Love DR Pure Blues but....

[MascisMan]

So I threw some DR Pure Blues on a P-Bass and they sound great....but....they feel fairly rough/sticky.

Can anyone recommend a similar sounding roundwound string that is a little smoother/softer to the touch?

 

[Yahboy]

FENDER 7150 PURE NICKEL STRINGS?

The pre-2010 Mexico made 7150.

 

[Tubehed]

DR Sunbeams

 

[woodyng2]

So I threw some DR Pure Blues on a P-Bass and they sound great....but....they feel fairly rough/sticky.

Can anyone recommend a similar sounding roundwound string that is a little smoother/softer to the touch?

That’s surprising.
I’ve use DR PB sets on several of my basses, and they’re always very smooth and slinky feeling,
like I’ve found DR Sunbeams to be over the years, too.
One thing I always do is to thoroughly wipe every new string down with isopropyl alcohol,
before installing on my basses, to remove any factory dirt, gunk, etc.

 

[MascisMan]

That’s surprising.
I’ve use DR PB sets on several of my basses, and they’re always very smooth and slinky feeling,
like I’ve found DR Sunbeams to be over the years, too.
One thing I always do is to thoroughly wipe every new string down with isopropyl alcohol,
before installing on my basses, to remove any factory dirt, gunk, etc.

Cool I will try that. Thanks!

 

[droberts444]

I’ve used them on a couple of basses, and really enjoyed them, but that grippy and grabby feeling lingered for about 5 hours of play time. After that, they felt and sounded great for months (6+). Sunbeams are smoother, especially out of the box, but to me they seem a little more polite than the Pure Blues.

 

[bassist4dalord]

Hmm. Our skin oil composition must be different. I installed PBs on my Ibanez and loved the smooth feel right out of the box. These are easily some of the best strings I’ve ever played in terms of feel and tone.

Best of luck with your string journey!

 

[MascisMan]

Played a couple sets this morning and they are feeling a little better. The sound is fabulous. Maybe just a bit of break-in is in order.

 

[iiipopes]

Folks, if you want pure nickel in a great set, GHS Balanced Pure Nickels. They have the big round tone. They are consistent up the neck and string-to-string. They don't thump or twang. Reasonably priced. Great longetivity.

 

[One Way]

I presently have DR Pure Blues on three of my basses and find them very smooth and comfortable to play. I am another one who wipes each new string with isopropyl alcohol prior to installation.

I was surprised to get 12 months of use from the Pure Blues on my G&L L-2500 Tribute. Thought I’d change to OEM strings and removed them after only one week because they felt very rough compared to the Pure Blues. I suspect each of us have physical differences that affect how strings feel and play. I’m really glad there are choices and a best string for each of us.

 

[Relsom]

That’s surprising.
I’ve use DR PB sets on several of my basses, and they’re always very smooth and slinky feeling,
like I’ve found DR Sunbeams to be over the years, too.
One thing I always do is to thoroughly wipe every new string down with isopropyl alcohol,
before installing on my basses, to remove any factory dirt, gunk, etc.

I like the feel of PBs right out of the box, but I might try your alcohol trick next time....never heard of f that.

PB45s have been my #1 roundwound for many years now. On 2 occasions though, I've found faults. Last October, I got a weak G string. I wrote DR and they sent me 2 PB.045 replacements right away. I commend them for their quick response. Then yesterday, after changing out a 9 month old set, G string would not intonate. Way sharp. could not bring it in. I had that 2nd replacement PB.045 that DR sent in October. Everything now back to normal.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

The Sunbeams are a little smoother. They are nickel-plated steel. The Pure Blues have a nickel-steel alloy (AKA "Quantum Nickel") so you're probably feeling the steel in the mix.

 

[Heavy Blue]

That’s surprising.
I’ve use DR PB sets on several of my basses, and they’re always very smooth and slinky feeling,
like I’ve found DR Sunbeams to be over the years, too.
One thing I always do is to thoroughly wipe every new string down with isopropyl alcohol,
before installing on my basses, to remove any factory dirt, gunk, etc.

Yep this!^^^

I once bought a set of D'Addario half rounds (iow groundrounds) and put them on straight out of the box and they were incredibly grody with machine oil and little tiny bits of metal from the grinding process.

However, some quality time with some iso saved them. Once cleaned up, they've been great. Been doing the iso thing ever since.

If I ever leave GHS/LaBella land, I think I'll give the PB a try.

Folks, if you want pure nickel in a great set, GHS Balanced Pure Nickels. They have the big round tone. They are consistent up the neck and string-to-string. They don't thump or twang. Reasonably priced. Great longetivity.

I'm thinking about ordering a set for my Squier P. How is their slap tone?

 

[Mr Ralph]

I use both Pure Blues and the GHS Balanced Nickels. I would say Balanced Nickels are a Little more polite. I have found them both to be very smooth and everything that iiipopes said.

 

[woodyng2]

Bit of a revival for this thread since I just received another “like” for my comment about the isopropyl alcohol wipedown.
I started doing that back in the ‘80s, after reading the warning labels about the presence of potentially toxic factory chemicals.
I noticed I was regularly getting warts on my hands back then, and thought it might be related…..after I started doing that, no more warts.
Whenever I do a wipedown, the cloth accumulates a lot of black residue.
Also, can attest to the goodness of the GHS BT nickel set, although they are nothing like DR PBs in feel or sound.