Well, the titles says it all. I recently bought my first set of stainless steel lo-riders to get a stiffer string than high-beams.
Will I need to adjust the trussrod / action?
Also, I read somewhere (here I guess) that lo-riders are good for tuning down. Anyone can comment on that?
I tune all my 5 strings down a whole step.
73jbass
04-17-2007, 05:04 AM
Probably,but not much. No more that 1/4 turn I would think.
Mr. Metal Smith
04-19-2007, 04:40 AM
Hmmm my first impression was that lo-riders are not that much stiffer than hi-beams. And my bass neck seemed to have the exact same relief as before.
Is it more often the gauge of the strings which makes them stiffer than the brand/model? I have yet to try some of the heavy sets (eg. 50-70-90-110).
SGT. Pepper
04-19-2007, 06:38 AM
Use the same guage, it shouldn't be a problem. The difference is subtle.
Mr. Metal Smith
04-19-2007, 07:36 AM
Well, maybe Im starting to go off topic now, but what I am looking for is a more high-tension/stiffer string than DR hi-beam. I had hi-beam 45-65-85-105-130 on before and now the same gauge lo-riders, and I dont feel much of a difference.
Is the most high-tension strings from DR the lo-rider heavy (50-70-90-110) set?
I like a little string buzz for that metallic sound, but I think I maybe have too much now, and that a high-tension string set would help for a aggressive finger style playing. Maybe I will just have to raise my action a bit :p
pickles
04-19-2007, 08:15 AM
Lo riders and hi beams put about the same amount of force on the neck, but the hi beams feel more flexible due to the round core. If the lo riders still are not stiff enough (are you downtuning?), then a heavier guage will help, or you could go to an even stiffer string like a D'addario prosteel or Sadowsky Stainless.
You could also experiment with raising your action a hair, which will make any string set feel stiffer.
Mr. Metal Smith
04-20-2007, 05:47 AM
Yes, I tune all strings down a whole step.
The Lo-riders maybe did feel a little bit stiffer after they had been on my bass for a day and had to be tuned up a bit.
For now I will raise my action a bit and in the future I will try the Hi-beam or Lo-rider heavy sets for a bit more tension.
I would like to try other strings, like the ones you mention pickles, but the selection of strings here in Denmark is very limited Im afraid. Maybe if I compile a list of strings available here, some of the more experienced bassists could help me find a good set of strings for downtuning :)
