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DR Round Core String Tensions

Enrique M

Enrique M

Supporting Member
Jun 3, 2023
1,071
3,660
Moscow, Idaho
#1
I am under the impression that DR Round Core strings such as Sunbeams, Pure Blues, and Hi Beams of the same gauge (is this case 45 -105) have similar tensions. Is this also true of the DR Legend Flatwounds in the same gauge?

And what I am really asking about is the ability to try a set of legends on a bass that was previously wearing sunbeams w/o automatically needing a full set up,(although I realize it may be necessary in the end).

Thanks in Advance,
 
#2
I don't have official tension measurements, but the Legends definitely feel higher tension. You might have to do a small truss rod turn, but I wouldn't expect a full setup.

I'm always setting up my basses and the season changes here in Denver are pretty severe, so I rarely see how string choice is affecting my basses independent of other factors.

I do have Sunbeams on a number of basses and switched my jazz from sunbeams to Legends a few months ago. I can tell the strings are quite a bit stiffer from a play feel standpoint.

They sound great on my jazz, although the first set I had, there were some weird overtones with the E string and DR sent me a new E.
 
#5
Other posters make accurate points.

I don't know the measured tension of DR Legends, but the gauges feel more balanced (and the D and G are easier to pull) than 45-100 D'Addario Chromes. To your other question, I have 40-100 DR Fat Beams and Pure Blues on 2 basses right now ,and they feel quite similar tension/resistance-wise to each other. Once I've felt reasonably balanced tension/flexibility across strings, it's hard to go back to grossly unbalanced (tension-wise) hex-core strings.
 
#7
IME Legends feel a good amount stiffer than Sunbeams in the same 45-105 gauges. That is to be expected with flats. I don’t know how the pulling tension of Legends differ from Sunbeams. I don’t think DR published that information.

If my I installed Legends on my bass that was currently set up with Sunbeams, I would definitely lower the action a hair at the bridge and possibly give the truss rod a small adjustment as well. Legends allow for a lower action and that will make them easier to play. That’s just me though. Everybody’s got their own preference for setup.

I’m with ctmullins. Just do it and see how it goes 👍
 
#9
I'm a big DR user since '96; Hibeams, Fatbeams, Sunbeams. But I hated the flats! They are pretty stiff and among some of least flexible flats I've ever tried, and they weren't a 'bright' flat like their rounds are for roundwounds.

I'm not a flats lover by any means, and found Dunlops to be elastic feeling closer to rounds feel when switching basses.
 
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#12
As above - install the strings, and spend a couple weeks deciding whether or not you like the sound of them.

Then you can evaluate the action and adjust if needed. Chances are you will need no or little adjustment.
 
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#13
Here is the canned answer I got from DR when I asked about string tensions about a year ago:

Thanks for your email and question regarding our tension numbers. Here in sales, we are not given those exact numbers but rather we are told by our production team that all of our bass sets regardless of style, are placed on the lathe to the same medium tension before the wind is applied. In the past, those exact numbers have not been given out.

Apologies,

The DR Staff
 
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#14
Enrique M said:
I am under the impression that DR Round Core strings such as Sunbeams, Pure Blues, and Hi Beams of the same gauge (is this case 45 -105) have similar tensions. Is this also true of the DR Legend Flatwounds in the same gauge?

And what I am really asking about is the ability to try a set of legends on a bass that was previously wearing sunbeams w/o automatically needing a full set up,(although I realize it may be necessary in the end).

Thanks in Advance,
Click to expand...
I think the Sunbeams, Pure Blues, and Hi Beams of the same gauge do not have similar tension because the wrapping is of different material even though they all have round cores. You have Nickel Plated Steel, Nickel, and Stainless Steel wrapping. I mean, I am just guessing because I don't play with DR's.
 
#15
Some of you already know this, but tension is not the same as stiffness.

Tension is pulling force - how hard is the string pulling from bridge to tuner when stretched to pitch.

Stiffness is also sometimes called flexibility - how much the string resists lateral movement, as when plucking or picking while playing.

Two entirely different things.
 
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#16
ctmullins said:
Some of you already know this, but tension is not the same as stiffness.

Tension is pulling force - how hard is the string pulling from bridge to tuner when stretched to pitch.

Stiffness is also sometimes called flexibility - how much the string resists lateral movement, as when plucking or picking while playing.

Two entirely different things.
Click to expand...
Sure, but the OP mentioned tension. Tension depends on unit weight. For example, nickel has a higher density than steel, thus increasing the unit weight and consequently the tension.
 
#19
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#20
This has been debated to exhaustion in the forum and is also explained in the GHS tension chart. Tension depends on string mass per inch (primarily determined by gauge, but also string construction and materials), scale length, and pitch. Just check the chart and compare for standard long scale, for the same pitch, gauge, and core, pure nickel vs. NPS.
 

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