Tried hi-Beams for the first time ever ever since I started playing bass 11 years ago and after advice from this forum, they brought my P-bass to life!
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DRs
- Thread starter JWC
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Resurrecting an old thread here. I've read through this entire thread, read most everything else on DR strings I could find here on TB, looked at DR's web site etc. I'm convinced that DR has what I'm generally looking for but I'm still a bit confused as to which string type in the DR family might be best suited to my particular wants. I picked up a set of Hi Beams for my Epiphone Pro V Thunderbird 5-string recently but haven't installed them yet, waiting to take the bass in to have it better setup and more dialed in before I put them on, and after all my reading I'm now not too sure they're the right strings for what I'm trying to get to. Now that there has been some passage of time and everyone using DR Strings has more experience with the various different types I'd like to pose this question to the forum -
Can you compare or describe the advantages and disadvantages between Lo-Riders, Fat Beams, Sunbeams, and Pure Blues string types? Or any of the other DR types I should consider?
Some background. I've always pretty much been a GHS Bass Boomer user but looking for something with improved punch and low end definition. I have two basses I'm trying to find better strings for, a pre EB MM Stingray I've owned and gigged with since the 80's, and an Epiphone Pro V Thunderbird 5-string I picked up recently. I mostly play classic rock/radio rock/variety cover band stuff, I'm a finger player (no picks), and I'm really not much of a slapper. Still working on getting better at that but it's not a high priority with the stuff I usually play.
Appreciate any input anyone would care to share here. Thank you.
Can you compare or describe the advantages and disadvantages between Lo-Riders, Fat Beams, Sunbeams, and Pure Blues string types? Or any of the other DR types I should consider?
Some background. I've always pretty much been a GHS Bass Boomer user but looking for something with improved punch and low end definition. I have two basses I'm trying to find better strings for, a pre EB MM Stingray I've owned and gigged with since the 80's, and an Epiphone Pro V Thunderbird 5-string I picked up recently. I mostly play classic rock/radio rock/variety cover band stuff, I'm a finger player (no picks), and I'm really not much of a slapper. Still working on getting better at that but it's not a high priority with the stuff I usually play.
Appreciate any input anyone would care to share here. Thank you.
Okay... Maybe that was asking too much. Really mostly wanting some input on the differences between the Lo Riders and the Fat Beams, those seem from the descriptions I've read to be my most likely choices. Anyone?
Loriders are hex core. Fat beams are round core. The loriders are stiffer.
First off thank you for the reply. I did get that that much from the info I got from DR's web site as well as other posts here. I guess I'm more looking for insight as to which most experienced users seem to think have a clearer punchier low end without having to roll off the highs excessively. Subjective I know, I understand that. I just need to try them all, I realize that too. My tendency is to not change strings too often so it's gonna take me awhile to go through them all and gain my own personal experience. Guess I'm just trying to shortcut the learning curve as much as that's possible (is that possible?). Ultimately I know I need to just try them all, was hoping someone could give a bit more personal experience based insight. I'll continue reading and digging...
It's a long time since I've tried anything else than Hi-Beams but as I remember it the Lo-Riders were stiffer (hex-core) and more punchy in the low end. Pretty clean mid range and top. Fat-Beams were warmer, fatter. Good low end and a lot of mids too. Perhaps not as tight low end as the Lo-Riders.
I like DR strings (and several other brands. The Low Riders will be stiffer, somewhat brighter, and a little harder on the fretting hand, The Fats will have a little more subdued brightness, sound maybe a hair fatter, and be slightly easier on the hands.
I play mostly finger style, with only occasional slapping. I have tried many DR's and my favorite is the Sunbeams. They feel a little smoother. easier on the hands, and don't come across so bright. King of a mellow round wound (but not dull).
Elixirs come to mind when I read this. ^^^
I play mostly finger style, with only occasional slapping. I have tried many DR's and my favorite is the Sunbeams. They feel a little smoother. easier on the hands, and don't come across so bright. King of a mellow round wound (but not dull).
Elixirs come to mind when I read this. ^^^
Appreciate the input gentlemen, thank you. That gives me more of a sense of what these different types bring to the table which is what I'm looking for. Thank you!
Hex core vs. round core, DR HBs would have a very different feel in terms of stiffness/flexibility. For something similar to Rotos in feel, you might want to try the DR Lo-Riders (hex core).
Also, lowendblues, you can find Lo-Riders in stainless steel and nickel plated steel versions.
So I am assuming you are talking Swingbass 66s from Rotosound which are their stainless rounds - I agree with MichaelT, And would also add Rotos have something going on in the high midrange that is absent in the Hi Beams. The HBs are what I would call scooped in the mids. Which isn’t necessarily bad, just if you’re expecting to hear something similar to the Rotos you’ll notice a difference.
Btw blows my mind that this thread is 20 years old. Saw a post on the first page mentioning Pure Blues - have those really been around for 20 years???
40 years with RotoSound Swing SS. Changed to LowRiders about a year ago. Have several basses. Use NYXL on some, But LowRiders are my new go to.
Really happy with the more polished, but still bright sound and they last a good bit longer than Rotos. Don't get me wrong, a good set of broken in Rotos are great, but
the LowRiders are just right for me tension wise and for the sound I'm looking for now, which is a bit less raw .
Really happy with the more polished, but still bright sound and they last a good bit longer than Rotos. Don't get me wrong, a good set of broken in Rotos are great, but
the LowRiders are just right for me tension wise and for the sound I'm looking for now, which is a bit less raw .
First mention of pure blues on page 2 post 37, referencing g#!t@r strings I think.
And since I'm here I'll put my 2 cents in..... for me, DR SS Lo-Riders all day every day. Hi tension = low action with punch and growl, yes please.
Have a good weekend peeps!!
And since I'm here I'll put my 2 cents in..... for me, DR SS Lo-Riders all day every day. Hi tension = low action with punch and growl, yes please.
Have a good weekend peeps!!
Yes, the reference to "Pure Blues" in post #37 is regarding electric guitar strings, which were available way before Pure Blues for bass.
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Been a Roto 66s fan since in 73. Still use them occasionally!! Dunlop SB Marcus Miller set is also worth a try!! Just my Opinion!!
