Growlier: DR Marcus Miller Fat Beams or DR Low Riders?

[Groover]

Which strings would give the best growl (without losing depth) to a Jazz bass? DR Marcus Miller Fat Beams or DR Low Riders?

I've tried both types of strings, but unfortunately on different basses (Fat Beams on a Stringray and the Low Riders on a Jazz bass). I like them both, and I know the Low Riders are nice and growly on the Jazz.. just wondering if the fat beams would give even more of that.

[steamthief]

I've got the same strings on the same basses right now, and was wondering the same thing. Great minds think alike! Subscribed.

[seansbrew]

Here's my take based on years of experience using these strings on my Modulus Q5

The Low Riders have a more aggressive growly character to them. They seem to be just a tad stiffer than the fat beams. They are a little more forgiving for slap bass and don't seem to be as noisy as the Fat Beams. I could dial in some really aggressive mids with these strings.

The Fat beams are a little easier on the hands as far as tension goes. They have a midrange that is much closer to a nickel steel string as compared to the Low Riders. Much warmer and rounder and they seem to ring forever.

And although Marcus Millers tone is not warm and round, just think of what his Fender would sound like with a brighter string...ick.

Anyway if I had to pick one of the two for a fender I would go with the Low Rider Nickels, here's what DR has to say about Low Riders.

"Lo-Riders nickel-plated bass strings are based upon hexagonal cores, wound with nickel-plated steel, specifically designed for a softer feel and a traditional warm nickel sound. These bass strings are even, long lasting, and lound… with a mid-range growl. An excellent string for fretless basses… "Lo-Riders Love to Funk."

And Fat Beams.

Marcus Miller has personally worked with DR to develop a new and improved version of one of the best stainless round
wound bass strings on the market. The effort took over a year, and the result is a “fatter, deeper, smoother” string that
satisfied Macus Miller’s demanding standard. Fatter tone. Deeper sound, smoother feel and response are the qualities that
separate Marcus Miller “Fat-Beams” from all other ordinary bass strings. New “Fat-Beams” are also more consistent in
feel along the length of the string, as well as string to string.

[steamthief]

seansbrew, any experience with the SS Lo Riders, and how they compare?

[seansbrew]

Originally Posted by steamthief

seansbrew, any experience with the SS Lo Riders, and how they compare?

Actually, my comments about the Low Riders are based on my use of the SS version. I recommended the Nickels because I have always preferred nickels on my Fenders. Actually, Sunbeams and Nickel low riders sounded best on my Fenders.

[Groover]

Very cool! Thanks for the great review. It does indeed sound like we all think alike in this thread so far. I think I'll stick with the SS Low Riders on that bass at this point. I also have a set of Sunbeams still in the package that I may try next, as it sounds like you've had good experience with them as well.

Thanks again!

[Edster]

I've used Sunbeams and Fatbeams on my Jazz, and I really like the tone of the later. The Fatbeams give a nice round sound with present mids and can create a piano like growl when relatively new. I roll off the highs on the bass a little, and the sound is still bright enough. I think they're good for swing and pop music.

[seansbrew]

O.K, so I'm going thru my bass stuff and low and behold I find a brand new set of SS DR Fat Beams. I forgot that I had them. So I installed them onto my Zon Custom. Wow, what a really wonderful sound.

Of course at this stage they are not broken in and are still really zingy. I have a gig this Friday, I'll let you guys know how they work out.

This is the first time I have used ss strings on my Zon.

[steamthief]

I've got a near-new set of Sunbeams on my P/J. I may have to swap them with the Lo Riders on my Jazz and have a listen.