbour uses them exclusively now) I think they are awesome!
I would like to order 30 sets as follows: - Ian (Australia)

Hello again.
I would like to place another order of your finest strings. Keith

I have been having my guitar setup to play with a nice low action and my tech had basically said to me that strings are not made ideally but there is little the consumer could do about it. I've always felt the b string feels a bit light and it buzzes more readily than the other strings. The low E and A also feel a bit more floppy than the D string (regular guitar, with 9-42s on). I realised that string tension must be a very important factor but, like you said, I assumed that the guys that designed the strings must be boffins and therefore it must be as good as it gets. I'm delighted to have found your site. Charles (UK)

Love your site, your attitude and your integrity.
I have a big mouth and know a ton of musicians (I'm a shrink in NYC)
and have played my Gibson J165 with your 11s and LOVE the sound as do
the cats I play with. They heard the difference in sound when I switched off my
Martin PBs for my ZOG. I told them I bought them on Elderly.
The next week they come back with, "We can't find them!"
I say it's time to get the WORD out on these strings, so I've been proselytizing about your strings and will continue
to do so.

Keep up the great work. In an era of mediocrity it's a joy to find a product the EXCEEDS expectations. Best, Steve W.

Many thanks for your work. I was given some of your strings recently (I think I owe him a set in return) and hasn't taken me too much convincing after many years of the routine on other brands. - Chris

Excellent. I can't wait to string my acoustic as well with "correct" ZOG strings (the regular acoustic sets are even more messed up than the electrics!). Many thanks again for the only guitar strings, in my experience, that you can actually enjoy playing. Dan

zach!! these are bloody AMAZING!!! sounded awesome, like piano strings, played like piano strings ;-) 1 of the most amazing plusses to your strings are that my LP/SG FINALLY tunes correctly, & ALL THE WAY UP THE NECK! you deserve major kudos for these, mate, seriously. thanx... ML

What you say on your webpage makes perfect sence to me from a physics standpoint. Thank you for the education :). Björn

Awesome! Thanks a lot! Now I can look forward to restringing my guitars in just a few days! I really look forward to purchasing a guitar from you one day, they're so organic and vibrant, like the "red violin(s)" of the guitar world. It's a great weight off my shoulders knowing that I've almost always played on strings that were designed with good sound and physics in mind (ZOGs). Crappy string companies wouldn't know the difference if they hired babies to design their sets, I'm sure they would sound just as good. You've done an amazing service to every guitarist that aspires to play well without being hindered by any garbage equipment. Thanks for everything! Erik

Hey Alex, the strings arrived today. So far I've restrung two of the three guitars that I plan to use them on, and I have to say that I am really impressed! Having a set designed for this tuning is one of the best guitar-related ideas I have ever come across. The guitar feels amazing to play. The tension on the low string is perfect. As many others have said, it just feels... right. Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions, and for your excellent work with string set design. Your prices are also very competitive! I think you just got yourself a long-term customer. I look forward to dealing with again in the future. Thanks mate, Scott

Alex, I would like to order Zog 12s for my not cedar top Martin. Buy the way I have been visiting your site for several years. I get it and appreciate the info and knowledge you impart, (wife won’t let my buy a cedar top right now). Let me know if 261208 ever becomes available-just incredible . W.Gary R

I read this article about string tensions and realized the problems I have suffered on playing guitars for more than thirty years. I have some guitars I would like to re-string and I don’t want to go using the unbalanced sets anymore, if possible. I tried to create compromising sets on single strings, but it appeared to be both painful and I also noticed there were too big compromises to make. And I am very uncertain of the right formula.

It is very strange that there is only one provider in the world for this kind of basic product. I tried to raise discussion about this balancing on a Finnish musician discussion forum, and the people divided in to groups: for guys who immediately wanted to either order a set from you or where really eager to hear the test results. I tried to say like “what test ??? have you ever played guitar ” but unfortunately there were a majority that could not understand the concept.

In that discussion, I could not get a single rational argument against your concept. And how could there be any? It is hard to find arguments against simple physical and mathematical laws.
Anyway if there is anything I can do to help you with your mission for guitar players to have better guitars, just let me know.

Best Regards and keep up with what you are doing. I hope I will be able try one of your guitars one day. Jaan K. (Finland)

I have now read most of the stuff on your site and can honestly say I'm a bit of a fan. I have long felt the imbalance with string-to-string tension but unlike you have never done anything about it. I just assumed that all those string companies must know what they're doing. So I would like to try some "optimized" sets. Lou

ZOGs are the only strings I now use on all my guitars. When I got the T5, I immediately took off the factory Elixirs and put on ZOGs and the difference was stunning. Roger D.

