DR Hi Beam Flats

boogie8008 · #1 10-18-2010, 03:23 PM

I want to know who plays the DR High Beam Flats. I did a few searches and most of the posts were from a few years ago and I know that they were pulled off the market and tweaked a little.

I have played the La Bella Deep Talkin' and liked the tone a lot but I want something with a lower tension. I play the regular Hi Beams on my Music Man and I just bought a P Bass and want something thumpy.

I really want to know how the Hi Beams compare to the La Bellas but any input on the tone and playability would be helpful.

Also if anyone knows how the tension on the flats compares to the regular Beams that would be great.

Thanks

boogie8008 · #2 10-19-2010, 02:08 PM

anyone?

guroove · #3 10-19-2010, 02:14 PM

I have used the DR flats. I liked them a lot, but they were definitely for someone who loves a good flatwound string. See, I've always been somewhere of an in-between flats and rounds kind of guy. I like the smoothness, and the big bottom, but I also like the complexity of rounds. DRs have low tension, but something about their flexibility seems to make the action seem a little high. They are polished smooth as glass, and are really easy to play. What's weird is that some people seem to think they are bright, and others (myself included) seem to think they have a dark sound. They are really heavy on the low end, and fundamental tones, but not a lot of mids like the labellas. You can slap on them and the high strings have a lot of sparkle, but the low E is very thumpy. I liked them, but I've switched to LaBella 760FS.

lmfreeman9 · #4 10-19-2010, 03:06 PM

I have used the DR's but if you don't like tension they are not for you. I would describe the tension as medium. The do have alot of bottom like LaBellas but with better highs. Overall, they are a lot like Sadowskys. I stopped using both because of tension.

I prefer low tension and these are the flats I use:

Thomastik Infeld Jazz Flats-Lowest tension, best mids
Pyramid Golds-Low tension, big bottom, vintage sound
LaBella FL's-Low tension, plenty of bottom, not a lot of high end.

Metal Mitch · #5 10-20-2010, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guroove

the high strings have a lot of sparkle, but the low E is very thumpy.

so are you saying the tone isn't the same on all the strings? nothing irritates me more than strings that sound like I'm playing 2 (or 3) different basses...

guroove · #6 10-20-2010, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metal Mitch

so are you saying the tone isn't the same on all the strings? nothing irritates me more than strings that sound like I'm playing 2 (or 3) different basses...

You can never have the same exact tone across all the strings. I would say the sound is somewhat consistent, but the E string is noticeably thumpy as in it has a rapid decay after the initial attack.

markanini · #7 10-20-2010, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guroove

You can never have the same exact tone across all the strings. I would say the sound is somewhat consistent, but the E string is noticeably thumpy as in it has a rapid decay after the initial attack.

Too typical.....

The DR sound nice in this clip tho:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9F7GwW30AI

Metal Mitch · #8 10-21-2010, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markanini

Too typical.....

The DR sound nice in this clip tho:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9F7GwW30AI

not

same guy, same bass, same strings. this one sounds much better

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOxHjQ8vqac

**crustychef** · #9 10-21-2010, 01:49 AM

I used them on my fretless but recently switched to rounds. I liked the tone but for the band I'm in I needed something that would stand out more. The flats are perfect if you want to sit comfortably in the mix and then pop out a bit on the higher strings with a fill or quick solo but not for bass forward music with heavy guitar, syths, drums and 2 vocalists.
They felt like butter though. If I had a Pbass I'd through 'em on there for sure.