Anyone still using DR Pure Blues?

[bassist4dalord]

So far I’m really enjoying the PBs on my Geezer-equipped Roadstar II. They feel incredible; very smooth right out of the bag. Tone wise they have plenty of zip for my tastes. So far these are the best rounds I’ve ever played and I’ve played dozens. I’ll keep you updated on how they age!

 

[CallMeAl]

I’ve got Sunbeams on my main bass. (A P bass.) I put Pure Blues on my J-type bass and they’re nicely suited to that bass. Adds a mid bump that gives it some meat and growl. Slightly more stiff than the Sunbeams, I agree, but still more flexible than common hexcore strings like Slinky’s.

I still say Sunbeams are my favorites.

I have Pure Blues on my SB2 and wow! what a great tone, Punchy and focused.

I got a wild hair and put Pure Blues on my main P bass. Holy smokes! Really brings out the mids in a musical way. I even turned the mid knob up on the practice amp, and it’s a nasty growl machine! Can’t wait to try them in a gig but I may have a new favorite

 

[subdude67]

I tried them a year ago and I liked sound and feel. Not much of a difference to the Hi-Beams I have been using for years though and ultimately I would not buy them again because they don't last long in the hot, high humidity climate I'm in.

 

[Norman Hunter]

I have a few sets and use them, they are pretty good but my favorite strings are the DR Nickle Low Riders which are really tough to find sometimes.

They can be found on Amazon.com of all places. Great midrange and bottom.

 

[J-Mags]

I like Pure Blues a lot. I marginally prefer Sunbeams and GHS Round-Core Boomers in a band mix, but I still have a set of PBs and I'm gonna put them on a bass soon.

They've got great feel and good sound. The lows of the Sunbeams and GHS assert themselves a little more, which is why I prefer them, but happiness is just a knob twist away.

 

[invalidprotocol]

Finally got around to trying out DR Pure Blues. They’ve completely transformed the sound of my Aerodyne P. The tone is something all their own. Warm, fat and bright at the same time with lots of color in the mids, but the brightness is musical and not zingy. Definitely a fatter sound than Dunlop SB nickels, which sound thin and snappy on the same bass.

I had been using GHS Round Core Bass Boomers but I keep having a problem where they lose the ability to maintain intonation. Their tone profile is fatter with increased mids but nowhere near as vibrant as DR PB.

Overall I’m very impressed.

 

[Selim]

I just “discovered” these strings.

I have primarily been a flat wound player who also plays DB and only recently (last 5 years or so) started using rounds, which I use mostly onstage.

Been using DR nickel lo riders and Dunlops, but the Pure Blues work much better for what I do. The round core feels better under the fingers yet they have enough tension in them that they have a very nice front end attack. A rich midrange, tight lows, no clang or crunch, and just enough enough top end. If they last as long as the NLRs I’ve been using, that seals the deal! I’m a fan.

 

[BassinCT]

... The round core feels better under the fingers yet they have enough tension in them that they have a very nice front end attack. A rich midrange, tight lows, no clang or crunch, and just enough top end. If they last as long as the NLRs I’ve been using, that seals the deal! I’m a fan.

This is my take on them as well. Pure blues are in the middle of the spectrum in terms of possessing a pleasing and even response. They age gracefully much like the Sunbeams, and maintain their responsiveness and character for a long time- perhaps longer than the Nickel Lo Riders. Since I’m not playing loud and “cutting through the mix” isn’t a requirement, these are plenty bright for me. My other favorite set is Fodera nickel lights (now made by DR) they have a little more resistance and are great for when I need to produce a more forceful attack.

 

[Ggaa]

This is my take on them as well. Pure blues are in the middle of the spectrum in terms of possessing a pleasing and even response. They age gracefully much like the Sunbeams, and maintain their responsiveness and character for a long time- perhaps longer than the Nickel Lo Riders. Since I’m not playing loud and “cutting through the mix” isn’t a requirement, these are plenty bright for me. My other favorite set is Fodera nickel lights (now made by DR) they have a little more resistance and are great for when I need to produce a more forceful attack.

Digging the Fodera nickel 45-125s for the stiffness, time will tell if they're worth$45...

 

[Prof.Dr.Metz]

For round wound strings, yes. I use the 45-105 set and they set up, feel and sound great. They replaced D'Addario xl 170's I've used for years. (D'Addario's do not feel, last, or sound the same to me like they used to).

 

[Big String]

Kind of a question with much wiggle room… but …. how long on average do your Pure Blues usually last before you change them ?
I practice a lot and usually have one rehearsal a week. Gigs are about once a month on average.
Just curious as I was about to change my Pure Blues to a new set. Last change was 12/28/23.

 

[FirewalZ]

I quit using them as they got to expensive. For me they generally lasted about 2-3 weeks with 1-2 gigs per week
Plus rehearsals. Only complaint is they for they didn’t slowly tapper, but would suddenly become overly dull.

 

[One Way]

Pure Blues are my go to string and with my body chemistry I get about 9 to 12 months from a set with daily practice sessions and one or two band rehearsals weekly.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I’m still using PBs and they last me months. The tone I get out of the pack is more or less how they stay the entire time. Heck, when I usually go to change them they’re still sounding really good, I just figure it’s “time to change them” more than any real degradation in tone or pitch holding. Compare that to EB Slinkies which seem to die within two days for me. I recently retried D’Addario nickels and those also sound good to my ear, but I prefer the round core of the PBs.

 

[bassclef04]

Anyone using PB on Fodera basses specifically on the Fodera Emperor Standards?

 

[Norman Hunter]

I just put a set of DR Pure Blues on a Serek Armitage Bass with a Curtis Novak BS/DS pickup. The Pure Blues really added punch and definition to this rather warm sounding instrument. I ususally use DR Sunbeams on basses including a Stingray, and a Sadowsky Metroline JJ bass. Also I have DR Sunbeams on a Suhr Classic J that has a very clear sound. For me putting DR Pure Blues was too much of a good thing i.e the forward sound of the strings and the forward sound of the Stingray was too much but that may be the sound that other Stingray users would like. I did put DR Pure Blues on a Fender Professional Jazz Bass II. The V Mod II pickups are a bit dark so the Pure Blues are a good match. I really should break down and buy a new set of pickups for the Jazz. It is really what sounds good to your ears.

 

[bholder]

I have a bass I put them on years ago and they'll be staying there until they sound bad. Haven't played it lately though. Good strings. They do sound, and also feel, quite unique. I like them.

 

[Selim]

Has anyone tried the heavy gauge PBs and can offer a comparison with the 44-105 gauge?

Looking for a little more warmth and thump - a little more into flat wound territory - which the PBs do offer reasonably well for a round wound (which is why I like them and use them).

 

[Selim]

I answered my own question above by trying out the heavy gauge (50-70-90-110). Not a problem getting around on them (I play DB as well). Liked this gauge initially but I took them off because I don’t like they way that they speak. Medium gauge speaks better..

This was on a jazz bass.

Went back to an old/not dead set of nickel lo riders and I’m feeling satisfied

 

[newwavefrank]

Ive been using them on my kubicki's. 40-100 works well for me even though they are 32" scale