DR Nickel Lo-Riders

[sigmafloyd]

Hey guys, I'm pretty familiar with Hi-Beams and Sunbeams, how would you compare Nickel Lo-Riders.

I'm aware of the basics (hex vs. round core, expecting them to be a little higher in tension, etc). Looking more for sound differences.

I'd be running these on a P bass.

Thanks guys

 

[michael_t]

This is something I'm interested in finding out as well.

I'm currently in a market for a new P bass and the DR Nickel Lo-Riders are at the top of my shopping list of strings to try out with the P.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

 

[Gorn]

I don't know about the nickels, but the feel and tone of the steel loriders are fantastic. I'm a big fan of high tension/stiff strings that work well with super low action. I'd imagine the nickels are great, just easier on the fingers and frets.

 

[Coughdrops]

Tension is def higher on the lo-riders. Sound wise, I found the lo riders to be brighter sounding out of the box and also stay brighter longer than sunbeams. I've read the opposite opinion as well so it's def in the ear of the beholder. I kept lo-riders on my P5 while I had it (helped low B tension on 34 scale) but like sunbeams on my P4 fwiw.

 

[klokker]

Yes, higher tension. A little more mid emphasis with nickel lo-riders IMO. I use them on my P, they break in nice and last a while.

 

[Stone Soup]

I think I may have paid way too much for a new (but on the shelf too long) set of nickel low riders once. Nearly $40.00 down the drain. I took them off within a couple days. Just plain hated the tone. They had absolutely nothing on the D'Addario strings I was using at the time. I felt like I was ripped off.

 

[boynamedsuse]

To each his own. I think Nickel Lo-Riders have an amazing sound and are my #1 go to for round wounds on a standard scale bass. I have light sets on a four string (finger style / slap) and a five string (finger style) that are going on two years old and they still satisfy completely.

 

[TwoRivers]

I've used stainless and nickel lo-riders. Loved both sets, and the sound between the two wasn't too different. I play a fender jazz bass and found the strings added some note defenition in the lows and mids. They are a higher tension string, which I prefer. If you haven't tried them before, I don't think you have anything to loose...definately a string worth trying.

 

[P-oddz]

Here you go - you're welcome.

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Info, and audio clips of various DR strings done by Ed Friedland - just scroll down.

 

[michael_t]

I'm currently in a market for a new P bass and the DR Nickel Lo-Riders are at the top of my shopping list of strings to try out with the P.

I do realize this is an old thread, as in almost nine years old, but I just happened to see my own post from March 27, 2013 and wanted to do an update on it.

I did finally acquire a 2014 Am Std P bass in September of 2015. The funny thing is I've tried all kinds of strings on it for the last six and a half years, except for the Nickel Lo-Riders!

I figured it's long overdue, so finally decided to order a couple of sets of NLR 40-95 to try on my P in order to follow through on my own good intentions from nine years ago.

I'll report back in the next month or two...

 

[Ricky Rioli]

I was thinking about these earlier today, wondering how they would go with a G&L SB-1.

 

[michael_t]

I was thinking about these earlier today, wondering how they would go with a G&L SB-1.

That's a P-style bass, isn't it?

I did try the NLR 40-100 on my Jazz back in 2014 and really liked the way they provided punchy warmth with smooth but clear mids without being overly zingy. I'm starting to think their refined tonal character would suit my P with the stock CS60 pickup better than the GHS Pressurewounds I've been using on it.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

That's a P-style bass, isn't it?

I'm just wondering if the rich tone of the MFD split pickup and the Lo-Riders might be too much of a good thing.

I've months of waiting for my SB-1 ahead of me, worrying about the strings in advance seems like a good way of passing the time.....

 

[michael_t]

I'm just wondering if the rich tone of the MFD split pickup and the Lo-Riders might be too much of a good thing.

You should be okay as long as you stick with the Nickel version. Punch, warmth and clarity without being too bright up top or aggressive in the mids... Their overall character is refined and fairly neutral.

 

[michael_t]

I've months of waiting for my SB-1 ahead of me, worrying about the strings in advance seems like a good way of passing the time.....

It's almost like thinking about Christmas in July, isn't it?

 

[Luckydog]

Ive used nickel and stainless Lo Riders for many years. My favorite all-purpose rounds, with Roto Swing Bass way up there as well, although they are a little more raw-sounding, which works very well on some basses. I used Hi Beams for a short time, and although they seem like excellent strings, better than most, they dont fit my style. Between the LR nickel and SS, I prefer the nickel. Somewhat stiff, but easily manageable, great full and very even tone, sensible highs (as someone else here had mentioned years ago). Less zing than many strings, but plenty treble. The SS are just a little less middy than the nickels. Long-lasting, with a somewhat gradual degradation in tone over time. I only played one set that I can actually say “died” on me; that was many years ago, and they were probably years old. I admit that I’m somewhat ham-handed, and their rigidity helps to cover up some of my laziness, although I could adjust to lower tension strings (I have no problems with the low stiffness of TI flats). I agree with Michael T that the nickels are somewhat refined and neutral (but not so refined that they can’t rock hard).

 

[michael_t]

I installed NLR 40-95 on my P bass last night to replace the 8-mth-old GHS Pressurewounds 40-96.

I'm in the habit of installing new strings late at night so I can let them sit quietly and settle overnight. I made sure they were tuned up to pitch before going to bed, and found them to be still perfectly in tune first thing this morning. This indicates they have excellent tuning stability. As far as the basic setup goes, all it took was very minor intonation adjustments.

I've only done some casual noodling on them so far, but the initial impressions are very positive. They sound almost ready to go right out of the package as they lack the typical new string zing and harshness. Punchy and clear with smoother mids than the PWs they replaced, which is exactly what I was hoping for.

The 40-95 set feels very comfortable for the fretting hand, but still firm enough not to go all flippity-flop under the plucking fingers, thanks to the hex core. And I like their relatively smooth surface texture for screech-less slides. Sure, they're not PW-smooth, mind you, but pleasantly smooth for a roundwound. D'A XL Nickels feel rough in comparison.

I'm hoping I'll have a chance to test them out in a live band setting next weekend. We'll see...

 

[Selim]

How do the nickel lo riders compare to Fender 7250m?
I’ve been playing almost exclusively flats for the last 30 years, so I don’t know all that much about the rounds out there.

I ask because I bought a new Fender last week and I like these 7250s that came on the bass — just wondering if there’s something out there that’s similar but “better” and still sound good after they’re past their prime (dead).

 

[socialleper]

I use the nickle lo riders a lot. They are a little harder to find. Same tension as ss lo riders, but with a little more warmth in the mids. Like a stiffer sun beam.

 

[michael_t]

How do the nickel lo riders compare to Fender 7250m?

I ask because I bought a new Fender last week and I like these 7250s that came on the bass — just wondering if there’s something out there that’s similar but “better” and still sound good after they’re past their prime (dead).

One of the reasons why I wanted to try the NLRs is what I've read about their longevity. Sounds to me like they retain their "nicely broken-in" tone for a long time. One poster in another thread was talking about the NLRs on one of his basses being 8-9 years old and still going strong.

I don't have any extensive experiences with Fender 7250's, but based on what I've read, I get the impression they start out brighter than the NLR but die out more quickly.