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DR or D'addario?

#41
I'we been using steel rotos 66 swingbass for about 10 years, tried dadarios, warvicks, fenders, yamahas, earnyballs... Since I'we tried DRs I'll never look back. Sunbeams for my jazzbass and hibeams for my 5string. Also using dadario chromes flats for a fretless and another 5string, but that is a whole different story, in a good way. For rounds DR!
 
#42
mielkeway2121 said:
Looking to replace the strings on my 6 string ibanez Sr506. I play mostly metal. Thinking of going with either DR or D'addario strings; I've heard good things about both. And price really isn't an issue for me; I'm looking to get a nice set that will last awhile. Any reccomendations?

Thanks!
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Considering you have an Ibanez sr506, DR bass strings would be a much better choice. not only do they sound cool, but they're super long scaled string as well. super long scaled strings are very suitable for bass guitars that has a 35-inch scaled neck.
 
#44
MysticMichael said:
For one thing, DRs are NOT roundwound, as everyone seems so fond of saying. They're compression-wound, i.e. roundwounds that have been put through a set of high-pressure rollers to compress the surface of the outer wrap. No wonder they sound smoother: They are smoother! :hmm:

MM
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This is not accurate.

They use more smaller diameter windings which make the surface area of the string feel smoother since the ridges are smaller.

Look at the back of the box it explains this in detail down to the size of each winding. They then do something to take the string to it's final thickness that tightens the windings up, this is their "compressed"process.

What you described are a completely current type of string.
 
#49
People that say DR's die fast may be not following the manufactures suggestion for stringing as some of their strings have a round core and if not done properly will give them a lifeless sound. My personal favorite strings are DR Sunbeams out of 5 basses I own 3 of them always have Sunbeams on, I have D'add on my 5 stringer and they just don't compare for me and my SB-2 wears SIT rockbrights.
 
#50
Zitch what are the manufacturers suggestions for stringing DR's? Don't think I've been doing it wrong cause they always sound great. Looked on the box for instructions but found none. Haha first time I've ever read the back of a string package in years of stringing guitars and basses!
 
#52
You have to try them all and find what you personally like.

Strings are like basses, well even more to personal tastes... One will like one but not the other...

You also may play a set and feel you want one string to feel a little tighter or with less tension. Both companies make it easy to obtain singles when needed.

Best thing to do is try both. And since you are on the forums you will have no problem selling a slightly used set if you don't like whatever you try.
 
#53
SLaPiNFuNK said:
Ever rip open the boxes? they fold out.

The round core strings (sunbeams, hi beams, fat beams, neon and extra life coated) need to be bent at a 90 degree angle before cutting. This help keeps the windings in place on the round core.
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Thanks Slap. Never noticed. I wonder why my bandmates call me absent-minded sometimes. Turns out I have been doing that anyway since I always bend the strings at 90 to mark the correct length to cut after measuring it against the old string.
 
#54
I don't know about metal... but D'addario half rounds absolutely kill most other strings in life span (for me), sound, and tonal versatility. They really bring out the sound of my Fender Precision Deluxe Special. My friend has them on his Ibanez 405 and they sound pretty good too.
 
#57
I have played all of the popular string manufacturers commonly touted on TB. Dr's are pretty good, not as zingy or in your face as some others, they do seem to last at least as long as your average quality string. It seems like flatwounds & DR strings in general are the go to products in strings at least that are pushed ad naseum. I have been surprised by Dean Markley strings in general, they are cheap enough & have a good variety, I thought the SR2000's would be a good match for heavier styles of music with their piano like tone. I believe they make a 6 string set as well. Rotosound 66's
are still popular here, not as much as DR's but they are still the string I compare all others to.
 
#59
MSIMSBASS said:
Im sorry guys but Diadarrio prosteels blow the DR's out of the water!They do not color you're basses tone like DR's, but bring out the true sound of your bass.
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Sometimes I don't want hear the true sound of my bass. :). But in all seriousness your point is not necessarily a good thing and certainly doesn't make d'addarios better than DR. If transparency was the pinnacle of sound music would get boring very quickly.
 
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#60
Some people just ooze goo through their hands... unfortunately these folks need to play with latex gloves or get some coated strings.

I play DR FatBeams on my 5ver and they definitely last a long time. The last set was on for 4 months, I took it out to try a set of SunBeams, which after a couple of months I decided they were not for me. I still have that FatBeams set. DR delivers!

I also have a set of Fender 7250Ms on my CV60, and it has been there for over a year! Nope, they are not dead at all.

Wipe down your strings every time you play. Make sure to follow the instructions on the DR box, and they'll intonate fine and stay good for quite a while. Clean your fingers with alcohol before you play to remove all that goo. :)
 
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