D'Addario ProSteels vs DR Highbeams

[jzbass6]

Looking for opinions, are D'Addario ProSteel EPS170-6SL Super Long Scale 6-String 30-130 and DR Handmade MR630 Hi Beam 6 String Set (30-125) anywhere in the same ballpark?
Thx, Will

[chris.gotfunk]

The biggest difference is the tension. The PS's have what I would call high/med tension. The HB's are low tension and my string of choice! It just depends on what you like.

[jzbass6]

Originally Posted by chris.gotfunk

The biggest difference is the tension. The PS's have what I would call high/med tension. The HB's are low tension and my string of choice! It just depends on what you like.

So I take they are similar sonically but flexibility is different?

[Maiden Bass]

I have used both and would say the biggest difference in tone is the DR's are very mid shy. If you like a stronger midrange from your strings then you need the Prosteels.

Here are some clips I found of DR strings -

http://www.bassemporium.com/newslett...ewsletter.html

and one of Prosteels -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ4vDiPi3HM

[bassist4dalord]

The D'Addarios have ProSteel Man! That should make them win by default.

[EagleMoon]

I use both of these on a regular basis. They do seem to accentuate different frequency ranges. It depends on whether the bass you're putting them on has a lot of mids or not as to which one to use. Basses that tend to have a lot of natural mids usually do better with the ProSteels, whereas the DR's accentuate the mids. So you might want to put them on a bass that is a bit mid shy.

[dhomer]

If you want a degree of deepness and punch, the Prosteels are your choice. The one set of Hi-Beams I tried I took em off in a couple days. All clang, no beef...

Personally I like the Prosteels a lot. I think the DR Fat Beams are out of the package sonically superior, but my experience was they don't last long (a couple months) and when they go bad it ain't pretty.. For the price it ain't worth it.. Currently playing a set of Cleartones. Been on my bass about 8 months now, they sound great (lots of punch, definition, and "beef") and so far I haven't noticed any sign of losing tone...

[jzbass6]

Originally Posted by Maiden Bass

I have used both and would say the biggest difference in tone is the DR's are very mid shy. If you like a stronger midrange from your strings then you need the Prosteels.

Here are some clips I found of DR strings -

http://www.bassemporium.com/newslett...ewsletter.html

and one of Prosteels -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ4vDiPi3HM

Thx MB for the info, this helps a lot, I may end up getting a set of them both to see what works best on my bass. I'm hoping the Pro Steels work out in the long run for the cost factor also listening to the DR clips I really like the sound of the Highbeams over the other DR sets.

Originally Posted by EagleMoon

Basses that tend to have a lot of natural mids usually do better with the ProSteels, whereas the DR's accentuate the mids. So you might want to put them on a bass that is a bit mid shy.

Thx EM, this is what has confused me a bit about the midrange issue concerning the DR's and PS's, as above in MB's comment, as you stated it more than likely depend on the bass.

[Jaco who?]

Originally Posted by jzbass6

Looking for opinions, are D'Addario ProSteel EPS170-6SL Super Long Scale 6-String 30-130 and DR Handmade MR630 Hi Beam 6 String Set (30-125) anywhere in the same ballpark?
Thx, Will

No, they aren't, PS's are a higher tension hex core string and the HB's are a lower tension round core. DR low riders are hex core.

[jzbass6]

Originally Posted by Jaco who?

No, they aren't, PS's are a higher tension hex core string and the HB's are a lower tension round core. DR low riders are hex core.

Ths JW, I'm aware of the construction, I meant more in terms of sonic qualites being similar. I played a Skjold 5 recently that was strung with HB's and I liked the sound of them, killer Skjold I might add. It was the first experience playing a bass with HB's, I always shyed away from them because I had heard they were to bright sounding.

[jgroh]

I have traditionally had more "middy" basses (Ric, Guild, Geddy, now G&Ls) so the steels were almost too bright with those basses. I tried DR HiBeams and I really love them. It gives me a "controlled growl" and isnt harsh on the high end like my experience with steels.

[kirkm24]

Originally Posted by bassist4dalord

The D'Addarios have ProSteel Man! That should make them win by default.

Yes, he conquers evil dead strings!