Help me clear up this DR thing...

Joe Nerve · #1 11-22-2007, 10:37 AM

I searched and read up a bit, but I'm still not clear here and my guess is I'm going to have to gamble a couple of bucks to see for myself. The thing is I have LOTS of strings laying around and I wonder if it's even worth my plopping down $30 or whatever they cost. Here's my basic question:

Are these strings significantly different from any other strings, or are they simply strings that some people prefer over others? - same way some people swear by rotosound and others by D'addario. I had some expensive Thomastik strings thrown my way once and hated them, I currently use D'addario and Ernie Ball nickel coated, but I'm feelin I might want to try somthing new. Tried lots of strings but never DRs.

If I buy some, what can I expect? I'm thinkin Hi Beams.

jady · #2 11-22-2007, 10:50 AM

I use Steel Lo-Riders and reallylike them. They have a good fat low end with a lot of definition and the highs are there but not harsh. They last longer than other strings too.

The only real test is to try a set.

BillytheBassist · #3 11-22-2007, 11:12 AM

Joe... let me start by saying that i spent several years and thousands of dollars AT LEAST... looking for the right string. Rotos, dean markleys, fodera, ken smith, i mean... you name em i tried em. Up until last year i had never tried DR's. I purchased a bass last year and the strings that were on it when i purchased it were exactly what i was looking for. Turns out they were DR sunbeam lites. I'll give you the reasons why i have settled on those strings over any other string on the market. First off the tension, i like a low tension string... these strings have very low tension, nice and springy and very expressive as far as bending and harmonics... unlike any other string i have tried in the past, no bull. The tone is killer, zing and beef all in one string. On top of these strings feeling and sounding better than any other string i have tried, they retain a nice tone for a long time and "break in" very well. I hope this helps... theres only so much i can say to explain why they are IMO, hands down the best string on the market. I would highly suggest you spend the money on a set and try em for yourself. DR sunbeam lites... gauges .120 .100.80 .60 .40. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

lowendgenerator · #4 11-22-2007, 11:25 AM

I have become a fan of the DR Lo-Riders. I play with a pick most of the time and they have a great ping without being too bright. They have a great feel as well. I used to play Rotos, but they tore my fingers and fretboards to shreds. The Stainless Lo-Riders feel like nickel strings, but sound like SS. I think they have a more even response from string to string as well. I play with a mixed gauge set, in standard D and dropped C,and nothing even comes close IMO. I bathe my strings regularly in alcohol to keep them fresh and zingy, but I can go a few gigs/sweaty rehearsals between cleanings. It should be known that I can kill bass strings in under an hour lol.

Joe Nerve · #5 11-22-2007, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillytheBassist

Joe... let me start by saying that i spent several years and thousands of dollars AT LEAST... looking for the right string. Rotos, dean markleys, fodera, ken smith, i mean... you name em i tried em. Up until last year i had never tried DR's. I purchased a bass last year and the strings that were on it when i purchased it were exactly what i was looking for. Turns out they were DR sunbeam lites. I'll give you the reasons why i have settled on those strings over any other string on the market. First off the tension, i like a low tension string... these strings have very low tension, nice and springy and very expressive as far as bending and harmonics... unlike any other string i have tried in the past, no bull. The tone is killer, zing and beef all in one string. On top of these strings feeling and sounding better than any other string i have tried, they retain a nice tone for a long time and "break in" very well. I hope this helps... theres only so much i can say to explain why they are IMO, hands down the best string on the market. I would highly suggest you spend the money on a set and try em for yourself. DR sunbeam lites... gauges .120 .100.80 .60 .40. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

You're swaying me.

I also like low tension. I recently bought a Squier and realized I love the string that came on it. I imagine they're fenders - but it opened me up to the idea that I there really might be some strings out there I like better than what I presently have on my Bongo and Stingray. I guess it's worth the $30 gamble since playing bass is the thing I love doin most.

spiritbass · #6 11-22-2007, 03:28 PM

+1 on the Sunbeams. When I was talking to Bud LeCompte about the strings for the bass he was crafting for me, I was informed that these are what ship on all of his basses. Billy hit it pretty good with his description of zing and beef. I like them a lot. I received my bass in September and it's still sounding good with the original set. I don't wipe them or soak them, just play them.

Ken

smeet · #7 11-22-2007, 03:39 PM

I like the lo-riders on my Bongo. What are the differences between lo-riders and sunbeams?

spiritbass · #8 11-22-2007, 03:42 PM

The low riders are hex-core, sunbeams are round. Less tension with the 'beams. I haven't compared them sonically, though.

