Dr's

[joel406]

Been using D'Addario's for longer then I care to remember. I decided to try something different. Got a set of Dr. Sunbeams. Very clanky. Gave them time to settle down. After 4 weeks couldn't stand it any more and put my D'Addario's back on. So I have been reading lately about how great Dr's are so I decided to try again. Bought 2 sets of Dr Highbeams.

Junk!

Clank clank is all they do. Had to eq out almost all the mids and crank the neck pickup and kill the bridge. They lasted a day and I ripped em off and put back the D'Addario's. Fortunately GC was very understanding and allowed me to exchange the remaining set of Dr's I had and get what I wanted.

Dr's may work for some but not me. Way to metallic sounding and no low end. Maybe a different type would be better but when I got my favorites back on everything just seemed right with the world again.

By the way my favorites are D'Addario Half rounds. 50~105.

From smooth to hard core they do it all and my Jazz Bass loves em!

D'Addario I'll never stray again.

End of rant...

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Going from playing a rigid hex core string like the half rounds to one of the most flexible round wound string you are going to have that unless you change your playing techniques. Round core strings play and respond completely different from hex core. Curious as to what you would feel about the hex core DR offerings.

 

[joel406]

Going from playing a rigid hex core string like the half rounds to one of the most flexible round wound string you are going to have that unless you change your playing techniques. Round core strings play and respond completely different from hex core. Curious as to what you would feel about the hex core DR offerings.

Any suggestions which Dr's would be closer to the D'Addario's? The finger noise was awful as well. And I tried adjusting my playing and it did help but was very uncomfortable. My D'Addarios seem to do it all from smooth jazz to rock to slap. And I can get that metallic sound when I want it.

 

[Lee Moses]

"Clanky"? That's the last adjective I'd use to describe Sunbeams.

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Lo Rider and Nickel Lo Rider are hex core. They are rounds but have smaller diameter outer windings than round Daddario so should have less finger noise. Although compared to the half rounds that is another story.

 

[joel406]

Lo Rider and Nickel Lo Rider are hex core. They are rounds but have smaller diameter outer windings than round Daddario so should have less finger noise. Although compared to the half rounds that is another story.

Very helpful...Thank you. I might just have to give those a try.

 

[bholder]

"Clanky"? That's the last adjective I'd use to describe Sunbeams.

I'm guessing he means what others might call "bright". I agree.

 

[bholder]

Very helpful...Thank you. I might just have to give those a try.

The Lo Riders definitely have the stiffer feel and response, I bet that's it. Then again, you might just not like how bright DRs are in general. I admit, I eq the top & high mids down a touch with them usually, unless I want that really braaaanngy "plucked piano wire" tone.

 

[mmbongo]

Yeah there's a big difference in stiff half rounds and lower tension roundwounds. Your issue is not with DR, you just don't like rounds.

Kinda like saying you went from driving a lawn mower to driving a Porche, and the Porche is junk because it doesn't cut your grass as well as the lawn mower you used to drive.

 

[Pier_]

I might just have to give those a try.

for me they are not worthy. I've used many DR String, and the Lo Rider ar anonymous strings, that don't worth the high price they cost. the don't last longer, and are stiff as any anonymous hex core string...

with Hi Beam it's the opposite situation: they are so unique in both sound and flexibility that they worth any cent, for one who likes them.

 

[StyleOverShow]

Considering swapping out my DR's for D'Addarios after years of loving the clank on my EBMM Sterling. I hear you Joel406

 

[Kmonk]

I used DRs for several years and liked them. Then I decided to try Ernie Ball Cobalt and love them. I have been using them for 2 years and have never received so many compliments on my tone.

 

[thunderstation]

Been using D'Addario's for longer then I care to remember. I decided to try something different. Got a set of Dr. Sunbeams. Very clanky. Gave them time to settle down. After 4 weeks couldn't stand it any more and put my D'Addario's back on. So I have been reading lately about how great Dr's are so I decided to try again. Bought 2 sets of Dr Highbeams.

Junk!

Clank clank is all they do. Had to eq out almost all the mids and crank the neck pickup and kill the bridge. They lasted a day and I ripped em off and put back the D'Addario's. Fortunately GC was very understanding and allowed me to exchange the remaining set of Dr's I had and get what I wanted.

Dr's may work for some but not me. Way to metallic sounding and no low end. Maybe a different type would be better but when I got my favorites back on everything just seemed right with the world again.

By the way my favorites are D'Addario Half rounds. 50~105.

From smooth to hard core they do it all and my Jazz Bass loves em!

D'Addario I'll never stray again.

End of rant...

I've been using d - half rounds on my precision for 30 years. Like you, I tried different sets and always went back to the half-rounds.. Recently I bought a modern player jaguar - it was used with a good price. it had d- chromes on it - amazing sound - no clank - very good response - you might want to try chromes - if you like half-rounds - these might do the trick for you

 

[joel406]

I've been using d - half rounds on my precision for 30 years. Like you, I tried different sets and always went back to the half-rounds.. Recently I bought a modern player jaguar - it was used with a good price. it had d- chromes on it - amazing sound - no clank - very good response - you might want to try chromes - if you like half-rounds - these might do the trick for you

Thanks for the tip but after the last trip down "try different strings road" the Dr's just left to bad a taste. I'm sticking with the half rounds. What really sucks is the set of Hi-Beams I put on the bass I of course could not return. At least I know better now.

 

[thunderstation]

Thanks for the tip but after the last trip down "try different strings road" the Dr's just left to bad a taste. I'm sticking with the half rounds. What really sucks is the set of Hi-Beams I put on the bass I of course could not return. At least I know better now.

I hear you. you can only keep trying recommendations for so long till you finally just make a decision you're good with.
the half rounds always served me well - the chromes were a fluke, but for me- it was a good fluke. good luck with your playing.

 

[joel406]

I hear you. you can only keep trying recommendations for so long till you finally just make a decision you're good with.
the half rounds always served me well - the chromes were a fluke, but for me- it was a good fluke. good luck with your playing.

Knowing me I'll probably try those Cobalts.

 

[radioface]

I have a set of DR flat wound strings on my fretless 4 P bass and am very happy with them.

 

[gjbassist]

What really sucks is the set of Hi-Beams I put on the bass I of course could not return. At least I know better now.

.
Become a supporting member and sell them in the classifieds. Someone here will want them.

 

[Jigsawjaybus]

I just went back to DRs myself. I'd been using boomers, which just aren't working for me anymore. I like the D'addarios I've tried. They XL nickels are usually about ten bucks at the local best buy. Who can argue with that?

 

[fourstringgirl]

Love the DR DDTs myself. Use them for my drop tuned basses. Everything else gets Ernie Ball Regular Slinkys. Tried the Ernie Ball Power Slinkys and the tension just killed me. Bought a set of D'Addario Pro Steels to try a steel string and they are not my favorite. I'll play the life out of them but probably won't buy any more.