DR Lo Riders versus Hi Beams

Eyesee7 · #1 05-25-2011, 02:25 PM

I'm currently using Lo Riders 40-100 for playing Rush on a Rondo SX jazz. Has anyone used both strings and can make a comparison? From reading the description on their website it says the Lo's are "stiffer" while the Hi's are "flexible." Will flexible help with some of those fast, tricky Rush passages? What say ye, oh fellow bassmen?

mmbongo · #2 05-25-2011, 02:29 PM

You mean LoRiders?

LoRiders are hex core, so they have higher tension.
HiBeams are round core, so they have lower tension.

Generally, and this is just me thinking out loud, LoRiders are what you want for speed because they are designed to be tighter so you can lower them down closer to the fingerboard which makes it easy to play faster. Generally though if I use a hex core string I need to use a lighter gauge because it's hard for me to play a bigger, stiffer string.

**Staccato** · #3 05-25-2011, 02:38 PM

Lo-Riders are available in Nickel and Stainless Steel versions.
Hi-Beams are only available in Stainless Steel.

Not sure which would work better for tricky Rush passages...

Caca de Kick · #4 05-25-2011, 02:40 PM

I tried (stainless) Lowriders on a pair of basses I was used to using Highbeams on. Yes they were much more noticeably stiffer. and on one of those basses I could see the headstock getting pulled more forward from the higher tension. Sound-wise, honestly the Lowrider sounded like a dead version of the Highbeams. I just didn't get the same glassy top-end.

**Staccato** · #5 05-25-2011, 02:43 PM

There are those that compare nickel Lo-Riders to Hi-Beams when they should be comparing SS Lo-Riders for a comparable sound.
The tension feels different from the Hi-Beam strings, too!

tylerwylie · #6 05-25-2011, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

You mean LoRiders?

LoRiders are hex core, so they are stiffer.
HiBeams are round core, so they are more flexible.

Fixed.

Lorenzini · #7 05-25-2011, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stacatto

Lo-Riders are available in Nickel and Stainless Steel versions.
Hi-Beams are only available in Stainless Steel.

Not sure which would work better for tricky Rush passages...

Actually, that's not true. It's just that DR is not very scientific about their naming scheme.

Low Riders are made in Stainless Steel & Nickel.
Hi Beams are Stainless Steel.
Sunbeams are Nickel played Hi Beams. The are DR's nickel plated round core string, and feel just like Hi Beams.

Hope that clarifies things.

AmadeusXeno · #8 05-25-2011, 03:27 PM

I used to used Lo-Riders then switched to Highbeams. Slap they sound similar, with a pick or fingers the Highbeams have less mids and more lows. The tension differance that's already mentioned is true too.

**Staccato** · #9 05-25-2011, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorenzini

Actually, that's not true. It's just that DR is not very scientific about their naming scheme.

Low Riders are made in Stainless Steel & Nickel.
Hi Beams are Stainless Steel.
Sunbeams are Nickel played Hi Beams. The are DR's nickel plated round core string, and feel just like Hi Beams.

Hope that clarifies things.

Since the OP was not discussing Sunbeams, technically I was correct. Hi-Beams are not marketed as nickel.
Thanks for mentioning Sunbeams, I like them, too!

xUptheIronsx · #10 05-25-2011, 04:11 PM

alright...another question about the DR strings...I have been using Ernie Ball Super slinky 100-45's forever b/c I have not found a better feeling string. Recently our guitar player has become affiliated with DR some how and can get them on the cheap for me...which series would replicate the EB's that I mentioned? I am fearfull of switching b/c I am an old fart, "fear of change" kind of guy...

Lorenzini · #11 05-25-2011, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stacatto

Since the OP was not discussing Sunbeams, technically I was correct. Hi-Beams are not marketed as nickel.
Thanks for mentioning Sunbeams, I like them, too!

True. Technically you were correct, it's just that DR is a bit inconsistent in their product naming.

I like Sunbeams too!

**Staccato** · #12 05-25-2011, 04:48 PM

Anyone compared the 100 Super Slinkies to DR strings for a comparable match?

Slammin · #13 05-25-2011, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stacatto

Anyone compared the 100 Super Slinkies to DR strings for a comparable match?

The EB Super Slinkies are brighter, looser and easier to break than the DR BB's of the same guage. At least that was my experience. I broke the G after about 3 days.

Other than that, they sounded great and were actually easier on the fingers than the BB's.

mdogs · #14 05-25-2011, 06:09 PM

Don't fear a change to DR's, EB's suck big time and should be avoided at all cost! Seriously, there is NO comparison between the two.

Eyesee7 · #15 05-25-2011, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

You mean LoRiders?

Oops, yeah!! Fixed it....

Eyesee7 · #16 05-25-2011, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stacatto

Lo-Riders are available in Nickel and Stainless Steel versions.
Hi-Beams are only available in Stainless Steel.

Not sure which would work better for tricky Rush passages...

I've been using the Steel.

grue · #17 05-25-2011, 10:17 PM

I've used Hi-Beams, Sunbeams, Nickel and SS Lo-Riders. I like the tone better on the Lo-Riders, especially the nickel, but the Hi-Beams were a lot softer and more flexible.

If you're playing Rush, I think you would have an easier time doing the left-handed fingerings with the Hi-Beams. IIRC, Geddy Lee uses absurdly light strings (30-90?), so you definitely don't need a stiff string to play that stuff.

BassLife77 · #18 05-26-2011, 03:32 PM

It's a matter of personal taste and what your ears like. I tried Hi-Beams and didn't like the mids, way too clanky bright. I like the mids of the Lo-Riders and I use them on my 5-string. I go no higher than a .040 for the G string because of the tension. The harmonics really ring out

Dragonback07 · #19 05-27-2011, 01:45 PM

I liked the LoRiders and think they have a nice bright, crisp sound but you still get the low growl. I prefer a stiffer string since I play hard and I feel these allow me to play faster with the strings not bending as easy as the Hi Beams did. Both are great strings but it is a personal preference and something you will just have to experiment with. I did notice Lo Riders were a little rougher than Hi Beams but your callouses will build up and is nothing to worry about. If you pick a lot then I think you will like these a lot more than Hi Beams.
Think I will try Kerly Music strings next to see how they compare to DR Strings.

tylerwylie · #20 05-27-2011, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragonback07

I liked the LoRiders and think they have a nice bright, crisp sound but you still get the low growl. I prefer a stiffer string since I play hard and I feel these allow me to play faster with the strings not bending as easy as the Hi Beams did. Both are great strings but it is a personal preference and something you will just have to experiment with. I did notice Lo Riders were a little rougher than Hi Beams but your callouses will build up and is nothing to worry about. If you pick a lot then I think you will like these a lot more than Hi Beams.
Think I will try Kerly Music strings next to see how they compare to DR Strings.

Try fat beams, they growl and growl and growl.