DR just lost a customer

Gord_oh · #1 03-08-2013, 02:55 PM

I am kind of scared to use DR strings after what I learned today.

I just started working at Guitar Center and today I took my bass into the tech, who is a state certified luthier, to make sure the truss rod was working properly. He got the truss rod figured out and when he went to tune my low E back up we heard this loud 'clang' sound. The E string had come unwound. It was a DR set of Marcus Miller Fat Beams that were less than a week old.

I mentioned to the tech, "I would expect a little bit more out of a company like DR."

To which his response was, "Oh, they were DR strings? In my experience 3 out of 4 packs of DR guitar of bass strings have this problem. I am constantly having to replace them."

I was amazed. I am pretty sure Marcus Miller actually uses these strings and I would imagine that if this happened in a live situation he would drop them like a bad habit. Now to be fair, I know that the mass manufacturing process will have things like this occur, but over 75% of the time? I am not liking those odds.

So I picked up a set of Rotosound 66 Swing Bass Nickel Wound strings. My precision bass roars now, the Fat Beams just sounded half alive compared to these. My 5 string Jazz has DR Fat Beams on it right now, waiting to see if they will unravel as well. I have used dozens of string brands and gauges and I have never had this problem.

I emailed DR. I don't know if they will give me a refund or another set of strings. If I end up getting more strings, you'll likely see them in the classifieds shortly after.

elgecko · #2 03-08-2013, 02:56 PM

Michigan has a luthier certification program?

3234718 · #3 03-08-2013, 02:58 PM

I don't know if one professional opinion really counts as statistics.

**gard0300** · #4 03-08-2013, 02:59 PM

It's possible to get a bad set every now and then. But I would say DRs are highly regarded strings here on TB. There has to be a reason for that. I'm sure DR will reply promptly.

**monkeybass68** · #5 03-08-2013, 03:01 PM

Yeah, sounds kinda odd to me. I've been using DRs for years, bought dozens of sets of their strings and never had a single problem with them. Not really sure how ur tech has had that many problems with them.

Gord_oh · #6 03-08-2013, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elgecko

Michigan has a luthier certification program?

he has taken classes from and is considered a master luthier.

HolmeBass · #7 03-08-2013, 03:02 PM

I've been using DRs for years now, nowhere near a 75% per pack early failure rate. If you like the Rotosounds though, good for you. I never grokked them.

I should actually go back and re-try all the old string brands I used to use and see how I like them with my new basses and setup. Rotosounds 66swing (or something like that), Boomers, and Blue Steels. But I've been using DRs for over 10 years now, and Sunbeams for about 5, and I am really digging them.

Gord_oh · #8 03-08-2013, 03:03 PM

Now to be fair, I like DR. I may have gotten a bad batch, which I know will happen.
Time will tell.

Hopkins · #9 03-08-2013, 03:04 PM

Really dude, you are going to write off the whole company because one string broke after a truss rod adjustmen, and the opinion of a GC guitar tech? I had the E string break on a brand new set of Chromes once, doesn't make me think D'Addario sucks, just got a bad string.

I've been using Lo Riders for years. I havent had one issue, and no strings sound better on that bass.

I'm also pretty sur Marcus Miller has had a string break in a live situation, just like pretty much every other musician thats had a career as long as his

Got2SadowskyNYC · #10 03-08-2013, 03:04 PM

I'm no fan of DR. After useing DR for years I found that I can get the same string for less money useing DAddario Prosteels. I had a "artist" situation and they were not very reponsive. DAddario on the other hand was very helpful.

That said, I think this is an exageration. Since you just started working at GC you'll find that everyone has their opinion and it's rarely fact. Every so often you're going to get a bad string. It just happens. Usually you can call the CO and they'll help you out.

Since you're at GC you get an even faster responce, because they want you to like them so you'll sell their strings. Call the number in the computer and ask them about it. You'll probably get a free set or 2.

spaz21387 · #11 03-08-2013, 03:04 PM

You probably twisted them and thats what weakened them. Dr says on the package to be careful when re stringing to not twist them or they will break...

Blueszilla · #12 03-08-2013, 03:05 PM

To each his own, I suppose. I have purchased at least 30 sets of DR strings over the last 3 years, 4 and 5 strings sets, high beams, coated, non-coated, etc.., and have never had an issue. YMMV.

**Lowactnsatsfctn** · #13 03-08-2013, 03:05 PM

Sounds like hes trying to get out of owing you a string.

A Strohman · #14 03-08-2013, 03:06 PM

I've used DR strings for years. One time I opened a new E string and the string was unraveled. I emailed DR and they promptly set me an entire set of new strings (even though I only asked for a new E string). Out of all the packs of DR strings I've purchased, that one E string was the only one that unraveled.

Gord_oh · #15 03-08-2013, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowactnsatsfctn

Sounds like hes trying to get out of owing you a string.

Naw, he is a cool guy. Straight forward.

I know lots of players have their own opinions.

Am I writing off an entire company? Kind of, at least for now. Because my DR string broke I found strings I like better. DR is a professional company with quality products. I just felt like something like that shouldn't happen, but it did.

I have no bad feelings towards DR, just don't care for them.
To each their own.

Gord_oh · #16 03-08-2013, 03:11 PM

I understand a lot of players here like and use DR string regularly.
You don't have to defend them or convince me, I was just posting my experience and thoughts.

vinnydbass · #17 03-08-2013, 03:17 PM

to the OP: I'm not trying to scare you, but the Rotosound Nickels you picked up are the only bass strings that i asked for a return for on the same day. I installed them, within hours the E and A strings were completely dead, as if they had been on my bass for a year. Long & McQuade gave me another pack, and it happened again. The E string was dead within hours. I mean dead, rubber band sounding dead. Complained again, stuck with my Ernie Balls and never had that problem again. I never buy Rotosounds anymore, which is a shame. The Stainless Steels they make are great, the nickel ones, not so much.

Gord_oh · #18 03-08-2013, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinnydbass

to the OP: I'm not trying to scare you, but the Rotosound Nickels you picked up are the only bass strings that i asked for a return for on the same day. I installed them, within hours the E and A strings were completely dead, as if they had been on my bass for a year. Long & McQuade gave me another pack, and it happened again. The E string was dead within hours. I mean dead, rubber band sounding dead. Complained again, stuck with my Ernie Balls and never had that problem again. I never buy Rotosounds anymore, which is a shame. The Stainless Steels they make are great, the nickel ones, not so much.

To each their own.
I have used Rotosounds before and haven't had that issue. I will keep in mind though. Just like you sharing your experience with Rotosound, I was just sharing my experience with DR.

4-string · #19 03-08-2013, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueszilla

To each his own, I suppose. I have purchased at least 30 sets of DR strings over the last 3 years, 4 and 5 strings sets, high beams, coated, non-coated, etc.., and have never had an issue. YMMV.

+1. After countless sets of DR strings I have yet to have one single issue, and that's between Hi Beams, Fat Beams, Lo Riders (both nickel and ss) and Sunbeams.

You still had an issue, I'm not denying that, but I'd take the master tech's word with a grain of salt in this case.

DaveAceofBass · #20 03-08-2013, 03:24 PM

I've had a few issues, but DR has always sent me replacements. I've had Low B strings break at the tuning gear past the nut on my Sadowsky, and that tuner is very close to the nut. Seems as though DR acknowledged that they had gotten a bad batch of core wires, but have rectified that problem. I had the same problem with D'Addario strings before too (Helicore upright strings). There are factors that the companies can't always control, like not having good quality wires for cores. You either like DR or not...but it does seem like they've had more than a fair share of issues. I still use them though...