ProSteel SS vs. DR Lo-Riders SS: Your thoughts?

[MarTONEbass]

I'm interested to find out TB'ers thoughts on the differences between these 2 strings.

Specifically interested in differences in tension and mid range content.

Thanks for your help!

[BassLife77]

ProSteels are good but go dead really fast. Lo-Riders sound better and last longer. hence the price difference

[Blues Bass Man]

I also have found the DR's hold they're tone longer. I've found the DR's to be kinder to the Frets also. For me DR wins over D'Addarrio

[bassclef04]

I like both strings but currently have the low-riders on my bass. They both have similar tension, the pro steel are brighter and the lo-rider sounds thicker.

[mmbongo]

DR gets the win.

[MarTONEbass]

Thanks for the insight guys, I appreciate it. I have used DRs for a long time and I really love the LoRiders, but was impressed with the ProSteels when I tried them.

There is about a $10 difference per set, which is substantial, but I do miss the tone of the DRs a bit. I hadn't really notice that they go dead faster, but I wasn't really paying attention to that either.

Does anyone feel that ProSteels are scooped and the DRs are more mid-focused or even across the spectrum?

[MarTONEbass]

Does anyone feel that ProSteels are scooped and the DRs are more mid-focused or even across the spectrum?

Anyone?

[MysticMichael]

It's been a long time since I tried the ProSteels, so I can't really make a judgment about the midrange content. But I use DR stainless steel Lo-Riders regularly, and find them perhaps mid-scooped a bit, but in a pleasant way.

I don't much care for the relatively harsh, clanky tone of the ProSteels - which is the major reason why I don't use them anymore. Same thing with the Rotosound SwingBass stainless steels. I much prefer the smoother, more refined sound & feel of the DR strings.

It's worth noting that Lo-Riders, along with all other DRs, are compression-wound strings, whereas ProSteels are traditional roundwounds. So the comparison is a little like oranges to tangerines, if you will.

MM

[EagleMoon]

I think on the right bass, ProSteels are awesome. My MTD's always sounded GREAT with them. But I've used them on other basses, Spectors, some Fenders and a Sadowsky and they didn't sound that great. So I think you have to match the strings to the bass in some cases. I had a set on a Spector Euro once that sounded blah, but then I put a set of EB Slinkies on it and it really made it come alive. So you never know. ProSteels are fairly cheap as strings go, try a set on your bass and see what you think.

[MarTONEbass]

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

It's been a long time since I tried the ProSteels, so I can't really make a judgment about the midrange content. But I use DR stainless steel Lo-Riders regularly, and find them perhaps mid-scooped a bit, but in a pleasant way.

I don't much care for the relatively harsh, clanky tone of the ProSteels - which is the major reason why I don't use them anymore. Same thing with the Rotosound SwingBass stainless steels. I much prefer the smoother, more refined sound & feel of the DR strings.

It's worth noting that Lo-Riders, along with all other DRs, are compression-wound strings, whereas ProSteels are traditional roundwounds. So the comparison is a little like oranges to tangerines, if you will.

MM

I always thought that Dr's "compression wound" moniker was smoke and mirrors, is it really that different?

I know the Fatbeams I tried were really scooped, but I'll have to try the LoRiders again on my Lull.

Originally Posted by EagleMoon

I think on the right bass, ProSteels are awesome. My MTD's always sounded GREAT with them. But I've used them on other basses, Spectors, some Fenders and a Sadowsky and they didn't sound that great. So I think you have to match the strings to the bass in some cases. I had a set on a Spector Euro once that sounded blah, but then I put a set of EB Slinkies on it and it really made it come alive. So you never know. ProSteels are fairly cheap as strings go, try a set on your bass and see what you think.

This makes sense. I guess I had been approaching this like I wanted one string to work on both of my basses. (yup, I only have 2!) But they are so different that the same string probably won't work for both.

I do like the Prosteels on my MTD 535, but not so much on the Lull. hmmm..

