DR Hi Beams vs. Elixer Nanoweb

Papersen · #1 12-17-2007, 05:49 AM

I`ve always strung my Zon with DR Hi Beams and got plenty of attack and definition. I`ve took my bass for a setup to a local luthier, who set the action a bit higher and put some Elixers.

These seem to be silkier at touch and also the sound is smoother. However, I can`t get that snappy, articulated attack associated with graphite necks.

Do they normally sound that way or is just a matter of higher action ?

lug · #2 12-17-2007, 08:25 AM

You get a bit less attack but will have that sound for months and months and months whereas the DR's will soon loose it. It's kind of a trade off. They are plenty bright for me, but some want that crisp new Stainless Steel attack. I don't think any coated string will give you that.

Koki · #3 12-17-2007, 12:02 PM

I hate elixers. They sound dead from start cause they have some plastic over the steel.. I can't play on plastic

lug · #4 12-17-2007, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koki

I hate elixers. They sound dead from start cause they have some plastic over the steel.. I can't play on plastic

I agree the polywebs were pretty dead sounding, but the nanowebs are much better.

the JT · #5 12-17-2007, 05:06 PM

When i bought my ibanez with stock elixirs, i had a lasting brightness for a few months. When i eventually had to change and put DRs on it, they were comparatively dead in about 7 days of playing.

Mikeyd74 · #6 12-17-2007, 05:25 PM

Just today I bought a pack of DR Fatbeams and a pack of Elixirs. I was going to start a thread on the same subject. I'm putting new strings on my LTD Viper and I wasn't sure which I should choose.

Dincrest · #7 12-17-2007, 05:29 PM

Two totally different animals. Elixirs are a coated string whereas Hi-Beams are not. I'm not a fan of coated strings. Feel too slippery and plasticky. The colored DR strings are coated. There is no way a coated string can get the kind of steely grind and brightness that, say, D'Addario ProSteels, Rotosound RS66s, and even Hi-Beams can get.

swpyne · #8 12-17-2007, 10:53 PM

I use both Elixer Nonoweb and DR High Beams. The older Elixer Polyweb strings are pretty bad IMO. They have too much coating on them. I find that for the music that I play the Elixer Nonowebs are just fine and they certainly save me mucho $$. All of my basses have much more high end than I ever use anyway. I go for a more rounded tone with just a little bit of "bite".

lug · #9 12-17-2007, 11:40 PM

two recording of nanowebs on an SRX505 at least 6 months old
http://www.box.net/shared/static/nndtpr671n.wav
http://www.box.net/shared/static/2atxiob5z4.mp3

I believe the bass and treble controls were at mid detent on both.

Papersen · #10 12-18-2007, 05:21 AM

I had a rehearsal yesterday.
I started using my Sonus 5/2 (with Elixers) playing through a small SWR Workingman head/cab combo. I usually try to find a good mid presence, to cut thru 2 distorted guitars. I played with the parametric EQ a bit but couldn`t find the tone I was looking for.

I`ve already recorded and played live with that bass (with DR HiBeams), so I know the tone I`m looking for. This time, no matter what EQ I used, the bass sounded round and smooth. Might be OK for some ocassions but wasn`t my cup of tea.

I decided to try something, so I pulled out my MIA Fender Jazz (with DR LoRiders) for the last couple of tunes. Just left the EQ with the same settings and guess what, the mids were right there.

I know they are completely different basses, but the Zon lost that tight, articulated, growly mids it used to have. I`m gonna put the Elixers in my Peavey Cirrus to see if they work better there.

Mikeyd74 · #11 12-18-2007, 10:52 AM

I'm planning on stringing my Viper 404 with the DR's and stringing my Stingray with the Elixirs. I'm hoping the Elixirs tame my Stingray a little bit. I like a bright sound but I think that my Stingray with the maple neck and maple fretboard is overkill, especially with the EB Slinky's on it. I've always used Slinky's but when I got my Viper 404 I fell in love with the strings that were on it. According to my buddy at Sam Ash he restrung the Viper 404 with DR's at a customers request that never came back to pick up the bass. I'll know instantly if they are the same strings.

the JT · #12 12-18-2007, 07:05 PM

wow. good sound with the old elixirs on the srx505. Just one question though, is the playability similar to the feel of a new string? (ie, are they quick to respond?)

Mikeyd74 · #13 12-18-2007, 07:36 PM

Those DR's are definitely the best strings that I have ever played. I'm 100% positive that they are the same strings that came on the bass when I got it. Although I'd say that the Fatbeams have a little more "chunk" then the DR's that came on my bass. I like them even better.
I do see myself keeping my Slinky's on a few of my other basses though. Some of those basses have a great sound locked down already. No need to fix what's not broken.