DR Strings ZAE-11 Zebra Acoustic/Electric Guitar Strings, Custom Light 11-50

real sad to see these go.
What will I replace them with now?

After using D'Addario strings for the past 40+ years of professional playing, I tried a set of DR Pure Blues about a year ago on a acoustic electric flatop that I play solo guitar gigs with. I loved them. While D'Addarios are legendary for their consistency and intonation, the tone of the DRs was an immediate and very noticeable improvement. After using the Pure Blues for many months, I thought I would give the Zebra set a try.

I am using a Takamine TF77PT OM with cedar top and Koa back and sides with a CTP-3 Cool Tube pre-amp system. The Zebras give even more acoustic richness to the guitar using DRs unique nickel-plated steel and phosphor bronze alternating wrap on round core wire. I moved down from the 12 set in the Pure Blues to the 11s in the Zebra set and find them to be the perfect combination of tension and playability. DRs have a certain "bounce" to the string that is really noticeable when you are doing hammers with your pinky. You need all the spring you can get and the DRs don't disappoint in that department. They have a liveness and energetic response I never felt in the D'Addarios.

I have to put in a word for the round core wire that DR favors. While a bit fussier when it comes to keeping the string wrap anchored on the core, the tonal difference is another nice surprise. You can easily get used to the fuller, more resonant response round cores seem to produce.

Just a word about the phosphor bronze wrap: I originally tried the Pure Blues on my acoustic electric because I have NEVER liked the feel of phosphor bronze under my fingers. It always felt draggy with too much resistance to my fingers. The alternating bronze/nickel wrap steel windings just about eliminated the feel of the bronze under my fingers, which was exactly what I wanted. I was getting the acoustic timbre of bronze without the downside of feel...nice.

All in all, I would say if you are using an acoustic/electric steel string guitar and aren't getting what you want out of it either acoustically or when amplified, I would strongly suggest trying a set or two of the Zebras. They are a niche market string that really deserves to be much more widely known, and played, by serious guitarists.