DR Fat Beams Question

[W_R]

Hello, I’m considering some Fat Beams for my 5-string and am wondering how well matched the B-string in the available .040-.120 set matches the other strings. Seeking thoughts from folks who use or used them.

I’d expect about a .130 B string to match up with the rest of a .040/.060/.080/.100 set. DR says the various B string gauges can be custom ordered, but I haven’t found a source offering to do so yet. Thanks in advance for any helpful info.

 

[trothwell]

I've never used a B string in Fat Beams, so can't help there, but if I were looking to get some sort of custom DR set, I would first try Fret Nation:

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I understand they will do custom sets on request, and they seem to deal with DR strings a lot in particular.

 

[michael_t]

When I tried the Fat Beams on my son's Ibanez, I ordered the 40-100 set and a single 125B. And they seemed to match up nicely.

 

[Yahboy]

No worry. Fat beam 120 B are stiffer than hi beam 125B. You get better tone clarity too.

 

[bassist4dalord]

I’ve got Fat Beam 45-130 on my Ray5 and I’m happy with the B. That may not be very helpful information but I think the 130 is nice.

I’ll probably go back to my Pure Blues next, though.

 

[dslassiter]

I have a set of 45-125s on a G&L L-2500 Tribute that sound great. They have a nice rich harmonic quality to them. Also, they seem pretty balanced across the set. And the B string is good and tight; not floppy at all.

 

[Alan Ace Cooper]

For my 35” scale, Devon Jazz 5 basses, I use the 120 B strings on the DR Lo-Rider Nickel Wound 40-100 + 120 sets. For my 2, Fender Deluxe and Marcus Miller 5 string basses, I order the 40-100 set, the add a 125 B string.

 

[David McIntire]

I've used Fat Beams a lot on my main basses over the years. The sets I've used always included a .125 B string. Something to note... DR explains a bit of their construction process on the back of their packaging. They add up the layers of windings for you, which shows they use more metal in their strings, then compress the string down to equal its advertised guage. For example, the layers of windings in a .125 B string add to .128, then they roll the string to compress it, and end up with a .125 string. This does, in my experience, add some stability when down tuning, but the Beams series from DR are still Round Core strings. Not as stiff at tuned tension as a hex core string. A .120 B prolly has .124 or so worth of metal. I don't know the exact numbers, as I've never used a B string less than .125.

The Fatbeams are my 2nd choice overall in strings. I like the feel and tone, and the B string hangs with the other strings quite well. But I don't like the .125 B their standard set comes with. I prefer .130, for the equal response of the B vs the other strings. For me, a .120 B would be too small. But, DR make quality strings, and if someone is accustomed to the smaller B from other sets, they may well be very happy with the performance of DR strings overall, and Fatbeams specifically. And, if true about the "more metal", and not just marketing hype, a .120 B is nearly a .125 with the extra mass.

If I had to use a .120 string for my B, DR would be my choice. If a round core B in any guage isn't "stiff" enuff, try a .120 B in a Riders series from DR. Low Riders are Hex core, which stiffen a string slightly and can be great if you want a more resistant string in a .120 guage.

 

[michael_t]

If I had to use a .120 string for my B, DR would be my choice. If a round core B in any guage isn't "stiff" enuff, try a .120 B in a Riders series from DR. Low Riders are Hex core, which stiffen a string slightly and can be great if you want a more resistant string in a .120 guage.

A great thought...!

I posted earlier about ordering the 125B to go with the Fat Beam 40-100 set. And that was due to them being round core. I would be perfectly fine with a 120B when it comes to hex-core B's, such as DR Lo-Rider and GHS Boomer.

 

[W_R]

Friends, thanks for the replies here… lots of good info and helpful perspective. Sounds like I might need to check out both a .125 and .130. Fret Nation responded that they can order those, which is good news.

Where I’m coming from on this is for Pure Blues, I find myself pushing up a size or so on the low string in a 4-string set—I was trying a balanced-tension approach with PBs for a while and swapping gauges around. When dropping down with the Hipshot Xtender, it seemed to really stand out with the PBs to use a size or so thicker-gauge for the low string to match the tone across the set.

