Audio Shootout: DR Hi-Beams vs. DR Nickel Lo-Riders

[Ryan Mohr]

I recorded these clips awhile ago but I haven't posted yet. Both sets are roughly a month old, played on my Fender Classic '60s Jazz Bass. It's essentially an alder/rosewood '60s style J bass.

In the clips, both pickups and tone are on full on both basses. The recording signal path was Fender Classic '60s Jazz Bass->direct out (pre eq) on Fender Bassman 150->Behringer mixer->Behringer interface->Dell. I used a Lava instrument cable and a Gepco mic cable. I didn't use any compression or EQ on Audacity.

Hi-Beams

Nickel Lo-Riders

It's been so long since I have played steel strings, so I think the hi-beams are a good "transition" between nickels and normal steels like the Sadowskys. The hi-beams feel smoother, and the tension is lighter than when the SS lo-riders I used before.

Upon listening and playing, the hi-beams have a wider and more open sound, with less upper mids, and a clearer, brighter upper treble. The nickel lo-riders are a bit more focused, with more upper mids, less upper treble, and an overall warmer sound. Both sounds are great, I think the nickel lo-riders are better for classic rock or blues, and the hi-beams are better for funk or slap.

Let me know which tone you guys prefer and why, thanks.

[Ryan Mohr]

Nobody is interested?

[BillySid]

I like the High Beam tone myself.

[RTL]

It's actually pretty funny that you had this idea..

Ed Friedland just did a DR String shootout in the Bass Emporium newsletter, except he tested 7 different kinds using 3 different playing styles (Fingerstyle, Pick, Slap).

http://www.bassemporium.com/newsletters.php

[Surly]

Good test.

[dmusic148]

Thanks for doing that-makes the difference clear. I've gone back and forth, using each. My problem is I like the tone of the HiBeams but prefer the feel of SunBeams.

[mattygbass]

i really am a huge fan of highbeams, but lately the dr nickle strings have been the sound im looking for,ive been using sunbeams myself but may have to check out a pair of the nickle lo-riders, are the tension high like the ss low-riders?

[KJung]

Nice, both sound good, and I use them both. I really love the tone, the feel and the long lasting brightness of the high beams, and love them on my ash/maple J-type instruments.

I like the slightly woodier and warmer Lo Rider Nickels also, and they are currently my string of choice on my alder/RW J.

Nice job!

[Eric Perry]

Cool poll!

[stflbn]

Still lovin' the Sunbeams in the Friedland Shoot-out, but Nickel LoRiders would come in next.

[Craig_S]

Originally Posted by stflbn

Still lovin' the Sunbeams in the Friedland Shoot-out, but Nickel LoRiders would come in next.

Yeah, me too. If I was going to buy DRs, it would be the Sunbeams.

I used High Beams, years ago, and had two bad sets in a row. I Liked the tone, pretty much, but wasn't going to deal with inconsistencies, so I went back to D'Addario.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Craig_S

Yeah, me too. If I was going to buy DRs, it would be the Sunbeams.

I used High Beams, years ago, and had two bad sets in a row. I Liked the tone, pretty much, but wasn't going to deal with inconsistencies, so I went back to D'Addario.

I'm on probably my 50th set of Hi Beams and have never had an issue. However, across all string manufacturers, every once in a while, there is a bad run, and most will replace the sets for free.

[RTL]

I've always wondered why the Sunbeams aren't more popular. I've used them on almost every bass I've had for the past 3 years (FYI: That's 12 basses).

Ed was actually the one who turned me onto them. He's a very smart man! He was also kind enough to lend his ear when I was trying to decide between the Berg HS410 and AE410 the other day.

[73jbass]

Why not go with the ones "you" like best?

[Craig_S]

Originally Posted by KJung

I'm on probably my 50th set of Hi Beams and have never had an issue. However, across all string manufacturers, every once in a while, there is a bad run, and most will replace the sets for free.

It was quite some time agao. Back in the early 90's I had two dead A strings in a row. Probably a fluke, but I was doing big shows and gigging a huge amount locally. I couldn't afford any problems.

[UnderTone]

i think for that particular lick, the lo-riders' tone fit better.

[Ryan Mohr]

Originally Posted by RTL

It's actually pretty funny that you had this idea..

Ed Friedland just did a DR String shootout in the Bass Emporium newsletter, except he tested 7 different kinds using 3 different playing styles (Fingerstyle, Pick, Slap).

http://www.bassemporium.com/newsletters.php

Thanks for that post! I just read all that over, pretty cool stuff. I will listen to the clips later.

Originally Posted by mattygbass

i really am a huge fan of highbeams, but lately the dr nickle strings have been the sound im looking for,ive been using sunbeams myself but may have to check out a pair of the nickle lo-riders, are the tension high like the ss low-riders?

Lo-Rider and Nickel Lo-Rider tension is the same IME.

Originally Posted by KJung

Nice, both sound good, and I use them both. I really love the tone, the feel and the long lasting brightness of the high beams, and love them on my ash/maple J-type instruments.

I like the slightly woodier and warmer Lo Rider Nickels also, and they are currently my string of choice on my alder/RW J.

Nice job!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by 73jbass

Why not go with the ones "you" like best?

I am, but I thought this would be informational and helpful for TB'ers.

[pickles]

The difference in feel is greater than the difference in tone with these two sets. I prefer the high beams on both counts. I find that steel strings have a lot more focus in the bottom end in the mix.

[Ryan Mohr]

bump, I'm truly surprised to see that the nickel lo-riders are beating the ever-popular hi-beams.