DR Strings Sound....Bought New Hi-Beams

rydin4lifebass · #1 02-19-2010, 03:34 PM

Q1: I got new Hi-Beams on my Ibanez SRX300 and they're kind of dull looking, like gray, not shiney like my new Ernie Balls and Eliir's were. Is that thei normal look?

Q2: I didn't like the Elixir's because they sounded like "tin"...too high pitched and the DR's do have more "thud" to them...is that the combination of strings and the bass? Or are the strings kind of "dead"...should I adjust the eq settings or are there beter strings to match with that bass?

dmusic148 · #2 02-19-2010, 03:37 PM

They are supposed to look that way. Dead? Hi Beams are among the brightest strings available.

stflbn · #3 02-19-2010, 03:41 PM

Not really following what you're looking for answer's to...

New strings are crisp and zingy and get mellower and more subdued as they get played. There's never really a big change in low end as strings age, just higher end.

Your Hi-Beams are Stainless steel and stainless has more of a gray appearance. Nickle strings are shinier and brighter appearing. Stainless typically are crisper and brighter sounding.

Flats typically allow 'thud' without the zing of roundwounds.

Hi-Beams are typically some of the brighter sounding strings out there.

rydin4lifebass · #4 02-19-2010, 06:26 PM

gotcha...I'm just bad a explaining the sounds I guess. The bass was strung with Elixir's before and I didn't like that sound at all..sounded "hollow" and "chincy"...so was looking to get away from that. I'm comparing the DR to the Elixir and I like the sound better, richer and deeper. How do those compare to Ernie Ball's ad D'Addario's or GHS?

mmbongo · #5 02-19-2010, 09:04 PM

Did you buy nickel or steel strings? What about the others that you are comparing to?

Hollywars · #6 02-19-2010, 11:35 PM

All DR Hi-Beams are stainless steel I believe.

mmbongo · #7 02-20-2010, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollywars

All DR Hi-Beams are stainless steel I believe.

I think you're right, which would explain why they are dull looking. Now to the OP...were you comparing steels vs. nickels here?

rydin4lifebass · #8 02-20-2010, 11:49 AM

I was comparing the DR's to Elixir's, steel vs. nickle...just to see what sound/feel I liked best and honestly, neither. I grabbed a pack of D'Addario's and GHS Boomer's today...and the winner of the 4........GHS Boomers, by FAR. I love the sound and feel of them..they gave me the sound I was looking for on the Ibanez. I didn't even try the D'Addario's because I figured I like the sound I have, why cut another set of strings. I have EB's on my pbass and didn't get to try them on the Ibanez, but I figure I'll stick with EB's on one and GHS on another...so I'm happy...thanks for all the input/suggestions.

Plookie · #9 02-20-2010, 12:28 PM

Did you say GHS Boomers? I heard you. Now go back to you bass and play it, now, now, those Boomers are already dead to dull.
I give you 1 week and your GHS Boomers will have lost it's lust. A set of Hi-Beams will do the job 100x better, trust me.

I use to use Ken Smith Taper core user for years, I loved them. Then I upped and moved out of the US to Estonia. What no Smith strings? I started with what they only had, yep GHS Boomers, until 2 years ago when my Pavel arrived with DR Hi-Beams strapped to it. I haven't touched any other strings since but DR's baby!.

But it's all in the feeling that you want. And if those Boomers feel good to you, by all means, use 'em.

rydin4lifebass · #10 02-20-2010, 09:00 PM

My bass instructor actually uses GHS strings...I have a pack of D'Addario's taht I haven't tried, but figured what the hell, when the GHS's go bad, I'll try them