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Jonas Hellborg's signature DR's?

Tommy el Gato

Tommy el Gato

Jul 6, 2007
294
7
36
#1
I saw an add for these in the August Bassplayer Magazine. Since the add said "Available in August" and I'm still seeing NO JH strings on musicians' friend or even on DR's website. What's going on with those?

I'm also interested in what these strings actually are. Flatwound? Nickelwound? Roundround? Stainless? Something funky? Really, what exactly ARE the Jonas Hellborg strings supposed to be?
 
#4
Here's what Tony at DR told me a couple of years ago. Obviously some of this information may not be correct today with the sets that are coming out this month.

Here's what I know. I'm in contact with Tony from DR strings on a regular basis and here is what he had to say. DR doesn't 100% know whether these strings will be produced for the public. Jonas Hellborg is a good friend of Mark Dronge (the "D" in DR) and was happy using their Hi-Beams. This was several years ago. At that time, DR was experimenting with different alloys and winding techniques (which they are always doing) and they made a string with titanium alloy and a single wrap. All large diameter roundwound strings are made by wrapping multiple layers upon each other to get the desired gauge. These have a single wrap. I don't quite understand how this is possible but these two things combined (titanium alloy & single wrap) create a string that supposedly has a very unique tone....most notably a stronger fundamental tone. When these were sent out to various people for testing, Jonas was one of the only ones who fell in love with this string....and they have been making them for him ever since. So, Tony at DR was quite surprised to learn that the Jonas Hellborg custom strings had gone public evn though the company has not formally decided whether they will offer them to the public. Tony also mentions that these strings are even more difficult and time consuming to make than their standard sets. Sounds to me like they will never see the light of day. I don't think they will sell very well if that is what DR is ultimately concerned about.
 
#7
Whoever designed the ad for those strings should be fired.

Picture of Hellborg, doesn't say who it is. The strings are not named, so we don't know how to ask for them. They aren't mentioned as being a new string for DR.

Just brutal from an advertising standpoint.
 
#10
Parabolic Box said:
You know, it could be because JH is using them...
Click to expand...

I don't think so...Jonathan Herrera is a fantastic bassplayer, but I was concentrating on the pure tambour of the string and it is WOW!...I've heard dozens of JH clips, this one is special...

edit...do you mean JH as in Jonas Hellborg...or JH as in Jonathan Hererra...both fit in the context of your reply since Mr. Herrera is doing the review...

Just check it out, OK...don't take my word for it...
 
#13
I have just ordered 3 sets of JH DR Strings. I will compare them directly with a set of Chrome flats and a set of Ritter strings (yes, that Ritter brand, the bass one!!!), on my Dingwall Super PJ 4 and on my Fender Marcus Miller 4. Once I record and compare, I'll let you know (I know they are different basses and strings and that really intrigues me as to which fits what best)
 
#15
fullrangebass said:
I have just ordered 3 sets of JH DR Strings. I will compare them directly with a set of Chrome flats and a set of Ritter strings (yes, that Ritter brand, the bass one!!!), on my Dingwall Super PJ 4 and on my Fender Marcus Miller 4. Once I record and compare, I'll let you know (I know they are different basses and strings and that really intrigues me as to which fits what best)
Click to expand...


i assume you're talking about the ritter swordsteels? there have been a couple of people to try those out with pretty good results...
 
#16
Yes, it's the Swordsteels I'm talking about. I have used them on my Ritter and the tone is very nice. They feel very smooth too, on the fingers. They sound full, they have nice bite but they are not overly zingy (still bright enough to satisfy me)
 
#17
neptoon said:
wow...just checked out the bassplayer.tv clip...they seem really nice...look like they opted for a pure nickel outer wrap vice the titanium alloy for us regular folk :D
Click to expand...

Nice sounding, yes...

I would imagine that if you were mass-producing strings, it would be a easier to source nickel wire vs. the titanium. Both cost and supply come into play.
Besides, John Q Public is already quite used to the way nickel feels to the touch.
 
#18
PilbaraBass said:
I would imagine that if you were mass-producing strings, it would be a easier to source nickel wire vs. the titanium.
Click to expand...


yeah, no kiddin'...when one of my units were decommissioning the TRIDENT I weapons system (submarine launched ballistic missiles), i was dumbfounded at how much money all of that scrap titanium was worth...i knew that we paid about 10 grand per bolt for most of the parts, which is ridiculous, until you really think about what it's being used for, but the amount that we got back was still a pretty impressive figure...i was just making a 'we poor mortals' comment :D titanium wound strings might be pretty cool, given the right alloy...that stuff is crazy brittle...
 

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