How does DR SS Low Riders compare to Addario Pro Steels ?

[Bobbadfinger]

After giving up trying to find the "perfect" flatwound for my Matt Freeman Precision, I realized this particular bass sounds MUCH better with roundwounds (tried Pressurewounds in the past also, but it wasn't the tone I was looking for this P either).

I was using a mixed set from some spare strings my brother gave me; I don't even know what they are: all gold ball ends, red (darker than Boomers) silk on both sides on the A and D strings, E ang G are not tappered and no silks.
Great feel, right tension and authoritative rock tones, but I ended transfering those strings to another bass.

Always heard great things about DR Low Riders in a P, so I bought a three pack (yeah, risky, but one was free).
Installed them yesterday, absolutely hated it. I know strings are not to be judged brand new - although the strings I tried so far that I liked, namely: GHS Pressurewound, Boomers and Precision Flats, Rotosound Flats all sounded perfectly good right from the packet.

SS Low Riders are coarse to the touch (like I remember Addario XL or Roto Swing Bass been) and sticky (cleaned them first with isopropyl alcohol); mid scooped and super bright (probably only feature that would tame with time).
Anyway, I'm not planning to wait, mostly due to feel/mid scoop.

I was given a set of Addario Pro Steels. I'm aware they are bright strings, but what about mid content and smoothness to the touch ?
I'll be wasting another set ? Better stick with a set of roundwounds I already know I like (Boomers for instance) or trying to discover what strings were that mixed set ?

 

[michael_t]

SS Low Riders are coarse to the touch (like I remember Addario XL or Roto Swing Bass been) and sticky (cleaned them first with isopropyl alcohol); mid scooped and super bright (probably only feature that would tame with time).
Anyway, I'm not planning to wait, mostly due to feel/mid scoop.

I was given a set of Addario Pro Steels. I'm aware they are bright strings, but what about mid content and smoothness to the touch ?

D'A ProSteels are rougher in feel and even more scooped in tone than the DR Lo-Riders. If I were to put a set of SS rounds on my Pbass, I would probably choose the GHS Super Steels, which are not overly zingy up top like the ProSteels but stronger in the mids.

 

[Bobbadfinger]

Good to know Michael ! I'll not be opening the Pro Steels set.
I'm not even sold on stainless steel either.

Probably my best bet is to find out what are the strings (actually two different) that I liked so much...

 

[michael_t]

Probably my best bet is to find out what are the strings (actually two different) that I liked so much...

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The middle two with the red silk look like an older version of GHS Boomers, which used to have red silk at both ends.

If you want a less scooped tone with a smoother feel than stainless steel rounds, you might be better off with nickel-plated steel rounds, which the Boomers are.

 

[Bobbadfinger]

My brother has a V63 and use to buy Rickenbacker branded strings only (Rotosounds ?), but who knows...
I can't hear much difference in tone from E/G and A/D, and I don't have a clue how old they are; nonetheless they sounded amazing on the P and now in the Tagima fretless I installed them.

I just made another test with this two basses and also my Ibanez Rick (that has Boomers).
Besides screwing the tone, I noticed how the DR made the P much quieter than the other two; probably the hole in the mids...

 

[michael_t]

I just made another test with this two basses and also my Ibanez Rick (that has Boomers).
Besides screwing the tone, I noticed how the DR made the P much quieter than the other two; probably the hole in the mids...

DR NICKEL Lo-Riders are one of my top three all-purpose NPS rounds along with GHS Bassics and SIT Power Wound Nickels. They have a lot more going on in the mids than the stainless steel version. I do like them on my Pbass for their punchy lows and warm but clear mids.

 

[Bobbadfinger]

I guess it was a mistake to not have tried the nickel version instead.
I thought the SS would have a longer lifetime, but I'm getting rid of it asap.

 

[Stan_da_man]

If you like Boomers but prefer them brighter, I would try Ernie Ball.

 

[Bobbadfinger]

I wouldn't say I prefer it brighter.
I started favoring flat tones (early Zep, Queen) to realize roundwounds were much more versatile.
Tried then TI rounds which I found wimpy and weak on low end, besides too flexible.
Enjoyed the rock tones from Roto Swing Bass, not much the coarse feel.
Found D'A XLs even worse on that matter.

Always had some prejudice against GHS Boomers, cause that's all we use to have here in Brazil (along with XLs); in my mind they are the vanilla string, besides the bad rap about going dead too fast.
When I bought my Ibby Ric I saw how I was wrong, absolutely great strings.

I was curious about DR strings, so I gave them a shot. Definitely not my alley.

 

[michael_t]

Always had some prejudice against GHS Boomers, cause that's all we use to have here in Brazil (along with XLs); in my mind they are the vanilla string, besides the bad rap about going dead too fast...

It's all about expectations... The Boomers are all about the low-mid punch with grit and grind, and as such their overall tonal character is darker than most other NPS rounds. Some people say "they die too fast"; I would say "they break in quickly and stay there for a long time".

 

[smeet]

The DR Nickel Low Riders are one of my favorites. Does anybody know how the sound of the SS and Nickel Low Riders compare?

 

[keto]

The DR Nickel Low Riders are one of my favorites. Does anybody know how the sound of the SS and Nickel Low Riders compare?

