I don't really need anything that gives me much bottom. I have trouble playing chords because sometimes the lower notes sustain longer, or become more expressive due to too much low end.
I'll be putting them on my Music Man Sterling.
I found that my DR Lo Riders were really punchy, just not bright enough for me.

Any suggestions?
Thanks.

If you want a bright, punchy string with a clear (not boomy) low end try DR Hi-Beams. They are much more flexible than the Lo-Riders you have now so you may have to make some adjustments.

Originally posted by rsautrey
...try DR Hi-Beams.....

All the way with what rs says!

(And, no I don't use them because "bright" isn't what I need these days. But I have used them).

Otherwise, Rotosound Swing 66's.

How're the Rotosounds?

Originally posted by CrawlingEye
How're the Rotosounds?

Crawling - I haven't used them for a years because I found I got about identical tonal performance out of DR Hi Beams.

The difference was that the DR's held their "bright" edge considerably longer.

If Rotosound has changed their formula and improved their lifespan, I don't know. If cost were no object and I could restring almost every time I went out, I'd stay with the Rotosounds. When Entwistle used them, he restrung after every show.

But, it gets expensive for a no-name such as I. Plus, the Hi Beams have a certain "give" that really accomodates ear-piercing slap and pop.

Rickbass1, I was speaking more in terms of finger style, with the new strings. My current strings get slap/pop fine, and I doubt I should have a problem with that. I'm just looking for something a brighter than what I have now, for chords, and for finger-style. :)

I'll get the Hi-Beams, then. :)

I think that DR Fatbeams sound the closest to Rotosound SwingBass 66 out of all the DR strings I've tried. Fatbeams are bright like Hi-Beams but have a much better defined lo/low mid that reminds me of a set of good Rotosounds. YMMV.

Originally posted by rickbass1
If Rotosound has changed their formula and improved their lifespan, I don't know. If cost were no object and I could restring almost every time I went out, I'd stay with the Rotosounds. When Entwistle used them, he restrung after every show.

But, it gets expensive for a no-name such as I.


That's exactly how I feel about them - there's nothing better than having a fresh set of Rotosounds, but they die too quickly.

Originally posted by rsautrey
I think that DR Fatbeams sound the closest to Rotosound SwingBass 66 out of all the DR strings I've tried. Fatbeams are bright like Hi-Beams but have a much better defined lo/low mid that reminds me of a set of good Rotosounds. YMMV.


I'm a freak, I hate lows and low mids, so this is a good thing. :)

My EQ's even set like this "1.4K" is boosted to 7 (if you're going from 1 being the lowest, and 10 being the highest)
Highs centered, with Lows cut to 4. Contour's all the way down, so I get enough mids. :)

Oh, yeah... I'm going to get the Hi-beams right now. :)

I'll tell you what I think once I restring.

looks like i'm chiming in too late, but i agree that hi-beams are the way to go. a little TOO bright for me in fact. another thing you might want to know is that they're far more flexible than lo-riders.

Originally posted by CrawlingEye



I'm a freak, I hate lows and low mids, so this is a good thing. :)

Funny thing that... I remember nine months ago or so when you were saying just the opposite - you wanted as much low end as possible, and were looking for 18" loaded cabs.

Funny how things change, innit?

Try Dean Markley Blue Steels.

I have the Lo Riders and my friend has some Hi Beams. I like them both, but personally I would go for the Lo Riders, because of their increased tension. If you want something brighter, and more flexible, go for the Hi Beams, they sound great too.

another option for bright and punchy might be the thomastic jazz roundwounds. they're a little pricey comparatively, but they sounded great right out of the box. very light gauge, and very bright, but silky at the same time. they even felt smoother than most other roundwounds i've found. i didn't like them so much when they got older, though. it might be worth checking out for you, though.
andy

I ended up getting the Rotosound Swing 66's, and I'm quite happy with them. :)