Ken

ShirazBop · #9 11-22-2007, 04:09 PM

Love my Hi Beams...Nice tension and last for ever!

Koki · #10 11-22-2007, 05:41 PM

I would go with lo riders cause the hex core but if you like more flexible strings go with hi beams.

peaveyuser · #11 11-22-2007, 07:45 PM

I just bought Lo-riders, cost me a mint, but they are my 3rd set. I tell yah what they are great, my strings now (well those and slinky's). I love the sound, plus the high tension is great for fast riffs.

Joe Nerve · #12 11-22-2007, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peaveyuser

I just bought Lo-riders, cost me a mint, but they are my 3rd set. I tell yah what they are great, my strings now (well those and slinky's). I love the sound, plus the high tension is great for fast riffs.

How much them lo riders go for?

lowendgenerator · #13 11-22-2007, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

How much them lo riders go for?

I can pick up a 4 string set at GC for under $25. That's actually kinda cheap.

peaveyuser · #14 11-22-2007, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

How much them lo riders go for?

On ebay for about 20$ not including shipping.

After shipping they were about 30$ but I'm in Canada and I AM NOT gonna pay 40$ for strings! 30$ is fair, well for here at least.

YCBass · #15 11-22-2007, 10:44 PM

+1 on the Lowrider recommendations... I have nickel on my 5 and stainless steel on my 4 and they are truly great. I love the definition & clarity on them, even playing chords in the low registers work great - acoustically speaking, it's also up to your pickups to do their part. The string to string balance is great, the tension is fairly even on all. But these may not work for you because they have pretty tight tension - at least the stainless steel ones do, but it's probably also because I use 45-105 and 130 for the B.

I tried the High Beams and they didn't quite work for me... The low tension really caused a ton of buzzing no matter what I did with the neck/bridge set up. But they also had great tone.

Good luck!

YCBass · #16 11-22-2007, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

How much them lo riders go for?

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendgenerator

I can pick up a 4 string set at GC for under $25. That's actually kinda cheap.

I have a couple peeps at my local GC and I get 4 string sets for $17.

jim primate · #17 11-23-2007, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiritbass

The low riders are hex-core, sunbeams are round. Less tension with the 'beams. I haven't compared them sonically, though.

Ken

sunbeams are also nickel. hi-beams, and lo-riders are the stainless ones.

EDIT: oh, and they rule. i've been using hi beams since i discovered them. they seem to have a slightly longer life than the lo-riders too.

Gintaras · #18 11-23-2007, 04:21 AM

I've been also experimenting with lots of strings. Some I bought from members on this forum. After about 20 sets of strings, I know have 2 basses with Sunbeams, 1 with Black Beauties and 1 with HiBeam Stainless Flats. I just got there strictly from reading about strings in the strings section and experimenting. 3 of my basses went through a few sets of different strings before I went to the DR's. There were 2 other strings that I did like and they were the SIT silencers and the Blue Steels.

rpatter · #19 11-23-2007, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

...I currently use D'addario and Ernie Ball nickel coated, but I'm feelin I might want to try somthing new. Tried lots of strings but never DRs.

If I buy some, what can I expect? I'm thinkin Hi Beams.

If you are used to nickel strings the Hi Beams are going to seem REALLY bright. If that's what you want to move toward, then I doubt you'll find a better string. If you want to stay closer to the nickel sound but want to try something new, go for the Sun Beams.

With either, you're going to find that they last longer. When I was using D'Addarios I was changing my strings every 6 weeks. Now with the DRs I can go 3 months before I have to replace them.

Ralf

KJung · #20 11-23-2007, 07:00 AM

I'm a huge DR fan. The Lo Riders are the more 'common design' hex core SS roundwounds... reasonably tight tension. Very nice, but not particularly 'unique' (i.e., closer to a number of other RW SS's that I've used). Very nice for that classic RW grind... great 'rock' strings on a J bass

The Hi Beams are a totally different thing... relatively 'loose' tension, and a really smooth feel. More modern and hi fi sounding to my ear than the Low Riders. They have a round core, and really feel (to the finger) more like nickels that SS. They are a little 'sizzly' when you first put them on, but then settle in and last a LONG time (by last, I mean they keep a nice bright tone). These are the best 'funk/slap' strings I've come across.

IMO.