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Looking for the right DR string set

FunkJunk96

FunkJunk96

Dec 30, 2012
44
2
30
Michigan, USA
#1
Obviously there are a plethora of DR string threads, but I would appreciate an opinion on strings tailored for me and not someone else.

These are the strings I have used in the past & my personal opinions about them (it's subjective, so lets agree to disagree):

Roundwounds
GHS Boomers: Personally I felt like the amount of "grind" (the sound you get when your tone knob is turned all the way up) in these strings was too much for me. When I played in my high school jazz band I used these strings and hated them but they were all that were available at the time (until I started ordering online). If I were in the RHCP and played what Flea plays I could see why these strings would satisfy me.

Peavey Cirrus Strings: I cannot for the life of me remember why I disliked these but my time with them was short lived.

DR Sunbeams: I really loved these strings and one broke on me after 4 months of playing, but I'm trying to expand my horizons by not buying another set. The only thing that I seem to remember disliking was the amount of power in the lower strings. It's for that reason that I bought.....

DR Lo-Riders (nickel): In order to find a string with more flare in the low end I bought lo-riders, but with my current ampeg amp I feel like I'm overdoing my lows when I combine the amp with these strings. I also don't feel like slap & pop sounds it's best with these strings. The tension is a bit tight I might add.

Flatwounds
D'Addario Chromes: When I was in jazz band these strings were next to perfect on a Fender '77 Jazz Bass. What I hated about these strings was the tension! They were SO hard to bend (something I did quite a bit to replicate a double bass jazz-y tone). It's for that reason I'm not too sure about using flats again.

Right now I'm using the nickel lo-riders. There are too many lows because of my Ampeg amp and I just cannot seem to shake them. Would this have been different if I used Stainless Steel Lo-riders? I'm somewhat skeptical to jump into SS strings seeing as I hear "THEY'LL WEAR DOWN FRETS!" at every corner (that and they apparently tear up your fingers). I also would like to know if I should venture into flats again or not.

I'm considering trying Fat-Beams next. They should be brighter with a good low end. Good for slap. Lower tension. These sound like a good idea to me. Should I go for it?

I play anything like jazz, funk, alt rock, classic rock, etc. I would prefer a string that is versatile but is aimed at "funky rock" if that makes sense. Honestly any advice and opinion would help out.
 
#5
I used only Sunbeams and Nickel Lo-Riders the last four years, but this last month I switched to the DR flats (about 5 or 6 shows).
I think the regular/steel Lo-Riders sound even deeper than the nickel, or maybe the midrange was less pronounced. The nickel DR stuff just seems warmer with more midrange character. And the steel had higher friction under fingertips (kinda sticky).
I have been happy with the flats. Not quite as stiff as the nickel low rider, but more tension than the Sunbeams. Can't get near as much grind digging-in or extreme peaks, but great "fundamental". (My bass, amp, and cab put out enough midrange and grind.)
Maybe roll back that bass knob a bit on the amp?

Edit: R. Cocco nickels are somewhere between the Nickel LR and Sunbeam in tension, and they don't seem to have the up-front midrange character like the Sunbeams (which might create that perceived lack of low end).
 
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#6
I appreciate all of the replies! And I've looked into getting hi-beams! I was just a bit skeptical as to whether or not they would be lacking in low end (my amp might make up for it though), which is why I was thinking fat-beams.

Aren't fat beams just hi-beams with more low end? Or is there a large noticeable difference in tension and other things as well?
 
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#7
hi! here's a sample of my Precision Classic '50 with DR Hi Beam (45-105): https://www.dropbox.com/s/hpkxdfq9w6enp8b/DR Hi Beam 45-105 roba a caso P50.wav
I was just messing around trying them, and forgot to turn the "rec" button off.

they are a bit used, and lost their "fresh" sound. they have a nice "solid" tone to my ears, not too bright (brand new they are scooped and really bright!). I still prefer the sound of hex core strings like the Rotosound Swing66, but for a mellower tone they are good.
 
#8
I highly recommend DR fatbeams. They are the only strings I will use now. I went on a string search several years ago and tried out many different sets of strings.

I also found that DR lowriders have too much low-mids in the mud area of the frequency spectrum. I liked HI beams but they were a little too flexible under my fingers and took a lot of gigs to break in and get rid of the glistening high-end.

Fat beams take a while to get rid of the high-end, but they feel excellent and have a great frequency response, attack, and decay. They last forever, I regularly keep sets on for around 6 months.
 
#10
I have Hi-Beams on my 4 string Jazz bass and I really like them. I was leary at first (with them being a round core) thinking that they might be too loose feeling but this wasn't the case. Not stiff by any means but not loose either.

But I'm also tempted to try the Fat Beams. I've also heard they're like Hi- Beams but with more low end. True? How about the mids?
 

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