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Dean Markley Quality Improvement?

Outshined91

Outshined91

Supporting Member
Aug 23, 2019
1,808
2,335
US of A
#1
Hey all, hope everyone is well. I'm looking at a set of Dean Markley SR2000's (5 string) for my fretless, and I believe it has the "old" packaging from before DM switched factory's - the design with the metal circles, big red text, etc. However I'm wondering whether it's safe to buy the new sets now, as if I like these, it would be much easier to find the new sets. Has anyone tried any DM strings recently (past couple months) and can attest to whether their quality control has improved yet? The last thread on this is from 6 months ago in January, and had no definitive answer so looking to see if anyone has new input.

Thanks! :)
 
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#2
Outshined91 said:
Hey all, hope everyone is well. I'm looking at a set of Dean Markley SR2000's (5 string) for my fretless, and I believe it has the "old" packaging from before DM switched factory's - the design with the metal circles, big red text, etc. However I'm wondering whether it's safe to buy the new sets now, as if I like these, it would be much easier to find the new sets. Has anyone tried any DM strings recently (past couple months) and can attest to whether their quality control has improved yet? The last thread on this is from 6 months ago in January, and had no definitive answer so looking to see if anyone has new input.

Thanks! :)
Click to expand...
Hi there,
If you are concerned about DM quality, I ordered a set of Apex Cryos after recommendations here on talkbass. I guess several people from the original Dean Markley team set up Apex. The Cryos are great! Very similar to the Blue Steels if I remember correctly. Nice and growly but a little smoother to the touch. I've had a set on my Peavey Cirrus and they are still going strong even after I had tried out the same set on my Spector Euro for a few weeks. The price isn't bad in comparison either and great customer support!
Hope this helps with your decision.
Stay healthy!
Brent
APEX "TRADITIONAL CRYOS" SERIES BASS SETS Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Apex® Strings
 
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#3
BrentSimons said:
Hi there,
If you are concerned about DM quality, I ordered a set of Apex Cryos after recommendations here on talkbass. I guess several people from the original Dean Markley team set up Apex. The Cryos are great! Very similar to the Blue Steels if I remember correctly. Nice and growly but a little smoother to the touch. I've had a set on my Peavey Cirrus and they are still going strong even after I had tried out the same set on my Spector Euro for a few weeks. The price isn't bad in comparison either and great customer support!
Hope this helps with your decision.
Stay healthy!
Brent
APEX "TRADITIONAL CRYOS" SERIES BASS SETS Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Apex® Strings
Click to expand...

Awesome, thank you so much for the input! I've heard of Apex, but your testimonial is the first authentic one I've heard - I think I'll go in for a set. Do you know if they have a string that is comparable to the DM SR2000?
 
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#4
Outshined91 said:
Awesome, thank you so much for the input! I've heard of Apex, but your testimonial is the first authentic one I've heard - I think I'll go in for a set. Do you know if they have a string that is comparable to the DM SR2000?
Click to expand...
I'm not sure but they answer emails quite quickly. Maybe their traditional non cryo offerings? I forgot to mention when installing the e string initially on my Spector I cut it too short. I just wasn't paying attention. A quick email to Apex and they had a new E string in the mail to me free of charge!
 
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#5
Outshined91 said:
Hey all, hope everyone is well. I'm looking at a set of Dean Markley SR2000's (5 string) for my fretless, and I believe it has the "old" packaging from before DM switched factory's - the design with the metal circles, big red text, etc. However I'm wondering whether it's safe to buy the new sets now, as if I like these, it would be much easier to find the new sets. Has anyone tried any DM strings recently (past couple months) and can attest to whether their quality control has improved yet? The last thread on this is from 6 months ago in January, and had no definitive answer so looking to see if anyone has new input.

Thanks! :)
Click to expand...
I have use DM SR200's for years and recently got a set with a dead B and E. I bought them through Pitbull Audio and after contacting them they got in touch with DM and they are sending out a new set. The other two set's were fine, but I've heard they have had quality problems. Maybe I was looking in the wrong places but I couldn't find SR2000's anywhere until Pitbull. I love the strings and haven't been able to find any as bright so I hope they get things together.
 
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#7
cottenbass said:
I have use DM SR200's for years and recently got a set with a dead B and E. I bought them through Pitbull Audio and after contacting them they got in touch with DM and they are sending out a new set. The other two set's were fine, but I've heard they have had quality problems. Maybe I was looking in the wrong places but I couldn't find SR2000's anywhere until Pitbull. I love the strings and haven't been able to find any as bright so I hope they get things together.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the response (wish it was more encouraging haha!). I agree they are really hard to find new online now, but I'm looking at getting some through stringsbymail.com and they are reasonably priced. I've never bought from here before but you could try them next time if you buy more SR2000's.
 
#11
I would hope that they would get their game back. I used to like their strings, but the last bass strings I used were dead after one gig. I was given 3 sets from a dealer to get my feedback on them. I couldn't say anything very nice about them. (Note-this was at least 10 years ago)
 
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#13
BrentSimons said:
Hi there,
If you are concerned about DM quality, I ordered a set of Apex Cryos after recommendations here on talkbass. I guess several people from the original Dean Markley team set up Apex. The Cryos are great! Very similar to the Blue Steels if I remember correctly. Nice and growly but a little smoother to the touch. I've had a set on my Peavey Cirrus and they are still going strong even after I had tried out the same set on my Spector Euro for a few weeks. The price isn't bad in comparison either and great customer support!
Hope this helps with your decision.
Stay healthy!
Brent
APEX "TRADITIONAL CRYOS" SERIES BASS SETS Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Apex® Strings
Click to expand...
I haven't had any problems with DM, but the last set was a year ago--Blue Steels. Used them years ago and still like them on something once in a while. I keep hearing about Apex and am very tempted to spend some money, though I've had no issues with DM.
 
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#15
Update: just got a set of DM SR2000's in the mail yesterday from Strings By Mail and sure enough, the A string was completely dead when I installed it on! It was like there was one gigantic dead spot everywhere up and down the string. So I guess their QC hasn't improved that much yet... :meh: Strings By Mail is sending me a new set for free, hopefully those are better.
 
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#16
Same with me. I bought two sets and both had dead strings. The replacements had dead strings too. I wrote to Dean Markley directly and they said they'd send me out two more sets but that was back in February and I haven't received them.

It's really too bad as SR2000s were such great strings.
 
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#18
hihat said:
Same with me. I bought two sets and both had dead strings. The replacements had dead strings too. I wrote to Dean Markley directly and they said they'd send me out two more sets but that was back in February and I haven't received them.

It's really too bad as SR2000s were such great strings.
Click to expand...
Now you have me scared that the replacement set I'm getting will also be defective too! :nailbiting:
 

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