So my DR Hi-Beams are going on 7 months old...

[Tbirdbassist]

... This is the longest I've ever had a set of strings last. This is getting ridiculous, haha.


I think I bought them at the end of May or early June of '08 and put them on my fretless Jazz which sees basically 90% of my playing. I think I alcohol soaked them (rubbing alcohol) once in August maybe and have just made sure my hands were clean before I played and probably wipe em down a handful of times with those Guitar Research? cloth wipes.


They are most definitely worn in, but they are still bright and fresh and very aggressive sounding. I love it, perfect for the way I play (really hard).

Go DR!

If they last a whole year I will be beyond impressed. I've already been sold on Hi Beams. Or maybe I got a "magic" set. Regardless, I'm happy.

[arjune]

How's the wear on the fingerboard?

[rockinrayduke]

I put a set on my L2000 maybe 2-3 months ago and the E string was a little dull compared to the rest of the set but it sounded good. I've resisted changing the E because when you play it you really don't notice it unless you hit an open note and even then it's still quite good. I'm really happy with the Hi-Beams.

[Caca de Kick]

I've got 7 or 8 basses I took into the recording studio last march strung with fresh DR Highbeams. They're all still wearing them today, still nice and bright.

Last year I sold an SR5 that was wearing 1.5yr old Highbeams that were still as bright and crisp as the 2nd week they were installed.

[jasper383]

Originally Posted by Caca de Kick

I've got 7 or 8 basses I took into the recording studio last march strung with fresh DR Highbeams. They're all still wearing them today, still nice and bright.

Last year I sold an SR5 that was wearing 1.5yr old Highbeams that were still as bright and crisp as the 2nd week they were installed.

Yes. Hi/Fat Beams lose that initial "zing" very, very quickly, then sound exactly the same for as long as they are on the bass, in my experience.

I had a set on a Yamaha BBG5S for 3 years, I think, and they still sounded good. Not zingy good, but they still had that stainless "quickness".

[StyleOverShow]

I got hooked on the zing and change mine beamers out monthly (MM Sterling-my go to axe). It's kinda expensive, but I get to clean my fingerboard every month (maple) and that's good.

-richard

[ducknturtle]

Yes they do last much longer than anything else I've tried. I've noticed that they also take a bit longer to break in when new, two to three weeks by my experience. Best sounding strings out there and they're easy on the fretwork to boot.

[Tbirdbassist]

Originally Posted by arjune

How's the wear on the fingerboard?

It's Epoxied and the strings have left train tracks which are normal, there's some heavier wear oin spots but nothing I'm worried about. It'll be a few more years before it gets to the point where I'd need to sand and re epoxy. I got the bass used, previous owner rocked flatwounds (ew) so I promptly switched. Been using rounds on it since I got it in June 2007.


Mind you I play much, much harder than the average fretless player. I slap and use a 3mm pick as well and play with a lot of vibrato and bends and have a slight OD on 90% of the time.You can only tell I'm playing fretless when I solo the bridge pup, haha.

[theory028]

I took my Jazz in for a setup today and had them put some Hi Beams on. They are awesome! I hadn't realized how dull the stock strings had become. I think these are the perfect strings for this bass.

I'm glad to hear that they last so long!

[Lokire]

Before I switched to TI Jazz Rounds, I was using a set of Hi-Beams for nearly two years, and they still sounded great!

[Nightwolf55]

i installed my High Beams today on my Fender Precision Bass. They're awesome! Thanks to whoever recommended me these on the boards! w00t

[Tbirdbassist]

Well, I broke the D string probably in the beginning of February. But replaced it with a Sadowsky D. The other strings are still going strong though and won't change out until the E string breaks.