"Rough" outing with DR Lo-Riders

Sundogue · #1 11-09-2008, 10:03 PM

I had been using DR Sunbeams for about the last year and a half and I've loved the feel and sound using them.

Well, it was time for a string change again, so I thought I'd try some other strings. This time I thought I'd try a superbright string by going with DR SS Lo-Riders.

BIG mistake. The sound sizzled and the tone was really good, however the roughness of the strings caused me to miss a lot of notes as my fingers would stick on the windings. Also my slides to and from notes were less than graceful as again the strings seemed to prevent fluid movement. I have some string spray that helped somewhat, but ultimately only made matters worse, by causing the strings to be slippery in some spots but rough and difficult to play on in others, which made for untimely errors in playing.

Ugh! A brand new set of strings with only one gig on them and they are unruly and difficult to play on. It isn't as though they bothered my fingers as they are well calloused. They just made my fingers stick at spots because they are SS roundwounds and of course the windings are more pronounced. Perhaps a RW SS player wouldn't mind them as I did.

I'm going back to my Sunbeams from now on (and wish I had between sets last night). The Sunbeams have enough sizzle and brightness to them, but they feel so good and allow playing smoothly.

Oh well, live and learn. Anyone want a cheap set of DR SS Lo-Riders? They are one gig out of a brand new set. Of course they are clipped already to fit a standard Jazz scale bass.

I loved the sound, but couldn't get past the feel.

P-BASSLOVER · #2 11-09-2008, 10:08 PM

Try the Nickel Plated Lo-Riders, they are nice and slickery, and have a mean
midrange growl.

fretlessman71 · #3 11-09-2008, 10:09 PM

I'd be happy to work something out with you if you're interested.

I do like DR strings. Going from nickel to steel was quite the adjustment for me as well once upon a time, but I found it was worth it for me. The stickiness went away as my callouses adjusted - it did take a few weeks. But oh boy did I like those steels. Nice and bright is NEVER a bad thing.

perfektspace6 · #4 11-09-2008, 10:33 PM

I understand your problem. Lately, I have been playing my fretless with nickel rounds almost exclusively. When I decided to put new steels on my fretted bass I had trouble playing for the first couple days and it tore my calloused fingers up but after a couple days I had gotten used to it. I had the same problem with getting "stuck". Next time around I might go with nickels though.

Sundogue · #5 11-10-2008, 05:53 AM

Well, they are new, but as far as "break-in" goes, that would only affect tone, not feel. The windings aren't going to wear down and one day feel smoother.

They don't bother my fingers at all...it's just that my fingers get "hung" up as I slide from one note to another. There are a few songs where I do an extended slide that just sounds jerky instead of fluid because of this. It also affects other techniques where the string feels like it's grabbing my finger.

Just not for me.

dmusic148 · #6 11-10-2008, 07:45 AM

Yeah, they can be grabby. But they're nothing compared to Roto's-they are brutal. But so is the sound.
I like Low Riders on my fretted and Sunbeams on fretless for the same reasons.

Steve Bennett · #7 11-10-2008, 08:11 AM

I switched from Hi-Beams to Sunbeams because the Hi-Beams felt sticky, but the stickiness mainly affected my plucking fingers. The Sunbeams feel just right, and I found I prefer their tone anyway.

Sundogue · #8 11-10-2008, 09:05 AM

Yeah, the Sunbeams are just about the most perfect string I've ever used. I don't know why I keep trying others when I just keep going back to them.

**DougD** · #9 11-10-2008, 10:51 AM

I have always found that the roughness or stickeyness of new SS strings goes away after a little bit of playing. Because of the brightness of the strings, they will be unforgiving and will amplify every little mistake made. They take some getting used to

But once you do...good things happen

IMHO. I try a lot of strings and keep comming back to HighBeams

I just love the way they sound and feel.

Sundogue · #10 11-10-2008, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougD

I have always found that the roughness or stickeyness of new SS strings goes away after a little bit of playing. Because of the brightness of the strings, they will be unforgiving and will amplify every little mistake made. They take some getting used to

But once you do...good things happen

IMHO. I try a lot of strings and keep comming back to HighBeams

I just love the way they sound and feel.

