Strings challenge! Fender x DR

Coelho · #1 01-11-2009, 09:24 PM

Just changed the strings on my Miller 5. It came with Super Bass 7350/5M, Stainless Steel, Gauges: .045, .065, .085, .105, .125.

The strings are probably 5 or 6 months old. I really liked them, sound, feel, etc. Really nice strings.

Ok, so I decided to change and got 1 set of DR Marcus Miller Fat Beams.

Check the audio clips attached... I came to the conclusion that I prefer the Fender strings. It seems to have more fundamental. Keep in mind that these were 5 or 6 month old strings, but I really liked the sound, even after this time.

What do you think?

dmusic148 · #2 01-11-2009, 09:34 PM

Hmm. I like the Fenders too. Got a few sets for my new P bass. I see what you mean, sounds like the Fenders have more midrange bark. I think they both sound great, but different. Pretty amazing the old strings still sound that bright.

Coelho · #3 01-11-2009, 09:54 PM

There is something cool in Logic called "match EQ". So, this is the EQ I would have to apply to the Fender recording for it to sound like the DR:

As you can see, I would have to remove a lot below 200Hz, something around 300Hz, something around800Hz and add a LOT of high end (ok, new strings factor in).

Coelho · #4 01-12-2009, 06:56 AM

Maybe given the time, the DR will sound like the Fender, loosing the highs (and maybe bumping those mids and lows < 200Hz)?

Surly · #5 01-12-2009, 07:15 AM

I just ordered some DR strings for my P-basses and was planning on doing the same experiment that you did here. I really love the Fender 8250's but have been in intrigued by DR sunbeams/lo-riders.

P-BASSLOVER · #6 01-12-2009, 11:02 AM

Fender basses are midrangey and from what I noticed Fender's strings
are designed to bring out those mids.

Surly · #7 01-12-2009, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P-BASSLOVER

Fender basses are midrangey and from what I noticed Fender's strings
are designed to bring out those mids.

I totally agree, and have always wondered why everyone who gets a new Fender (especially the new Precisions) is told to immediately change the strings...

Coelho · #8 01-12-2009, 12:07 PM

Maybe because most of the times "new" basses purchased in a store have been there for a while and the strings are old?

Surly · #9 01-14-2009, 03:17 AM

Maybe?

I just put DR Sunbeams on my Squier Precision and can't tell any difference in tone. Sounds like new roundwounds...I guess my ears aren't as good as Match EQ

I'll probably just stick with the Fenders on my other P since I don't feel like redoing the setup. Mids work for me anyway. It's easy to scoop them a bit on my SVT if I want to do a little slappin'.

joelb79 · #10 01-14-2009, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coelho

There is something cool in Logic called "match EQ". So, this is the EQ I would have to apply to the Fender recording for it to sound like the DR:

As you can see, I would have to remove a lot below 200Hz, something around 300Hz, something around800Hz and add a LOT of high end (ok, new strings factor in).

That is a sweet little tool!

That confirms what my ears have been hearing. The DR's are just too loose in the lows and way too bright. I've been a dedicated Fender 7250ML user. Love the tone they bring out in my bass.

Another string worth looking into is the Sadowsky Bright Nickels. They sound very similar but more refined in a way.

Joe Nerve · #11 01-14-2009, 06:45 AM

I just had a Fender 7350 experience that I'm not too happy about. Bought a Squier active 5 jazz a while back and the the strings on it were awesome and seem to last forever - 7350s. I liked them so much so that 2 weeks ago I ordered 3 sets from juststrings.com. Don't know if it's juststrings.com, fender, a fluke, or what - but I put a set on my stingray and they SUCK bigtime. D string is a slightly darker color than the others (like it's older or made from different metal or something) and the E has noticably less sustain than the other 3. They don't feel the same as the ones on my Squier either. I'd complain to juststrings but it doesn't seem worth the hassle, and I'm hoping it's this one set and that the other 2 are fine. I guess I'll have to see.

Ya know - because I'm getting a little pissed about this while writing - I just went to check my other 2 sets. They're sealed in clear plastic that doesn't exactly fit the paper packaging inside, and was sloppily ripped from the set of strings that came before it. I wonder if those guys mess with their sets and reseal them or do something not entirely cool...

...your thoughts are welcomed.

ehque · #12 01-14-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coelho

Maybe given the time, the DR will sound like the Fender, loosing the highs (and maybe bumping those mids and lows < 200Hz)?

Exactly what i'm thinking.

I just changed strings. Exactly the same type of strings, and i bought in bulk, so it's just from the same batch as well. Completely different sound from a 6-month old batch to a brand new batch.

Sub5ound · #13 01-15-2009, 04:17 PM

I've always liked Fender's strings. I have a set of Pure Nickels on my MIM Precision and I just got a 50's Precision (maple board) with stock Fender strings on it and I LOVE thew sound of them. I'm not sure what model they are..black winding at the top and bottom. Anyone know what model these may be

For the record, I have a set of DR Lo-Riders(nickel plated steel) on my Schecter Jazz that I wasn't too fond of at first, other than the feel...but now that they are breaking in, they sound great. Which Fender models have the black winding?

Sub5ound · #14 01-18-2009, 02:37 PM

Ba-dump

Craig_S · #15 01-18-2009, 05:27 PM

A good friend of mine swears by the Fender strings. He always has a great tone. I've used them I and like the feel and the tone a lot, but they go dead a lot faster than D'Addario, for me.