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DR strings inconsistent?

#21
MatrikzDaClown said:
Tried them out last week, and (yes, I know, rookie mistake):rollno: didn't expect the difference in tension. I have a 5 string SDGR SR-405 and usually run a 125 in Hi-Beams on the B. So i decided to stick with same gauge. Got the strings, put them on, and my action went from excellent to around 3/4-1" off the fretboard. I honestly don't know how to adjust my bass, and I haven't had the funds to take it in yet to get it adjusted, so I bought some Hi-Beams and put those back on and it fixed itself.

The other downfall is that when I was taking off the DDT low B string, it snapped at the core, which is another common problem in that specific string, IF, your bass isn't set for them.
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Yeah any time you make a drastic change you'll need to adjust your truss rod.
 
#23
DR high beams are my steel string of choice. I tried lots of brands and eventually settled on the high beams. I make sure to put the 90 degree kink in the string before winding every time; it just seems like common sense to me. Never had a bad set or a bad string. I've been using them for well over 10 years now and at the height of my playing was running through sets of strings almost monthly. I probably change strings closer to twice a year now, but still no problems.
 
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#24
Brand new set of coated K2 or whatever they're called and the A is close to dead and the D isn't particularly snappy. Not going to judge all DRs on one set, but it was my first K2 set and it was not a good impression.
 
#26
I've had issues. I install strings correctly. My tech installed the last set, and the g string is wonky. I have to replace it. But the previous set was sublime, the perfect string set. A notable luthier who makes some of the world's finest basses told me straight up DR's can be inconsistent like that regardless of correct install.
 
#27
acolwe said:
I've had issues. I install strings correctly. My tech installed the last set, and the g string is wonky. I have to replace it. But the previous set was sublime, the perfect string set. A notable luthier who makes some of the world's finest basses told me straight up DR's can be inconsistent like that regardless of correct install.
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Which specific set are you talking about? One of the round-core ones?
 
#30
I started using Dr hi beams a couple months ago. I've changed strings 5 times now and I have definitely noticed some inconsistencies between sets. Some packs have been brighter than others when fresh.
They have all felt the same and they all eventually get to the same place as they lose that initial brightness, but yes , out the pack I have noticed.
Pretty sure I even posted about it here.
That's not a deal breaker for me though. The fundamental and lower harmonics have been uniform enough that I don't care. I only get that extra brightness from aome sets for a day or so anyway.
 
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#31
Drop1 said:
I started using Dr hi beams a couple months ago. I've changed strings 5 times now and I have definitely noticed some inconsistencies between sets. Some packs have been brighter than others when fresh.
They have all felt the same and they all eventually get to the same place as they lose that initial brightness, but yes , out the pack I have noticed.
Pretty sure I even posted about it here.
That's not a deal breaker for me though. The fundamental and lower harmonics have been uniform enough that I don't care. I only get that extra brightness from aome sets for a day or so anyway.
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My issue is less about consistency, it is about a string the clearly vibrates differently from the others in the set, causing extra rattling or noticeable twangs and phasey sounds. This is what the famous luthier said he didn't like about them. But when they get it right, the Fodera x DR are amazing.
 
#32
I have used the DR DDT .115 set for probably close to 8 years by now. They have always been consistent and sounded great except for 1 set I got last year. After installing them I noticed at practice there was something just a little different. We practice pretty loud and I usually get a thunderous tone but something was lacking. They worked but just didn't quite sound the same. I even measured them with a micrometer thinking I somehow got the wrong set but everything was correct as far as the gauges. I did notice the strings had almost a blue tint that
I have never noticed before on other sets. So maybe that set was made with a different metal???
After getting another set everything was back to how it should be.
 
#33
acolwe said:
My issue is less about consistency, it is about a string the clearly vibrates differently from the others in the set, causing extra rattling or noticeable twangs and phasey sounds. This is what the famous luthier said he didn't like about them. But when they get it right, the Fodera x DR are amazing.
Click to expand...
I haven't noticed any of that. I mean I have, but I know I have some frets that are a touch high in some places and they get active when I set my action a bit low.
I've come across dead strings and I've run into string twist, pickups too high and high frets, but ive never run into what you're describing though the things I mentioned can absolutely cause what you are describing.
 
#34
Here's my personal anecdote/data point:

I use DRs* exclusively on my basses and have probably installed 30 sets over the last three years.

I have had zero problems of any kind. Without fail, they last a long time, sound consistent, intonate well, and stay in tune.

*mostly Pure Blues, Hi Beams, and Sunbeams, with a few other sets mixed in.
 
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#35
acolwe said:
My issue is less about consistency, it is about a string the clearly vibrates differently from the others in the set, causing extra rattling or noticeable twangs and phasey sounds. This is what the famous luthier said he didn't like about them. But when they get it right, the Fodera x DR are amazing.
Click to expand...
I did have one bass (Zon TJ6) where the E-string started to do that, but since those strings had been on the bass for well over a year at that point I chalked it up to age.
 
#37
Swerve said:
Never had any issues with DR strings. I generally don't play them because I prefer hexcore. If I were ever unable to obtain Roto 66 SS the Lo-Riders would be my next choice.
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I've found only good QC and consistency with DR strings. I'm in a similar boat where they aren't my favorite but I wouldn't turn them down. Fat beams and Lo Riders are both great strings for what I like to hear.
 
#38
Wow, a 14 year bump. Impressive.

I didn't like DR strings on guitar because they were lower tension and screwed with my Floyd, just like in the OP. After that experiment in the late 90s, I went back to D'Addario. Sometime in the mid/late 00s I started playing Dunlop electric strings and haven't looked back.

I haven't tried DR on bass. I found my sound and feel with LaBella LTFs. I do have a set of Dunlop flats on the way for BEAD, so we'll see how that goes.
 
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