Lo-Riders Vs. DDTs

[Sonic]

Thanks to Jason from bassstringsonline.com (who I'm going to for all my string needs from here on out #cheapplug) I've just received two shiny new pairs of DR strings . 1 Lo-Rider. 1 DDT. So, for those who are wondering let me compare the two.

The Weigh in: Both brand new out of package. DDTs 45-105 played on a Warwick Corvette Std. Lo-Riders 45-125 (105 E) played on a Yamaha BBN5. Both basses were unplugged so I hear the string w/o pickup colouration.

Lo-Riders: Subtle, more nuance and colour. Certainly a bit on the thumpier side but not without bite. Sound wonderful when played fingerstyle and have a nice, funky bounce when slapped.

DDTs: Grittier. A more simplistic tone but one that works wonders. These were made to rock out with. One thing I did notice was that while a bit less colourful for fingerstyle, they light up when you start thumping away.

Final thoughts: I love them both but for vastly different reasons. The DDTs are a perfect fit for the groove metal band I'm in as we tune down quite low and they maintain a pretty steady intonation (my guitarist actually thought I bought an EQ pedal when I first started playing with them). The Lo-Riders are what the doctor ordered for a session guy. They can do it all and do it all well.

This is in no way meant to represent the gospel truth about either pair of strings, just my observations. Feel free to add on anything you like. Hopefully this was semi-educational (or at least lucid)

P.S. The DDTs are best for metal...before anyone asks.

 

[cdef]

I was going to get some new SS Lo Riders (my personal standard since 1994), but the friendly salesman talked me into trying a set of the new and slightly more costly DDTs. I was wary because of the nasty-looking arachnid on the sleeve, but then thought, hey, if Jeff Berlin endorses them, how bad can they be? So on my old P copy they went, 45-65-85-105.

They are designed for downtuning, which I only do on the E string, once a night. Straight out of the pack, there seemed to be very little stretch. These strings do hold their pitch well throughout.

The tone, alas, I don't really care for. The DDTs lack the built-in mid scoop of the LRs, and I'm missing the deep low end. They have more of a full midrange projection, which undoubtedly works well for many, but for what I play something's just not there. Feelwise, they also don't quite have the hefty bounce of the Lo Riders. Guess I'll be trying them out for a few more gigs, but I'm leaning back towards the strings I've learned to rely on.

EDIT: With the DDTs, plucking the open D string acoustically brings out a pretty strong overtone that corresponds to a B flat. I've never had this before.

 

[ksandvik]

Just come back to the Lo Rider dark side, my friend.

 

[Rip Topaz]

I've had Chromes on my main P since I got it, but am looking for a new band so I figured I'd slap some rounds on it so as not to frighten anyone away with my flats.

On went the LoRiders, which has always been my round if choice.

The P woke up nicely. Nice change from the flats.

 

[mdogs]

Lo Rider nickel or stainless. Also, the last time I worried about how strings sounded unplugged was, oh wait, I never worried about how strings sounded unplugged. You have to plug them in to get any reasonable reading on how they sound on any instrument...

 

[Sonic]

Lo Rider nickel or stainless. Also, the last time I worried about how strings sounded unplugged was, oh wait, I never worried about how strings sounded unplugged. You have to plug them in to get any reasonable reading on how they sound on any instrument...

Stainless. I agree to an extent. You need to plug the bass in to get a good reading on how they're going to sound overall on that instrument. I'm speaking generally about how the strings sound to my ear acoustically. I find they have their own character that, while obviously coloured by the wood of bass, I can appreciate unplugged, before the instrument's electronics get involved in the tone shaping process.

 

[Randy S]

Long time DR user, here. Well over ten years of no other brand. The other day I removed brand new OEM strings from a brand new bass and put Low Rider Nickels on it.

I have run Low Rider Nickels on all my electric fretted basses, and Black Beauties on my fretless.

Was wondering if the 'Rare" acoustic bass guitar strings are as fine in quality as the rest of the DR line.

 

[Sonic]

I'll let you know next pay cheque

Long time DR user, here. Well over ten years of no other brand. The other day I removed brand new OEM strings from a brand new bass and put Low Rider Nickels on it.

I have run Low Rider Nickels on all my electric fretted basses, and Black Beauties on my fretless.

Was wondering if the 'Rare" acoustic bass guitar strings are as fine in quality as the rest of the DR line.