The string itself will not become smoother...it's metal and only something harder than the windings will wear it down.

The stickiness or roughness goes away for the very reason strings get more dull sounding...because gunk fills in between the windings and the more gunk, the smoother the feel. Even if you can't see it...if the strings are feeling smoother, that is the ONLY reason. Not something I want.

The brightness of the strings is what I do like. It is not the amplification of my mistakes I don't care for (I like a clean, bright sound)...it is mistakes caused by my fingers literally getting hung up on the windings. Might as well have the glue from duct tape stuck all over them for how much they inhibit movement.

I used to play with SS roundwounds all the time years ago...it's not like I don't know how they feel. I guess I'm spoiled by the Sunbeams.

StyleOverShow · #11 11-10-2008, 02:10 PM

I use HiBeams for all brightness and growl. I don't like the fret noise and the lower tension is annoying at times (what you called sizzle).

But how else do you find out about strings other than trying them out at a gig or a full volume rehearsal?

Steve Bennett · #12 11-10-2008, 02:38 PM

I've had the same Hi-Beams on one bass for a year and they feel sticky to my plucking fingers. I'm a convert to Sunbeams.

Toneman · #13 11-11-2008, 08:25 PM

I also converted to Sunbeams from nickel loriders.
The feel and warm tone won me over. I was using them on my jazz but now have them on my P also.

Lesfunk · #14 11-11-2008, 11:02 PM

You can get used to them

Sundogue · #15 11-12-2008, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lesfunk

You can get used to them

I got used to a really bad junk bass, and a bass amp and cab that were even worse...when I first started playing.

Nowadays, I want more than "getting used to" something.

Lesfunk · #16 11-12-2008, 08:30 PM

Lo Riders aren't junk though.
You liked the sound. Play 'em for a while and see if you get used to them. Or don't. It's your choice.
What's the point of this thread other than you complaining about strings that a lot of others have no problem with?
If you don't like them and are unwilling to use them for more than one gig, go back to the Sunbeams. It doesn't seem like a big deal.

Marley's Ghost · #17 11-12-2008, 08:42 PM

+1 on Nickel Lo Riders. Only strings I will put on my 'ray.

**DougD** · #18 11-13-2008, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lesfunk

Lo Riders aren't junk though.
You liked the sound. Play 'em for a while and see if you get used to them. Or don't. It's your choice.
What's the point of this thread other than you complaining about strings that a lot of others have no problem with?
If you don't like them and are unwilling to use them for more than one gig, go back to the Sunbeams. It doesn't seem like a big deal.

+1

YCBass · #19 11-13-2008, 02:22 PM

+1000 on the Nickel Lo Riders... I too had the same experience with SS Lo Riders, but for me it wasn't just the feel but the tone also... It's too harsh for me. The Nickels are just awesome!

I am trying some Dunlop strings right now, cause they are cheaper but I tried a set of their SS strings first and it's not a good start... The Nickels are next.

But Nickel Lo Riders are default and I can always go back to those...

Sundogue · #20 11-14-2008, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lesfunk

Lo Riders aren't junk though.
You liked the sound. Play 'em for a while and see if you get used to them. Or don't. It's your choice.
What's the point of this thread other than you complaining about strings that a lot of others have no problem with?
If you don't like them and are unwilling to use them for more than one gig, go back to the Sunbeams. It doesn't seem like a big deal.

My comment was in response to someone who suggested I try getting used to them. They either work for me or don't. "Getting used to them" implies I should just live with what I don't like about them, until I become apathetic enough to tolerate them.

And I agree, they are not junk...at all. Very bright, which I like a lot, and the tone is awesome. The feel is not. They are great strings, but they are rough (as are most SS RW strings) and they impeded my playing.

I put the Sunbeams back on and they feel smoother and fit my style more.

What's the point of my thread? Since it's my thread, I'll say what I want about them, in hopes that someone might find my opinion useful if they are thinking about trying them. Great tone, rough feel. My opinion, my thread. I don't expect anyone to agree or disagree...it is what it is (which, in the end is...as you say, no big deal...except you thought it was a big enough deal to complain about my complaining.

).