I gave fat beams a shot.

[michael_t]

Everything else I've tried is too mellow and/or didn't have much output which were the rock brights. I know it's gotta be the bronze in the core. Interesting experiment but not what I was looking for.

This is why I want to try the Power Steels to compare with the Fusion Wound Stainless. As a relative newcomer to the world of SS rounds, I'm still trying to figure out where the sweet spot is for me. "Bright and aggressive" is not exactly my cup of tea, but I'd like to have a nice bark and bite in the midrange without being too messy. I've really liked the GHS Super Steels for that reason.

 

[GTHintz]

This is why I want to try the Power Steels to compare with the Fusion Wound Stainless. As a relative newcomer to the world of SS rounds, I'm still trying to figure out where the sweet spot is for me. "Bright and aggressive" is not exactly my cup of tea, but I'd like to have a nice bark and bite in the midrange without being too messy. I've really liked the GHS Super Steels for that reason.

That's why I call it zing in the right place. Some strings put out intense zing when you first have them on. I prefer to have it in the mids and high mids rather than all in the highs. I feel like you get more punch and fatness that way. That's why hi beams weren't my favorite. They are your typical scooped sounding steel for that reason. So much high end it drowns everything else. Power steels you'll probably enjoy. They were very much balanced in tone. They are closer to some NPS strings than most. I just didn't like how they had such nice fundamental but I couldn't get much bite off them. I felt like they lacked expression in certain cases where most steels have lots of character when you want to dig in and get that brash tone steels are known for.

 

[michael_t]

Power steels you'll probably enjoy. They were very much balanced in tone. They are closer to some NPS strings than most. I just didn't like how they had such nice fundamental but I couldn't get much bite off them. I felt like they lacked expression in certain cases where most steels have lots of character when you want to dig in and get that brash tone steels are known for.

Thanks for your perspective on this. I guess I'll have a chance to find out for myself if they can tick all the boxes for me or not.

 

[Drop1]

It was your post about your experience with Hi Beams that has had a positive impact on me. You said to give them time to adjust instead of being too quick to give up on them based on the initial feel. And it's been paying off for me big time. So, THANK YOU for the advice!

Had I not liked the sound of the hi beams, they likely would have been my very last set of steels. I've thrown away several sets of deans, rotos and D'a's.

I really expected to like the roto's, but the sound didn't justify the feel for me.
I still don't "like" the feel of steel, but at least now I can play on them.

 

[GTHintz]

Had I not liked the sound of the hi beams, they likely would have been my very last set of steels. I've thrown away several sets of deans, rotos and D'a's.

I really expected to like the roto's, but the sound didn't justify the feel for me.
I still don't "like" the feel of steel, but at least now I can play on them.

One thing is that they do all feel different. Some who think a string is rough others say it's great. I actually don't like the feeling of hi beams because they seemed to give me a raw index fingertip which has only happened with nickels I'm allergic to. Most guys will say that hi beams are very smooth and nice to play. Fat beams feel different from hi beams and hasn't given me any discomfort. Neither has lo riders previously. And on that note I've heard people say lo riders and fat beams are both rougher feeling than hi beams.

 

[michael_t]

I've heard people say lo riders and fat beams are both rougher feeling than hi beams.

The difference among DR strings in terms of "smoothness" is very subtle compared to the difference between DR SS rounds and SS rounds by other companies.

The smooth feel of DR strings comes from the wire used for the final cover being thinner than most, resulting in finer texture.

 

[GTHintz]

The difference among DR strings in terms of "smoothness" is very subtle compared to the difference between DR SS rounds and SS rounds by other companies.

The smooth feel of DR strings comes from the wire used for the final cover being thinner than most, resulting in finer texture.

They all seem pretty smooth. That along with how consistently good the strings are is why I really like the company. They also aren't the most expensive which I really like. Middle to middle high in average pricing but for how long lasting and consistent it's a great option that I'm glad they are out there.

