Aw, hex no!

[Standalone]

I like my Rotosound 66’s but have enjoyed plenty of different strings. Flat and round. Stainless and nickel.

I threw some DR Hi-Beams on a vintage PJ Ibanez Roadstar II that I’d picked up to clean and restore. Thought I’d make it into a hot passive 1980’s slap machine and work on that technique for fun.

They had a great sound. Real zing and depth. But I’m just the wrong horse for that course. I pluck hard, play loose, with all kinds of muting and percussive things happening in my fingerstyle. This did not mesh well with the stiff hex core string.

It’s worth the $25 to try something new and learn a bit more about your playing and what works and doesn’t work for you.

Flexibility and feel seem more important to me than tone — my hands are going to pull my basic tone out of lots of different strings, but my expression and groove matter more than tone to me.

 

[michael_t]

Oh what the hex!

Not all hex cores are created equal. There are hex-core strings that are more flexible than some round-core strings. The core type is only a part of the whole equation when it comes to how a set of strings FEEL.

 

[Samatza]

So you didn't like the Roto's?

DR Hi Beams are round core and quite supple, I use them quite a lot. 40-100 feel particularly flexible and light.

Recently tried DA NYXL, hex core but thinner than normal and feel more flexible.

 

[mikewalker]

Oh what the hex!

Not all hex cores are created equal. There are hex-core strings that are more flexible than some round-core strings. The core type is only a part of the whole equation when it comes to how a set of strings FEEL.

Interesting! What are the most flexible hex-core strings??

 

[michael_t]

What are the most flexible hex-core strings??

Dunlop Super Brights (both SS and NPS) and SIT Foundations (both SS and NPS) are both hex-core, but due to the small diameter of the core wire, they're almost as flexible as some round-core strings.

 

[Standalone]

So you didn't like the Roto's?

DR Hi Beams are round core and quite supple, I use them quite a lot. 40-100 feel particularly flexible and light.

Recently tried DA NYXL, hex core but thinner than normal and feel more flexible.

Oh gee I meant to type lo riders but I’ve bought hi beams often in the past so that’s what my brain wrote

thanks

 

[Standalone]

Ha and I returned too late to edit! Still not used to the “new” brief edit window

 

[michael_t]

I meant to type lo riders...

I like a set of strings that are comfortable for my left hand (fretting) but still firm enough not to go all bouncy and flippity-flop under my right hand (plucking). That means hex-core strings of relatively light gauges.

I put a set of DR Nickel Lo-Riders 40-95 on my P-bass a couple of weeks ago and am finding they have the right balance between "comfortable for fretting" and "still firm enough for plucking".

 

[Lenny JG]

So you didn't like the Roto's?

DR Hi Beams are round core and quite supple, I use them quite a lot. 40-100 feel particularly flexible and light.

Recently tried DA NYXL, hex core but thinner than normal and feel more flexible.

I tried nyxl and they were the single stiffest strings I've encountered, couldn't even tune the g up to pitch and it snapped, played two notes on the D and it snapped. Sweetwater a daddario both sent me a new pack to see if it was the batch or what, but nope, the next set the g also snapped, and finally I got a set on and they were hell on my fingers and taught as all hex, also went fully dull and unusable within about 2 months of average playing.

Newtone strings have been my go to as of late, stupid flexible, low tension, and I got all steel hexs.

 

[tindrum]

Interesting! What are the most flexible hex-core strings??

As mentioned before Dunlop Super Brights are the answer. Great strings!

 

[GodsLove66]

I tried nyxl and they were the single stiffest strings I've encountered, couldn't even tune the g up to pitch and it snapped, played two notes on the D and it snapped. Sweetwater a daddario both sent me a new pack to see if it was the batch or what, but nope, the next set the g also snapped, and finally I got a set on and they were hell on my fingers and taught as all hex, also went fully dull and unusable within about 2 months of average playing.

Newtone strings have been my go to as of late, stupid flexible, low tension, and I got all steel hexs.

Strange, I've been on NYXLs about 4 years now, never had one snap on me. Was it on like an extra long neck or anything?

 

[Lenny JG]

Strange, I've been on NYXLs about 4 years now, never had one snap on me. Was it on like an extra long neck or anything?

