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DR New drop tune strings!

#101
I'm looking for strings for my Sadowsky 5 (standard BEADG) with a nice stable non-boomy B string that has good midrange and can sing in the high registers (of all strings). Currently I'm using HiBeams, which are very bright but surprisingly fat in the mix. The low strings don't have as much fundamental oomph as I would like and the B is a bit floppy.

I would LOVE to find a B string that sounds like an extension of the E string, so it's not so obvious when I move to the B string.

I ordered a set of Nickel LoRiders and a set of DDTs (45-125). I'm thinking about ordering a set of Circle K's also, probably the balanced tension. Which set (gauge) would be good? They have so many!

Has anybody tried all these types of strings (HiBeam, Nickel/Steel LoRider/DDT/CircleK)? Can you describe the differences in sound and feel?
 
#103
pickles said:
DR needs to fix the problem with B strings being wrapped too long for standard 4 strings. That's what the set is designed for, its going to need to work :scowl:
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Yeah, I called customer service and they seem to think I'm putting the strings on wrong, but the fact of the matter is that the fat part winds around the tuner a significant amount.
Oreomeister365 said:
You'd think they'd make a set for one of the more common drop tunings....drop D.

Slightly fatter E string than the standard.
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Yeah, they aren't actually for "drop" tuning where the bottom string is a whole step lower. Rather, they are just for lower than standard tuning. Misleading...
pickles said:
Nope it works just fine. The fat part of the string stops juuuuuust as its about to wrap around the peg.

I just confirmed they're fine on a Thumb NT 5 as well :bassist:
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Hmm I wonder why it works on your Sadowsky but not on a Fender 4-string?
 
#104
Aaaarggg!!! I got my 45-125 DDTs today, put them on my Sadowsky 5, and as I was tightening it up, the B string started to unravel around the tuning peg!!! I've never had that happen, and I've used lots of DR sets...

The string works, but it looks like it will snap off pretty soon.

The sound? Actually kind of amazing. Not quite as bright as I generally like, but nice and fat, with a good tension feel. I tuned each string up to pitch, and they all stayed there, they really are the most stable strings I've tried. The B string is the best I've heard. It's clear down to open B and I can hear nice clear pitches all the way up to the 21st fret!

But they need to do something about the unwinding problem. I crimped the string, but it unwound sort of in the middle of the part wrapped around the peg, weird.

I'm on the fence about whether I want to stick with DDTs after this, but I'll see how it sounds. I have upcoming rehearsals with a couple of rock bands and a musical pit band so I'll see if it sounds good enough to risk it.
 
#105
Yep, these strings are the bomb. I wonder if the unravelling B's are a bad batch? I've had no problems at all and I've even removed them from one bass and put on another etc. Smeet -- be sure to contact DR about the unravelling. They need to hear from everyone so they can address it.
 
#106
I sent them a note last night, got a helpful response early this morning! Very nice.

EDIT:
Had a nice talk with Tom Klukosky at DR and learned quite a bit about strings. These strings use a proprietary new technology which they can't talk about (yet?). Ordinarily I would dismiss this as marketing hype, but I can hear the results so I believe it. They are hex core stainless steel, but more than that I don't know. Whatever the tech is, I hope they incorporate it into their whole line of strings.

They are sending me a replacement. Everybody who has had problems with these strings should give DR a call or email, these are great strings and they really want to make sure you are happy... I've always liked their strings, and now I'm really impressed with their customer service too.
 
#111
knuckle_head said:
The core broke
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Whoa. I have been playing on that broken string for a couple of days now, are you saying that I got it up to pitch with just the windings supporting all that tension?
Scary.

I'm going to order a set of the Circle K's (5 String Set - Balanced Standard 136). It's an expensive process, but I'm learning enjoying how different my bass sounds with all these different strings, they all sound good in their own way and each set makes me play differently.
 
#112
smeet said:
Whoa. I have been playing on that broken string for a couple of days now, are you saying that I got it up to pitch with just the windings supporting all that tension?
Click to expand...

Best way to tell is to look between the spread windings - if you see a single, straight piece of wire the core is intact and the windings slid off the end of the core. If that isn't there the core snapped and the string is supporting itself. The latter is possible on a three wrap string, but not for very long.
 
#116
so, ive had a set of the DDT's this week and it has been AMAZING lol, they have such a great sound xD .. I order the Extra Heavy one's (65 - 125). I will admit that playing that thick does involving me using a bit more energy but its soo worth it. I recommend these to evryone lol
 

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