DR high beams vs low riders.

Cz93 · #1 11-10-2009, 09:16 PM

hi, i have an ibanez srx bass and i will be tuning it to drop C (CGCF) and i plan to get a set of dr heavy gauge string (110-50)

i was wondering what would be a better choice the high beems or low riders? thanks

Mad_Bassist777 · #2 11-10-2009, 11:25 PM

the lo-riders have a fat punchy sound to them

but I personally like the treble focused Hi-beams

JOE EDO · #3 11-10-2009, 11:29 PM

Go with the low riders. They are a bit stiffer but sound great.

steamthief · #4 11-10-2009, 11:34 PM

Hi-Beams sound mid-scooped, Lo-Riders mid-fat, I like the latter. Tighter tension on the Lo-Riders, which I prefer.

Kwin Smith · #5 11-10-2009, 11:39 PM

Lo Riders for down-tuning. Sunbeams for standard tuning.

Mike Shevlin · #6 11-10-2009, 11:42 PM

^everything they said.

stevetx19 · #7 11-10-2009, 11:51 PM

and for what it's worth, i heavily prefer the lighter gauge hi beams to the higher gauge. The sound i want when i string hi beams just isn't there for me with the fatter ones. For what you want, low riders all the way.

Caca de Kick · #8 11-11-2009, 12:19 AM

I'm always tuned C#G#C#F#, and for years I always got long life from Highbeams, typically 8-12 months of still great zingy sound.

Two months ago I put Lowriders on a couple of basses, and they sounded great for a while, but now after two months they sound kinda dead.

Chili · #9 11-11-2009, 09:18 AM

If you like to slap i dont recomend lowriders, i bought some lights gauage lowriders a gud few month ago and the G snapped after a few days of playing (from popping), i figured it was probs just bad luck so bought some more a few days ago and put them on my MM Stingray yesterday, i had a little slap around on it like 5 minutes ago and the G snapped again! what a waste of £30, but if it wasnt for them snapping i think i would like these strings, but i doubt ill be buying them again.

alexofc69 · #10 11-11-2009, 09:25 AM

Also the difference between the Lo-Riders and Hi-Beams are the cores are different. The Lo-Riders have a hexagonal core, which bites into the windings and gives the string tension. The Hi-Beams have a round core, which makes the strings less tense and a bit floppy.
I like both sets, but now prefer the Lo-Riders. The high beams were just too loose for me.

sirpug · #11 11-11-2009, 09:27 AM

Depends what sound you're going for. Hi-beams will give you a more piano type sound and, as mentioned before, are great for slap. They are, IMO, perfect for funk, jazz, pop, etc. Now the low riders give you a fat, punchy sound. Better, IMO, for anything rock or heavier.

I personally run the low riders on my five string.

stflbn · #12 11-11-2009, 09:31 AM

Personally I don't hear a huge tonal difference between Lo-Riders and Sunbeams, but the difference definitely is in tension. Lo-Riders are higher tension and Sunbeams and much slinkier in nature.

Hi-Beams have much more edge and clarity. Similar tones between Lo-Riders and Sunbeams... not exact... but similar. IMHO.

sirpug · #13 11-11-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

Similar tones... not exact... but similar. IMHO.

They are similar, I guess I should have mentioned that, but to me the Hi-Beams are more crisp and clean while the Low Riders are a bit more fat and heavy.

Disclaimer: This is IMO and amps/cabs/gear also plays a roll in this equation. I can only speak for my personal tastes on my set up.

stflbn · #14 11-11-2009, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirpug

They are similar, I guess I should have mentioned that, but to me the Hi-Beams are more crisp and clean while the Low Riders are a bit more fat and heavy.

I was directly comparing Lo-Riders and Sunbeams tone. Altered my post to reflect that.

bwest9 · #15 01-24-2010, 04:43 PM

Just tried Lowriders for the first time, on my Euro Spector 5, and I have to say I like the tone (not as much as Ilike the DR Highbeams, but close enough) and I love the extra tension and how the strings feel and play.

Have to be careful though, 'cause I suspect the higher tension could do funny things to the neck, depending on set-up...

eyecandy · #16 01-25-2010, 06:22 AM

i'd prefer high beam mediums than the lo riders... or maybe light gauge lo riders for me...

sheepdog · #17 01-25-2010, 11:29 PM

I love lo riders. Tried hi beams and really did not like them. I use standard tuning, but the strings felt way too floppy.

zachreh · #18 04-05-2010, 10:14 AM

Are steel lo-riders more mid-scooped then the hi-beams? I have a set of steel low-riders on my traben array obsession now and there just too stiff and rough. Im thinkinking of getting the hi-beams for a more heavy rock sound

Gunstringer · #19 04-05-2010, 10:26 AM

personaly, i play drop C# and the loriders 50 were too floppy for me.
if u are playing drop C i suggest getting heavier strings. there are alot of threads about it here. (DR just announced a Drop-tune strings, the DDT, should check em out, I know i will)
oh, and lo-riders

i liked the feel and the sound better