Defective DRs? - Page 2

Lorenzini · #21 03-03-2012, 11:46 PM

Wow! Never had this. I use Fat Beams only, but only .125 B string.

Geroi Asfalta · #22 03-04-2012, 11:54 AM

I haven't had th breaking problem with DR's (could have something to do with not having a 5 string), but two of the last 3 sets of Marcus Millers I've picked up have had half dead E strings

Mike M. · #23 03-04-2012, 12:08 PM

I bought two sets of Fat Beams (.045-.130) in January. Put one set on my AM STD 5'er (thru the body) and all went fine with the first set. Still got them on. Hope there's no issue's when I change them.

Geroi Asfalta · #24 03-04-2012, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike M.

I bought two sets of Fat Beams (.045-.130) in January. Put one set on my AM STD 5'er (thru the body) and all went fine with the first set. Still got them on. Hope there's no issue's when I change them.

If they're good after 2 months, they should be fine....I had a set of regular FatBeams on my P for about 6 months before I finally changed them

Thumper828 · #25 03-04-2012, 03:47 PM

i ordered a set of nickel lo riders. The B is dead, hardly any sustain. I contacted Dr through an email, still have not got a response back. It's been almost 2 weeks.

Caca de Kick · #26 03-05-2012, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thumper828

i ordered a set of nickel lo riders. The B is dead, hardly any sustain. I contacted Dr through an email, still have not got a response back. It's been almost 2 weeks.

To me that's the problem with today's consumer; rely too much on messaging. Best to call on the phone. I just did and was told there was a fix, and being sent a replacement, all done in 1 minute phone call.

Thumper828 · #27 03-05-2012, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caca de Kick

To me that's the problem with today's consumer; rely too much on messaging. Best to call on the phone. I just did and was told there was a fix, and being sent a replacement, all done in 1 minute phone call.

Your right. Thanks for the advice. I called, was on the phone for maybe 5 minutes, the DR rep says" Hey, send me and email with your mailing adress, and tell me again about the issue with the string." So, I did. Again.

Jim Carr · #28 03-05-2012, 04:28 PM

DR had a problem last year with lo-riders. Here is one of the threads about it:

email to DR

1954bassman · #29 08-25-2012, 09:22 PM

So I went to the guitar show in Charlotte today and came home with a set of DR Flatwounds for my Sterling 5H. I couldn't wait to take the Chromes off and put the DRs on. Everything was fine until I went to bring the D up to pitch and it broke - right where the string makes the turn out of the tuner post. Since I had about five wraps around the post, I trimmed the broken end off, re-bent the string and strung it up again, only to have it break again at the same place. I repeated this again, and yep, the string broke again.

Then I think, well, I will just have to put the Chrome set's D back on to at least have her strung up. Looking at the Chrome D, I notice it is also ready to break, so I trim it back a little and repeat the entire process. it keep breaking.

What is going on here? I have been stringing up basses for over 40 years, so I would like to think I know what I am doing. I am wondering if the tuner is somehow sharp enough to be cutting these flats.

Modern Growl · #30 08-25-2012, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveAceofBass

I just was restringing my Sadowsky 5-24 with Fat Beams. The B broke past the nut. Took out another Fat Beam B that I had on another bass for a short while, and it broke too in the same location! Both had been crimped at a 90 degree angle before cut. I'm a long time DR user, and I've never had this problem. What's the deal? I hope DR replaces them free of charge!

Its safe to say this is almost a known issue with Fat-Beams in specific, with Sadowsky's smaller size tunning pegs.

I can use DR Hi-Beams on my Sadowsky 5 (.130 Low B) and they don't break at the tuning peg.

3 - I repeat 3 - Fat Beams all broke when trying to wind them around the tuning peg.

Speaking to some people in the know - it seems the Fat-Beam core is a bit thicker then their other roundcore brothers.

I wrote to DR as well... awaiting replacements (Hi-Beams)... not going to chance Fat-Beams again.

FWIW - this is only a Low-B issue on a small tuning peg where the thickest windings are making contact with the tuning peg. If you have a string through body, or a 35" scale, I doubt you'll encouter this isssue.

