Yeah, i went from DR to D'addario today...

[Bhuti]

I did it mainly because of financial restraints (I change strings every 2 weeks, and this causes obvious problems) but boy i won't switch back.

Strings feel much stiffer, sound clearer and more balanced, not to mention for the price of 3 DR sets i can get 5 D'addario sets. Even more so because i play tuned E - C so that extra string gets costly.

I started out with DR Hi-Beams 30-45-105 and now play D'addario Prosteels 30-45-105.

Anyone else experienced similar?

[ljazz]

Exactly the opposite here.....

I used to buy the D'Addarios because they were cheaper..... and I've used tons of them. I was always bothered by how different and out of balance the strings sounded.... some sets worse than others..... and not only set to set but string to string. By day I'm a Quality Engineer, and have access to a bunch of test and measurement equipment, so I took the set off and measured them. I also checked out the strings in a couple of unopened sets too. I was suprised to see gauges to be off by .003 and .004" in some cases.

Once in a while, I'll get suckered into the low price, and pick up another set or two..... I always end up scratching my head wondering why.

I really wish I still had access to a tensile tester..... I'd like to see how much the tension varies from set to set.

Ljazz

[DWBass]

D'Addarios are the worse strings ever, IMO! No wonder they're cheap! I've had Elixer Nanowebs on my bass for the last 2 years and they still sound better than 2 week old D'Addarios!

[Bhuti]

Originally Posted by DWBass

D'Addarios are the worse strings ever, IMO! No wonder they're cheap! I've had Elixer Nanowebs on my bass for the last 2 years and they still sound better than 2 week old D'Addarios!

but how's your truss and neck doing? those strings prorably lost all tension and are wearing on your neck as we speak. I like that elixirs retain their "sparkle" but they trick you into thinking that everything with them is fine.

I'll take 2 week old d'addarios over a worn out truss rod!

[Thunder Pulse]

'Worn out' truss rod?

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Bhuti

I did it mainly because of financial restraints (I change strings every 2 weeks, and this causes obvious problems) but boy i won't switch back.

Strings feel much stiffer, sound clearer and more balanced, not to mention for the price of 3 DR sets i can get 5 D'addario sets. Even more so because i play tuned E - C so that extra string gets costly.

I started out with DR Hi-Beams 30-45-105 and now play D'addario Prosteels 30-45-105.

Anyone else experienced similar?

If the Prosteels work out for you... great! If not, remember that the Hi Beams are that unique round core design that results in a relatively low tension and very smooth feeling string. The DR Lo Riders are the DR design that used the traditional hex core... they are a little punchier and tighter tension, and also last a long, long time.

[Wilbyman]

I've got Prosteels on my Fodera right now and they are nice strings. They are not very different from Hi-Beams of the same gauge. I prefer Lo-Riders but the Prosteels aren't bad at all.

W

[barbarbass]

I've switched back and forth between DR Hi-Beams and D'Addario Prosteels. My impression was that the Prosteels tended to retain their high end a bit longer, but that the DRs might be a better overall "sound."

Right now, I've got a set of Rotosounds -- they're harder on the fingers, but I seem to get more volume out of them (as well as a nice growl).

I don't know. I'll probably go back to the DRs.

I've never tried the Lo-Riders -- are those good?

[rappa29]

I started out on D'Addario Nickels, switched to ProSteels now using LoRiders.

I still have ProSteels on my SX P\J, they sound good and have lasted a hella long time, although I don't play that bass much anymore, actually trying to get rid of it.

I had ProSteels on my Precision P\J and liked 'em but have since changed to Flats b\c I've never used Flats on my P before and wanted to try.

I use LoRiders on my Laklands and Kubicki.

[Bhuti]

Originally Posted by KJung

If the Prosteels work out for you... great! If not, remember that the Hi Beams are that unique round core design that results in a relatively low tension and very smooth feeling string. The DR Lo Riders are the DR design that used the traditional hex core... they are a little punchier and tighter tension, and also last a long, long time.

I'm not bashing the Hi-beams, Just had an unusual change of heart in strings that i didn't think i'd have. DR's quality is unsurpassed and excellent, but the sound, feel and life i get out of the D'addarios make me happy.

I used to like that feeling of give to my strings, but for some reason it feels now that i'd much perfer higher tension and stiffness. And i liked lo-riders too! But they just didn't give me the clarity i needed. I

[lug]

I've had better luck with D'Addarios than DR's. Unlucky is all I can guess but I've gotten several DR sets with semi-dead strings. I know this isn't typical but kept happening to me.

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by Bhuti

but how's your truss and neck doing? those strings prorably lost all tension and are wearing on your neck as we speak. I like that elixirs retain their "sparkle" but they trick you into thinking that everything with them is fine.

I'll take 2 week old d'addarios over a worn out truss rod!

The neck is fine. Straight with low action. In fact, I've only had this bass' neck tweaked once or twice since I bought it in 2000. Every set of D'Addarios I've ever bought go dull in a matter of 2 weeks.

[CapnSev]

I just put D'Addario nickels on my SR5 and the jury is still out on those. They are a lot rougher feeling than I thought, and the tone isn't quite as smooth as I'd like either. I'm thinking of going the Sunbeam route soon, or maybe Elixirs.

[Darkstrike]

Originally Posted by lug

I've had better luck with D'Addarios than DR's. Unlucky is all I can guess but I've gotten several DR sets with semi-dead strings. I know this isn't typical but kept happening to me.

Won't DR replace those bad strings?
I heard a few times on here that they would.

[Lesfunk]

If DRs fill yer Rx, Great. If D'Addario's satisfy your craving for Italian, Wonderful!
Play what you like. Nuff said.

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by CapnSev

I just put D'Addario nickels on my SR5 and the jury is still out on those. They are a lot rougher feeling than I thought, and the tone isn't quite as smooth as I'd like either. I'm thinking of going the Sunbeam route soon, or maybe Elixirs.

This is another reason I don't dig 'em! Way too rough feeling for my taste.

[Medford Bassman]

Originally Posted by Lesfunk

If DRs fill yer Rx, Great. If D'Addario's satisfy your craving for Italian, Wonderful!
Play what you like. Nuff said.

I have to agree with the above statement. I've tried all different types of strings. Brands considered "top of the line" and budget strings.

If they work for you and make you happy use them. Don't buy something simply because you think it's what everyone thinks you should use.

Currently, I use D'darrio nickel. I really have no complaints. Over the past two years Ionly had one string fail. That's similar to failure rates using more expensive strings in my experience. Frankly, I love buying the 2-packs. I always have backup sets at gigs.

[pickles]

Every bass is different -- feed it what it likes.

I've had basses that were perfect with XLs and ProSteels on them (and lots that were awful with the same). Same for most any string.

[BassieMike]

As a pro luthier in a high volume repair shop I have changed so many sets of strings over the years it would boggle your mind. I have found DR to be rather inconsistent mostly in terms of strings that either wouldn't intonate or had strange buzzes or rattles right out of the pack. Granted when they are good they feel and sound great. But I don't want my strings "hand-made" I want them made by a computer controlled machine so every set is the same!!! YMMV

-mike