As you are well aware, it's very hard to get through to ignorant people who are probably very intelligent in most things but lack basic common sense. Neil

hey dude, these zogs 10*'s strait up kick ass. they make my les paul playable. bottom end is clear with definition. i also changed strings on my fav guitar a kramer SG thing 25.5" scale 24 frets.. and makes the guitar sound like a new beast.. your analogy about the piano makes so much sense.. never really thought much why i prefer the longer fretboard on the kramer.. but when i read your piano comparison.. the dunce cap came off. i can only imagine what your 26" fretboard sound like. wonder why les paul went with the shorter scale. shrugs. im sold on longer fret boards and cant wait to try a 26" scale some time. well you are my string man from now on.. keep on rocking. chris.

Hey. I just told my local music store about your strings! I hope he gets some in stock so I can just go down the street when I need some new strings and so other people can be amazed at your strings. Anthony

Hey Zach, Came across you website today, fucking wicked site dude. Love the way you tell it like it is. \m/ I want to order some strings off ya. Nolan

8-String Guitar Set. Your strings are TOTALLY AWESOME. This set helps me to rediscover guitar from the begging! Thank you !!! Denis (Russia)

ZOG BASS STRINGS Testimonials

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

Alright, Alex. I didn't want to respond until I'd spent some quality time banging on your strings, but I have to hand it to you. You saved me a shit-pot of money by making playable my Yamaha 5-string bass with a 34 inch scale. Sad and dejected, I was going to scrap the damn thing and get something expensive with a 35 inch scale, but now things are fine. You cured the floppy-B syndrome and made a believer out of me. Well done, sir. Ken

Hello Alex, Being the person i am,is hard for me to admit that i use wrong Bass strings all my player life,even if i have some clue.. Aniway this is for say thank you,knowledge is power,and big companies make big bucks over our ignorance. I hope ZOG strings will be better distribuited worldwide,i dig your philosofy and i like your vision of things. It's about time. Mattia (Italy)

I want to use your strings because I've always had an issue with higher tension on the higher strings with my 6 string basses, and its always driven me crazy.
Your concept makes complete sense. I agree with you 100%. I use super super low action and I am stoked with your strings, because I just feel my action is going to feel even better. I play progressive technical metal, so low action is a major thing for me. Most of the stuff is like in the 250 beats per minute spectrum, sometimes faster, so the right low B and E string is crucial for my three finger picking speed. I feel your strings will enhance my technique and tone, whether tapping or finger picking. Thanks again for your help and honesty. Best regards, Oz

I need 4 more sets of bass strings. I did have to widen 2 of the nut slots but not by much. I just got around to putting them on and I'm very impressed. The B string may take a little getting used to but its definitely worth it. Sandy

I can see how ZOG would appeal to bass players so well and so quickly. Bass strings are much larger and have a great deal more tension than guitar strings, which translates into making the difference ZOG makes that much more noticeable when the bass in in the hands. I put ZOG flatwound on my piece of shit 1970s Japanese fretless jazz bass copy I snagged off eBay for $100.00, and it isn't even the same instrument anymore. I didn't even recognize the thing when I was finally strung and tuned up. The floppy, sloppy string vibration the instrument had prior to placing ZOG all but vanished; the bass stays in tune better; the D string was buzzing horribly at the second and fourteenth frets -- that phenomena vanished when the instrument was strung with ZOG; the overall feel and playability of the instrument improved instantly; the evenness in gauge and tension of the strings is remarkable immediately. ZOG did all that to my piece of junk bass just by putting them on and tuning up. Ted

Love the strings man,
I have been getting a lot of positive feedback about my tone and clarity from the show, also every riff I had seemed to come out more musical and with greater ease. Its like a different instrument. (Yamaha RBX6JM) Thanks again. Chase

Hello, I purchased a set of your 7 string bass strings a few months ago. I really love them but I have a problem. Do to my slap and pop technique I snapped the high F, and I had to replace it with a lame Ken Smith High F string. Is there any way I may purchase additional F strings from you? The tension on my bass feel fucked up because its a different string and much tighter than your F string. Regards, Oz

Hi Alex, I have two 5-string basses which I bought just to see what all the fuss was about. My main playing bass is still a 4 string. Every Bass I sell has a set of ZOGs with the wording you put on the packaging included. I ask them after they receive the bass what they think of the feel of the bass and that it's the strings make all the difference. It's all positive, not a bad word. Neil

Alex, thanks again for the ZOG bass strings. They are absolutely the best fuxkin’ strings I have ever had on a bass in my 25+ years of being a bassist. I have tried them all too, no lie! I sure am glad you provide this service so I didn’t have to spend my entire life playing with some crappy, unbalanced strings.

When I go to my local guitar shop and ask them kindly to please start carrying your ZOG strings, after explaining what "Optimized Gauges" are. They usually say the same thing to me, "sounds like a marketing tactic," at that point I have to refrain from kicking the dumb ass in the head. It shouldn’t surprise me though, I believe that in general 95% of our population is really clueless.
Please let me know how close you are to getting the "Medium Scale" bass strings in stock. I am ready when you are. Jim