But in Lo Rider steel or in Fat Beams on a 4-string, I prefer what’s in the set, and they hold up when using the Xtender. I’d also agree where the FB’s do seem to have a little more mass/tightness, sort of like a half-size up from the LRs—I’ll check again side-by-side.

I like having a variety of PBs, LRs and FBs. In this case I’d like to try FBs on my only 5-string, an Ibanez SR905 with Bart DCs.

 

[GTHintz]

Another question is how grabby are these? Do they feel similar to hi beams? Also do they have a similar bite as hi beams or lo riders or are they more gritty? I keep looking at fat beams because aside from some exotic brands it's probably one of the last strings I haven't tried.

 

[michael_t]

Another question is how grabby are these? Do they feel similar to hi beams? Also do they have a similar bite as hi beams or lo riders or are they more gritty? I keep looking at fat beams because aside from some exotic brands it's probably one of the last strings I haven't tried.

Another question is how grabby are these? Do they feel similar to hi beams? Also do they have a similar bite as hi beams or lo riders or are they more gritty? I keep looking at fat beams because aside from some exotic brands it's probably one of the last strings I haven't tried.

Fat Beams are the "slow wound" version of Hi Beams. Similar surface texture but a bit stiffer in feel. They also have a little more going on in the low-mid with a little more body to the overall tone.

 

[gscroggin]

Hello, I’m considering some Fat Beams for my 5-string and am wondering how well matched the B-string in the available .040-.120 set matches the other strings. Seeking thoughts from folks who use or used them.

I’d expect about a .130 B string to match up with the rest of a .040/.060/.080/.100 set. DR says the various B string gauges can be custom ordered, but I haven’t found a source offering to do so yet. Thanks in advance for any helpful info.

Long time FB user and like @bassist4dalord I prefer the .130. That said if you prefer a lighter gauge, I’m sure you’ll still be happy with the .120.

You mentioned coming from Pure Blues, which I’ve gigged with quite a bit too. I find the PBs a bit more conventional/classic sounding vs the FBs more hi-fi. As an example I ran PBs on a Fender P5 vs FBs on two active, more modern basses. It’s not extreme like flats vs rounds, more of a subtle difference. Like most things with tone, it’s totally subjective. The string feel was a little different but not huge.

The FBs also seem to last forever for me, but I’m also not the kind of guy to swap out string every other month. YMMV of course.

 

[W_R]

Thanks for that info. Quite helpful regarding the B string. I agree within 4-string sets, on classic vs hi-fi sounding. The good hi-fi in this case—perhaps broader highs and lows without sounding hollow or too scooped.

For GTHintz, no experience with High Beams here. But maybe LR steel and FB not exactly the same but not too far off from each other. Bigger difference from LR steel/FB to the Pure Blues, PBs being immediately noticeable as less bright, softer to the touch, looser feeling… more laid back, a different kind of good.

 

[GTHintz]

Thanks for that info. Quite helpful regarding the B string. I agree within 4-string sets, on classic vs hi-fi sounding. The good hi-fi in this case—perhaps broader highs and lows without sounding hollow or too scooped.

For GTHintz, no experience with High Beams here. But maybe LR steel and FB not exactly the same but not too far off from each other. Bigger difference from LR steel/FB to the Pure Blues, PBs being immediately noticeable as less bright, softer to the touch, looser feeling… more laid back, a different kind of good.

That's actually what I was thinking. From my impression of hi beams is that they are a good string, they lasted a long time, they feel refined and I want to love them however I think they did sound a little hollow in the mids and that's the one thing that would keep me from wanting to play them again. For certain basses that works great but for mine and my set up it just didn't get the right sound for me. If fat beams have a similar vibe but richer mids and can sound a little more focused then it would work. I'll have to spend the money and try to know. Sad part is I already have a stack of strings I still need to test.