• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

DR DDT Bass Strings

#81
Go to D'Addario's or Circle K's charts and find a string similar to what you like and look for tension around 35-40 lbs at C#.

I actually like tension around 42-44 lbs. But with big strings for B or E tuning, too much tension can actually choke it off so I tend to let it slide a bit: 40-42 lbs for those, generally.
 
#82
Billdo440 said:
Not to derail, but what gauge would you guys suggest for tuning down to C#?
Click to expand...

Full C# or drop C#?

I've used a basic .105 set for drop C# before, but nowadays I really don't go lower than .110 or .115 even for std. E.

If you want a custom set look up Skip @ Circle K.

If you want something you can just nab from G.C. or juststrings and is an easy fix, a medium or heavy set of DR Lo Riders or Hi Beams are what I've used in the past and worked great. With the right setup they haven't been too floppy or loose for my use.
 
#83
Interesting thread. Dr are my standard strings and I was sent a set to put on and check out so I looked up this thread. It seems some of you with 34 scale have problems wit the "B" string breaking and some don't is that correct? The set I have is only a 4 string so I won't be able to check it out myself yet..tom
 
#84
I tried a set of the heavy 5 strings for both of my bands. One band is death metal and the other is more modern poppy metal. The death metal band I tune G#BEAD and use my fingers. I also use a Frankensteined Spector Legend 5 with Barts and an Aggy OB3The other band I tune G#BF#BE and use a pick through an Ibanez SDGR20th. For the death metal band I didn't particularly like them. They were too clean sounding for me. I like the dirty ridiculously detuned sound for the band. They were also insanely stiff and I was struggling playing at the speeds we are playing. I gave them a month to break in, let my hand build up strength, etc and I just wasn't happy. I went back to my Hi-Beams and I decided I would stick with those.

Now for the other band they are awesome. I come out in the mix a lot better and it adds much more "heavy" to the overall sound. The Hi Beams I had been using for that band were great, just like any other DR string but these DDTs worked a lot better for that band.

I'm debating giving the DDT mediums a shot for my death metal band. If I do I'll check back and let you know what I think.
 
#86
tjclem said:
Interesting thread. Dr are my standard strings and I was sent a set to put on and check out so I looked up this thread. It seems some of you with 34 scale have problems wit the "B" string breaking and some don't is that correct? The set I have is only a 4 string so I won't be able to check it out myself yet..tom
Click to expand...

The issue with mine is b/c on the 34" scale Spectors, the B string's tuning peg is too close to the nut. On other 34" scalers, that may or may not be the case. Just what happened to me. :(
Looking forward to swapping out soon, tho.
 
#87
Joe Smithberger said:
I had to give these DDT's a try, so I strung them up on my BEAD tuned American Deluxe P Bass and the B string snapped at the bridge before I got them all installed. ***?
Click to expand...

Hey Joe..did you ever contact us to get a replacement string so you can try them out for yourself? Sorry for the breakage issue...I'd have to look at the string and bass to really decide what the issue is..but to save $$, time and hassle, email me your address for a replacement.
Thanks
Anthony
DR Strings
 
#90
I just put these on another bass ... Modulus FB5 in standard tuning. Great great great strings. If they had a little more hi-beam growl they'd be perfect, but on a 5'er its an easy decision on that tradeoff. I have the DDT B with hi-beam EADG on my Sadowsky 5 now. Works great.

DR, if you're listening, you need to crossmojonate the DDT B string with a hi-beam set. Find that best of both worlds of killer hi-beam bite and growl with the defined, pitch-true, growly, play it all the way up the neck B string the DDTs have. My 4 strings all have hi-beams, my 5's mostly have DDTs (others are labella basses). You're getting so close to perfect.
 
#92
Hey Dave. I have never had a set of DR strings on my Sadowsky RV5 because of the poor B string experiences I had on other basses. I am playing the Carvin Nickels but miss the steel bright. And I like the Pedullas but for my finger style playing sometimes they just get too buried in the mix. What are your DR suggestions? Do prefer the Hi Beams with the DDT B? I was even looking at the low riders given that a lot of what I am doing is pocket supporting country and gospel stuff.
 
#93
The DDT is the only B worth bothering with on a Sadowsky. Lo Rider isn't terrible, but DDT is much much better. I'd try a full DDT 45-125 set and see if you dig them. If not then swap out the top 4 for hi-beams, leaving the B. The balance is pretty good between the two.
 
#94
DR Strings said:
Hey Joe..did you ever contact us to get a replacement string so you can try them out for yourself? Sorry for the breakage issue...I'd have to look at the string and bass to really decide what the issue is..but to save $$, time and hassle, email me your address for a replacement.
Thanks
Anthony
DR Strings
Click to expand...


Great customer service. :bassist:
 
#95
pickles said:
The DDT is the only B worth bothering with on a Sadowsky. Lo Rider isn't terrible, but DDT is much much better. I'd try a full DDT 45-125 set and see if you dig them. If not then swap out the top 4 for hi-beams, leaving the B. The balance is pretty good between the two.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I will need to get me some DDTs. I still have a stack of Carvin Nickels I should go thru first. We'll see.
 
#96
Got some questions for you DDT users. I play in one band that tunes to D. I'd been using Blue Steel Mediums on my Spectors. As the band is expanding the range of music it plays, I am going to incorporate my new Sadowsky Metro Will Lee into the band. It would also be in D (and it has the hipshot to put in Drop C). Would you guys suggest the mediums or heavies? I didn't know if the heavy guage would be more than I need in this line of strings. Also, how are these on the brightness scale?
 
#98
Ordered the .055-.135 set for an Ibanez 5er that will be set up for -1/2 tuning (Bb-Gb). I have been using Lo-Riders for the 3-4 years almost exclusively, both nickel and stainless, and I still love them, but I'm curious to see what these sound and feel like. I'll give an update when they come in. Hopefully, I won't have the breakage issues that some are reporting here.
 
#99
I've been researching, and can't find the answer. If I overlooked it in this or another thread, I appologize. I did email DR, but never got a response...

1 - What are these made out of? I'm guessing nickel plated steel? Round Core?

2 - If so, when comparing these in their Medium 45-65-85-105 sets to their other similar strings in the same gauges, what's the difference?


Thanks,

-John

PS - I actually have a set of these in medium sitting at home, but I'm about to do some work on my bass and figured I'd wait to string it up until that work is done, so I should be able to answer some of this myself...eventually...
 
#100
I've tried to install DDTs on my bass twice, and both times they unravelled on me. I have a G&L ASAT bass, nothing oddball. The first time it was replaced by DR. The second time, I sent an email and got no response. I did what it said on the package for installation, and I've installed strings hundreds of time. Guess I won't be bothering with DR anymore.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back