Head to Head- Super Steels vs. SS Lo Riders

[DaveParker39]

In my quest to find the ultimate set of hex core rounds with adequate stiffness and plenty of spunk (a slightly spicy, scooped Jazz Bass tone) I put together a custom set of GHS Super Steels. 46-67-84-106

I had been using DR SS Lo Riders 45-65-85-105.

This is on a Fender Jazz.

My main goal was similar tone but more tension. When I tried the DR DDT for more stiffness I felt I was sacrificing some of the spunk in the SS Lo Riders. Gauging up to 50-110 Lo Riders sacrificed some harmonics/overtones.

With the GHS Super Steels, there is plenty of spunk, although the scoop isn't in the same place. I couldn't put my finger on whether it was more scooped in the lo or high mids, but either way I liked it.

There is pretty substantial stiffness with this particular set. I might be in the minority that would like this much stiffness.

Now, do I like them better than the SS Lo Riders?

In an ideal world, I could order .47-.107 Lo Riders and call it a day. But DR doesn't make those strings.


I'm not sure if I will go back to SS Lo Riders on this bass or stick with the Super Steels.

Putting together a custom set every time I order strings is a bit of a pain as well. But I would be curious to see what the Super Steels sound like on, say, my Spector Wimbish.

There is no clear winner, but I was pleasantly surprised.

 

[michael_t]

I'm usually not a stainless steel guy when it comes to rounds. But when I acquired my new Ibanez SR505N a short while ago, I decided to give GHS Super Steels a try just to see what would happen. I've used them off and on in the past but they never stayed on any bass very long.

I do use the light set (40-58-80-102) with a .126 for the low B, and they're working out surprising well so far. I say "surprising" as I've always had a love-hate relationship with stainless steel rounds in general, ie love the tone, hate the feel, but I find myself not hating their feel nearly as much as I had anticipated. And I do love their tone... Not overly zingy bright up top but a nice upper midrange with clarity and articulation along with tight and punchy lows.

 

[michael_t]

I should also add...

I have used the Lo-Riders in the past, both SS and Nickel in 40-100, and liked them for their relatively smooth feel and tonal quality.

 

[klokker]

SS Lo-Rider strings are all I've played now for a decade. I have a set on my practice bass that I haven't changed for a year and a half now with lots of daily practice time. They lose more and more of their top end, but always keep a clean and clear tone.

 

[DaveParker39]

SS Lo-Rider strings are all I've played now for a decade. I have a set on my practice bass that I haven't changed for a year and a half now with lots of daily practice time. They lose more and more of their top end, but always keep a clean and clear tone.

I really like the SS Lo-Riders, its a tough call between the two.

 

[trothwell]

Both great strings. To me, the Super Steels have more oomph in the lower-mid spectrum, but then the Lo Riders are maybe just a bit mid-scooped (not a lot) but more sparkly on the high end, at least when relatively new. I tend to like the feel of Lo Riders better, and I tend to like the sound of Super Steels better, but it depends on the bass.