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DR B string breakage

bdplaid

bdplaid

Supporting Member
Aug 31, 2007
9,451
18,584
florida
#1
Not trying to diss DR - their customer service is great, and although I am not one of them, many people love their strings.

My issue and question:
With the sole exception of one set of blue coated strings (which was going on a 35" scale bass), every DR B string I have put on a 34" scale bass has broken at the tuner. I asked DR about this they immediately sent out replacements, which of course also broke. This includes 34" scale basses with 1/2" as well as 3/8" posts. And yes, the winding is going into the post which it should not, but that's how these strings are made. Bass is long-scale, Fender style with Warmoth neck and Hipshot tuners. No other strings do this. DR B strings I have used have the longest winding length of all the strings I have used.

Just wondering if others have had the same experience. I am considering a set of Fat-Beams, but if this is the way they are, I'll pass.

thanks.
 
#2
You don't like DR strings and DR strings don't like your bass. Why are you still considering using DR strings?

I've had DR Lowrider B strings break when trying to set a witness point at the bridge saddle. It's an annoying issue.
 
#7
In almost 20 years of using DR highbeam/fatbeam/sunbeam, I've only had two B strings break at install. 1st time was probably 4 years ago, the 2nd time was a year ago (different 34" scale basses). DR happily fixed me up, yes I do understand it's annoying to have it happen.
Aside from doing the end-bend thing, I also pre-curl the section of string that is going to first wrap around the post.
 
#8
I could use a better description of the break. Is it right at the 90 Degree bend? Or is it just a random spot on the string where it wraps around the Machine head post? Pictures would be great.
edit: By 90 Degree bend, I mean where you bend the string to go into the hole in the post. Also, FWIW, I never put a full bend there. I just shove it in the hole and then tune up the string. I've never had any B string break, Ever.
 
#9
FunkHead said:
I could use a better description of the break. Is it right at the 90 Degree bend? Or is it just a random spot on the string where it wraps around the Machine head post? Pictures would be great.
edit: By 90 Degree bend, I mean where you bend the string to go into the hole in the post. Also, FWIW, I never put a full bend there. I just shove it in the hole and then tune up the string. I've never had any B string break, Ever.
Click to expand...

I've never had a brand new, out of the wrapper string break, except for DRs. And I've used D'Addarios as large as .145. The DR strings in question were .130 DDTs and Lo-Riders.
That's an interesting question - no, it didn't break at the 90 degree bend, but where the string wraps around the tuner.

IMG_20151214_165606.jpg

subdude67 said:
Are those round core strings you use? Did the string actually snap into two pieces or did the outer winding come undone?
Click to expand...

Don't know if it's round core or hex ; they are (were) Lo-Riders and DDTs. it was the core that broke, not the outer wrap. Broke while the wraps were tightening onto the post. They all break at the same point. My suspiscion is that the wrap area is too long, but as I said, this seems to be how DR makes their strings.

thanks.
 
#11
This can happen with any strings where the full winding goes around the tuning post. It will happen to larger gauge or more rigid strings before others. The tuning post diameter has a lot to do with it as well.

It is ideal to have strings on your instrument where the full winding tapers down before the tuning post.
 
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#12
SLaPiNFuNK said:
This can happen with any strings where the full winding goes around the tuning post. It will happen to larger gauge or more rigid strings before others. The tuning post diameter has a lot to do with it as well.

It is ideal to have strings on your instrument where the full winding tapers down before the tuning post.
Click to expand...
Right, I know that. other strings seem to be more forgiving. Odd that DR makes B strings with such a long speaking length. And I'm surprised I'm the only one with the problem.
 
#13
bdplaid said:
Right, I know that. other strings seem to be more forgiving. Odd that DR makes B strings with such a long speaking length. And I'm surprised I'm the only one with the problem.
Click to expand...

You are not the only one with the problem. Unfortunately DR lost a lot of users where the B-strings were too long. There are threads about their B-strings breaking on other 5-string instruments.

I had special 36.5" winding B-strings made from DR for this specific issue.
 
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#14
actually, I'm sitting here looking at a bass with a set of D'Ad XL's and all the strings have the speaking length wrapping around the tuners. no probs. Same with other brands I use, GHS, Rotos, EB.
OK, then, no DRs for me.

Thanks!

BTW - BSO is awesome, buy my strings there!
 
#15
I said it "CAN" happen. Not always definitely.

Many factors are involved...

Overall string speaking winding length
Diameter of the tuning post
String Gauge
String Flexibility

Best thing to do is figure Ball End to Nut and Ball End to Tuning Post of the thickest string on your instrument. Once you have that we can determine the best length strings for your instrument and build sets or choose sets from there.
 
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#20
mikeswals said:
Do you still have those B strings? I've been buying primarily from you. I was for a while using R Cocco instead of Highbeams, but the B strings from RC don't sound as crisp.
Click to expand...

Yes, they are listed here as the "Custom Long 130"
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These are ideal for Fender Jazz 5-String basses. You can use it along with a standard DR Hi-Beam 4-String set.

For 4-String Jazz Basses I had 36.5" Hi-Beams made as well: They are listed as 36.5" Custom Long in the sets option.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
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