D'Addario Zyex Viola String, D

Pros: As a professional orchestral player, I began to use Zyex strings quite suddenly one evening whilst at work. I had been spinning out the life of my existing strings, my lifelong 'brand of choice', but got frustrated with my lack of ability to tune two of them immediately before a performance. Taking them off in a fit of pique, my principal advised me not to put on new strings, as they wouldn't settle down quickly enough. Instead, he had a part used set of these D'addario zyex strings, which I put on instead. They settled in immediately and I was struck at how closely they matched the qualities which I appreciated in my previous brand. Ever since then, I have used this make of string, finding them to be long lasting and hard wearing. They settle in quickly and maintain pitch very accurately. I used to use a different brand of A string on my viola as I wanted something a little less harsh than the one which matched the others of my old set; however, the zyex A is a good match, without the more strident tone. All in all, I consider these strings to be good compromise between tone, maintenance of pitch and long life and would recommend them.

Cons: Sometimes the variation in price between the individual strings is a bit excessive. I often but sets, this representing better value for money, but then end up with too many of one string and not enough of the others! However, it can be useful to have extra spares to give to colleagues when they don't have spares! I also restrung a student's viola with a couple of my spares recently, which improved the sound quality.

Pros: Good quality.

Cons: On my viola seems loud and bright.

Other: My prefered strings have a darker tone.