DR High Beams vs Lo Riders

[lijazz]

In my last thread I posted that after breaking 2 Hi Beam Gs in two months on my '08 MIA Jazz I decided to try Lo Riders. So far I like them, no more or less than the HBs, just for different reasons. However I still can't make up my mind which I really prefer. I am playing through an Ampeg BA115, so it does take a bump in the Mid and Treble to get the brightness out of them, moreso than the HBs.

Of course in the end it is all up to my liking (if I ever decide which one), but thought this would be a good opprtunity to get some opinions from the TB community.

What do you all think?

[KJung]

Usually, breaking strings is a sign you might have a bridge issue (a burr on the G saddle).

Hi Beams... smooth feeling, relatively low tension, sweet top end with just a touch of scoop in the upper mids (which is why slappers like them so much), and they last a LONG time.

Lo Riders... more traditional feel, moderate tension, more upper mid/lower treble response, and they also stay bright a relatively long time.


For me, the Hi Beams are the perfect pop/funk string, and the Lo Riders upper mid grind and tighter tension makes them a bit more 'rock' friendly (especially if you use a pick).

FYI, the Sadowsky Blue Label steels are similar to the Lo Riders, but having even tighter tension and more upper mid grind... nice strings also!

IMO and IME.

[babaseen]

Lo Riders... more traditional feel, moderate tension, more upper mid/lower treble response, and they also stay bright a relatively long time.

For me, the Hi Beams are the perfect pop/funk string, and the Lo Riders upper mid grind and tighter tension makes them a bit more 'rock' friendly (especially if you use a pick).

FYI, the Sadowsky Blue Label steels are similar to the Lo Riders, but having even tighter tension and more upper mid grind... nice strings also!

THANKS KJUNG, THAT'S EXACTLY THE COMPARISON I WAS LOOKING FOR BETWEEN THE LO RIDERS AND THE SADOWSKY BLUE LABEL...MAKES LIFE EASIER FOR ME

[BJAJT]

I use Lo-Rider Nickle (45-105) on my Fender Jazz. The tone is
really good. If you turn up the bridge pick-up......the tone has
a nice rawl growl. Normally I'll play with both pick-ups full, great for slapping. These strings are very versatile for all styles of music. There are several types of strings, try different brands.

[lijazz]

Originally Posted by BJAJT

I use Lo-Rider Nickle (45-105) on my Fender Jazz. The tone is
really good. If you turn up the bridge pick-up......the tone has
a nice rawl growl. Normally I'll play with both pick-ups full, great for slapping. These strings are very versatile for all styles of music. There are several types of strings, try different brands.

After several days of playing them, I think I like the LRs better than the HBs. How do the Nickel LRs compare in sound to the SS LRs? And is there noticeably less finger noise on the board because of the nickel coating?

[Mike Shevlin]

I agree with KJUNG but I found the tension of the Low Riders much higher than the Hi Beams to the point where there were tunes I couldn't even play with the Low Riders. 'Pow' by GCS comes to mind.

[RicPlaya]

I like both strings, depends on the bass. On my J I prefer HB's, that's just me.

[funkybass4ever]

I have used them both and have the same amp and I like the low riders better, their tension is a little stiffer and they are a little more clearer sounding, it's hard to explain.
I have High Beams on one bass and Low riders on another and i keep going back to the bass with the low riders, it seems to me like they are much better designed for slap

[TimWilson]

For my favorite bass, a Kubicki, that has a slightly shorter scale and very bright tone, the Low-Riders are perfect: The extra tension returns the overall feel of the bass to a more traditional one, and the tonal range of the strings balances the bass' bright sound nicely.

[lijazz]

Originally Posted by funkybass4ever

I have used them both and have the same amp and I like the low riders better, their tension is a little stiffer and they are a little more clearer sounding, it's hard to explain.
I have High Beams on one bass and Low riders on another and i keep going back to the bass with the low riders, it seems to me like they are much better designed for slap

That's how I feel. I loved the Highbeams when I first tried them, and still like them very much. When I put the LRS on, i liked them and continue to like them. I agree that slapping sounds better with the L/Rs to me also. I actually like the higher tension of the LRs, especially when thumbing the D and G string whereas the HB D and G seem a little too wobbly for that. Now I want to try Nickel LRS for reduced finger noise on the board side, but will I lose any of the tonality of the SS?

[()smoke()]

lo riders have a hexagonal core--they're stiffer

hi-beams have a round core--they're less stiff

i have my instrument set up with really low action and lo rider ss strings, and this allows me to 'dig in' a bit moreso before fret buzz than less stiff strings would

at one point i had nickel strings on one bass and ss on the other--i now use ss on both because when i played the nickel strings for a length of time then went back to ss, the ss strings would chew up my fingers--now, my fingers stay conditioned for ss

[Surly]

Lo riders are the best!

[funkybass4ever]

As for a loss of tonality, ultimately you should try them for yourself. I personally have been through about 15 different types of strings before the LR's. Nickel LR's YES!

[TOOL460002]

been using hbs exclusively the past 10yrs- and dont intend to switch. tried others- found the right fit. as someone mentioned- theyre great for slap. and- as mentioned- they last forever. ive had sets last a year or more- and i cant recall the last time i broke a string- been years.

[BJAJT]

The Lo-Rider Nickles are similar to the SS Lo-Riders put with less finger noise.
They respond very well to a Jazz bass, but with the feel of pure-nickle strings.