DR Lo Rider Nickels - These are Some Weird Strings!

[Would'e?]

Maybe it's this "compression winding" that supposedly puts more metal in a lower gauge string, but I put a set of these string on my USA Millennium for the time yesterday and totally had to reset my long established eq settings on the bass to get a decent tone. The mids these strings puts out are monstrous across the board. I usually boost high mids at the bass for a cutting aggressive rock tone, even with brand new strings (highs and lows are always dimed). This was far too much with these DRs. Instead what I had to do was cut some low mids severely to get any kind of musical sound from these. I also noticed that the E was pretty much dead out of the package and the other three strings didnt have a whole lot more singing new tone to them than the months old set of Cirrus strings I was replacing. I'm beginning to wonder if DR is worth the price and hype. I guess I'll see how long these Lo Rider nickels last.

My previous experience with DRs has been with the stainless strings and I have liked the sounds of the Hi Beams and SS Lo Riders. They lasted a good while, but whatever DRs claims, they DO eat frets. A couple of sets of these and I saw noticeable wear. I could actually see the string winding marks etched in some of the frets. I've also tried the Extra Life and I found them too mellow for heavy rock and the coating prone to flaking off easily. I've used the Zebras on my acoustic guitar and they sound great, but wear quickly.

Maybe as a lover of the sound of new strings, but someone who doesn't like to change strings often I should switch to Elixir.

 

[KJung]

Something very strange here.

First, regarding 'eating frets', what you are seeing is that very little bit of fret scuffing that occurs almost immediately with roundwound strings. It won't get any worse (at least not for the next 10 to 15 years), and is nothing to worry about.

Second, as one who regularly uses Hi Beams, DR Lo Rider Nickels and DR Lo Rider Steels, your experience is strange. Of course, if you are comparing a new set of any of these to an old set of any of these, the new set will sound MUCH brighter. That might be what you are hearing, depending on how old the strings were that you replaced. Just let them settle in.

If find the DR LO Rider Nickels to sound a bit smoother but somewhat similar to the Hi Beams... a bit more low mid presence and not quite as much sizzle as the Hi Beams, but similar. The RD Lo Rider Steels are VERY grindy and aggressive in the upper mids, and bigger down low to my ear.

 

[Would'e?]

Ken, do you think I might be happier with nickel Lo Riders on a passive bass, rather than one that is fully active?

 

[KJung]

Ken, do you think I might be happier with nickel Lo Riders on a passive bass, rather than one that is fully active?

I like the Nickels more on I guess what I would call a more 'vintage voiced' instrument (i.e., alder, rosewood, mahogany)... i.e., that warmer, more growly voicing for a bass versus grindy sizzle. That doesn't have as much to do with active/passive to me as just the general voicing of the instrument.

However, I will say, that while I LOVE new DR Hi Beams and DR Lo Rider Steels, new DR Lo Rider Nickels are a bit clanky, and take a gig or two to settle in. My guess is, that is what you are hearing (especially if you went from relatively old strings right to those nickels on the same bass). They are a bit 'in your face' up top, but not in a 'good' stainless steel way. However, when they break in a bit, all that nice low mid growl comes out, and the upper mid presence and sheen reduces quite a bit.

IMO and IME!

 

[cb56]

Just for the record, I love Elixirs on my Millennium 5 and my Cirrus. If i couldn't get Elixirs, my second favs would be D'addario XLs on the Millennium and good ol' Cirrus strings on the Cirrus.

 

[Would'e?]

Perhaps the nickels would be better on my Foundation.

I like the sound of the D'addarios too, but they mellow too quickly. The Cirrus strings are really nice aren't they?

 

[Double Agent]

Your answer depends on what you're looking for. For me, I was looking for a string that was not so bright and in-your-face for my Cirrus, as it can be a VERY bright-sounding bass as it is. I didn't need the strings to make it sound even bright. For this, the Lo-Rider Nickels were perfect. They have a tone similar to the SS Lo-Riders, but much more relaxed and "natural" sounding highs to my ears. I can actually get some mellow, old-school tone from my Cirrus with the LR Nickels, something I could never do, even on a passive bass, with the SS version. But, if you want a more aggressive, cutting tone, the SS Lo-Riders are difficult to beat. If you are trying to calm down an aggressive bass, the Nickels are where it's at.

If you're trying to bring out all the zingy highs and punchy low-mids, go for the SS. It's all in what you're looking for.

FTR, my Lo-Rider Nickels have been on my Cirrus since December. That has been my #1 bass for gigs and rehearsals the entire time and the strings STILL sound fantastic, they might have another 2-3 months left in them. Before using DRs, I changed my strings every 3-4 weeks with all the usual brands (D'addario, Ernie Ball, etc.). For me, DRs do last a LOT longer than the other brands I've used. YMMV.

 

[G.Bisson]

[QOUTE/] I've also tried the Extra Life and I found them too mellow for heavy rock[/QUOTE]

Saw Geezer Butler live last year playing black coated DRs. He was rocking 'em out hard \m/

but I agree that his bass still had this mellowed out flat woundish tone. At that high gain, under his heavy pick digs, those strings were SCREAMING!

That subdued coated tone gave his hard rocking style a tight controlled sound.

 

[EZ9R]

I don't know if it's me, but DRs QC hasn't been consistent for a few years. I use to use DR Low Riders Nickel and they were the most musical, zingy nickel strings I could find. I then switch to DR Fat Beams and they had great sounding mids for a SS string. But, as of late, the DR nickels (Sunbeams & LR) and Fat Beams have been inconsistent. I've got a couple of duds in both the nickel and SS. Kind of a bummer. Those strings use to be alive and last forever. Doesn't seem to be the case anymore.

 

[DR Strings]

Hey there..we are actually pretty proud of the increase in quality control measures we've taken here at DR. Please contact me at 800-782-1901 so I can discuss your issues with our strings and hopefully regain your trust.
Anthony

I don't know if it's me, but DRs QC hasn't been consistent for a few years. I use to use DR Low Riders Nickel and they were the most musical, zingy nickel strings I could find. I then switch to DR Fat Beams and they had great sounding mids for a SS string. But, as of late, the DR nickels (Sunbeams & LR) and Fat Beams have been inconsistent. I've got a couple of duds in both the nickel and SS. Kind of a bummer. Those strings use to be alive and last forever. Doesn't seem to be the case anymore.

 

[Would'e?]

I found a tone I could use on the nickel Lo-Riders with some EQ tweaking, but within a few hours of playing all the little zing that had been present in the strings is gone. They are all just dead, dead, dead. I can't wait to slap on some Elixirs to hear my bass sound decent again.