How Long Do Your DRs Last?

[Hippos Melas]

I put a set of Sunbeam Mediums on my Sterling about 4 weeks ago. I practice generally 2 hours every other day and have jazz band rehearsal once a week for 3 hours. After these 4 weeks my strings are deader than I've ever had a set sound. They're as stiff and lifeless as they come.

Since the package states "unusually long lasting" as part of their selling point, I was curious how long other people who use DRs typically have them last. I've used Slinkies in the past and those seemed to last about the same amount of time but were $10 cheaper.

Your experiences?

[4K D]

Originally Posted by Hippos Melas

I put a set of Sunbeam Mediums on my Sterling about 4 weeks ago. I practice generally 2 hours every other day and have jazz band rehearsal once a week for 3 hours. After these 4 weeks my strings are deader than I've ever had a set sound. They're as stiff and lifeless as they come.

Since the package states "unusually long lasting" as part of their selling point, I was curious how long other people who use DRs typically have them last. I've used Slinkies in the past and those seemed to last about the same amount of time but were $10 cheaper.

Your experiences?

Hi there,
From varied experience (sorry not DR's but many others) l'd say it depends on, generally: individual hand sweat & whether or not your bass stays in it's case when not in use (keeping it cased can really make a difference).

Another thing to try, if you haven't already (apart from boiling them) is a product called "Fast Fret" by GHS; this can put a surprising amount of "zing & ding" back into the strings (& it's cheap) & also good for cleaning up the fretboard & frets. Clean frets also make quite a difference.

I know that DR's are supposed to have a good tone due to their thicker inner core as opposed to relying on thickness of the wrapping/winding.

Hope l haven't stated the obvious & hope it helps!

[bassplayerbob]

i've been using DR High Beams for about 5 yrs now. I believe the sunbeams are nickel. I am not very diligent in wiping down after playing or using cleaning products on my strings and i play almost every weekend. That being said i get about 6-8 weeks of good usable tone out of a set.

[leonche64]

Bought some of the Neons. Stayed fresh for about 3 gigs. Plus the yellow is bleeding on my new white bass. Last set I buy.

[AHDBassist]

My hi beams last 3 months give or take.

[KeithPas]

I had a friend that used High Beams and Sun Beams and could not ge them to last any longer than about two weeks.

[Hippos Melas]

Hmm. At least this is the pattern it seems and I'm not alone. I can't believe how dead the set is I have on my bass and I just dropped $28 on a set almost a month ago. I can't afford to keep paying so much for the same I can get from other companies too. =/

[Double Agent]

I've always had great luck with DRs. When I have used Lo-Riders, they have lasted anywhere from 3-6 months on average. I have only used the nickel and stainless Lo-Riders, until recently when I decided to try Sunbeams for the first time about 3 weeks ago. So far, so good on the Sunbeams as well.

My typical set before switching to DR was D'addario XLs and they would usually last 3-4 weeks, maybe a bit longer, but not much.

[WardEarth]

Yeah, as said above, that all depends. I usually replace my strings every 2-3 months. Its nice to have that brand new string zing, but I can play just fine with a worn out string. I'm trying circle K stings next, TB seems to give them the thumbs up! I've read about some cheaper strings somewhere, I'll probably try those sometime.

[BEKyle]

Generally the Hi-beams last longer because they don't have nickel plating, but then of course the tone is quite different. When I use Sunbeams I get 2 - 3 weeks playing about the same amount as you. If you want a set of nickel strings that last longer try the Infeld Superalloys. They are hex core but still very comfortable to play.

[Plookie]

I've used hi-beams now for over 3 years and haven't used any other set of strings other than DR's. I generally get about 7 good weeks of use from mine. And even when I change them, I keep the used ones in case one breaks (over 3 years and not one string has broke).

Also, I got a set of the NEON (fluorescent green free to try) and it's been now over 3 weeks and they have stood the test. A little less bright with wear, but are hanging in there. I will buy another set of neon's in the future, as I did enjoy them. I recorded a song in the studio with them, and I was quite impressed with the tone result from the neon.

[scottbass]

IME, DR Sunbeams are NOT gonna keep that zingy, brand new sound more than a few hours; they then become "broken in" and sound like, well, nickel strings.

That's why most of us buy them: they're nickel and less zingy-sounding than steel strings!

I play a total of about 10 hours per week between practice, rehearsal and gig. My bass is always in its hard case when I'm not playing it. I wipe the strings down with a GHS Fast-Fret string cleaner after each weekly gig. For me, DR Sunbeams keep their "broken in" sound for about 4 months before they go dead. You've also gotta be sure to install them correctly to keep the windings tight: make the sharp 90 degree bend before you cut them, use the tuner to draw them up as opposed to wrapping them around the tuner by hand, etc.

[2behead]

I love the DR lowriders. I get 2-3 months out of them playing most every day. BUT I hate hate hate that new string zing most people are crazy about. I'm out of my mind I know. If I was in love with that sound I would spend less on strings and change them more often. The DRs are worth it for me since after that glassy sound is gone they sound great for a long time, and good luck breaking one if your not carrying your bass around by the strings.

[Hippos Melas]

Originally Posted by 2behead

BUT I hate hate hate that new string zing most people are crazy about.

That's me. I'm all about the new string zing. I have a 3 band EQ so I can usually EQ it out if I want but I can't really put it back, ya know?

[Mojo-Man]

I use Sunbeams too.
I always wipe down strings after playing.
I like worn in strings, I change them every 6 months.

[Rickett Customs]

6 month on average. But keep in mind, I wash my hands, before I touch it........Before the first sets, between sets and at practice.

I gig at least 4 times per month, perhaps 1 practice per month

[mmbongo]

I put my current Black Beauties on Feb 15th, and play about 8 hours a week. So next Friday will be 2 months and still going strong.

[Caca de Kick]

I've used DR's for about 12 years now (Highbeams and Fatbeams), and I regularly got 12-15 months per set. Yes for me that is still really bright, shimmery, and growly sounding.

[Hippos Melas]

Originally Posted by Caca de Kick

I've used DR's for about 12 years now (Highbeams and Fatbeams), and I regularly got 12-15 months per set. Yes for me that is still really bright, shimmery, and growly sounding.

Really? Still have a really shimmery tone? I wonder what I'm doing wrong...I don't beat on my strings that's for sure.

[Reaper Man]

~3 minutes (I snapped the E string)