 

[michael_t]

They all seem pretty smooth. That along with how consistently good the strings are is why I really like the company. They also aren't the most expensive which I really like. Middle to middle high in average pricing but for how long lasting and consistent it's a great option that I'm glad they are out there.

Speaking of DR strings, I've just received my order for the DDT 45-105 to try on one of my Jazz basses for DGCF tuning. That's two basses with SS rounds... What's happening with me?!

 

[GTHintz]

Speaking of DR strings, I've just received my order for the DDT 45-105 to try on one of my Jazz basses for DGCF tuning. That's two basses with SS rounds... What's happening with me?!

I'm rubbing off on you. Pretty soon you're going to start playing Nu metal and Warwicks like I do. Hahaha but I have tried DDT and I thought they sounded really nice. Like lo riders but stiffer. I got them on a bass once. They should work great for a step down or even bead tuning like how the guy had it when I bought it.

 

[Joebone]

I've long been addicted to nickel roundcore roundwounds - DR Sunbeams, and now DR Pure Blues. However, I recently obtained a used bass that came with a new set of Hi-Beams. Definitely scooped in the mids, a tad light in the lows, and not to my taste. But I have another bass with a dark native voice that I've been using in an 80's/90's/Alternative cover band, and hearing those Hi-Beams inspired me to install some Fat Beams, in the hope that I'd get a bit more of the cut and attack that I need for that band, without sacrificing the delicious low-mids and low-end of the Pure Blues, and without losing the round core flex that assists with left-hand expression. Bingo. It's been a few weeks, and in rehearsal and gig, I couldn't be happier - definitely the right string for me, for that bass, and for that kind of gig. The surface felt rougher at first, but I was cool with it after the first few days. I'll likely continue to prefer Pure Blues for the jazz/latin/folklorical stuff that has been most of my thing over the last 10 years, but the Fat Beams are floating my boat, bigly.

 

[coreyfyfe]

I've long been addicted to nickel roundcore roundwounds - DR Sunbeams, and now DR Pure Blues. However, I recently obtained a used bass that came with a new set of Hi-Beams. Definitely scooped in the mids, a tad light in the lows, and not to my taste. But I have another bass with a dark native voice that I've been using in an 80's/90's/Alternative cover band, and hearing those Hi-Beams inspired me to install some Fat Beams, in the hope that I'd get a bit more of the cut and attack that I need for that band, without sacrificing the delicious low-mids and low-end of the Pure Blues, and without losing the round core flex that assists with left-hand expression. Bingo. It's been a few weeks, and in rehearsal and gig, I couldn't be happier - definitely the right string for me, for that bass, and for that kind of gig. The surface felt rougher at first, but I was cool with it after the first few days. I'll likely continue to prefer Pure Blues for the jazz/latin/folklorical stuff that has been most of my thing over the last 10 years, but the Fat Beams are floating my boat, bigly.

Kind of the opposite for me, I used stainless round core for a lot of basses. Fat beams on many, hi beams on inherently darker toned basses and for short scales. Gave Gabriel Tenorio strings a shot as well, nickel round cores, but really didn't like the feel. I have used TI for flats though and eventually gave TI jazz rounds a go on my medium scale. Really like those strings. If you like the feel of DR round cores the TIs are even a touch more flexible, and the nickel rounds sound great, at least on the medium scale. Spendy though.

 

[PhinDog]

Glad you're liking the fat beams. Ive been trying them on a Warwick streamer and I believe they are basically a little bit more thicker sounding than hi beams and as they settled in the tone has gotten fatter. They haven't lost all the brightness yet and it's been almost 6 months. I'm really impressed with them to be honest. The guy who mentioned Dean Markley Blue Steel I feel like those could be your next experiment if you decide to keep chasing strings. Ive been a fan of those for years and they fit in the conversation between fats and hi beams. Basically very similar to fats except a little bit brighter and a little bit stiffer. They are hex core vs round core but I'm noticing that they both are very close in proximity. Out of my 2 Warwick basses I prefer blue steels on 1 of them but I like the fat beams on the other.

