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Dean Markley SR2000 - The "Piano String" Appreciation Thread

Modern Growl

Modern Growl

Jun 7, 2005
3,334
150
NY/NJ Metro Area
#1
Dean Markley SR2000 -

Just to shed some light on these great, strings... (if you consider "piano like clarity" great).

I've been at the string game for a while. Over the years I have dropped probably over $500+ dollars buying just about every round wound SS & Nickel string on the market.

All strings have their strengths... no one string gives you "everything". Some have more lows, mids, high's... Some are scooped, warm, low tension, ect, ect... the list goes on.

Of all the strings I've ever tried, Dean Markley SR2000's must be the most clear, bell like "piano" clarity round wound I've ever tried. The midrange has to be the most articulate I've ever tried of any string on the market.

TONE: They chime, and ring out ever so clear. Whatever nuances you communicate with your fingers - these strings magnify that in their "precise" midrange. These strings just simply "sing" in the frequencies between 400hz to 3K... yes, a very "mid focused" stainless string. Great upper mid articulation. Solid low mid fundamental. The upper,upper treble is rolled off and not harsh (nice), and the bottom end isn't super bloomy and out of control. Very tight and punchy. The midrange is truly where these strings talk. They "speak" so much in the midrange, some might call these "aggressive" or "growly" strings. They remind me somewhat of Rotosound Swing 66's in that regard, but without harsh feel.

FEEL: They have a very smooth feel for SS strings. The outer wrap is very small.. they almost feel like DR strings, with that compression wind thing going on. The tension is just a bit higher then DR's as well. I would say about the same as Sadowsky Blue's and Dunlop nickels. Their standard "custom" gauges are well balanced as well. I prefer the ML sets personally...

I used to play these years ago, and don't really know why I deviated.

Anyway - Great, great string - if you like every nuance from your fingers to be shown and communicated.

I'm in no way endorsed by DM - just love these strings.
 
#4
G3Mitch said:
i've been curious about these, i cant seem to find anywhere that stocks them here in NZ. I use Dean Markley Blue Steels and DR Hibeams, i love both, but would love to try a set of these.
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Yeah, finding them in a store isn't likley. These strings aren't that "popular". Buy from www.bassstringsonline.com

I actually like that... kind of a "secret" string :)
They arent that popular here on TB either... but I do know of a very loyal following to these strings.

Oh and Thundar - yes, they last forever... great, great life and the tone doesn't change much over time.
 
#5
yeah, i have been impressed with the Hibeams durability recently. I usually order my strings from a guy who imports a bunch of the more 'obscure' type strings, and its where i get my blue steels, have emailed him to see what my chances are of getting him to get some in for me. fingers crossed!!

can you comment or compare them to blue steels?? i like the sound of the higher tension than the DR's.
 
#7
G3Mitch said:
yeah, i have been impressed with the Hibeams durability recently. I usually order my strings from a guy who imports a bunch of the more 'obscure' type strings, and its where i get my blue steels, have emailed him to see what my chances are of getting him to get some in for me. fingers crossed!!

can you comment or compare them to blue steels?? i like the sound of the higher tension than the DR's.
Click to expand...

I'm not familiar w/ Blue Steels... I've played them in the past but never cared for the tone long enough to have them on a bass for more than 1 hour.

Stirngs "hit" me or they don't. If I need to "get used to" a strings - then its not for me.

Sorry, can't help w/ the Blue Steels...
 
#9
G3Mitch said:
...can you comment or compare them to blue steels?? i like the sound of the higher tension than the DR's.
Click to expand...

I used Blue Steels for years and years, and they were my favorite strings all thru the late 80's and early 90's...until I tried the SR2000's :bassist:...about a year ago I got a good deal on a couple sets of Blue Steels, and I put them on a couple of my Spectors...and then took them right back off..lol..and thats the honest truth.
Prior to using Blue Steels, I was a Rotosound user as well but their inconsistencies at the time sent me shopping for other strings...so it kinda sounds like we are all on a similar page.
Likewise...I like the DR Hi Beams just fine, but the tension of the SR2000's keeps me coming back.
 
