DR High Beams, Lo Riders, Fat Beams

thegreathairy · #1 10-12-2007, 04:34 AM

what are the difference between these strings? they are all stainless steel and made by the same company so they've gotta all be similar. what tonal differences are there?

KJung · #2 10-12-2007, 05:00 AM

Never tried the Fat Beams, so can't comment there.

Hi Beams... unique string... I've not played any other like it. It has a round core. I'm not sure if this is what causes the unique feel and tone, but it's there. The Hi Beams have relatively low tension (lot's of 'give' in the feel), and a VERY smooth feel compared to other SS strings (they actually feel quite a bit like Nickels to me). They provide a very 'hi fi' treble response that is a little 'much' in the first hour or two of playing. However, more than any other SS string I've ever played, they retain a very nice brightness for many, many weeks. The bass response is deep, and the mids are there, but quite polite. For those who roll a touch of upper mids out of their sound for slapping, these strings have that built in. I have these on all my J type basses. Due to the round core, DR recommends that you bend the string at the post point prior to cutting when installing. I do this, and have never had an issue with wrappings coming loose or whatever.

Lo Riders... traditional hex core. Tighter tension, more grindy treble than the Hi Beams and a little more presence in the upper mids. Bass response is a little tighter. These strings are a little closer to the classic Roto Sound thing, but last much longer IMO.

In summary...

Hi Beams... Marcus Miller (I think Marcus actually uses Fat Beams though, which are I think modified Hi Beams)
Lo Riders... Geddy Lee/Chris Squire

FL Knifemaker · #3 10-12-2007, 06:36 AM

I'm far from a string expert but I've tried just about all the DR strings. The MM Fatbeams are my favorites and I have them on all 3 of my Jazz basses as well as my Yamaha SBV. The only way I can describe them is that they provide a more complex sound and are more sensitive to how and where you play them over the pickups. Compared to the Hi Beams, I would say they have more zing and sparkle but they also have plenty low end growl.

KJung · #4 10-12-2007, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

I'm far from a string expert but I've tried just about all the DR strings. The MM Fatbeams are my favorites and I have them on all 3 of my Jazz basses as well as my Yamaha SBV. The only way I can describe them is that they provide a more complex sound and are more sensitive to how and where you play them over the pickups. Compared to the Hi Beams, I would say they have more zing and sparkle but they also have plenty low end growl.

Holy Moly... more sparkle than Hi Beams!

Do you know if the Fatbeams are modifications of the Low Riders or modifications of the Hi Beams?... just curious. In other words, are they round core or hex core?

Tony G · #5 10-12-2007, 06:55 AM

Fat Beams, from what I understand, are similar to high beams, but are wound even slower on the round core for a more precise wrap, which they claim makes them a bit richer in fundamentals with deeper lows and more pristine highs. I currently have a set of them on my MTD 635, and at first that sound a lot like the Hi-Beams, but I do hear a bit smoother and lower bottom from them. They have broken in nicely though now and tamed the sizzle that is common with a fresh set of Fat Beams or Hi-Beams. I really like them, and may switch to them as my main string over my usual Hi-Beams on both my Jazz and my MTD.

KJung · #6 10-12-2007, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xgabriele

Fat Beams, from what I understand, are similar to high beams, but are wound even slower on the round core for a more precise wrap, which they claim makes them a bit richer in fundamentals with deeper lows and more pristine highs. I currently have a set of them on my MTD 635, and at first that sound a lot like the Hi-Beams, but I do hear a bit smoother and lower bottom from them. They have broken in nicely though now and tamed the sizzle that is common with a fresh set of Fat Beams or Hi-Beams. I really like them, and may switch to them as my main string over my usual Hi-Beams on both my Jazz and my MTD.

Cool. I'm so happy with the Hi-Beams at the moment, but your description sounds interesting. They carry the MM Fat's at LDS, so I might have to try a set.

K

Tony G · #7 10-12-2007, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

Cool. I'm so happy with the Hi-Beams at the moment, but your description sounds interesting. They carry the MM Fat's at LDS, so I might have to try a set.

K

Give them a shot and see what you think! I've been a Hi-Beam guy for years, and have used Fat Beams on and off for a couple of years now. I finally got them on my MTD to try, and have found that I think they sound a bit better on my MTD than the Hi-Beams did. Don't get me wrong, the hi-beams sounded great, but there is something about the fat beams I can't quite put my finger on. They just seem to have a bit more punch for finger style and slap.

jgregpegleg · #8 10-12-2007, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegreathairy

what are the difference between these strings? they are all stainless steel and made by the same company so they've gotta all be similar. what tonal differences are there?

I have only used Lo-Riders and they do come in both Nickel and Stainless Steel. I use flats for what I do now, but would love to have a bass strung up with Nickel Lo-Riders to mess around on the side. Nickel Lo-Riders immediately struck me as a grand piano sound.

Emergancy Exit · #9 10-17-2007, 12:01 AM

to my ears the lo-riders sound almost exactly the same. the lo-riders have noticably more bass however!

the highbeams are a bit more ...focused? as mentioned above a very uniques sound. i think high beams sound GREAT brand new but i dont like thier "broke in" tone

Lorenzini · #10 10-17-2007, 12:06 AM

That's weird because most people like their broken in tone.. Which by the way lasts for months.

I like all DR strings to be honest. Lo Riders nickel and stainless, Hi Beams, Sunbeams (AWESOME - nickel version of Hi Beams).

Can't go wrong with any of those listed above.

xshawnxearthx · #11 10-17-2007, 07:33 AM

i've been a avid hi beam 40-100 user since i switched to uncoated strings.

i have just bought a set of 45-105 to get a little bit higher of a tension for drop D, but i think i might want to try out the loriders based on some of the reviews here. do the lo riders last as long as the hibeams? i used to love to sizzle that the hi-beams start with but now i find it's a bit too harsh. i like when they break in though. higher tension does help a little bit too because then i might not have to switch to a thicker string if i just go with the lo-riders.

kevs · #12 10-18-2007, 10:44 PM

A while back I put some Fat Beams on my Geddy Lee and I love em! Pretty funky strings...in a good way of course. Between the beams and the slim neck, that's one damn fast bass.

Bassist30 · #13 10-19-2007, 05:58 AM

I have tried the High Beams, Low Riders and the fats and love them all. I can go with either. Favorite is the low riders. I think they retain there tone alittle longer than the highs and fats. But as i said I like them all.
The Low Riders maybe sound a little bit less bright than the the others but retain that sound for a little longer. A little tighter than the others and has a focused low end. Not that the others don't but its more noticeable with the riders. I am not a big slapper, although I do maybe 10% of a gig, but they do slap well. If the slap is you i would suggest the fats. They are similar to the high beams but the high end sounds alittle more powerful say in the 7 k area.
Another string of choice is the Fodera's. Similar to the low riders but bigger if you can imagine that, with a sweet high end. The low end is very big but they don't last as long as the DR's. They also have a strong low mid to them.
But the DR's are a great string. They know it, thats why they are so high in price.