Replacement for DR'S?

I've just gone through my third experience of having DR strings go dead on my very quickly. It's happened with both High Beams and Sunbeams.

Problem is, I really like the sound of both when new, and I like the softness and playability of round-core, handwound strings. Can anybody offer alternatives?

Tks.

[berman3313]

Try building yourself a string cleaning tube.
PVC pipe - screw caps - cork and denatured alcohol and those strings sound new as the day you broke 'em out of the pack.
I soak mine for 24 hours every month.
Awesome money saver!

[guroove]

+1 on cleaning strings. I had the same Ken Smith steels on my Jazz bass for about 4 years. I just cleaned them with fast fret every few days, and they still sounded pretty bright just before I finally took them off. The only reason I took them off was because the fret indentations on the strings started getting pretty bad.

Will try this - and get past my laziness. Tks!