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DR Lo-rider nickel vs. Ernie Ball Regular Slinkey

LightGroove

LightGroove

Oct 24, 2006
1,997
187
Happy Bottom, VA
#1
Hey now,

Thinking about replacing the strings on my Stingray HS and wondering the thoughts on these two. I can get the EB's locally but would have to order the Lo-riders. Are they drastically different? One preferred over the other? I'm not a big tension guy and prefer a much lighter tension. Appreciate any and all feedback.

Blessings
Michael
 
#3
the lo-riders will last a LOT longer, in my experience. they have a somewhat similar tone, but are not quite as bright and metallic as the slinkies.

maybe i just played way too hard, but every time i bought EB strings they were dead after 2 weeks. the DRs last a few months and still sound decent.
 
#10
+1 on the Lo-Riders, although I use SS rather than Nickel. I used Ernie Balls for awhile and while they sounded great for the first couple weeks, they died very quickly. Lo-Riders last a long time, age very well (great dark tone after awhile) and are nice and bright for awhile as well, without the raspy edge of Ernie Balls. As for tension, Lo-Riders are noticeably higher tension than Ernie Balls, but not uncomfortably so; I don't like super high tension either but Lo-Riders are very workable, and the added tension helps harmonics ring out better IME. Highly recommended.
 
#13
Very cool...thanks for all the input.. I actually order 2 sets of strings ..1 nickel lo-rider the other sunbeams..They arrived today. After eanie meanie miney moe the lo-riders won..

I tell you I love em... It was def. the Slinkies that were the issue. The clank is gone..and the fingerstyle is just what I was looking for. I still roll off the highs a bit as I'm not as huge sizzle kind of guy..;I realize this is more the 'ray than the strings.

I think I've found a new love for the bass.

Now if I only played a little better ..:hiding:
 
#14
LightGroove said:
Very cool...The clank is what I'm hoping to escape. Sounds good to me I may give the DR's a shot then.
Click to expand...

I use the DR nickel Lo-Riders on my Fender Jazz and Rickenbacker 4001C64. I really like them. They are the smoothest rounds you will ever play. Plus they sound great, and last quite a while. Highly recommended.

I also have played the EB Slinkys. Nice strings, but they are a little harder on the frets than the DR's. They have a little more clank and they go dead quicker too. DR's are compression wound, so they are very easy on the frets. I've never broken, or gotten a bad DR string either.:cool:
 
#18
FWIW I play a standard P Bass with Lindy Fralins and Gotoh bridge and I just switched from EB Regular Slinkys to DR Lo-Rider Nickels. I like a pretty growly, aggressive sound but try to minimize clank.

The first thing I noticed right away is the DRs feel better. They also have a lot of growl. I would agree they are a little less clanky than the Slinkys and have higher tension, which I happen to like.

The only problem I have had so far is the E string sounds pretty dead after playing them for maybe a week. The other strings sound very good but the E just thuds. I thought maybe it was something with my setup, pickup height, etc. but everything checks out.

I've tried a lot of bass strings and none of them so far have had very good life. For what we're paying it seems like a real rip-off. :mad:
 
#19
The lo rider nickels, when you first put them on, are very tight, whereas the slinky is pretty light. Also, the nickels are not good for slapping. So keep that in mind.

Btw, I assume you are talking about the regular slinky. The super slinky is way too light for me, so I just avoid it.
 

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