+1
I find, as the the Fat Beams settle in, they don't lose the brightness but a strong low mid punch shows up. I dig them on my Jazz bass. I have no experience with the High Beams. But have used the Pure Blues and Low Riders (both SS and Nickel). The DR strings are great in my opinion.

 

[sonojono]

Agreed. Ever since I got my Yamaha BB435 in early 2023, it's been a bit of a struggle finding just the right string for it...until recently when I've finally come to a realization this bass "wants" stainless steel rounds. I've been trying out the SIT Fusion Wound Stainless for the last couple of weeks, and so far so good. I'll also be try the SIT Power Steels next for comparison. This has been an eye-opener (and ear-opener) for me as I've always shied away from SS rounds in the past.

Have you tried Foundations from
SIT yet? Highly consider trying them out!

 

[Drop1]

Ohhhhh, I'm liking the fat beams WAY better now.

I have a fancy pants onbaord pre amp with several jumpers and pots inside the bass I often forget about. You have to open the bass to adjust them.

I had the pre set to pre curve which means that a 4 db shelf boost at 40hz and 10khz was in the always on position.
I put the jumper back to the flat postion and it's much more articulate and less muddy. It's good bit brighter as well. Not sure I could use that setting with Hi Beams, but it sounds frigging great with fat beams!

 

[voodoobassist]

I just ordered a set today after remembering I had an Amazon credit waiting to be used. I’ve used fat beams since they had the Marcus pic on the packaging. . Still love em !

 

[40Hz]

I am in the camp that believes the bass decides the strings, but I absolutely have my favorites.

This. A thousand times this.

I seldom have put the same set of strings on more than one bass I own. Each wants its own voice.

 

[Drop1]

I was wrong. Fat beams do feel a good bit different from hi beams. It's not as noticeable as going from nickel to steel, but they are different.

This is becoming more noticeable as the strings get more playing time on them.

For me hi beams get really smooth feeling after several hours of playing and getting oils from your skin on them. Mine will almost feel coated after several days.

The fats retain a lot more textured feeling to me. The texture of the fats feels like it is, idk, bigger. Like a lower grade of sand paper compared to a finer grit. It's hard to explain.

 

[PhinDog]

I was wrong. Fat beams do feel a good bit different from hi beams. It's not as noticeable as going from nickel to steel, but they are different.

This is becoming more noticeable as the strings get more playing time on them.

For me hi beams get really smooth feeling after several hours of playing and getting oils from your skin on them. Mine will almost feel coated after several days.

The fats retain a lot more textured feeling to me. The texture of the fats feels like it is, idk, bigger. Like a lower grade of sand paper compared to a finer grit. It's hard to explain.

How long have you had them on your bass? I practice almost every day and even with rehearsals included, the SS strings take about 1-1 1/2 weeks to settle in for me. Then I try to ride out that sweet spot for tone and feel for me. But, I may not have as much oil or moisture in my skin, I live in the high desert. YMMV.

 

[Drop1]

How long have you had them on your bass? I practice almost every day and even with rehearsals included, the SS strings take about 1-1 1/2 weeks to settle in for me. Then I try to ride out that sweet spot for tone and feel for me. But, I may not have as much oil or moisture in my skin, I live in the high desert. YMMV.

Just a couple days. ~ 20 to 22 hours of play time so far. I change hi beams weekly and by 10 hours in the hi beams usually feel very smooth to me. I'm in south Louisiana so humidity is as about as bad as it can get.

 

[PhinDog]

Just a couple days. ~ 20 to 22 hours of play time so far. I change hi beams weekly and by 10 hours in the hi beams usually feel very smooth to me. I'm in south Louisiana so humidity is as about as bad as it can get.

Got it. A weekly change would be very quick for me.