DR virgin

Sneakypete · #1 11-16-2011, 12:16 PM

Hi. Just bought my first ever set of DR Hi-Beams 45-105 although I've been playing for more decades than I care to remember I've mostly stuck with Rotosounds or D'Darrio's. I'm just a little concerned after reading posts where people are saying "don't let the outer part go around the post".
Can't actually try them on the bass (just a simple old Carvin Bolt 4 strung through-body) at the moment as it's in between coats of Danish oil and has all the hardware removed. I don't usually cut the new string first and poke it down through the centre-hole - always been in the habit of getting a few wraps on and then snipping off the excess when the string is up to correct pitch. I've never broken a bass string in my life so don't want to start now! Is there anything I need to be especially careful about? Any tips or hints from DR veterans will be much appreciated. Will be a day or two with the oiling and then re-stringing ready for a rehearsal next week. Thanks in advance.

stflbn · #2 11-16-2011, 12:18 PM

Bend the string 90 degrees, cut it, insert it in the hole. Tighten the string up to tension.

Use the old string as a guide for how long to cut.

SoonerMatt · #3 11-16-2011, 12:21 PM

Just treat it like the strings you've been using. Like this.

Sneakypete · #4 11-16-2011, 12:23 PM

Thanks for that - sounds simple enough that even I can't mess it up.

FunkMetalBass · #5 11-16-2011, 01:19 PM

That bend is important because it keeps the winding from coming undone when you cut the string. It's more of an issue with round core strings, but hex cores can suffer from it too. As a rule of thumb, I do it for all of my strings - guitar included.

Sneakypete · #6 11-17-2011, 02:05 PM

Quick update; new strings went on tonight - not quite as beautiful as SoonerMatt's picture but pretty close and sounding absolutely fine. Thanks to all.

Igotsoul4u · #7 11-20-2011, 09:10 PM

i think you will be amazed at how long they stay bright

darkstorm · #8 11-20-2011, 09:34 PM

Ive not installed my strings quite that way. I'll cut the string. Insert into hole, give good tight bend and first wrap around peg, then snug each wind up against the previous. Only DR thats broke on me so far has been at the nut. Which i think was influnced by the string being put on and taken off too many times when i was shimming the basses neck, changing pups, and so on. Maybe been lucky with no more broken strings. Or maybe Im somehow accomplishing same thing of the bend string then cut thing?