well ive decided to buy DR strings, but what kind should i buy. sunbeams, round wounds, or what???
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DR string delema?
- Thread starter hazzardzboy
- Start date
well it depends on what you do. Do like really bright strings? then go with the hi beams. I mean just search around about DR strings here on TB and there is a ton of different information about how each one feels.
Me personally i love my loRiders for the tension and sound.
Me personally i love my loRiders for the tension and sound.
bongomania
Commercial User
Holy crap dude. You have no idea what any of them sound like, but you've decided to buy that brand. OK. 
How about you describe exactly what you want to sound like, and then we can steer you in the right direction. Actually I already know that you have no idea what you want or how to articulate it, but ignoring that for a second: maybe you could post a Youtube clip of a bassist whose tone you like?
How about you describe exactly what you want to sound like, and then we can steer you in the right direction. Actually I already know that you have no idea what you want or how to articulate it, but ignoring that for a second: maybe you could post a Youtube clip of a bassist whose tone you like?
In a less harsh way, I think that you wouldn't notice a difference in different models (sunbeams,loriders). So once you decide on whether you like the sound of stainless steel or nickle, go with with what ever type of that material sounds most appealing to you, a search should help you out. Also consider the feel, nickels being more soft and smooth than stainless. If you don't know the difference is sound between nickel and SS, once again a search will explain it thoroughly.
Good choice going with DR, they have been my brand of string for years now. I even once got a set with two dead strings out of the package and after one email DR sent me a new set, no questions asked, didn't even ask for the old ones back.
Good choice going with DR, they have been my brand of string for years now. I even once got a set with two dead strings out of the package and after one email DR sent me a new set, no questions asked, didn't even ask for the old ones back.
I'd go with the Low Riders since they would be a more forgiving string, meaning you wouldn't hear every little clack and clank that you would as a beginner on a set of stainless steels strings and the nickel strings would be easier on your fingers. I'm not sure how long you've been playing but by what I've read in this thread and in another one I'm guessing you're just starting out.
This is my experience with them.
I've used Hi-Beams, Lo-Riders and Sunbeams.
First decide between:
Stainless Steel: brigther, more aggressive, high tension
Nickel: warmer
Hi-Beams (SS): are the most bright and aggressive. I'd recommend them for hard rock, hi-fi slapping, popping, etc.
Lo-Riders (nickel): I've tried both SS and Nickel versions of these. Prefer nickel strings anyways, so this is what I use. They are a little warmer and not as harsh in my opinion as SS strings. Great tension and all around nice sound with very good mids. I use these on my P-bass.
Sunbeam: Less tension than the above. Warmer and very balanced. I absolutely love these strings. Very nice balance of bottom, upper end and clear mids. I use these on my Jazz bass. Great smooth slap sound.
All around DR strings are some of the best strings around. They sound great and the sound lasts more than others IME. Since I drop tune half-a-step I prefer the higher tension of the Low-Riders for my Glaub but still love the way the Sunbeams sound on my DJ4.
Hope this long post helped a little.
Do a search, there are dozens of threads on this topic.
I've used Hi-Beams, Lo-Riders and Sunbeams.
First decide between:
Stainless Steel: brigther, more aggressive, high tension
Nickel: warmer
Hi-Beams (SS): are the most bright and aggressive. I'd recommend them for hard rock, hi-fi slapping, popping, etc.
Lo-Riders (nickel): I've tried both SS and Nickel versions of these. Prefer nickel strings anyways, so this is what I use. They are a little warmer and not as harsh in my opinion as SS strings. Great tension and all around nice sound with very good mids. I use these on my P-bass.
Sunbeam: Less tension than the above. Warmer and very balanced. I absolutely love these strings. Very nice balance of bottom, upper end and clear mids. I use these on my Jazz bass. Great smooth slap sound.
All around DR strings are some of the best strings around. They sound great and the sound lasts more than others IME. Since I drop tune half-a-step I prefer the higher tension of the Low-Riders for my Glaub but still love the way the Sunbeams sound on my DJ4.
Hope this long post helped a little.
Do a search, there are dozens of threads on this topic.
I use DR Marcus Miller sigs on my Sadowsky Jazz... absolutely amazing! But like everyone has said you need to know what tone qualities the various models of strings have and determine which one has the "type" of tone quality you are looking for.
