Wow....I think I just switched brands with one set, after 15 years.

eastcoasteddie · #1 04-12-2010, 11:19 AM

I've been using EB Slinkies ever since I got my Stingray in '95. Been using them on my G&L, too; as well as any Jazz bass I had in my posession here & there.

My brither gave me a set of DR LowRiders that he got for free (some promotional thing he got involved in) and I put them on one of my Dean Sledgehammer basses.

I have 2 of these Sledgehammers, both I-dentical. One has a Brand new set of Slkiny 5's, and the other the DR's. I have to say that the DR's feeel so silky smooth, tension is actually less than the Slinky's tension, they sound brighter and I barely had to retune as much as with the new Slinky's. I think when I installed the DR's, I retuned only once the next day. The Slinky's I retuned at least 5 times after installation. The DR's feel so much easier to play....I think these are my new brand of strings!!!

I've never tried the hi-beams, how do they compare to Low-Riders?

cap'n crunk · #2 04-12-2010, 11:22 AM

I love Hi-Beams. I've played EBs, Rotosounds, DM Blue Steels, D'addarios, Fenders, Warwicks, etc. etc., and I'm pretty much resolved that DR HBs are the strings for me. Love the tension, feel, and most of all the sound. But as always, YMMV.

Rickett Customs · #3 04-12-2010, 11:29 AM

I love Lowriders for that "Hex" core. You can literally take a string, wind it up (into a circle) and get a smaller circle, than with most brands. Way more flexible.

king_biscuit · #4 04-12-2010, 11:31 AM

Nickle or steel Lo riders?

eastcoasteddie · #5 04-12-2010, 03:31 PM

stainless. I didn't know they come in nickel...I have to do more research on them and see all they offer.

steamthief · #6 04-13-2010, 10:02 AM

OP, Hi-Beams sound brighter and more mid-scooped than Lo-Riders. to my ears. Also, less tension.

CapnSev · #7 04-13-2010, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steamthief

OP, Hi-Beams sound brighter and more mid-scooped than Lo-Riders. to my ears. Also, less tension.

Way less tension. They feel like rubber bands to me.

JimiLL · #8 04-13-2010, 05:27 PM

How do the Low riders compare to the Sun Beams?

steamthief · #9 04-13-2010, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapnSev

Way less tension. They feel like rubber bands to me.

LOL, me too. Some people like that, but I hate when I push the E string off the fretboard when I fret the A!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimiLL

How do the Low riders compare to the Sun Beams?

Nickel Lo-Riders, to my ears, have a tad more low end than Sunbeams. They also have a lot more tension.

grifff · #10 04-13-2010, 05:40 PM

I am a huge fan of DR Fat Beams on my basses. I may have to try the Dunlop stainless strings though since they seem to be getting great reviews.

**pacojas** · #11 04-13-2010, 05:58 PM

ROTOS => a man's brand!!!

BassLife77 · #12 04-14-2010, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pacojas

ROTOS => a man's brand!!!

+1

Ayliffe · #13 04-14-2010, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pacojas

ROTOS => a man's brand!!!

Cool story bro

Burlington · #14 04-14-2010, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pacojas

DR => a REAL man's brand!!!

Sorry, I had to.

ShowKing · #15 04-14-2010, 03:57 PM

I've just went to Lo-Rider's after using Hi-Beam's for a year.

Hi-Beam's definitely feel loose compared to Lo-Rider's. It's noticeable.

Both have pretty good brightness.

I think I like the sound of the Lo-Rider's a little bit more, it's got a bit more depth while retaining the brightness.
Both are fantastic strings tho. I don't consider using any other strings anymore

santucci218 · #16 04-15-2010, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pacojas

ROTOS => a man's brand!!!

I sell a lot of roto's. I hate how the E string sounds. Only brand that ever gave me overtones on my higher frets of my E string. Not only that, i tuned to drop d and back a few times, and it just sounded like straight poop after that. If i was endorsed, ide love em, otherwise, no.

FromTheBassMent · #17 04-16-2010, 07:57 AM

The HiBeams sound the brightest to me, and lack the warmth I like for finger style. I didn't like the rubbery flexibility either, I actually prefer more tension. They kill for slap though.

Sunbeams are really warm. They seem to me to have the most traditional nickel sound of any DR string. I used them for a while, but ended up craving a bit more brightness.

So I settled on nickel LoRiders whenever I string with roundwounds. They've got plenty of high-end zing, but enough mid presence to set well in the mix.

Again, I play fingerstyle only, so YMMV. And I've never tried the FatBeams. But I like the name.

BassLife77 · #18 04-16-2010, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by santucci218

I sell a lot of roto's. I hate how the E string sounds. Only brand that ever gave me overtones on my higher frets of my E string. Not only that, i tuned to drop d and back a few times, and it just sounded like straight poop after that. If i was endorsed, ide love em, otherwise, no.

what gauge did you use? I use the .110 and never had any problems. I haven't used a .105 in years because the .110 sounds better when I drop it down to C.

santucci218 · #19 04-16-2010, 05:55 PM

i was using a 105, yes. You ever get overtones? play like, the last fret on the E string. let me know, im curious.

craigman · #20 04-16-2010, 10:04 PM

I use DR Hi-Beams 5-String set on my Stingray, tuned up a 1/2 step for C & A#. That 1/2 step adds the tension, so no problame there, but I do roll off the highs a bit to cut out any clicking, don't like the click.
I play finger style.
I've tried many brands over the last 20years and I like DR the best.