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DR B string breakage

#21
SLaPiNFuNK said:
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.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the comment, but it's already too difficult. I can just buy any other brand and I'm fine.

I've had trouble for years with DR strings - the only set that worked was the blue coated on a Schecter Stiletto I used to have. note: 35" scale. Those strings were nice.

I went back to 34" scale 5-string, and ever since, I've had DR B-string breakages. This is on standard 34" scale basses, too - P-bass, J bass, Warmoth P-bass, 1/2" post and 3/8" post, some tapered and some not. I assume anything else that's 34" scale too, because the problem is with the speaking length going into the tuning post, and the core breaking.

My take is that the DR hex core material is just not as flexible as other brands, hence why you had to order special strings from DR only.

I also now wonder - since others have not had the problem, but some do - about the consistency of the material used in the cores. If it only does it sometimes and not every time, but definitely some times, that means there is a difference somewhere. Meaning the hex cores are not consistently the same.

Anyway, some love DR and I don't mean to step on that. I was interested because I am interested in a string with strong midrange, and the fat-beams look good on that count. I might buy a 4-tring set and put an XL or Slinky on as a B (have to do that with DRs anyway when they break, so why pay for it?).

Thanks for your comments and suggestions.
 
#22
Yeah unfortunately the DR's are just too long for that instrument.

DR has the longest length "Long Scale" strings out of all other string makers. Usually everyone else is around 37" to 37.25" for their "Long Scale" strings. That extra length makes them so they don't work on some instruments.

It isn't a problem with the materials.
 
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#28
bdplaid said:
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.
Click to expand...

Nope. Have had DR BB's on for 6 months now with no issues. I know others that use them without issue. In fact, you are the first I've heard that had any DR's break.

What the hell are you doing to these things? bow hunting on the weekends?
 
#29
We stopped stocking DR at my work as they were constantly breaking and even arriving rusty out of the box. People seem to love them online though, so a theory I have is perhaps their packaging/transport methods aren't up to scratch and different regions are getting vastly different DR experiences.
 
#30
I don't use B strings, so I need to ask:

Are the cores also supposed to be tapered on heavy strings where they wrap around the post?

If not, I am curious as to why extending the speaking length wrap onto the post would weaken the core or cause it to break.

-
 
#31
Never had a rusting issue...

megafiddle said:
I don't use B strings, so I need to ask:

Are the cores also supposed to be tapered on heavy strings where they wrap around the post?

If not, I am curious as to why extending the speaking length wrap onto the post would weaken the core or cause it to break.

-
Click to expand...

For all strings, not just DR you do not want the full winding of the string going around the post. Even if it is just half an inch of winding the string CAN break. Doesn't mean it will, it depends on the strings construction and instruments tuning post diameter.

For example. A rigid string (one wound tightly with multiple layers) will not be as flexible as other strings. Going around the tuning post can cause a string like this to break.

LA Bella flatwounds are so rigid for example that they can not be used thru body and can not bend even a quarter of an inch around a thuning post. They make specific strings to be strung thru body and disclaimers on their packets to not string the metal part of the flatwounds around the tuning post.
 
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#32
Hounddog409 said:
Nope. Have had DR BB's on for 6 months now with no issues. I know others that use them without issue. In fact, you are the first I've heard that had any DR's break.

What the hell are you doing to these things? bow hunting on the weekends?
Click to expand...
Uh, putting it on. Read the thread. No other brand has done this. I'm not talking about breaking while playing, I'm talking about breaking on installation.
And despite what slapinfunk (whom I respect) says, I believe there is a problem with the metal in the core. I'm curious to know if the hex cores in B strings are different in any way compared to the E-G strings.
 
#33
bdplaid said:
Uh, putting it on. Read the thread. No other brand has done this. I'm not talking about breaking while playing, I'm talking about breaking on installation.
And despite what slapinfunk (whom I respect) says, I believe there is a problem with the metal in the core. I'm curious to know if the hex cores in B strings are different in any way compared to the E-G strings.
Click to expand...

Most any other long scale string is going to be 1" shorter than the DR so I do not expect them to have that problem.

B string is just a larger diameter and shouldn't bend on the full winding section. If your instrument is ball to tuner length less than 38" I don't suggest higher gauge DR strings (or any other string with a 38" winding length). (Anything larger than .120)
 
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#36
What size are the tuning posts?

Sadowsky basses for example have very small tuning posts. They don't like DR B strings. Work for some not all.

When it comes down to it. If you have a problem with a string, contact the reseller and they will make it right. If that doesn't work message me and I can get you in touch with DR directly.
 
#37
bdplaid said:
Winding area from ball end to where the string enters the post is 37". nothing wrong here.
Click to expand...

That is 1" too short for DR strings. I wouldn't suggest them on that instrument. Period.

The 36.5" DR Hi Beams I had made are a perfect fit for your instrument. Your instrument is the exact reason I had them made.
 
#39
SLaPiNFuNK said:
What size are the tuning posts?

Sadowsky basses for example have very small tuning posts. They don't like DR B strings. Work for some not all.

When it comes down to it. If you have a problem with a string, contact the reseller and they will make it right. If that doesn't work message me and I can get you in touch with DR directly.
Click to expand...


Most of my basses have 1/2" Hipshot Ultralights. The lone bass which did not break a DR B had 3/8" Gotohs, but that was 35" scale. If any of them should have broken a B, it was the Gotoh.

And I think I said earlier (if I didn't I'm saying it now) DR customer service is fine. I called them when I first had the problem a long time ago, and they sent out replacement strings. I have no issue at all with the company. Just the B strings.Today I tried to install a set of Lo-Riders I have with one of the replacement B's they sent, and it broke.

I have tried to use DR strings for several years, after the last breakage I gave up, but read something about Fat-Beams and wanted to try them again. The only way it seems to do that is to get a 4-string set and add a single from another maker.

I can only assume the guys who don't have problems are using longer scale that 34".
 
#40
SkinCoffin said:
Weird you say they don't work on your 35" bass... I use DR's and only DR's, and have used multiple sets on a 35" LTD. Coincidentally, the same strings I also use for a 30" bass, so no special long scale strings for the 35" scale. I've never had a string break. It could just be your bass?
Click to expand...
No, they DID work on a 35" bass, which even had a small radius tuning post (Gotoh). They don't work on 34".
 

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