DR strings are very long so they can work with a lot of basses. In this instance, a low-B .125 or .130 Fat-Beams just doesnt' work well when on a top load 34" scale bass with a smaller tuning peg.

Its almost guarteed to break every time.

Here is my examples:

Hi-Beam - wraps just fine:

Fat-Beam - breaks around tuning peg:

Again - I spoke with a few folks about it and the bigger core of the Fat Beam is the issue (again, trying to tune it around a small tuning peg, top load, 34" scale bass).

This has nothing to do with Sadowsky. Its a DR issue with Fat-Beams in specific.

darkstorm · #31 08-25-2012, 09:33 PM

Out of the 7 packs of DR neon bass strings I had bought for some basses. Two had dead string in the package and I broke B string at nut for another. I stopped using them partly cause of that. Poor reliability and too many others with similair problems with DR strings posting semi regular here. Using Daddario xl nickels now.

JoshXR · #32 08-26-2012, 10:17 AM

I recently bought two packs of DR Black Beauties. In the first pack, the A and D string were dead. In the second pack, the A and G string were dead. A few months ago, I tried some DR Hi Beam Flats, and the E string was dead.

Needless to say, I won't be buying DR strings anymore. Everyone raves about them, but when this many people are having problems with them, that's unacceptable. I don't care if customer service will send you a replacement, it shouldn't be happening in the first place! I have been using Ernie Ball and Elixer strings on guitar and bass for years and have had no problems.

DR needs to get their act together.

1954bassman · #33 08-27-2012, 03:16 PM

DR is sending me a replacement D string. Now if I can get it to string up without breaking. The guy at DR had no suggestions.

If memory serves me well, there was about 6 or 8 inched of string past the tuner to start with. I bent it and snipped it about 3 inches past the gear.

Someone mentioned "figure 8" winding which I am unfamilar with.

I guess I could try not trimming the string at all. Or trimming it after I get it on and up to pitch.

Or I could just try a set of Ernie Ball flats on my Sterling 5

**Gladowsky** · #34 12-02-2012, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gladowsky

I just had this same problem with my Fat Beams (MM5-130). The B-string broke on the fattest part as I was winding it. Tried another one and same result. Both sets were purchased together from Musician's Friend. I called DR today and they are sending free replacements. Hopefully, this is not a reoccuring event.

12/2/2012: I'll be calling DR tomorrow. I'm going to try the .125 size to see if a .005 gauge difference will help. These last two sets were the ones they sent to replace the original two that broke.

Anyone else still having issues with these?

darkstorm · #35 12-02-2012, 11:27 PM

It would be nice to see DR improve their strings so this doesnt happen so often. Dr strings got put on my do not buy list because of it.

ilikebass7 · #36 12-02-2012, 11:42 PM

I just received a set with a Dead D and G string. I have contacted them twice for replacements and have not heard back. its been over a week. Hopefully we both hear back.

ilikebass7 · #37 12-03-2012, 08:53 AM

I'm happy to say DR just sai they are sending me a replacement set.

bassgod0dmw · #38 12-03-2012, 11:00 AM

I've broken a few DR low B strings on my Sadowsky as well. .125 or .130 didn't make a difference. It's happened to me with both Hi Beams and Lo Riders. I've never used Fat beams, and I wouldn't say it's an issue only with them.

Each time it happened I contacted DR and they sent me a free pack of strings. Excellent service if I do say so myself. Unfortunately, when I change my strings I don't want to have to wait around for a few days to get a replacement just in case I break one installing them. I'll still use DR's on my other basses, but I've went elsewhere for this particular bass and haven't had a single issue with other manufacturers.

**MostlyBass** · #39 12-03-2012, 11:05 AM

No problems with FatBeams 125, 130 or DDT / Hi-Beams 135.

bassgod0dmw · #40 12-03-2012, 11:38 AM

I think a lot of the issue has to do with exactly where the tuner is placed on the bass headstock and how far the wraps extend on the strings.

In the case of my Sadowsky, if the tuner was placed in a slightly different location this wouldn't be an issue. The same can be said for the string itself, if the wrap was ended or extended 1/2" longer or shorter, it would be a non issue.