My first Hi-Beam has a problem

Loosen each of the strings to the point of the ball end being free enough to be twisted back and forth in case there is a slight twist. Tune it back up to pitch and reset the witness point. And check to see how it sounds.

 

Hi there,
Hi Beams have much less tension than a set of D'Addarios XL's in the same gauge. They are a looser feeling string due to the round core vs the hex core in the D'Addarios so a lower action might not be possible. A full set up and intonation check is needed likely. It's also possible that those strings just need to be reinstalled as @michael_t suggested.
Hope this helps!
Brent

 

Yep sounds like the strings got twisted during installation. When you are winding the strings around the tuners, always let the ball end spin free until the last possible moment.

 

You need to kink the strings before trimming or else the wrap wire will unravel. Remember round core means there's little for the wrap wire to hold on to.

 

This always confuses me because according to their instructions, they flatten the core past the nut so the windings will grip and there is no need to crimp them UNLESS you cut the string before the flattened core.

We flatten a small section of the core wire at a spot that should lie past the nut at the top of the fingerboard and between the tuning machines of your instrument. This flat section provides and anchor for the wrap wire to grip the core wire. You should be able to feel this flattened area between your fingers as you touch the end of the string opposite the ball end.
If you need to cut or trim your strings between the anchor (the flattened section) and the ball end, carefully and severely bend or crimp your string as illustrated. The severe bend (crimp) will provide an anchor for the round core.

 

You might try lowering your pickup. If a PU is too close to the strings it can produce a "chorusing" effect. First though, make sure the strings aren't twisted as said above.

 

2 or 7 posts should solve. Good luck.

 

That assumes everything was done correctly in the factory and there are no factory defects. Probably the vast majority of the time, there will never be an issue. I just never take that chance.

When you're finished putting a new set of strings on a bass, those strings are going to have two 90 degree bends in them -- one as the string comes out of the center of the post and goes to the side of the tuner, and one as the tuner reaches the side and starts wrapping around the tuner post. Since those 90 degree bends are going to be there anyway, I bend the strings that way before I ever clip them. It looks like this (yes, it's a red string. Get over it.):

 

Active EMG are different and that's what he has. They're designed for you to raise them as close to the strings as possible, without touching.

 

I mentioned that years ago, may have started a thread on it, and I remember a bunch of angry replies. Haha.

The belief that we're supposed to crimp and cut round-core strings before installing them doesn't jive with DR's own instructions.

 

That's the sort of experience I've had with HiBeams & a few other SS strings, they just have a weird
sound, really strange, perhaps most people can't hear it. Elixir nickels are way better IMHO.

 

I would've said DR. They are handmade and closely inspected as a result.

Hopefully, the problem gets figured out.

 

Actually, if you get strings too close to the pickups with EMG 40DC's, P5's, and so on, you will get a chorus style effect. You will likely notice this in the low notes, but still, there is a limit to how close you can get.

 

DR is a fine brand, which happens to be my solid #2.

If I were you, I would try the Lo-Riders, which are hex core like D'Addario. They come in both stainless steel and nickel-plated steel versions. I just put a set of Nickel Lo-Riders on one of my basses and so far I'm very happy with them. What I like about them over D'Addario XL Nickels is their noticeably smoother feel due to their finer surface texture.

 

Takes 2 seconds and can’t hurt

 

It sounds like the guy is a hack rather than a luthier. I’ve used the Hi-Beams 40-100 on Fenders, Warwicks and Spectors for over 20 years and they are my go to strings.

 

I put Hi-Beams on my Jazz and I like them just fine.