MM said the LoRiders were more refined, which makes sense that I like them on the Lull as the MTD is already smooth right out of the gate. I just don't want a string that is scooped in the upper mids, as the wenge MTD's are already known for that tonal characteristic.

Now we're getting somewhere! Thank you!

[LimaGuy]

I have been using DR Lo-Riders and recently tried Pro Steels.

The Pro Steels are very bright.
I know this will make it more confusing but I like the Pro Steels better on 3 of my Spectors and I hate them on my other 3.

More mid range on the Lo-Riders. But I found the Lo-Riders to be much tighter tension then the Pro Steels.

The Pro Steels are very in-expensive.

basstringsonline.com which is owned by a fellow TB member has great prices Pro Steels.

Check the thread below to see what other members have to say.

My experience with bassstringsonline.com

P.S.
You can also PM the owner SLaPiNFuNK
He is very knowledgeble about the strings and dosent just sell them.

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by MarTONEbass

I always thought that Dr's "compression wound" moniker was smoke and mirrors, is it really that different?

Not smoke & mirrors in my experience. In fact, you should be able to feel the difference, just by running your fingertips over the surface of them. So try that sometime, comparing the stainless steel Lo-Riders against any well-known conventional stainless steel roundwound string, such as ProSteels, Dean Markley Blue Steels, or Rotosound Swing Bass 66s. That relative roughness and rawness of the outer wrap on the roundwounds translates directly into more roughness and rawness in the tone of the strings, relative to the DRs.

I honestly was on the verge of swearing off stainless steel strings permanently - before I decided to give the Lo-Riders a chance. They're not a crunchy rock type of string, that's for sure. But they're not a typical harsh, "clanky in the upper midrange" type of stainless steel string either. Consider me a convert.

Originally Posted by MarTONEbass

I know the Fatbeams I tried were really scooped, but I'll have to try the LoRiders again on my Lull.

I use FatBeams on my fretless basses, love the smoothness and low-midrange focus of the tone, and have never noticed any particular "scoop" in the midrange. Different sets of ears hear different things, I suppose. And one's gear, settings, playing style, preferred genre(s) of music and general tonal preferences all play a role as well. But I've never noticed anything missing from the FatBeams...

MM

[MarTONEbass]

Originally Posted by LimaGuy

I have been using DR Lo-Riders and recently tried Pro Steels.

The Pro Steels are very bright.
I know this will make it more confusing but I like the Pro Steels better on 3 of my Spectors and I hate them on my other 3.

More mid range on the Lo-Riders. But I found the Lo-Riders to be much tighter tension then the Pro Steels.

The Pro Steels are very in-expensive.

basstringsonline.com which is owned by a fellow TB member has great prices Pro Steels.

Check the thread below to see what other members have to say.

My experience with bassstringsonline.com

P.S.
You can also PM the owner SLaPiNFuNK
He is very knowledgeble about the strings and dosent just sell them.

Thanks for the info LimaGuy, the ProSteels are very bright indeed. I'm cool with that. I'm an active bass guy and it's easy enough to turn down with high end with the tone controls.

The tension and mid range content will be the kicker for me.

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

Not smoke & mirrors in my experience. In fact, you should be able to feel the difference, just by running your fingertips over the surface of them. So try that sometime, comparing the stainless steel Lo-Riders against any well-known conventional stainless steel roundwound string, such as ProSteels, Dean Markley Blue Steels, or Rotosound Swing Bass 66s. That relative roughness and rawness of the outer wrap on the roundwounds translates directly into more roughness and rawness in the tone of the strings, relative to the DRs.

I honestly was on the verge of swearing off stainless steel strings permanently - before I decided to give the Lo-Riders a chance. They're not a crunchy rock type of string, that's for sure. But they're not a typical harsh, "clanky in the upper midrange" type of stainless steel string either. Consider me a convert.



I use FatBeams on my fretless basses, love the smoothness and low-midrange focus of the tone, and have never noticed any particular "scoop" in the midrange. Different sets of ears hear different things, I suppose. And one's gear, settings, playing style, preferred genre(s) of music and general tonal preferences all play a role as well. But I've never noticed anything missing from the FatBeams...