#11
While I agree with everything the OP said in regards to sound....let's talk intonation, particularly higher up on the larger diameter strings. I can never get a taper wound/exposed core set to sound good on the larger strings because there is always too much taper extending into the speaking length of the string. I was able to get good intonation with a set of Rotosound PSD but only because they have adjustable ball ends to dial in the exact amount so the taper starts right after the witness point. And yes, I adjusted action, pickup height, bridge saddles, etc. The warbling sound happens acoustically as well. I'm a firm believer that the mass has to be consistent for the entire speaking length of the string.
 
#12
I just strung my 4003 up with a set of these. However, the set itself is incredibly old (probably on the rack at my store since 2009, albeit shrinkwrapped). Despite the age, the strings sound really nice. Not as harsh as the steel strings I've used (pro steels, la bellas, blue steels) and definitely got a nice mid-range punch. I imagine that if I were using a truly new set, I would hear more of it. Now it's just a matter of seeing how long these strings last. My judgment in this will still be tempered by the age of the strings, but I'm curious to see.

The bridge is designed in such a way that the tapered bit of the string doesn't reach the saddle. I can't see this making an enormous difference, but am I wrong in that?
 
#13
Put me down as a believer. I've tried soooo many strings on my dingwall super j bass, however, I doubt I'll ever change from SR2000's medium lights. Fantastic, punchy, growly, aggressive, ballsy bass string. I've been singing their praises for years, but they never seem to get much love. Oh well, more for me :)
 
#15
Dead thread resurrection here. I've just discovered these strings having bought them almost by accident, just to try out. I was previously a big fan of D'addario XL Pro-Steels and DR-Hi Beams and was a big fan. The DM SR2000 strings were being sold on another forum very cheap so I though I'd give them a go. The difference in sound was astounding on my Spector Euro 5XL. Really clear, bright, zingy with a big emphasis on the mid-range. Cuts through really well in the mix too which is a big plus for me. I think these will be my strings of choice from now on. I never thought DR-Hi Beams would be beaten on sound but these really do edge it for me.
 
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#17
eriky4003 said:
Put me down as intrigued. I have a set of Dunlop Super Brights in stock for my Spector fretless once the D'Addarios die. I'll check to see if supplier carries these for my next order.
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I will say the Dunlop Super Brights are killer for fretless. I have them on my fretless Jazz bass and their lower tension really adds big time to playability with fantastic "mwaah". They have a really bold midrange that is perfect for fretless tones. They are the fretless string I've Ben chasing for years. I used D'Addario's for years and they cannot compare.
 
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#18
Thanks, tindrum. Maybe I'll pull the D'Addario's a little earlier citing some lame-ass excuse just to change them!
My only concern with Dean Markley's is they are no longer being manufactured by DM but if Motorhate has tried a recent pack, maybe there's nothing to worry about.
Motorhate, the tone you are describing for the DM SR2000 sounds like a good description of DR Fat Beams in case you are interested.
 
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#19
tindrum said:
I will say the Dunlop Super Brights are killer for fretless. I have them on my fretless Jazz bass and their lower tension really adds big time to playability with fantastic "mwaah". They have a really bold midrange that is perfect for fretless tones. They are the fretless string I've Ben chasing for years. I used D'Addario's for years and they cannot compare.
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing that. I have a fretless coming up for restringing and I was wondering if I should just replace what I have or try something different. I don't care so much about the ease of getting mwah. That's something (like slap) I personally think has been overused to the point where it's become a tired a cliche these days. So I rarely do it anymore. But the lower tension combined with a bold midrange emphasis has definitely caught my attention. So thanks again! :):thumbsup:
 
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#20
Well, I thought these were great until I did a gig with them. They seemed to be fine on any notes below 5th fret but anything above and they just cut out completely. I thought it might be my amp or the bass but after changing the strings to DR Hi-Beams the notes above the 5th fret just rang out as per normal. Needless to say the Dean Markley's were dumped and I'll never buy them again.
 

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