Also a huge fan of nickel Low Riders, which for me last forever - they have enough in the top end to keep me happy, but they are all about the full low mids. Steel are only OK for me, more scooped.

 

[SC Bassboy]

I guess it was a mistake to not have tried the nickel version instead.
I thought the SS would have a longer lifetime, but I'm getting rid of it asap.

SS strings do have a longer lifespan than nickel IMO. My hands are highly acidic and will kill a set of nickel strings after one show. SS strings are more resistant to corrosion, which is why strings die for the most part.

 

[logdrum]

Stick with GHS if you like them. The GHS super steels are not too zingy. Good midrange and higher output too.


But I just tried Fat Beams and they have a great sound on a passive jazz. Wait a week or 2. The initial quirks like the feel and excessive string noise will go away.

I am keeping with the steel theme here. But if you can go nickel, DR Pure Blues.

 

[Bobbadfinger]

SS strings do have a longer lifespan than nickel IMO. My hands are highly acidic and will kill a set of nickel strings after one show. SS strings are more resistant to corrosion, which is why strings die for the most part.

Actually my hands don't sweat, not a issue to me.
Probably I got a bad impression on nickel based on TI Rounds, that after a year turned completely dull, adding to the lack of low end that already sported new.
Now I hope to not be crucified by the TI fanboys !

 

[smeet]

Stick with GHS if you like them. The GHS super steels are not too zingy. Good midrange and higher output too.


But I just tried Fat Beams and they have a great sound on a passive jazz. Wait a week or 2. The initial quirks like the feel and excessive string noise will go away.

I am keeping with the steel theme here. But if you can go nickel, DR Pure Blues.

I used to love Fat Beams (and they do sing in the high notes), but now they don't sound as muscular in the lows as Nickel Low Riders. Also the highs in the Low Riders jump out where the Fat Beams seem to have a flatter response so digging in gives me less of a snap.

Lots of people seem to love the Pure Blues, but their response is pretty flat and I miss the low mid presence of Nickel Low Riders.

 

[Slade N]

The DR Nickel Low Riders are one of my favorites. Does anybody know how the sound of the SS and Nickel Low Riders compare?

to me they shouldnt be called the same string. To my ear SS are very bright last and long time, the N mellow/warmer and died quickly. I think the N felt softer as far as tension feel too but might not be correct on that, as its been a while since I tried them. I did like the NLR for what they are. I have another set, and might try them again soon.

 

[Spirit of Ox]

I strongly recommend that you try DR Fat Beams. They have a nice bright top and really great mid range. They are like Hi Beams but not scooped and not as coarse feeling. They sound amazing on a P bass too. Another good choice is Dunlop Super Brights but they wear out pretty fast. Fat Beams last a long time.

 

[Cleezmo]

My hands-down favorite string, stainless or nickel, are DR FatBeams. To me they have the snap of steel but are less mid-scooped and have a more even response. Plus they feel great and are about the smoothest SS string I can imagine. I have them on a passive Jazz and an active humbucker bass, and I love them on each. I never use a pick, so have no idea if that matters to you or not, but fingerstyle and occasional slap, they are my favs.

Having said that - on my Modulus I ended up switching to SunBeams (essentially a nickel version of FatBeams) because they had more low-mids and help bring that out of the bass. So that's another option for you.

I tried Pure Blues and initially liked them, but fell out of love with them pretty quickly. Maybe it'd be worth trying again, but I'm pretty happy with my current setups.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

After giving up trying to find the "perfect" flatwound for my Matt Freeman Precision, I realized this particular bass sounds MUCH better with roundwounds (tried Pressurewounds in the past also, but it wasn't the tone I was looking for this P either).

I was using a mixed set from some spare strings my brother gave me; I don't even know what they are: all gold ball ends, red (darker than Boomers) silk on both sides on the A and D strings, E ang G are not tappered and no silks.
Great feel, right tension and authoritative rock tones, but I ended transfering those strings to another bass.

Always heard great things about DR Low Riders in a P, so I bought a three pack (yeah, risky, but one was free).
Installed them yesterday, absolutely hated it. I know strings are not to be judged brand new - although the strings I tried so far that I liked, namely: GHS Pressurewound, Boomers and Precision Flats, Rotosound Flats all sounded perfectly good right from the packet.

SS Low Riders are coarse to the touch (like I remember Addario XL or Roto Swing Bass been) and sticky (cleaned them first with isopropyl alcohol); mid scooped and super bright (probably only feature that would tame with time).
Anyway, I'm not planning to wait, mostly due to feel/mid scoop.

I was given a set of Addario Pro Steels. I'm aware they are bright strings, but what about mid content and smoothness to the touch ?
I'll be wasting another set ? Better stick with a set of roundwounds I already know I like (Boomers for instance) or trying to discover what strings were that mixed set ?

I’ll take the two Lo Rider sets you haven’t used. Shoot me a PM.

Let me add that grippyness goes away after about 40 minutes of play. I can help you with your tone as well, try a different EQ setting. For me the best results on my PB is a flat EQ with a slight boost a 165 hz the will get rid of that mid scoop. While they are new, you may want to pull back a little treble on the bass and add a littl bass on the amp.