No. And for comparison I was using ken smiths before I tried them, and I could pick my bass up by each individual string up and down the length of it to stretch them no prob, I wouldn't dare try to barely pull on em w an nyxl. They were scary to do slap bass on tbf.

Tbh if you've been using them for 4 years you might not realize any faults w them, I would recommend you shop around and try some other brands and see how drastic the quality difference is when you pay like 10 or 20 bucks more.

 

[Samatza]

I tried nyxl and they were the single stiffest strings I've encountered, couldn't even tune the g up to pitch and it snapped, played two notes on the D and it snapped. .

Interesting. I use the NYXL 45-100 gauge on a 34" scale bass, to me they feel a little more supple than the normal XL's. It's amazing how different the tactile response can feel to different people, that's why it's so hard to give advice on strings other than the general feel/tone I guess.

 

[Lenny JG]

Interesting. I use the NYXL 45-100 gauge on a 34" scale bass, to me they feel a little more supple than the normal XL's. It's amazing how different the tactile response can feel to different people, that's why it's so hard to give advice on strings other than the general feel/tone I guess.

I completely agree that our individual experiences and preferences are so subjective. That's part of what makes life great I guess. Lol

 

[Deleted member 271037]

Oh gee I meant to type lo riders but I’ve bought hi beams often in the past so that’s what my brain wrote

thanks

Ok, so you liked pretty much everything about the lo riders except the hex core? Any reason you don't want to go back to the hi beams? Because they kinda seem like the obvious answer here... Or do you specifically want more flexible HEX cores?

If that's the case the Dunlop Super Brights that michael_t suggested would probably be a good choice. I don't think you will find more flexbible hex core strings (when comparing similar gauges).

 

[SixtyCycleHum]

Haha. I had a lot of fun with Lo Riders. They weren't for me, but I quite enjoyed the time I spent trying them. I'm told that they have a long life, also.

Hi Beams are pretty good for getting a growly snarl happening. They carry good memories. May go back to them for fun some time.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I've been using the Dunlop SuperBrights (nick's & SS) for the past decade...I prefer the nickels. Long story short: I had two cartons and it's taken this long to deplete the inventory. Next go-round, I'd like to try the Nickel Lo-Riders (hex core) but in a light set 40-120.

Riis

 

[WarwickE36]

You could try the DR Fat Beams if you liked the Hi Beams but were looking for something a little different. I used Hi Beams for a long time and made the switch to Fat Beams and couldn't be happier. They are round core but compression wound. At first I thought they maybe felt a touch bit stiffer than Hi Beams but now that they are broken in I feel like they are too similar to tell the difference. Maybe I just got acclimated to them. YMMV.

 

[mrjim123]

@Standalone - just wondering, if you're looking for flexibility why aren't you considering round core strings? If you're open to flexible round cores I was gonna suggest either DR Sunbeams or GHS Round Core Bass Boomers. But, if you want a lot of zing these may not be the right strings for you.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I like my Rotosound 66’s but have enjoyed plenty of different strings. Flat and round. Stainless and nickel.

I threw some DR Hi-Beams on a vintage PJ Ibanez Roadstar II that I’d picked up to clean and restore. Thought I’d make it into a hot passive 1980’s slap machine and work on that technique for fun.

They had a great sound. Real zing and depth. But I’m just the wrong horse for that course. I pluck hard, play loose, with all kinds of muting and percussive things happening in my fingerstyle. This did not mesh well with the stiff hex core string.

It’s worth the $25 to try something new and learn a bit more about your playing and what works and doesn’t work for you.

Flexibility and feel seem more important to me than tone — my hands are going to pull my basic tone out of lots of different strings, but my expression and groove matter more than tone to me.

I’ve used Dr-Lo-Riders for well over 16 years now on my PBj. I’d say I’m a little on the aggressive side plucking wise as well, and playing a lot of Motown, muting and and some percussive things are required. I’ve not had any tactile issues playing them. Frankly, I can’t feel much of a difference playing GHS BassBoomers what I play when Lo-Riders aren’t available. Then again, I’m not real fussy and will put up with stuff once I lock into a sound.