DR Lo-Rider Stainless for fingerstyle play on an active 5-string?

fourstringbliss · #1 08-14-2006, 10:31 PM

I'm looking for a set of strings for my active 5-string. I want a clear sound and a tight B, but I don't want them to be too bright. I want good bass and piano like tone.

Here's a clip of my bass (a BTB555) with the OEM Elixir strings: My Bas with Elixirs

Would DR Lo-Riders be a good choice?

HELLonWheels187 · #2 08-14-2006, 11:14 PM

If you a bit less brite you should go with the coated strings. I haven't ever played a 5 string version of them...

NJL · #3 08-15-2006, 07:31 AM

DR Lo-Riders are great! The hex-core seems to be alot stiffer than other cores and these things have a nice little mid-bump to them...

Do a search on them and you will find a lot of info!

fourstringbliss · #4 08-15-2006, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJL

DR Lo-Riders are great! The hex-core seems to be alot stiffer than other cores and these things have a nice little mid-bump to them...

Do a search on them and you will find a lot of info!

Here's the big question: stainless or nickel plated stainless? I'm all about the hex core, because I hear it makes for a tighter string than round core. I don't want too bright, but I want clearer/more piano like than I have now. I'm pretty sure that the Elixir's that are on it now are nickel plate, but I've heard that the coating can dull the sound a bit.

What about taper core as well?

NJL · #5 08-15-2006, 09:47 AM

I have never found DR LR Taper cores, but I haven't really looked that hard (they DO exist)...

Personally, I would go with the SS... nickels are just not my style (I don't like the way they feel)... just let the DR's die down a little and you just may like them... i really like them because I'm a little heavy handed at times and these really help me.

Figjam · #6 08-15-2006, 10:26 AM

They are quite bright. I tihnk you may want to look into some Nickels or coated strings.

vyse933 · #7 08-19-2006, 07:47 PM

i personally would get nickels, cause i personally, when i use SS, get caught on the strings. my fingers just can't move that fast. after they are alittle bit worn down, it's f ine..but that takes me like a week..but even then there not as easy for the fingers to move on as nickel..and i don't like waiting for my strings to make me happy. i wanna be happy with em right away.

fourstringbliss · #8 08-19-2006, 11:52 PM

The more I play these Elixir's, especially on stage, the more I like the sound of them. They've got great clarity and depth of sound.

S Lewis · #9 08-20-2006, 02:46 AM

DR steels are actually as smooth, if not smoother, than many other nickels i've played including Dean Markley and D'Addario

snowdan · #10 08-20-2006, 06:15 AM

i must say i did not find SS lo-riders to be very bright. yes bright but at a rather high freq, very shiny treble not harsh. and even that went away. i also was missing some mid punch. hibeams have more treble and better mids imho. but the lorider B is good. until it ages. then it's a noodle like any B.

i would give fatbeams a try. these for sure cut through better and are not overly bright.

Frank Martin · #11 08-20-2006, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Figjam

They are quite bright.

No. They are bright, but not that bright. Their highs are a strange animal, though. You get that instant classic slap tone with them, and while it's snappy and zingy, I've heard much brighter strings.

chaosMK · #12 08-21-2006, 02:07 AM

The most notable quality about these strings (probably used them about 5 times) is the tension/stiffness to them. If you like that extra bit of stiffness, then they are your string. Not as bright as Blue Steels or regular DR, but close.

However, I've found that when the B goes dead, it goes horribly dead.

Sonic_Death · #13 08-21-2006, 08:46 AM

For DR Nickel and SS, the feel is about the same to me, not too much of a difference. The sound is where I think the changes really become drastic. SS are a lot more tinny at first, and definitely good or if you slap, or like to play funk. On the other hand, if you like a smoother sound, nickel will be for you IME.

Yamahammer · #14 08-22-2006, 09:13 PM

Thanks for the info! I'm a newbie and I've been lurking around this thread since it got started. I had a bad case of GAS and thanks to eBay I now have a new Yammy RBX 775 (new old stock) that will need strings in the near future. I'm wanting a bit of tension and mellow highs. Looks like nickel Low-Riders for my 5er.

FroggyOne2 · #15 08-27-2006, 05:13 AM

I play a G&L fiver, and currently have the DR Lo-Riders with the "Hex Core" SS strings. The bass is a naturally brite animal by it self. So with the SS strings, it really shines in the highs, so much so that if I am not carefull, I will get that "zinnnnnng" when moving up or down a string. But the highs are not harsh at all. The strings do help produce a very piano sound, which I like and then added to the natural piano presence with the Bergie cab, with the amp set right, really produces a nice growl that is a joy to hear.

If your after the piano sound, then I would seriously try the Hex Core Lo-Riders SS.

Randy