D'addario NYXLs vs. DR Pure Blues

[vindibona1]

Ok... So this is an old thread just resurrected. But as I have played both the Pb's and NYXL's fairly extensively and quite recently, I think I have a pretty good handle on both.

I will agree on most of the points that Murphy states. The PB's are great strings, but there is something about the overall "gestalt" of the sounds that NYXL's produce. I have 3 five string basses and have had both sets on all three. I prefer the NYXL's on my Yamaha TRBX605 and Ibanez BTB675, but think I like the PB's a bit better on my Jazz5er. It's close on that one and I've since moved to Sunbeams on my jazz basses which I think is the right move.

If you like the PB's and just want something a little "crisper" and haven't tried the NYXL's, you really should.

Fast forward 5 years on this zombie thread.
I had sold my BTB675 earlier in the year, but since 2019 I had purchased Ernie Ball regular Slinkys and really liked those strings on the BTB. They have more tension than the NYXL's, but they seemed to be a better fit to that bass. I missed the 675, so replaced it with a BTB1825. It's got Aguilar pickups rather than Barts and I think I need to go back to the NYXL strings on this bass.

I think the bottom line is that strings are a major part of a recipe for each individual bass. While I had been strining my Fender Jazz 5 with DR Sunbeams, someone gave me a set of Elixirs and I really like them on that bass. Slightly less "chimey" than the Sunbeams allowing the fundamentals to come through a bit better, though I think that perhaps had I allowed the Sunbeams to age more the SB's would probably calm down a bit more. I dunno.

 

[Drapersa]

And now they are available with taper core singles!

NYXL's are just an all around excellent string that intonate perfectly, unlike some other popular strings out there!

I put DR Pure Blues on my 5 string and can’t intonate all of them. Still flat at 12th feet and saddles are at the end of their travel. And, I found the strings don’t tend to stay in tune well. Doubt I’ll do another set of DR’s.

 

[jjk2007]

I haven’t used the NYXL but I did put a set of PB’s on my Sadowsky SMX. They are a decent string but something is missing for me so I’ll be moving on soon. Going to try some of the Sadowsky black label nickels next.

 

[vindibona1]

I haven’t used the NYXL but I did put a set of PB’s on my Sadowsky SMX. They are a decent string but something is missing for me so I’ll be moving on soon. Going to try some of the Sadowsky black label nickels next.

I think string selection is largely dependent on the particular bass and the sound/feel you like. If I may provide a few string/bass experiences that I've had.

NYXL's... On my BTB 675 I preferred Ernie Ball Slinkys, but on my BTB1825 that replaced the 657 I like the NYXL's A LOT. Real beefy sound on that bass.
DR Sunbeams... Sounded good on my Yamaha TRBX 605, but a bit too chimey on my Fender Jazz 5, replaced by Elixirs nickels.

I will be interested to hear about your experience with the Sadowsky strings.

 

[jjk2007]

I think string selection is largely dependent on the particular bass and the sound/feel you like. If I may provide a few string/bass experiences that I've had.

NYXL's... On my BTB 675 I preferred Ernie Ball Slinkys, but on my BTB1825 that replaced the 657 I like the NYXL's A LOT. Real beefy sound on that bass.
DR Sunbeams... Sounded good on my Yamaha TRBX 605, but a bit too chimey on my Fender Jazz 5, replaced by Elixirs nickels.

I will be interested to hear about your experience with the Sadowsky strings.

Yeah....we'll see how the Sadowsky strings do. I've always been a D'Addario guy but have been testing the waters to see what all's out there. The DR Pure Blues looked good on paper but I'm just feeling something else is needed right now. On my old Peavey TL-5 the standard nickel XL's have been a match made in heaven....no need to mess with that recipe!