Dr's

[Jigsawjaybus]

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.

I second you're comment on the power slinkies. I like Ernie Balls quite a bit but there was something about them that was way too stiff. Must just be my set up.

 

[DavC]

had the same type experiences with Dr's on my basses ... but really like them on my guitar .. ?

instead of half-rounds ( hate the feel ) I tried GHS Pressurewounds ... !!! smoother feel than any half round or burnished string I have ever tried ... quiet finger noise , happy medium sound/feel ... !

 

[orange joe]

I've been using DR Sumbeams for years and you apparently had the opposite experience.No low end?I dont think we were using the same strings.I agree it sounds like you don't like rounds.It really depends on what you are trying to do with it and how the bass is set up.For my style of playing the low tension of the DR's is perfect though they are not for everyone.

 

[Jazzish]

Personally love Hi Beams on my Jazz, and Sunbeams on my P. Both sets sound great with fingers, slap, or pick. No clank here. Very big tone imho and excellent for slapping.

 

[socialleper]

Your problem isn't with the DR strings, although as others have mentioned you went from a hex core to a round core, its that you are playing half rounds. Those have a subdued attack and stiffness that will make almost any round wound sound clanky. I don't use half rounds or flats because they sound dead to me. Nickel Low Riders will get you half way there, but you may need to go to Black Beauty or flat strings to get the tone you are after.
Or simply don't use DR.

 

[michaelandrew]

FWIW - I went from DR Hi Beams, to D'Addario half rounds on that Yammy 5er in my avatar. On my VM J, I went from D'Addario half rounds to La Bella "Deep Talkin' Bass", mostly because they're black tape-wound and look good on that bass, but they sound brighter than I expected so they're staying. I might try the DRs again (it's been 3 years now) but I just didn't like the sound (clank/attack/zing/squeak/sproing/whatever) I got when I first tried them (YMMV).

 

[000_Unknown]

Ive been using DRs for quite some time and I am satisfied. But compared to most of you, my standards are rather low I imagine..

 

[000_Unknown]

You guys are letting them break in right??

 

[Lee Moses]

I might try the DRs again (it's been 3 years now) but I just didn't like the sound (clank/attack/zing/squeak/sproing/whatever) I got when I first tried them (YMMV).

As socialleper alludes to above, it seems like you folks who are describing DRs as "clanky," "squeaky," etc. are all comparing them against half rounds, pressurewounds, tapewounds, and flatwounds. Do you really see them that way when compared with other rounds? If not, your complaint is not with DR strings, but rather with roundwound strings in general.

 

[joel406]

You guys are letting them break in right??

The sunbeams I tried I ran for 4 weeks. I play a lot so if they weren't broke in after 4 weeks day-um. The hi-beams were just unbearable. I can only imagine how long it would take to wear those down.

 

[squirefan]

D'Addario I'll never stray again.

End of rant...

So why are you still looking? I'm not trying to be a smart alec, just wondering.

Unless/until I get a bass that I'll want to go with flats (territory I've not explored yet), I'm sticking with the two brands that work best for me. I've tried a few others and I just don't feel the need to look further.

 

[joel406]

So why are you still looking? I'm not trying to be a smart alec, just wondering.

Unless/until I get a bass that I'll want to go with flats (territory I've not explored yet), I'm sticking with the two brands that work best for me. I've tried a few others and I just don't feel the need to look further.

I'm not. I'm done. Just wanted to try them after reading all the praise. I was disappointed. I was just relating my experience. Hope it helps someone.

 

[Snowglo]

Just the opposite for me. Have been using DR's for a couple years now, tried a set of D'a Pro Steels after reading rave reviews. Terrible! Total loss in bottom end and a little mid. They found the trash bin in a couple hours. Bass was a 4003. Maybe on a different bass, but my Rick didn't like them whatsoever.

Different strokes I guess.

 

[Eidolon0274]

Recently went from daddario nickels to DR sunbeams, they are much brighter and expressive. I like both strings, they are just tools in the end. Bright strings for my dark bass, smooth daddario for my bright bass, has nothing to do with quality.

Figure out what works for your technique and how to use your EQ.

On the plus side it's good that you were descriptive, we can all deduce it's not the strings fault.

 

[joel406]

I learned years ago that rounds are just not for me. For others they are all there is. I grew up on Rotosounds. Go figure. They love to eat frets though.

 

[dannster]

GHS Pressurwounds might be up your alley. Different but similar.

 

[joel406]

GHS Pressurwounds might be up your alley. Different but similar.

I was thinking that same thing.

 

[mdogs]

Calling DR's junk is at best, ridiculous. Did you even bother to setup your bass after putting the Sunbems on? Even dead flats can sound clanky with a bad setup.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Knowing me I'll probably try those Cobalts.

The Cobalts are just like you described in the OP but more so. If you like sand paper feel and ice pick fret sizzle then get some Cobalts.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

DR'S are among the best strings out there. You just don't like rounds.