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DR Users: Help me out!

bassist4dalord

bassist4dalord

Dec 13, 2007
5,722
3,532
SW Missouri
#1
Hello all. I am looking to upgrade from my Ernie Ball Slinky rounds. I have heard rave reviews about DR Strings, but have no personal experience with them. I'm wanting to branch out, string-wise. I like the sound of Ernie Ball nickel rounds, but they die a bit too quickly for me.

My Rig:
Squier Affinity Jazz Bass V (Passive, 5-string, factory electronics)-> Monster Cable-> Crate BFX100.

I CAN'T afford to upgrade the rig, or the electronics. Strings are all. (I'm in college, folks!)

I play almost solely praise and worship, Christian rock and Christian music on various genres (blues, rock, ballad, acoustic, etc...) I should add that I almost exclusively play fingerstyle. Occasionally I try to slap, and sometimes I'll use a pick, but this is 95% fingerstyle.

So, here's some background: I have had Chromes on this bass, but I want to stick with rounds for it because of the B string. I am looking for punch and low-mids (again: passive electronics and I want rounds), with some high-end sizzle when needed.

An example of the tone I'm looking for is the bass on Jeremy Camp's song "Understand" from the Stay album. Basically I want some warm, smooth punch with some sizzle (not too much) on top.

I know the difference between nickel and stainless steel (at least I think I do: nickel is warmer, stainless are brighter, almost scooped sounding...?)

So, I want to try some DR Strings. I have no experience with DR, so I need some help with the difference (tonally) between Lo Riders, Hi Beams and Sunbeams.

I have also heard that Dunlop strings are very close to DR Strings (please confirm or deny if you have experience) and that the Dunlops last longer. Please weigh in on this only if you have experience with both.

I may only be 18 years old, but I know what tone I'm looking for. Sorry for the long post and thanks so much for the help!!
 
#3
Lowriders would be a good choice for punch and low mids sounds. high beams usually provides bright punchy sounds, but they do have a good balance between lows and highs. I did try out dunlop strings. a few months ago, I've tried their nickle-plated strings on my ibanez bass and they sound awesome. I definitely recommend those strings. I once heard that one of the guys who developed the dunlop bass strings use to be with dr strings.
 
#4
Hmm... Thanks a bunch Crystalman85! That really helps. Upon reading Musician's Friend reviews (taken with a grain of salt and mind of caution) I am more and more considering the Dunlops. I am in college, and I'm afraid that if I get hooked on $35 sets of strings that, unlike flatwounds won't last FOREVER, I will drain my account in no time haha. That would be bad. So yeah, keep the advice coming guys (and girls.) I'm leaning towards Dunlop but the opinions are greatly appreciated!
 
#6
Does string tension make a difference to you? Lo-riders are pretty stiff, hi-beams less so and Sunbeams in the middle. My ears are not good enough to distinguish the tone between them but my hands could feel it. I've used them all in Stainless but on an active bass. DR is great stuff; if you see them on sale, grab a set but in the meantime give the Dunlops a try.
 
#7
Thanks dangnewt. I do appreciate higher tension, especially on the B-string. Like I said, I'm a fan of everything about the Ernie Ball strings, just not their short lifespan. I'm still leaning towards Dunlop because a 5-string set is probably $27 shipped to me, as opposed to $41 shipped for DR Strings. Thanks a bunch for all of your advice everyone! It really is helping!
 
#8
I play finger style most of the time as well. Sunbeams are my favorite "all around" string. They last a long time and "go dead" evenly and slowly so I can adjust the tone controls to compensate over time. I use them on my Fender Highway One Jazz and Fender Active Jazz Deluxe. They are smooth if perhaps a bit rolled off in the deepest lows. Once broken in I get smooth vintage tones with them. HiBeams have a brighter sound and more finger noise. Like Sunbeams they are a low tension string (but not as low tension as TI jazz rounds mind you). I've use HiBeams on a Fender MIA Standard Jazz, G&L L-2500, Cirrus, and Peavey Sarzo with excellent results. They have a more "modern" tone and lots of "zip" for popping and slapping. They have a big dynamic range. They last a long time and I prefer them well broken-in to tame the inherent brightness and provide richer harmonic overtones.
 
#9
bassist4dalord said:
Hmm... Thanks a bunch Crystalman85! That really helps. Upon reading Musician's Friend reviews (taken with a grain of salt and mind of caution) I am more and more considering the Dunlops. I am in college, and I'm afraid that if I get hooked on $35 sets of strings that, unlike flatwounds won't last FOREVER, I will drain my account in no time haha. That would be bad. So yeah, keep the advice coming guys (and girls.) I'm leaning towards Dunlop but the opinions are greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...

Anytime, dude. if you're still thinking about purchasing dunlop strings, I'd say give them a shot. you might like them.
 
#10
Thanks again guys. I'm going to go ahead and purchase a set of Dunlop Nickel rounds. I figure if I hate them, I'm out $20 or so and can then buy the DR Strings. Remember I like to have money (college student) haha, so the Dunlop really appeal to me right now. Thanks a lot! Now go rock on dudes!
 
#12
Haven't tried Dunlop strings but DRs, in particular Hi-Beams and Lo-Riders are my faves. I use both types on my five string Fender Jazz and Precision basses. I'd certainly recommend the Low-Rider Nickels for the tone you're trying to find and you can purchase them at JustStrings for around $35. Mine have lasted me for a couple of years and I play pretty aggressively.
 
#15
The "TMR" is the code for the tapered stainless long necks - looks like they're similar to stainless lowriders with a skinnier section over the bridge saddles - I didn't know what the heck they were either.
http://bassguitarstrings.us/store/home.php?cat=278

If you're looking for stainless but less scooped, you might like the fat beams. I just switched to these and like their slightly less "refined" sound compared to the highbeams. It's hard to describe the difference with words though.

The thing with DRs is the lowriders and long necks are hex core w/a higher tension, and pretty much everything else they sell have the round core w/lower tension. Hate to say it, but you'll probably have to spend and maybe waste some money and experiment before you'll find your feel/tonal nirvana, as it were............
 
#16
Being you dig EB Nickel Slinkys, your choice would be Lo Riders, or Sunbeams. I much prefer the lower tension of the Sunbeams. I didn't think I would, but I can be much more articulate and I have much more dynamic control with the lesser tension.

Sunbeams for me. :D

God Bless, Ray
 

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