best DR strings for tight punchy sound

[velalv]

Hi all:

I am currently playing an American Jazz Deluxe with Samarium Noiseless Pickups on it. I have it strung up with Hi-Beams. I love the hi-beams, however, I find myself wanting a bit more punch to my sound. To my ears, they sound a bit mid-scooped. I don't think I have an EQ problem. I play mainly contemporary Christian and gospel. I play about 80% fingers, 15% slap, and 5% pick. I don't need super accentuated highs, especially because there are times we have no drummer. I do have to account for playing with a heavy handed pianist though

I want to stay with DR strings primarily as i have been very happy with their consistency.

[mmbongo]

Sunbeams. Similar tension to HiBeams, but smoother feel, less highs, and way more mids. You can even build custom sets at www.bassstringsonline.com

[tylerwylie]

Fat Beams might work as they will have a little bit more of a response in the low-mid frequency and will sound a bit better than Sunbeams for slap.

But then again when people use terms like tight and punchy I also have absolutely no clue what that means.

[P-oddz]

Originally Posted by mmbongo

Sunbeams. Similar tension to HiBeams, but smoother feel, less highs, and way more mids. You can even build custom sets at www.bassstringsonline.com

+1. Agreed.

[velalv]

Originally Posted by tylerwylie

Fat Beams might work as they will have a little bit more of a response in the low-mid frequency and will sound a bit better than Sunbeams for slap.

But then again when people use terms like tight and punchy I also have absolutely no clue what that means.

You make a fair point. I guess I just felt like the high beams gave me plenty of high and lows. Lows were pretty big on the Hi Beams. I had no problems hearing myself in a mix, just was not getting any authority. I'm trying to find something between oowey gooey roundness and warmth and lots of stainless steel high end. I have a set of TI Flats that I love, but are a bit too round and undefined for my tastes, and trying to find something in DR that is in between. I have also quite enjoyed the round core construction on my Hi-beams.

Hope this clarifies, though I understand if it does not.

[Troph]

Originally Posted by velalv

I'm trying to find something between oowey gooey roundness and warmth and lots of stainless steel high end.

Sunbeams have some extra nickel warmth and some nice midrange punch.

Originally Posted by velalv

I have a set of TI Flats that I love, but are a bit too round and undefined for my tastes, and trying to find something in DR that is in between.

Yep, Sunbeams again.

Originally Posted by velalv

I have also quite enjoyed the round core construction on my Hi-beams.

Guess what else has a round core? Sunbeams do, that's what.

[Ian_Flash]

You need DR Low Rider stainless steel (not Nickel). They have a Hex core, unlike Sunbeams, Fat Beams and Hi Beams which have a ROUND core. Low Rider SS have a punchy forward midrange kick and a quick response which should really work well with the SC P/U's.

[GG7]

I've got Nickle LO-Riders on my American Deluxe. Sounds awesome and the higher tension means less buzz if you like a lower action. Plenty of top end, good mids and a lot of solid bottom.

[wobble man]

Fat Beams and Sunbeams are both awesome. It comes down to the difference between SS and nickel, but I love both.

[apollo18]

+1 on the low riders. I swapped my low riders for new hi-beam 40-100. The thinner strings are nicer to play but I dumped them quick for my older low riders

[MoeGJBeener]

Ernie Ball Cobalts!

[u84six]

Sadowsky Blue Label stainless steel are similar in brightness to DR Hi-Beams, but have a focus on mid range growl. They're also mid tension, given the hex core. Very high quality strings.

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by Ian_Flash

You need DR Low Rider stainless steel (not Nickel). They have a Hex core, unlike Sunbeams, Fat Beams and Hi Beams which have a ROUND core. Low Rider SS have a punchy forward midrange kick and a quick response which should really work well with the SC P/U's.

Mr. Flash has read the OP accurately. For tightness and punch, the OP wants the stainless steel Lo-Riders.

MM

[Ian_Flash]

Thanks Mystic. I've worked with many talented builders and musicians over the years... always glad to share any info that may help. Lo-Riders SS are a really cool string... I use them for quite a few of my basses.

P.S. That Blake quote is where Jim Morrison got the name for The Doors. It's one of my all-time faves!

[bass12]

I actually found Lo-Riders to be even more scooped than Hi-Beams. Maybe it was just on this particular bass. But yeah, I much prefer the Hi-Beams and would suggest Sunbeams before Lo-Riders.

[Ian_Flash]

They won't admit to it, but Sunbeams are their Roundwound Fretless string. They have a colorful midrange, but not the punch as requested, then again, few Nickels do... SS/Hex Core is the way to go.

[Hopkins]

Originally Posted by Ian_Flash

You need DR Low Rider stainless steel (not Nickel). They have a Hex core, unlike Sunbeams, Fat Beams and Hi Beams which have a ROUND core. Low Rider SS have a punchy forward midrange kick and a quick response which should really work well with the SC P/U's.

This,

SS Lo Riders are my string of choice, and I am always looking for the exact tone you are going for.

[Ian_Flash]

I've used dozens and dozens (and dozens) of strings over the years, and for S/Steel, I'm surprised that DR Lo Riders are not MORE popular with more players. They are UNIQUE not only in their sound but in their midrange response and attack. I use many different string types from several top manufacturers because they are all EXCELLENT at QC, customer service, innovation and execution of tonal goals. The BAD news: Different instruments can either EMPHASIZE, COMPLEMENT or COUNTERACT a string's characteristics. The GOOD news: Different instruments can EMPHASIZE, COMPLEMENT or COUNTERACT a string's characteristics. As a result, your options for finding YOUR best tone, feel, response and longevity are numerous if you have the patience (and the $) to try various strings on various instruments. All the info we share here on TB will help you to achieve that goal.

[chaosMK]

Originally Posted by u84six

Sadowsky Blue Label stainless steel are similar in brightness to DR Hi-Beams, but have a focus on mid range growl. They're also mid tension, given the hex core. Very high quality strings.

These are excellent strings. I tend to use Low Riders almost exclusively myself but tried the Sadowsky strings (both Blue and Black)... they definitely have midrange and tightness. If you want a tight fingerstyle funk they are excellent. Low Riders are a dash scooped and thin to me after using Sadowskly, but I prefer the Low Riders and their brightness for slapping and my edge-of-breakup overdrive tone. For a purely clean tone Sadowsky might be a dash better. They are not super bright, almost like nickel strings.

Blacks were... meh. They were about as bright as the Blues and just SUPER STIFF.

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by Hopkins

SS Lo Riders are my string of choice, and I am always looking for the exact tone you are going for.

Many of the posters who are recommending Sunbeams, FatBeams and Hi-Beams are likely doing so from personal preference - not because they are heeding the OP's requirement for strings that are tight & punchy.

FWIW, I also use FatBeams, and like them a lot. But I reserve them for my fretless basses, because I reckon the looser round-core tension of those strings is better suited for fretless.

With only one exception, all my fretted basses wear stainless steel Lo-Riders - because I love the smooth yet snappy tone, and because I reckon the stiffer tension of the hex-core strings is better suited for fretted basses.

To be clear, Sunbeams, FatBeams & Hi-Beams are all somewhat tight & punchy. But not nearly as much as Lo-Riders...

MM