Ah...Good 'ol DR Hi-Beams

[Lokire]

I go in and out of different string phases and depressions...

For a while I had been using TI Jazz Rounds on my Ken Lawrence, and I love those strings. They are literally the only strings I've used that sound perfect right out of the box. They aren't too bright, and I don't have to wait weeks until they break in like with any other strings. BUT, they don't retain that tone for a real long time and once they mellow out it's a much softer tone. Almost like a flatwound tone. Which is great for some things, but not so great for heavier music.

So then I had a used set of Carvin's Nickel strings on it for a while. Great B-string, nice tension and feel. Sounded amazing at my band rehearsals. But it sounded like crap at my last gig, and they didn't sound very good recorded.

So now I'm back to DR Hi-Beams after putting them away for a while. I can't even believe how good these strings feel and sound. I've had this specific set for well over a year, almost 2 years I think. Used on and off between a bunch of basses. I don't even feel the need for a new set yet.

I was seriously thinking about changing the pickups/electronics in my bass because I just wasn't getting a great tone. But now I've seen the light. I think DRs are the perfect match for this bass

[big stubby]

I just now put a set of the same strings and my Fender JB for the first time and WOW! what a great set of strings. I too was wondering about my pickups, but not anymore.

[pickles]

True.

I'm about 2 months in on the beams on my 55-94, and am in heaven.

I'm going to try longnecks next, but I imagine I'll run screaming back to my beams.

I only wish the B was a little less ringy.

[bstringrandy]

++1 on the DR High Beams!

I picked up a Spector US Bolt-on NS-JH5 last year that had a set of TI Jazz Rounds on it. Last month, I swapped them out for a set of DR Hi-Beam Mediums. What a difference! With the 35" scale, the B really tightened up and it's like the bass just woke up! I'm sure the brightness will settle down a bit over time, but I'm really liking the range of tones I can get to now.

Randy

[Lorenzini]

Originally Posted by pickles

True.

I'm about 2 months in on the beams on my 55-94, and am in heaven.

I'm going to try longnecks next, but I imagine I'll run screaming back to my beams.

I only wish the B was a little less ringy.

Put a DR Lo Rider B string on a set of 4 string Hi Beams.
You will be set. I did that and they blended really really well. And I usually hate mixing strings, even B strings.
Try it out

[joelb79]

I used to be a devout Hi-Beam user, but I just tried a set of Rotosound RS99's and I think i'm never going back. Mids don't get this sweet sounding without killing the highs. They deliver it all. Crunchy but full lows, sweet singing mids, with a nice shimmery top.

Plus, they sound great down tuned which works for heavy music too.

Just my $0.02.

(But +1 Highbeams are some of the finest strings out there. and they seem to be so readily available its hard to go wrong)

[machine gewehr]

I put a new set of Hi-beams on december.They still sound great.Normally the strings would be already dead but these strings last looooong.

[ElBajista]

Originally Posted by pickles

True.

I'm about 2 months in on the beams on my 55-94, and am in heaven.

I'm going to try longnecks next, but I imagine I'll run screaming back to my beams.

I only wish the B was a little less ringy.

that was my only problem with the DR Hi-beams on my previously-owned 55-02. The other strings sounded fantastic, but the B never did it for me.

Originally Posted by Lorenzini

Put a DR Lo Rider B string on a set of 4 string Hi Beams.
You will be set. I did that and they blended really really well. And I usually hate mixing strings, even B strings.
Try it out

Can you buy single Lo-rider B strings?

[Lokire]

The B isn't amazing, but it's fine for me. Here's a recent video with my good 'ol Hi-Beams

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bceFnHUx8j8#GU5U2spHI_4

[SteveC]

The B may not be amazing, that could be my bass, too, but on the whole, the best strings I've tried. They are all I use these days.

[ElBajista]

Originally Posted by Lokire

The B isn't amazing, but it's fine for me. Here's a recent video with my good 'ol Hi-Beams

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bceFnHUx8j8#GU5U2spHI_4

Wow! Awesome tone, great song, and incredible playing! That's really an awesome video. I'm going to have to learn me some of that Jamiroquai...

[Loose Cannon]

After using Dean Markley Blue Steels for years, I bought a set of Hi-Beams for my old Peavey Foundation 5-string a couple of months ago based on recommendations from this group. They're the best strings I've ever used! Even the B sounds better than before. Maybe something else could be better, but these strings are great!! Thanks!

[TheMutt]

I have been a fan of DR Hi-Beams for a number of years now. I have tried a fair number of bass strings and none of them seemed to sound good for both finger play and slapping, or didn't eat up my frets like crazy. When I purchased a MIM Fender J, I waited a whole week before breaking down and tossing out the new Fender strings that the store put on for me. Like other posters, I had thought that I would need to do some serious electrical work to make my bass sound like I wanted it to, but these strings really do sound great and have a really nice feeling to them right out of the box. I don't personally think that any break-in time is required.

[SGT. Pepper]

I know, good ol DR Hi-Beams I put on my new Schecter Stiletto Elite 5. They sound awesome on that bass. I filed out the B string saddle so a .125 non-tapered string would fit properly. Perfect fit!

[funkalicious101]

I have hi-beams on my fretless jazz and i dont care for them too much, seem kinda wimpy

[Lokire]

I'm not really a fretless player, but I wouldn't think they would be the best strings for a fretless. I'd go with flats, tapewounds, or nickel strings.