• 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 just lost a customer

#22
I don't care what brand of string you use, if you de-tension them, then retune and tighten the strings, there will be a chance a string will break. A tuned string has a lot of stress on it. As soon as you bend them when you have stung your bass, that bend at the tuning keys has weakened the string.

I used to boil my strings when I was poor in college (as opposed to my poorness now :-) ). I never had a string break, but I knew it was possible.
 
#25
I have had the same problem. Dead strings right out of the box, that clank and unwinding, dead strings after one 4 hour gig. I don't use them anymore. On the upside DR customer service replaced 4 packs of bad strings. I still have them sitting there. I went back to my Dadario xls.
 
#26
RCCollins said:
Were the strings bent on the end before installation? You really do have to do that with DR's roundcore strings...
Click to expand...

+1. I amazed with how many complain about them going to hell and how most of the complainers ignore that step even though DR goes through great lengths to inform you to do this. Not saying that is what happened here, but it could be.

No company is perfect either, so 1 bad string wouldn't scare me away from any company. Especially DR since I have found their product to be extremely high quality.
 
#28
Gord_oh said:
You don't have to defend them or convince me, I was just posting my experience and thoughts.
Click to expand...

The primary purpose of this forum is to spread knowledge and experience. You shared yours and others will respond. The result is a weight-of-evidence resource that can be used by others moving forward. If noone expressed an opinion contrary to yours, the result of this thread would be evidence only to support your position.

As it turns out, others have different experiences with DR strings and in the future, those who are interested in obtaining information regarding said strings will have a more statistically robust set of data to consult when making their decision.
 
#29
Never had any issues with new DR's and I've been using them for almost 20 year. I broke two strings recently but they were on sets that have on and off the bass bi-monthly for cleaning (in a jar of denatured alcohol) for almost 4 years. Lot's of gigs on those string and I'm sure tuning and untuning as well as leaving them in alcohol for weeks eventually broke them down. Had sets that I've had on basses for years with no issues.

If you tear open the package and read the instructions they recommend you make a bend in the string before cutting it. Round cores of any brand can unwind if you don't and for that matter so can hex core.
 
#31
Gord_oh said:
To which his response was, "Oh, they were DR strings? In my experience 3 out of 4 packs of DR guitar of bass strings have this problem. I am constantly having to replace them."
Click to expand...

I'm quite surprised no one has jumped on this little nugget yet. I'd say w/ odds like that, well, to quote Clutch: "the root of the problem has been isolated." I don't know you or this tech from Adam, but saying it's the strings is like Taylor Swift blaming her relationship problems on the guys. Just sayin'.

Rob
:bassist:
 
#33
LOL! 3 out of 4. I've been through dozens upon dozens of packs of DR strings...scared to even count. I have several basses and change my strings on most all of them every month at a minimum. NEVER had an issue like this.

If you like a different string after trying one, then that's cool! For me, DR tone, quality and customer service is why I use virtually nothing else.
 
#34
I'm a relatively recent convert to DRs (3 years), but so far I've had no problems, and I've loved their tone. I've never had much luck with Rotosounds, they seemed to break relatively often. I used to be a Blue Steel guy, they always sounded great out of the box, but with them I found they died so fast, I needed to change them very often. D'addarios were treating me right, no complaints, but I was open to trying DR after my local luthier/tech suggested trying them. As I said above, they've been great (a definite improvement over the D'addarios) and I can't think of any reason to switch away from them anytime in the near future.
 
#35
The picture you included looks like the core broke. The unwinding is a result of that. I had this problem on a low B on a 5 string bass. The issue is the fattest part of the winding should never wrap on the tuner, rather only the tappered part should. In my case the tapper started too late. They sent me some replacements and all had this issue. In the end I had to use a different brand B string.

Check where the tapper starts and if the fattest part of the winding was being bent around the post, then that is your problem. It doesn't take much, even a quarter wrap is enough to break the core.
 
#37
DR brand's Marcus Miller Fatbeams, High Beams and Sunbeams are all wound on a ROUND, NOT HEX core. They do this for sound and feel reasons. The drawback is that the strings windings have a tendency so "Slip" on a round core which has no hexagonal "points" for added grip. WIth any ROund COre string, you have to be careful when winding it (DR includes directions for this)... you should bend the string's end BEFORE you uncoil it from the package. Also, be sure you have at least 2 1/2 to 3 wraps around your winding post, as a round core may be more prone to crimping and weakening. I use a variety of brands on my basses and DR is one of them, ESPECIALLY when I want the tone characteristics and feel of a round core string. DR's are among the finest bass (and guitar) strings made.
 
#38
monkeybass68 said:
Yeah, sounds kinda odd to me. I've been using DRs for years, bought dozens of sets of their strings and never had a single problem with them. Not really sure how ur tech has had that many problems with them.
Click to expand...

Same here. never. not in the last 9 years that ive been using them.
I believe the op as far as a string breaking...but the guitar tech who says 3 outa 4 get a bad string?. im not buyin that.
Now..what just crossed my mind was..maybe it happens to the tech..is HE doing something bizzarre?..

ymmv an all.
 
#40
Bought a used Fender Deluxe Jazz a few months back, nice shape but strings were shot. Started searching for a new set so I called DR and told them what I was after tonally. Very helpfull people. Decided on Sunbeams as I wanted nickel wound, somewhat low tension and not an overly bright string. Bought the Sunbeams, had them installed and thought they were very bright and had no bottom end. Called Dr and told them what happened and the rep said he would take care of it for me. Two days later three different sets of different nickel wound strings showed up at my door via UPS 2 day service. I would call that a pretty good company. By the way, after playing in the new strings and getting used to dialing in my new bass sound, I wound up leaving them on and don't plan on changing them anytime soon
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back