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DR Pure Blues, 2 thumbs down! (For me anyway)

thebassbuilder

thebassbuilder

Mar 7, 2012
1,013
378
Spartanburg SC
Disclosures
guitar builder, Meyers Guitars
#1
First and foremost, I play DR strings more than any other string out there, so this is not to dis the company at all. This is just my thoughts on this model of string they offer.

I got a set of these the other week and I must say these are the worst strings I have ever put on an instrument. I will also say this is subjective and my thoughts only. I will also give DR credit for describing the strings properly. So this is my mistake for buying these. The tone is like they say very warm with a strong edgy top end. I was thinking this would be nice and strong sounding but for my ears, I was way off. It is crazy how empty they sound, there is no real life in them for me anyway. I guess I have become a balanced tone person and do not like the scooped sound that much anymore. These strings give the scooped sound in spades. For me to get them to sound half way normal for my ears, I had to reverse my EQ and bump the hi mids up to 1 o'clock when normally it sits at 10 to 11. I play through a GK MB210, which has a 4 way EQ. I also had to lower the treble and bass just south of noon, low mids stay noon to 1 o'clock. The instrument used is the one in my profile pick, which has a P and an MM pup along with 2 bank Eq. When panning from P pup to MM, there is a big difference in volume and tone. The P pickup sounds like crap through this while the MM sounds better and more balanced, then in the past. This part is real hard for me to describe but no matter the EQ setting, the P sounds thin and lifeless.

I will say these strings could be great for someone looking for the scooped tone but also, if you have a bass that lacks the low or hi end. These could help bring that bass to life for you.

Just wanted to share my thoughts.
 
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#3
FourBanger said:
Out of curiosity have you ever played the Fender pure nickels?
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No I have not tried those. The only Fender stings I have tried was their Flats and they are the highest tension string, I have ever played and they are 100's. Those things kill my fingers and just sit in the package collecting dust and have been for 10 years.

Are these strings good?
 
#4
thebassbuilder said:
The only Fender stings I have tried was their Flats and they are the highest tension string, I have ever played and they are 100's. Those things kill my fingers and just sit in the package collecting dust and have been for 10 years.
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I couldn't believe what I was reading when you said the Fender flats were "the highest tension string". Then I got to the part about "collecting dust for 10 years". Ah ha!

You're right about the OLD version of the Fender flats being "high tension". Not so with the new version, however; the 9050L (45-60-80-100) are no worse than a typical medium-gauge (45-105) rounds. You should try them sometime. ;)

Sorry for digressing. Back to the main topic - DR Pure Blues!
 
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#5
michael_t said:
I couldn't believe what I was reading when you said the Fender flats were "the highest tension string". Then I got to the part about "collecting dust for 10 years". Ah ha!

You're right about the OLD version of the Fender flats being "high tension". Not so with the new version, however; the 9050L (45-60-80-100) are no worse than a typical medium-gauge (45-105) rounds. You should try them sometime. ;)

Sorry for digressing. Back to the main topic - DR Pure Blues!
Click to expand...

Good to hear they have changed their formula on the flats. I may have to give them a try again some day. I need to build me a dedicated P bass for a set of flats.
 
#6
I had to give DR Pure Blues a try, put them on a P that I just got finished, and yeah, lifeless.
Went back to K S Compressors and it was alive!
Giving it a shot with E B Cobalt Flats now, and it's a great combo.
The DR Pure Blues are still back in the package, but I'll have to give them a try on something else.
 
#7
JustForSport said:
I had to give DR Pure Blues a try, put them on a P that I just got finished, and yeah, lifeless.
Went back to K S Compressors and it was alive!
Giving it a shot with E B Cobalt Flats now, and it's a great combo.
The DR Pure Blues are still back in the package, but I'll have to give them a try on something else.
Click to expand...
It is crazy, how it just sucks the p bass tone that everyone knows, right out of the bass. I am glad it was not just me thinking this. I still love DR strings, just not these.

What are K S compressors? Is this Ken Smith strings?
 
#10
thebassbuilder said:
What are K S compressors? Is this Ken Smith strings?
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JustForSport said:
Yes, Ken Smith compressors- Alloy 52 wraps. Easy to play and very dynamic. They may only be avail in 38" winding length, tho, so will fit thru-body 34" stringing, 35" top load, and 34" top load if the E tuning post is not too close to the nut.
Click to expand...

Ken Smith Compressors are basically the same thing as the GHS Pressurewound, except the GHS comes in 37.25" winding length, if you need something shorter than 38".
 
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#12
This thread is very interesting to read. I loved the Pure Blues on my Precision when I first put them on. Much better than the stock strings they replaced and nicer on that particular bass than some Hi Beams I tried. Now, having replaced them on one bass with Helix SS and on another Precision with SuperBrights, I wouldn't use them on another Precision. Not enough balls.

I still have another set to try so I will use them with another style of bass. Glad I tried them and they did serve me well, however I now know they aren't my sound on a P Bass.
 
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#13
I concur, I used the DR Blue Steels on my '62 AVRI P for about 30 minutes and off they came; same results as y'all.

I also tried them in my '75 RI J and felt that they were just way too "zingy" for wont of a better term. They're now back in the original packaging as my "oh that stinks that you broke a string at this gig, you can buy this set for $10" strings.
 
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#15
I put Pure Blues on a J5 - for about 10 minutes. Immediately went back to my GHS Pressure wounds. What was I thinking? They were terrible.

But I also have Pure Blues on an old G&L SB-2 - the pups are red hot and those string keep it under control. Bottom is round and warm and not muddy, and they put out a good edgy sound when needed.

So, like virtually every other string out there, it depends on the instrument and what you want out of it. Can't say they're bad strings.
 
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#16
I've had a set of Pure Blues on my Warwick Corvette fretless for about 8 months. They replaced Hi-Beams. I find them less scoopy than Hi-Beams and that they have a very nice, warm, and articulate tone with clear highs for a passive fretless with two J pups configuration. They can get growly too when you dig in which is perfect for me. All that being said, I wouldn't put them on my P I think.
 
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#20
I had a very strong adverse reaction to the pure blues string too. Put them on my Elrick and they sounded anemic. One of my all time least favorite strings. ... Meanwhile Sunbeams are in my top 3 go-to strings. Love them (just wish they were a wee bit more taught)
 

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