MM

Ed Friedland uses the Fatbeams on his Carvin J basses and I believe I saw a review he did. IIRC, he said the added bottom due to the slower winding gives the string a slightly scooped sound. But like you said, your ears, my ears and our amp/bass combinations could be radically different.

Great info on the compression winding. I knew they were smoother feeling, and truth be told, I liked the slight grab of the Prosteels but if the DRs are indeed higher tension, that could do it for me.

That makes sense that it results in a smoother surface and tone. I took a quick look at the DR website but couldn't find any info on the compression winding process.

I haven't bee playing much rock lately, but I do like an aggressive, modern tone with good midrange content. Although I slap a bit, if I need a scoop, I prefer to tweak the tone controls for that.

Looks like I'm going to give the DRs another go!

Thanks guys!

[jjk2007]

I use the ProSteels on my Peavey Cirrus 5 and Peavey TL-5 and they work for me. They are extremely bright out of the box for sure. I usually like them the best after I've played my bass with them on for about 2-3 weeks. (and that's playing about 3-4 days during the week)
It seems to me that they stay pretty lively for a good period of time too. I'm afraid I don't have much experience with the DR strings though.

[Double Agent]

ProSteels are MUCH brighter than Lo-Riders are IME. Lo-Riders are fairly bright at first, but less so once they settle in and they keep that "settled in" tone for a really long time. I also find Lo-Riders are kinder to my fingers (especially the right-hand) than ProSteels, which are not as rough as other SS strings out there, but still pretty abrasive. In the end, I prefer the tone of Lo-Riders to ProSteels. Lo-Riders are one of my favorite strings because they give you the "grind" of SS rounds without the over-the-top brightness that many SS rounds have.

Another balanced sounding, stainless roundwound to try would be the LaBella Hard Rockin' Steels. I found that, in spite of what the name implies, they were well suited to a variety of applications. In some ways, I actually prefer them over Lo-Riders. Lo-Riders have more "grind" but that tone is kind of always there whether you like it or not (most times I love it), but the La Bella's were a little more flexible tonally. IMO, both are the top of the class for hex-core, stainless rounds.

[jjk2007]

True on the roughness factor regarding the ProSteels Double A. I guess I've just gotten used to them!

[Solarmist]

I'll stick with the Prosteels because of the brightness/price factor, and I love new string zing.

[austentaciousC]

All DR strings are very deceptive when new, they have a massive difference in "settled in" tone that the other brand...and im sure someones said that already. I just wanted a good reason to comment on the fact that you look like sinbad in your Avatar

[EagleMoon]

The only problem I've ever had with ProSteels is that I've gotten a couple of sets that had dead E strings. Other than that, they've been fine.

[MarTONEbass]

@Double Agent: I like the zing, but I'd rather have the mids of the Low Riders on the Lulll anyway and dial in the treble if needed. Good tip on the LaBella's, Iwill definitely have to give them a try. How's the tension on those?

@Solarmist: The Prosteels are super zingy out of the box. and for me at least, they retain the zing pretty well. It's the more balance tone without a mid scoop that I think I'm really after for the Lull. I am actually thinking of sticking with the Prosteels on the MTD.

@austentaciousC: That's a really good point. I think I perceived them to be dead when they were actually just settled in. This made me think their life span wasn't great. I don't think any one has said that yet.

I have actually been told once before that I look like Sinbad, glad to hear my avatar bears a resemblance, that dude is a riot!

@EagleMoon: I've had a few different sets of Prosteels so far, and I haven't encountered one yet, I will look out for that on future sets, thank you.

Well, I just bought a few sets of Lo-Riders SS 45-130. After considering all the comments, my preferences and tone goals, I think I am going to try the DR's on my Lull and see how it goes. I may try a set on the MTD just because I haven't had them on that bass yet.

I will report my finding for those who are interested!