DR Jonas Hellborg...thumbs up from me.

Wilbyman · #1 06-06-2009, 06:46 AM

Sheesh, this might be my first post in the strings forum.

I just got a set of these and I think they are fantastic. I always like gear which just presents the "note" without alot of other extraneous sound. The note clarity of the UFO's is incredible...as I was taking off the D'Addario nickels I was replacing, I couldn't believe the difference in note fundamental between the two.

The UFO's are .40-.100 but sound and feel fatter than a regular set of .40-.100 high beams, without being as tight as the .45-.105's. As a result, they really "sing" and feel fun to play. They are also much punchier in the low mids than any .40-.100 set I have played.

As a person who likes a dark, clear, punchy sound I don't think you can do alot better than these...my .02. They are really nifty.

bassplace · #2 06-06-2009, 03:27 PM

I agree. I'm hoping they come out with a 5-string set soon for my first 5er which is on order.

ashtray9 · #3 06-06-2009, 11:48 PM

How do they compare to nickel Low Riders?

Wilbyman · #4 06-07-2009, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashtray9

How do they compare to nickel Low Riders?

I haven't tried a set of the nickel Lo-Riders in the same gauge so it would be tough to compare. The .45-.105 nickel Lo-Riders obviously have alot more tension. I actually don't find there to be a huge difference between the nickel and steel Lo-Riders...the steel has a little more "snarl" in the top end but that's about it, to my ear.

fullrangebass · #5 08-11-2009, 02:18 AM

I totally agree with Wilbyman's description of these strings. I am mostly a fingerstyle player and these strings really sing. The last I heard, is that there will be a 5str UFO set in the next couple of months or so.

flyman · #6 08-29-2009, 01:05 PM

Sorry to revive a somewhat old thread, but I've been wondering how these would work on a fretless (un-coated board). I've been trying different strings looking for that magic combo of ease of fingering & tone. The round core appeals me as I've been using DR Fatbeams on another bass & I like them, and the pure nickel wrap & heavy fundamental might be just what I'm after tone-wise for jazz. Thoughts?

Regards,
flyman

Gintaras · #7 08-29-2009, 01:16 PM

I put these on my new P Parts bass. More fundamentals, Piano tones and nice growl. What a pleasant surprise!!! These were the last piece to getting this bass be the sound in my head.

I have Nickel LoRiders on my T40 so comparison might be difficult. The Loriders are brighter and more growl. Not as much on the fundamentals as the Hellborg's. Love both strings and they have there place.

I am in the school of thought that the strings are the final piece in getting a bass to be your own.

ffeJ83 · #8 09-01-2009, 08:59 AM

I too am wondering how these would work on a fretless.

Billnc · #9 09-01-2009, 07:56 PM

So are they like a more singing flatwound, with the fundamental, and darker qualities?

bassplace · #10 09-02-2009, 06:56 PM

Singing is a good description. Fewer overtones and strong fundamental.

I think I may try them fretless by taking the set off my Jazz and trying them on a Yamaha fretless I have. (I'll put new ones on the Jazz.) Unfortunately the fretless I'm having made is a 5er and DR didn't give any indication that a 5 set would come out.

TSanders · #11 09-02-2009, 07:39 PM

Has anyone tried these on a StingRay?

bassgeek · #12 09-17-2009, 09:53 PM

Funny you should ask...

I just threw a set of these on my '92 Stingray 5 and I absolutely love them. The only reason I got them is the clerk at the store had ordered them for someone else who never picked them up. He sold them to me for 20 bucks.

Pretty much agree with everyone else's comments.

I'm interested to hear how they settle in. The strong fundamental tone without a lot of extra b.s. really grounds the sound. I found it did, in fact, tighten up and focus the overall sound of the group I was rehearsing with (chick singer w/acoustic, organ, electric guitar, drums).

P.S. I hope they come out with the 5 set...I just left an older LoRider on the B and it seemed to mix well with the Hellborgs on the rest of the strings.

bassplace · #13 09-18-2009, 09:23 PM

I may try this as well with a non-Helborg string on the low B. Don't have the bass yet though.

Surly · #14 09-19-2009, 08:01 AM

Been curious about these strings since they are pure nickel and a slightly lighter guage. Pure nickel Fender 7150m's are a little stiff. A pure nickel 40-100 string may just be what I'm after for classic P tones.

bassman blue · #15 09-29-2009, 08:37 AM

I just restrung my Breedlove acoustic bass with a set of Hellborgs. Fan Frick'in Tastic. Definately worth a try for anyone unsure of what strings they want on their acoustic bass...

chunkstyle · #16 09-30-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billnc

So are they like a more singing flatwound, with the fundamental, and darker qualities?

they are kind of like a flatwound, in the sense that you don't get a tone of mids making the fundamental cloudy.

however, they are roundwounds and no one will ever confuse them for anything else.

Andrew Jones · #17 11-28-2009, 03:37 PM

From what I hear,,,,,,,don't hold your breath for a B string.

Aj

mmbongo · #18 11-28-2009, 05:42 PM

Seeing as how they are a single wrap, I'm not sure how they COULD make a B string. It would be too big to wrap, and would not poke through many of the tuning keys out there.

bassplace · #19 12-01-2009, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ffeJ83

I too am wondering how these would work on a fretless.

Put a set on my Yamaha BB fretless 4-string. This is what I've been practicing with while waiting for my ACG 5-string build. The Yamaha has a rosewood board which the strings will probably eat alive but it's a small price to pay. The sound is wonderful and similar to how it's been described here. Sort of a cleaner tone but plenty of growl in the lower notes when you want it. Still hoping for a 5-string set.

dunc

**joinercape** · #20 12-01-2009, 08:32 PM

I guess someone has to disagree....I put them on my fretless this afternoon and have been trying to like them all evening. Just not for me, back to my Sumbeams. Maybe it's the combination of my ebony board and Bassline stacks, they sounded awful and thin to me. Had to crank the truss rod too, they must be quite a bit higher tension. They were a gift from my local dealer who just got them in. Anybody want them? Pay the postage, they are yours. They fit string through American standard Jazz.