Come On DR!

wallshakerpbass · #1 08-13-2009, 10:30 PM

I was just doodling around earlier on my bass, just having fun, when POP........ the winding on my D string literally pops open like a spring.
I had a set of DR Hi-Beams on. I know that they're ''tite wound'', but didn't have the slightest idea that they were so tight they would pop.
Has anyone had this issue with DR Hi-Beams? Any help would be appreciated.

4stringrob · #2 08-13-2009, 10:36 PM

every string company has defective units, just like anything else. DR is known for great customer support, go ahead and call them directly and tell them, i'd bet all the change in my pocket they'll take care of you.

wallshakerpbass · #3 08-13-2009, 11:01 PM

OK. It's my first time using these strings, so I wasn't sure if this was a common occurence or not. That's good to know that they've got good customer support.

Thanks very much

funkyebk · #4 08-13-2009, 11:09 PM

Did you bend the string before cutting it to length before winding the string? Hi-beams have an instruction sheet that should be followed...

Where did the string break?

That said... DR is good people... give them a shout and they'll take care of you.

EASonBass · #5 08-14-2009, 12:41 AM

I've played DR Hi Beams exclusively for many, many years. Never had that happen. Always bend before cutting as stated above.

I've only had one dead string and DR happily replaced it.

**TheMutt** · #6 08-14-2009, 12:44 AM

I've also used DR strings for quite a while. Never had that problem when it wasn't warranted. Definitely definitely definitely bend the strings before cutting them. I've had one unwind on me before when I was changing strings in a hurry.

heath_r_91 · #7 08-14-2009, 12:52 AM

Are you supposed to bend all types of strings before you cut them?

This idea is completely new to me...

Sorry for the derail.

**TheMutt** · #8 08-14-2009, 01:48 AM

AFAIK it's only DR's you need to worry about this with due to the way that they are wound.

Vendele197 · #9 08-14-2009, 04:00 AM

So, hypothetically speaking, if you did not bend the string before cutting, should one anticipate the same problem the OP experienced? Hypothetically speaking of course.

Damn instructions and them needing to be read...

**TheMutt** · #10 08-14-2009, 04:03 AM

Nah, the core breaking is something else entirely. Pull on a string hard enough, or play with it long enough, and it's definitely going to break. Bending the strings ensures that the wrap wire doesn't come undone when you trim them to the correct length.

Vendele197 · #11 08-14-2009, 04:37 AM

So, if I cut the string without bending it, put the end down the hole in the tuning post, wound it up, etc. and the wrap wire didn't come undone, I should be good, right?

**TheMutt** · #12 08-14-2009, 04:47 AM

Probably. It only happened to me once (the first time in fact) for me to remember it whenever I was using DR's.

fearceol · #13 08-14-2009, 06:05 AM

This bending before cutting is a bit puzzeling to me. Are you supposed to bend at the desired cutting length, then cut just past that. I asume this means you have to put the bend into the hole in the posts. What if it does not fit ?

**TheMutt** · #14 08-14-2009, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fearceol

This bending before cutting is a bit puzzeling to me. Are you supposed to bend at the desired cutting length, then cut just past that. I asume this means you have to put the bend into the hole in the posts. What if it does not fit ?

Nope, you cut right at the bend. There's a diagram inside every pack of DR strings that explains this.

bassplayer7770 · #15 08-14-2009, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heath_r_91

Are you supposed to bend all types of strings before you cut them?

This idea is completely new to me...

Sorry for the derail.

I always bend the strings before cutting. They need to be bent anyway (to fit into the string hole on the tuning post), so I figure it's better to be safe than sorry...

SteveC · #16 08-14-2009, 07:55 AM

I have used DR Hi Beams for a long time. I have never bent before cutting. I tried it once an dit didn't seem to make a difference. I have never had a problem.

fearceol · #17 08-14-2009, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMutt

Nope, you cut right at the bend. There's a diagram inside every pack of DR strings that explains this.

Thanks for that. Yes, I read the instructions, which I found vague. Looks like I'm not the only one. The reply is different from yours too.

http://69.41.173.82/forums/showthread.php?t=159870

It seems to me that once it's bent you can have problems inserting it into the post holes.

Yet more confusion : DR Round cores - Crimping question

chunkstyle · #18 08-14-2009, 10:48 AM

i've always bent my strings before cutting them... habit.

give em a 90 degree bend right at the point where you would normally bend them to fit them into the tuner, and cut about half an inch past the bend. i read somewhere long ago that that locks the outer winding in place. never thought much of it after that, but i always do it.

fearceol · #19 08-14-2009, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunkstyle

give em a 90 degree bend right at the point where you would normally bend them to fit them into the tuner, and cut about half an inch past the bend.

That would seem the way to do it alright, but the instructions inside the DR packets show a hair pin bend ( as in a crimp). If it's so important to bend the string, then DR should be more specific in their instructions, and avoid all this confusion.

Revmizery · #20 08-14-2009, 12:16 PM

I have been using DR's for 7 years now. The only times I have had the string unwind was when I broke the string cores, which has only happened like 3-4 times between 2 basses. How long did you have the strings on that bass for?