Fender 7150 vs. DR Lo-Rider nickel

ac3320 · #1 12-12-2009, 08:03 PM

Currently have my '62 RI jazz strung up with the DR's. I really like the sound of David LaBruyere here, but also like a good slap tone once in a while (so i have my Sadowsky preamp/DI).

Would switching to the 7150's make my bass sound more vintage/like Dela above?

I've heard the 7150's have some subdued highs. Would the subdued highs (if there are indeed subdued highs) kill my slap tone?

Could i add the highs back to my sound with the preamp, or would it sound artificial?

I know the 7150's are supposed to have higher tension than the DR lo-rider nickels, but would I even notice [if I wasn't able to notice a difference between DR hi beams stainless compared to the DR lo riders nickel]?

bassist4dalord · #2 12-12-2009, 08:09 PM

Just wondering: what don't you like about the DR's?

My only experience with Fender strings are the 7250's. I like them a lot: warm tone, yet can get bright if need be. Best of luck!

ac3320 · #3 12-12-2009, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassist4dalord

Just wondering: what don't you like about the DR's?

My only experience with Fender strings are the 7250's. I like them a lot: warm tone, yet can get bright if need be. Best of luck!

Oh i like them fine. They sound kinda like the DR hi beams. A little bright still, but i like that because i slap occasionally. Have never tried the 7150's, but i've heard some guys here rave about them.

Surly · #4 12-12-2009, 08:41 PM

I've had both of those strings on my P-bass. I found the Lo-riders to sound too harsh. I like the more vintagey tone of the 7150's but feel was too tight for me. I tried a set of the 7150L's which are 40-100. I like the lights better, but overall I prefer the feel of the Fender 8250's, they are roundcore, and the tone is very close to the 7150's. I'm not a fan of DR strings, and would rather have Fenders. Sorry if this doesn't help.

You really just have to try them out and see what you like.

ac3320 · #5 12-12-2009, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surly

You really just have to try them out and see what you like.

Yes, yes, i know. Freakin' GAS.

Ryan Mohr · #6 12-13-2009, 09:10 AM

Fender 7250s are a really nice string for that purpose: really fat, thick and deep sounding.

ac3320 · #7 12-13-2009, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan Mohr

Fender 7250s are a really nice string for that purpose: really fat, thick and deep sounding.

Are those what come stock on most fenders?

Surly · #8 12-13-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ac3320

Are those what come stock on most fenders?

Yes, except on the string-through bodies, which have 8250's.

ac3320 · #9 12-13-2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surly

Yes, except on the string-through bodies, which have 8250's.

Cool, cool. Got ya. I'm liking what everyone says about the 7150's, but some say they have "low output". [Turn volume up?]

Kenny Allyn · #10 12-13-2009, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ac3320

Cool, cool. Got ya. I'm liking what everyone says about the 7150's, but some say they have "low output". [Turn volume up?]

They do have a somewhat lower output ...

Used them for a time on a passive jazz and liked them pretty well but the output was an issue, [Turn volume up?] is what I ended up doing, now I use them on my one active Jazz with Nordstrand NJ4SE pickups (higher output) and an Audere pre-amp installed ... need more "snap" just kick the Z switch to High ... just a great combination.

... I use 7150Ls

ac3320 · #11 12-13-2009, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenny Allyn

They do have a somewhat lower output ...

Used them for a time on a passive jazz and liked them pretty well but the output was an issue, [Turn volume up?] is what I ended up doing, now I use them on my one active Jazz with Nordstrand NJ4SE pickups (higher output) and an Audere pre-amp installed ... need more "snap" just kick the Z switch to High ... just a great combination.

... I use 7150Ls

How was the slap sound from the 7150's? Would i be losing some of my slap tone going from the DR lo rider nickels to the 7150's?

Ron G · #12 12-13-2009, 01:24 PM

I have tried DR Low Riders, Fender 7150's, and 7250's all were (40-100). All my basses are P's and I found that I like the sound of 7250's the best. DR too bright, 7150 too much tension, 7250 just right.

ac3320 · #13 12-13-2009, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron G

I have tried DR Low Riders, Fender 7150's, and 7250's all were (40-100). All my basses are P's and I found that I like the sound of 7250's the best. DR too bright, 7150 too much tension, 7250 just right.

7150's *a lot* more tension? i ask because ppl warned me about the tension increase going from DR hi beams to lo riders and i couldn't notice much. Maybe the 7150's tension wouldn't be a big deal for me..?

can you coax a good slap sound from the 7250's? Were you able to do so with the 7150's?

Thanks

Surly · #14 12-13-2009, 02:56 PM

7150's have a great slap sound on a P-bass. I just think they sound wonderful on a P especially for pick playing. They're basically the classic sound without going to flats. I'd love to try them on a Jazz. Not much but a little tone difference than the 8250's and most people may not notice a difference. IMO of course. I did not find the 7150L's to be high tension, but the mediums are.

Ron G · #15 12-13-2009, 03:27 PM

I notice the difference in string tension after playing based on how my hands feel, I guess I'm getting old.

saxofunk · #16 12-13-2009, 03:34 PM

I slap the 7150s silly and they sound great. I don't know what is meant by this 'low output' business - maybe getting pickups closer to the string would help.

ac3320 · #17 12-13-2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surly

7150's have a great slap sound on a P-bass. I just think they sound wonderful on a P especially for pick playing. They're basically the classic sound without going to flats. I'd love to try them on a Jazz. Not much but a little tone difference than the 8250's and most people may not notice a difference. IMO of course. I did not find the 7150L's to be high tension, but the mediums are.

I'm used to playing sadowsky stainless 105-45's and DR lo rider nickels. I've heard those are medium-high tension strings. I played DR hi beams on a bass i sold for only two days, so i can't really say i got used to how different they feel than the DR's/sadowsky.

I have the 7250's that came on my bass. Maybe i'll try those out. I might even get some 7150M's (like like the bigger strings rather than the Light gauge ones)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron G

I notice the difference in string tension after playing based on how my hands feel, I guess I'm getting old.

I used to play on elixir superlights (95-40's) and when i started playing sadowsky stainless 105-45's, my fingers were a little beat up for a lil bit, but i got used to it i guess!

ac3320 · #18 12-13-2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxofunk

I slap the 7150s silly and they sound great. I don't know what is meant by this 'low output' business - maybe getting pickups closer to the string would help.

do you think they're high tension?

saxofunk · #19 12-13-2009, 03:49 PM

I loaded my two basses with 7150Ms a year ago. I don't think I'm a fair judge of tension, sorry.

ac3320 · #20 12-27-2009, 09:25 AM

anyone else have any opinions? so far everyone says they're the bomb for vintage tone, but the tension is too high, volume too low... are they good for slap?