DR or D'addario?

mielkeway2121 · #1 05-13-2012, 05:38 PM

Looking to replace the strings on my 6 string ibanez Sr506. I play mostly metal. Thinking of going with either DR or D'addario strings; I've heard good things about both. And price really isn't an issue for me; I'm looking to get a nice set that will last awhile. Any reccomendations?

Thanks!

**MostlyBass** · #2 05-13-2012, 05:41 PM

Try the DR. I had an SR505 with D'Addarios on them and although they were fine I think that instrument speaks better with other strings.

There was nothing wrong with them - just a bit bland.

Duckwater · #3 05-13-2012, 05:52 PM

I've never played any strings that were bad, just different. Some strings keep their brightness longer than others though. In my experience stainless strings lose their brightness the fastest, especially Roto 66s. You need to experiment to find the right strings for you and your instrument. I play a lot of heavy music, and I like a bright and aggressive sound, I never thought that high tension flatwounds would be the perfect string for me and my main bass, but they are.

Catbuster · #4 05-13-2012, 06:48 PM

DR Highbeams last forever. They're nice and bright and agressive.

D'Addarios don't last as long, but are definitely ballsier in comparison to the DRs. The ProSteels and the second best SS round, in my ompinion.

jacojbass · #5 05-13-2012, 06:52 PM

DR are expensive and die fast.....

LightGroove · #6 05-13-2012, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mielkeway2121

Looking to replace the strings on my 6 string ibanez Sr506. I play mostly metal. Thinking of going with either DR or D'addario strings; I've heard good things about both. And price really isn't an issue for me; I'm looking to get a nice set that will last awhile. Any reccomendations?

Thanks!

Playing fingers or a pick? As far as longevity its all on your body chemistry. I dont buy the certain brands die quicker routine..but many do. Id say look at the coated version of either. I prefer the Dadarrio coated over DR as DR's were very sticky..almost giving me a rug burn sensation.

I dont see how you will need a ton of variety regarding metal as things tend to blend a lot more...the same with the bass..not a big variety with a sr506..so Id say..get whats cheapest..

**Ric5** · #7 05-13-2012, 07:38 PM

DRs and D'addario are both good. Get a set of each and try them out.

BassBob1 · #8 05-13-2012, 08:33 PM

I like both, but currently have DR stainless lo-riders on my bass. I haven't tried D'Addario's pro-steels so I can't compare those. Based on my experience and how the strings feel and sound to me, DR nickel strings don't start out as bright as the D'addario's but the DR's keep a bit of there brightness a little longer. If you like the new string brightness go with the D'addario's because they start out brighter and are cheaper. D'addario nickel XL's are probably the string that I have used the most in my bass playing "career" but I'm favoring the DR's now. If you want to try a round core string DR sunbeams or Hi-Beams are your only option. Comparing how tight they feel (what many refer to as tension) D'addario's are probably just a tad bit tighter feeling than any of the DR hex cores in the same gauges. Hope that helps a little. But as said before, get one of each set that you want to try and stick with the one you like best, especially if money isn't an issue.

Highpost · #9 05-13-2012, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catbuster

DR Highbeams last forever. They're nice and bright and agressive.

D'Addarios don't last as long, but are definitely ballsier in comparison to the DRs. The ProSteels and the second best SS round, in my ompinion.

+1

calebbarton · #10 05-13-2012, 08:55 PM

DR Hibeams. GO!

HertzWhenIPlay · #11 05-13-2012, 08:58 PM

i tried many strings and have concluded time and time again that DR's are my favorite. DRs might have a shorter life span than some other brands, but they absolutely kill!
A longer lasting string that i also like very well are GHS bass boomers.

LarryO · #12 05-13-2012, 09:05 PM

for roundwounds DR Low riders are the best sounding and feeling strings I've ever used and they seem to last longer than others I've tried.

mielkeway2121 · #13 05-13-2012, 11:51 PM

I'm using my fingers, no pick.

mielkeway2121 · #14 05-13-2012, 11:53 PM

And I think I am going to try some D'addarios, because that's what guitar center has right now, and I don't feel like ordering strings online and having to wait for them haha.

jmattbassplaya · #15 05-13-2012, 11:54 PM

Haha, seriously!

I'll give him that they are pricey, but they last longer than any other round I've used. I can get a good 2 months out of a set if I need to. I can't say that about D'adarrio at all.

JimmyM · #16 05-14-2012, 01:55 AM

Body chemistry has a lot to do with whether one type of strings dies on one person quicker than another. It's not unheard of for two people to have different results.

soulman969 · #17 05-14-2012, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mielkeway2121

And I think I am going to try some D'addarios, because that's what guitar center has right now, and I don't feel like ordering strings online and having to wait for them haha.

Unless you consider 3 days too long to wait try; http://www.bassstringsonline.com/

For D'Dads, DR's, GHS, or anyone of a dozen or more other brands. Unless you just have to drive across town today to pick them up yourself it doesn't get any better than this.

leroy diamond · #18 05-14-2012, 02:44 AM

I had to Change my DR's after 2 gigs as they just died. Sounded great but not for long

mmbongo · #19 05-14-2012, 06:46 AM

If you think DR's are pricey, you must not be buying them from www.bassstringsonline.com

They cost about the same as most any other high end string. They are NOT budget strings like D'add, Ernie Ball, or Dunlop. They last twice as long as any of those as well.

madbassplaya · #20 05-14-2012, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

If you think DR's are pricey, you must not be buying them from www.bassstringsonline.com

They cost about the same as most any other high end string. They are NOT budget strings like D'add, Ernie Ball, or Dunlop. They last twice as long as any of those as well.

The DR's cost more, yes, but they also have lasted longer for me. Body chemistry has a lot to do with a string lasting though and everyone's is different.

Also, if you were using a string like Low Riders, they don't have a ton of top end to begin with IMO. So you may need to try a different string if you want really bright strings.

Like mmbongo, I also buy my strings at http://www.bassstringsonline.com/

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